Patent Description:
Related art electronic whiteboard devices are typically configured to remotely share written contents, camera images, and microphone sound or speech with another electronic whiteboard device, PC, or the like.

Teleconferencing systems are, for example, known to use the electronic whiteboard devices for connecting multiple locations to enable remote collaboration. One example of such teleconferencing systems may be a video conferencing system. A typical video conferencing system is configured to include input and output devices for images and speech, such as cameras, microphones, monitors, speakers, and the like; coding and decoding devices for images and speech; and communication devices and lines for connecting locations. <CIT> (Patent Document <NUM>), for example, discloses a remote video conferencing system for sharing data between remote conference rooms. In this remote video conferencing system, respective electronic whiteboard devices are provided to the remote conference rooms so as to write to each other, and share applications to operate the shared applications.

However, in such a related art remote video conferencing system, when a user of one electronic whiteboard device selects an information processing device, such as another electronic whiteboard device or a PC, as a remote connection destination, from multiple information processing devices, the user needs to use IP addresses or IDs of information processing devices for selecting a desired information processing device as the remote connection destination. However, such IP addresses or IDs of the information processing devices are, unfortunately, not directly associative with the information processing devices for being selected as a remote connection destination. This results in an increase in the user's workload of selecting the remote connection destination.

Patent Document <NUM>: <CIT>. <CIT> discloses a communication system, connection controller, terminal, and control method. <CIT> discloses a communication management system, communication terminal, communication system, and recording medium.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing device as defined by claim <NUM>. According to further aspects of the invention, there is provided an information processing system, an electronic whiteboard device, a control method, and a non-transitory computer readable program, as defined by claims <NUM> to <NUM> respectively.

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. According to the present embodiment, an electronic whiteboard device that performs remote sharing is illustrated as an example of an "information processing device". However, the present invention is not limited to the electronic whiteboard device, and may be any information processing device such as a PC.

<FIG> is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of an information processing system, according to an embodiment. As illustrated in <FIG>, an information processing system <NUM> includes a user information server device <NUM>, a device management server device <NUM>, multiple external service group systems <NUM>, and multiple electronic whiteboard devices <NUM>, which are connected to each other through a network <NUM>, such as the Internet or a LAN. The user information server device <NUM>, the device management server device <NUM>, and the electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> form an electronic whiteboard system. The user information server device <NUM>, the device management server device <NUM>, and the electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> operate by linking with the external service group systems <NUM> to provide functions relating to the electronic whiteboard devices <NUM>. The external service group systems <NUM> are configured external to the electronic whiteboard system.

External service groups provided by the external service group systems <NUM> are so-called groupware, and different external services belonging to the same external service group may be used with the same authentication information (a combination of ID and password, an access token, etc.).

For example, an external service group refers to an integrated service, such as Office <NUM> (registered trademark), which includes a user service, a storage service, a schedule service, a shared site service, and the like. One external service group is provided such that multiple different services, such as a user service, a storage service, a schedule service, and a shared site service, are used with the identical user account.

Multiple external service groups are provided, for example, by different companies. Hence, a case where one user uses a company A's external service group and a company B's external service group may be expected. Note that the multiple external service groups being provided by difference companies may merely be one example; multiple external service groups may not necessarily be provided by different companies but may be provided by the same company. The external service group systems <NUM> are implemented by one or more computers.

The user information server device <NUM> stores a later-described user information list, which is used by the electronic whiteboard devices <NUM>. The user information server device <NUM> may be shared by multiple electronic whiteboard devices <NUM>, and may not necessarily be located on the same network segment. The user information server device <NUM> may be included in the electronic whiteboard devices <NUM>. The user information server device <NUM> is implemented by one or more computers. The device management server device <NUM> stores later-described device management information, which is used by the electronic whiteboard devices <NUM>. The device management server device <NUM> is implemented by one or more computers. Note that in the configuration diagram illustrated in <FIG>, the user information server device <NUM> and the device management server device <NUM> are separately provided; however, the user information server device <NUM> and the device management server device <NUM> may be provided by one server device.

The electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> each displays, for example, an image drawn by an electronic pen or by hand. The electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> may also each display an image of an electronic file read from a USB memory, a PC connected via a cable, or the like. The electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> each have a function to remotely share image data of the displayed image with other electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> acting as remote connection destinations. Remote sharing is to share written contents, camera images, microphone sound or speech, and the like with other electronic whiteboard devices <NUM>. Further, the electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> each have an authentication function for authenticating a user, such as IC card authentication and face authentication. Remote sharing includes sharing of a screen displayed on respective electronic whiteboards located at remote locations, joint editing of the screen (execution of electronic whiteboard functions at remote locations), sharing of images and videos of users such as participants of the conference captured by cameras owned by electronic whiteboards. Remote sharing also includes sharing, joint editing, and transmission of files in individuals' storages and a shared storage that are acquired from electronic whiteboards.

The electronic whiteboard device <NUM> is merely an example of an information processing device, and any information processing device, which includes a remote sharing function, such as a remote conference system, a display, a projector, or the like, may be used. The remote sharing function of the information processing device may be provided by any method. For example, devices may mutually transmit and receive data directly with each other, or devices may mutually transmit and receive data with each other via a mediation server. As described above, the configuration of the information processing system <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is merely an example. For example, at least some of the functions of the user information server device <NUM>, the device management server device <NUM>, and the external service group system <NUM> may be provided in the electronic whiteboard device <NUM>.

Further, the information processing system <NUM> may have a configuration in which at least some of the functions of the user information server device <NUM>, the device management server device <NUM>, the external service group system <NUM>, and the electronic whiteboard device <NUM> may be implemented by other information processing devices other than the user information server device <NUM>, the device management server device <NUM>, the external service group system <NUM>, and the electronic whiteboard device <NUM>.

The user information server device <NUM>, the device management server device <NUM>, and the external service group system <NUM> in <FIG> may, for example, be implemented by a computer having a hardware configuration illustrated in <FIG> is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating an example of a computer.

A computer <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> includes an input device <NUM>, a display device <NUM>, an external I/F <NUM>, a RAM <NUM>, a ROM <NUM>, a CPU <NUM>, a communication I/F <NUM>, and an HDD <NUM>, which are connected to each other by a bus B. The input device <NUM> and the display device <NUM> may be connected and utilized optionally.

The input device <NUM> includes a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, or the like, and may be used by a user to input respective operation signals. The display device <NUM> includes a display or the like to display results of processing performed by computer <NUM>.

The communication I/F <NUM> is an interface that connects the computer <NUM> to various networks. Thus, the computer <NUM> is enabled to perform data communication via the communication I/F <NUM>.

The HDD <NUM> is an example of a non-volatile storage device that stores programs and data. The stored programs and data include an operating system and application; the operating system is the basic software for controlling the entire computer <NUM>, and the applications provide various functions on the operating system. Note that the computer <NUM> may use, instead of the HDD <NUM>, a drive device (e.g., a solid state drive (SSD)) that uses flash memory as a storage medium.

An external I/F <NUM> is an interface with an external device. An external device includes a recording medium 503a or the like. The computer <NUM> may read data from and/or write data into the recording medium 503a via the external I/F <NUM>. Examples of the recording medium 503a include a flexible disk, CD, DVD, SD memory card, USB memory, SIM card, and the like.

The ROM <NUM> is an example of a non-volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that may retain programs and data upon the power being turned off. The ROM <NUM> stores programs and data such as BIOS, OS settings, and network settings that are executed upon activation of the computer <NUM>. The RAM <NUM> is an example of a volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that temporarily retains programs and data.

The CPU <NUM> works as an arithmetic logic unit and a control unit. The CPU <NUM> implements controls and functions of the entire computer <NUM> by reading programs and data, from storage devices such as the ROM <NUM> and the HDD <NUM>, and loading the programs and data onto the RAM <NUM> to execute processing. The CPU <NUM> may be implemented by one or more processors.

For example, the user information server device <NUM>, the device management server device <NUM>, and the external service group system <NUM> may implement later-described various processing according to the hardware configuration of the computer <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating an example of an electronic whiteboard device. An electronic whiteboard device <NUM> includes a CPU <NUM>, a ROM <NUM>, a RAM <NUM>, an SSD <NUM>, a network controller <NUM>, and an external storage controller <NUM>.

The CPU <NUM> controls overall operations of the electronic whiteboard device <NUM>. The ROM <NUM> stores programs used to drive the CPU <NUM>. The RAM <NUM> is used as a work area of the CPU <NUM>. The SSD <NUM> stores various data, such as programs for an electronic whiteboard device <NUM>. The network controller <NUM> controls communication with the network <NUM>. The external storage controller <NUM> controls communication with a recording medium such as USB memory <NUM>.

The electronic whiteboard device <NUM> also includes a capture device <NUM>, a CPU (Graphics Processing Unit) <NUM>, a display controller <NUM>, a sensor controller <NUM>, a contact sensor <NUM>, an electronic pen controller <NUM>, an RF tag reader <NUM>, and a camera <NUM>.

The capture device <NUM> captures video information as a still image or video file from a PC <NUM> or camera <NUM>. The GPU <NUM> is specialized in graphics operations. The display controller <NUM> controls and manages display of a screen to output an output image that is output from the GPU <NUM> to a display <NUM> or to a video conference terminal <NUM>. The sensor controller <NUM> controls processing of the contact sensor <NUM>. The contact sensor <NUM> detects contact on the display <NUM> made by an electronic pen <NUM> or a hand H of a user, or the like.

The contact sensor <NUM> inputs coordinates and detects coordinates by an infrared ray blocking method. The infrared ray blocking method is conducted as follows. Two light emitting/receiving devices, which are installed at opposite upper ends of the display <NUM>, emit multiple infrared rays parallel to the display <NUM>, the emitted multiple infrared rays are then reflected by reflecting members disposed around the display <NUM>, and the receiving devices receive light rays returning along the same optical paths as those of the emitted multiple infrared rays. The contact sensor <NUM> outputs to the sensor controller <NUM> an ID of the infrared rays emitted by the two light emitting/receiving devices and blocked by an object. The sensor controller <NUM> identifies a coordinate position that is a contact position of the object.

Further, the contact sensor <NUM> does not necessarily use the infrared ray blocking method. The contact sensor <NUM> may be any type of a detector, such as an electrostatic capacitance touch panel that identifies a contact position by sensing a change in capacitance, a resistive film touch panel that identifies a contact position by a voltage change of two opposing resistive films, or an electromagnetic induction touch panel that identifies a contact position by detecting an electromagnetic induction caused upon an object being in contact with a display unit.

The electronic pen controller <NUM> that performs communication with the electronic pen <NUM> determines whether the tip or the bottom of electronic pen <NUM> has touched the display <NUM>. Note that the electronic pen controller <NUM> may determine whether a part of the electronic pen <NUM> gripped by the user or other parts of the electronic pen <NUM> have touched the display <NUM>.

The RF tag reader <NUM> wirelessly reads identification information unique to an IC card <NUM> from an RF tag embedded in the IC card <NUM>. The RF tag reader <NUM> may be included in the electronic whiteboard device <NUM> or externally attached to the electronic whiteboard device <NUM>. The IC card <NUM> may be included in a smart device such as a smartphone. Further, the electronic whiteboard device <NUM> may use any devices capable of obtaining identification information that identifies users other than the RF tag reader <NUM>; for example, biometric authentication devices (e.g., a fingerprint scanner, a palm-print scanner, and an iris scanner) or bar code readers may be used.

The electronic whiteboard device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> includes a bus line <NUM>, such as an address bus or data bus, for electrically connecting to a CPU <NUM>, a ROM <NUM>, a RAM <NUM>, an SSD <NUM>, a network controller <NUM>, an external storage controller <NUM>, a capture device <NUM>, a GPU <NUM>, a sensor controller <NUM>, an electronic pen controller <NUM>, and RF tag reader <NUM>. Note that programs for the electronic whiteboard device <NUM> may be stored and distributed in a computer-readable recording medium, such as a CD-ROM.

An information processing system <NUM> according to an embodiment is implemented, for example, by functional configurations illustrated in <FIG> is a functional configuration diagram illustrating an example of an information processing system, according to an embodiment. The functional configurations illustrated in <FIG> appropriately omit configurations unnecessary for the description of the present embodiment.

The information processing system <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is configured to include a user information server device <NUM>, a device management server device <NUM>, multiple external service group systems <NUM>, and multiple electronic whiteboard devices <NUM>. The external service group systems <NUM> in <FIG> each indicate an example of an integrated service, which includes a user service <NUM>, a schedule service <NUM>, a file service <NUM>, and a shared site service <NUM>, and the like.

The user service <NUM> of the external service group system <NUM> stores, for example, service account information illustrated in <FIG> is a table illustrating an example of the service account information. The service account information illustrated in <FIG> includes a user ID, a name, and an email address of a user who uses an external service group system <NUM> (a user of external service).

The schedule service <NUM> stores, for example, the conference schedule information illustrated in <FIG> is a table illustrating an example of conference schedule information. The conference schedule information in <FIG> includes, for example, a conference schedule name, an owner user, organized time and duration, a scheduled participant list, and an attached file.

The file service <NUM> may store and read a user's file. The file service <NUM> stores, for example, storage information illustrated in <FIG> is a table illustrating an example of the storage information. The storage information illustrated in <FIG> may, for example, include an owner user of a file or folder, a type of a file or folder, and a name of a file or folder. The storage information thus manages types of files and folders, and names of files and folders owned by users, on a per user basis.

The shared site service <NUM> may include a webpage having a chat function or a whiteboard function, in addition to storing and reading functions to store and read user folders and files on the shared site. The shared site service <NUM> may, for example, store shared site information illustrated in <FIG> is a table illustrating an example of the shared site information. The shared site information illustrated in <FIG> includes a site name, a user, a type of file or folder, and a name. As described above, the shared site information illustrated in <FIG> manages users, who use webpages having a chat function or a whiteboard function in addition to functions to store and read files, on a per shared site basis.

The user information server device <NUM> includes a user information unit <NUM>. The user information unit <NUM> stores a list of user information (user information list) as illustrated in <FIG> and a list of service information (service information list), as illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> is a table illustrating an example of a user information list. <FIG> is a table illustrating an example of a service information list.

The user information list illustrated in <FIG> includes a user ID, a name, setting information, service information, and identification information of a user (a user of an electronic whiteboard system) that are managed in an electronic whiteboard system. The service information list illustrated in <FIG> is information used for associating a user ID of the electronic whiteboard system with a user ID of an external service (also referred to as "external service user ID"). The service information list includes service information, a user ID of the electronic whiteboard system, address information, an external service user ID, and an authentication token for external service.

The service information of the user information list in <FIG> is used for specifying the service information from the service information list in <FIG>. The identification information of the user information list in <FIG> is used for identifying a user based on an input from a later-described IC card detector <NUM>. For example, the identification information "ICCARD-<NUM>" in <FIG> is an example of identification information unique to an IC card <NUM>, which is input from the IC card detector <NUM>. The service information of a user, whose identification information has been identified by referring to the user information list in <FIG>, may be identified from the service information list illustrated in <FIG>.

The service information list illustrated in <FIG> is a list of service information for users to utilize external service group systems <NUM>. The service information of the service information list in <FIG> includes different accounts (each including: user ID, name, and email address) for respective external service groups, with respect to one user. That is, one user has one or more accounts for external service groups. For example, one user (e.g., user ID: <NUM> in <FIG>), who uses two external service groups (two external service user IDs: a01, b01), has two service information (service11, service12). In other words, by referring to the service information of the service information list in <FIG>, all the account information of users who use the information processing system <NUM> may each be uniquely identified, regardless of any accounts used for external service groups (i.e., external service user IDs). The address information and the external service user ID are examples of access information to the external service group systems <NUM>. The authentication token for external service is an example of authentication information of an external service group system <NUM>.

The electronic whiteboard device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> includes a conference schedule setting unit <NUM>, a file reader <NUM>, a file transmitter <NUM>, a shared site reader <NUM>, a participant manager <NUM>, a whiteboard display unit <NUM>, a remote destination connecting unit <NUM>, a participant setting unit <NUM>, an IC card detector <NUM>, a camera <NUM>, and a microphone <NUM>.

The IC card detector <NUM> reads identification information from a user's IC card <NUM>. The participant manager <NUM> transmits identification information read by the IC card detector <NUM> to the user information server device <NUM>, and acquires service information of the user corresponding to the read identification information from the user information unit <NUM> of the user information server device <NUM>. The participant manager <NUM> transmits the service information of the user acquired from the user information unit <NUM> to the conference schedule setting unit <NUM>, the file reader <NUM>, the file transmitter <NUM>, and the shared site reader <NUM>.

The conference schedule setting unit <NUM> uses the service information of the user received from the participant manager <NUM> to acquire from the schedule service <NUM> the conference schedule information indicating that the user is included in the scheduled participant list (see <FIG>). Further, the conference schedule setting unit <NUM> has a user interface (Ul) for prompting a user to select a schedule from the acquired conference schedule information.

Upon a schedule being selected by a user, the conference schedule setting unit <NUM> reads information from an attached file of the conference schedule information corresponding to the schedule selected by the user, and transmits the read information to the file reader <NUM>, thereby acquiring the attached file from the external service group system <NUM>. Note that the schedule selected by the user does not necessarily have an attached file. In a case of a schedule being selected by a user, information about participants included in the scheduled participant list may be acquired in addition to reading of information of the attached file. Upon a schedule being selected by the user, the conference schedule setting unit <NUM> transmits an identifier of the electronic whiteboard device <NUM> and information about the schedule selected by the user to the device management server device <NUM>.

The identifier of the electronic whiteboard device <NUM> may be any information that identifies the electronic whiteboard device <NUM>, and various types of information, such as an IP address and a MAC address, may be used as the identifier of the electronic whiteboard device <NUM>. The information about the schedule may be a schedule name or an ID indicating the schedule.

The file reader <NUM> has a function to read a file from the file service <NUM> of the external service group system <NUM> to the electronic whiteboard device <NUM>. The file reader <NUM> includes a Ul for prompting a user to select a file to be read from the file service <NUM> of the external service group system <NUM> to the electronic whiteboard device <NUM>. The file reader <NUM> reads a file from the file service <NUM> to the electronic whiteboard device <NUM> by using the service information of the user received from the participant manager <NUM>.

Upon a file being selected by the user as a file to be read from the file service <NUM>, the file reader <NUM> transmits the identifier of the electronic whiteboard device <NUM> and information about the file selected by the user to the device management server device <NUM>. The information about the file may be a file name or a file path, or may be an ID indicating the file.

The shared site reader <NUM> has a function to read a file from the shared site service <NUM> of the external service group system <NUM> to the electronic whiteboard device <NUM>, and provides a webpage having a chat function and a whiteboard function. The shared site reader <NUM> includes a Ul for prompting a user to select a file to be read from the shared site service <NUM> of the external service group system <NUM> to the electronic whiteboard device <NUM>. The shared site reader <NUM> reads a file from the shared site service <NUM> to the electronic whiteboard device <NUM> using the service information of the user received from the participant manager <NUM>.

In a case where the shared site service <NUM> has a display function of a webpage having a chat function or a whiteboard function, the shared site reader <NUM> reads the webpage from the shared site service <NUM> using a web browser of the electronic whiteboard device <NUM>. Similar to the file reader <NUM>, the shared site reader <NUM> transmits a file, a folder, and a site URL of a webpage read from the shared site service <NUM> to the device management server device <NUM>.

The file transmitter <NUM> acquires written contents of the electronic whiteboard device <NUM> from the whiteboard display unit <NUM>, and transmits files of written contents to the file service <NUM> or the shared site service <NUM> by using user's service information received from the participant manager <NUM>.

The file transmitter <NUM> has a Ul including a screen for prompting a user to select a folder (saving destination folder) to store files and a screen for prompting a user to save files in the selected saving destination folder. At the start of a conference, for example, a user selects a saving destination folder for saving a file, and saves the file at the time the conference ends. Upon the saving destination folder being selected by the user, the file transmitter <NUM> transmits an identifier of the electronic whiteboard device <NUM> and information about the saving destination folder selected by the user to the device management server device <NUM>.

The whiteboard display unit <NUM> displays a file read by the file reader <NUM> or the shared site reader <NUM> from the file service <NUM> or the shared site service <NUM>. The whiteboard display unit <NUM> receives a user's writing on the electronic whiteboard device <NUM>, and displays the user's written contents on the electronic whiteboard device <NUM>. The whiteboard display unit <NUM> provides the file transmitter <NUM> with written contents on the electronic whiteboard device <NUM>. The written contents include contents of the file read by the file reader <NUM> or the shared site reader <NUM> from the file service <NUM> or the shared site service <NUM>, and the user's written contents on the electronic whiteboard device <NUM>.

The device management server device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is configured to have a device manager <NUM> and a device management information unit <NUM>. The device manager <NUM> writes, into device management information illustrated in <FIG>, information received from the conference schedule setting unit <NUM>, the file reader <NUM>, the file transmitter <NUM>, or the shared site reader <NUM>. The device management information unit <NUM> stores the device management information as illustrated in <FIG> is a table illustrating an example of device management information.

The device management information illustrated in <FIG> stores an IP address (device IP address) in association with a schedule name, a file name, a saving destination folder, a shared site information, and participant information, and the like. The IP address (device IP address) is an example of information that can identify an electronic whiteboard device <NUM>. The schedule name, file name, saving destination folder, and shared site information are examples of "resources used for remote sharing" or "remote sharing resources". The participant information is an example of "participant information used for remote sharing" and "remote sharing participant information". Note that the participants included in the participant information indicate participants who have participated in remote sharing. The participant information of the device management information in <FIG> includes user IDs of the electronic whiteboard system, which are assigned to participants of a schedule. The user IDs of the electronic whiteboard system are obtained by converting the external service user IDs registered in the "scheduled participant list" of the conference schedule information illustrated in <FIG>, based on the service information list illustrated in <FIG>. The participant information of the device management information in <FIG> includes the user IDs of the electronic whiteboard system in association with scheduled participants (in the "scheduled participant list") in a predetermined schedule. The participant information of the device management information also includes user IDs of the electronic whiteboard system with respect to participants who are recognized upon the participants' logging into the electronic whiteboard device <NUM> using an IC card, or using an authentication method other than the IC card (e.g., face recognition, inputting of a login ID and a password, etc.). That is, the participant information of the device management information includes user IDs of the electronic whiteboard system with respect to participants who are currently logged into the electronic whiteboard device <NUM>. Further, in the present embodiment, "remote sharing" is an example of remote sharing for a conference performed between multiple electronic whiteboard devices <NUM>. Thus, "remote sharing participant information" may be referred to as "conference participant information", "remote conference participant information", or the like. Note that the schedule name of the device management information in <FIG> may be selected by a user or may be automatically selected based on the user's authentication and time. Resources, such as a schedule name of the device management information, may not necessarily be selected directly by a user, but may be specified by some operation of a user (e.g., authentication in the example of the schedule name). Examples of automatically selected resources, other than the schedule name, include the file name, site name, and the like, which are a user's predetermined initialization settings automatically loaded at the time of the user's authentication.

The remote destination connecting unit <NUM> is an example of a "remote destination connecting unit". The remote destination connecting unit <NUM> of the electronic whiteboard device <NUM> (acting as a reference electronic whiteboard device) remotely connects to other electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> by using respective IP addresses, and the reference electronic whiteboard device <NUM> remotely share written contents, camera images, and microphone sound or speech, etc., with the other electronic whiteboard devices <NUM>. The remote destination connecting unit <NUM> has a UI for displaying a later-described recommended connection destination selecting screen or a connection destination selecting screen, and a Ul for receiving a remote destination connecting request from a user.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating a detailed functional configuration of the remote destination connecting unit <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the remote destination connecting unit <NUM> includes an acquiring unit 60A, a determining unit 60B, a display unit 60C, and a connecting unit 60D.

The acquiring unit 60A is an example of "acquiring unit", which is configured to acquire the device management information from the device management server device <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the device management information indicates remote sharing resources (i.e., schedule name, file name, saving destination folder, and shared site information) and participant information in remote sharing, in association with the electronic whiteboard device acting as a reference electronic whiteboard device, and with other electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> that are other than the reference electronic whiteboard device.

The determining unit 60B is an example of "determining unit", which is configured to determine a candidate for a remote connection destination, from among multiple other electronic whiteboard devices <NUM>. Specifically, the determining unit 60B determines, from among multiple other electronic whiteboard devices <NUM>, one or more electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> that have device management information indicating the same participant information as participant information indicated in the device management information for the reference electronic whiteboard device, as a candidate for a remote connection destination. Note that the participant information indicated in the device management information for the reference electronic whiteboard device is "participants determined in the reference electronic whiteboard device".

Similarly, the determining unit 60B determines, from among multiple other electronic whiteboard devices <NUM>, one or more electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> that have device management information indicating the same resources as resources indicated in the device management information for the reference electronic whiteboard device, as a candidate for a remote connection destination. Note that the resources indicated in the device management information for the reference electronic whiteboard device are any one of the schedule name, the file name, the saving destination folder, and the shared site information.

The display unit 60C is an example of a "display unit" and a "selection unit". The display unit 60C displays, to a user of the reference electronic whiteboard device, one or more of the other electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> determined as a candidate for remote connection destination on the recommended connection destination screen. The one or more of the other electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> are determined by the determining unit 60B as a candidate for remote connection destination. Accordingly, the user of the reference electronic whiteboard device is prompted to select any of the displayed other electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> as a remote connection destination.

The connecting unit 60D remotely connects to the one or more of the other electronic whiteboard devices <NUM>, which are selected by the user of the reference electronic whiteboard device via the recommended connection destination screen.

Note that in the remote destination connecting unit <NUM>, when the determining unit 60B determines one or more of the other electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> as a remote connection destination, the connecting unit 60D may automatically connect to the determined one or more of the other electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> without displaying the determined one or more of the other electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> to the user of the reference electronic whiteboard device.

Further, when the determining unit 60B does not determine any of the other electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> as a candidate for remote connection destination, the display unit 60C may display the connection destination selecting screen including all the connectable (accessible) electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> as remote connection destinations. In other words, when there are no electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> that have the device management information indicating the same participant information or the same resources as those indicated in the device management information for the reference electronic whiteboard device, the display unit 60C may display the connection destination selecting screen including all the connectable (accessible) electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> as remote connection destinations.

The function of the determining unit 60B may be performed outside the reference electronic whiteboard device <NUM>, such as by the device management server device <NUM>. In this case, the remote destination connecting unit <NUM> acquires information about a candidate for remote connection destination from the device management server device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of an outlined processing of the information processing system according to one embodiment. <FIG> illustrates an example of remote sharing performed between an electronic whiteboard device 14A (a first electronic whiteboard device) installed in a "conference room A" and an electronic whiteboard device 14B (a second electronic whiteboard device) installed in a "conference room B". The electronic whiteboard devices 14A and 14B each have a function to remotely share written contents, camera images, microphone sound or speech, and the like between the electronic whiteboard devices 14A and 14B. Note that the function of remotely sharing of contents and the like between the electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> is possible, provided that the electronic whiteboard devices acting as a remote connection destination have an IP address.

The information processing system <NUM> according to an embodiment assumes that an electronic whiteboard device <NUM> configured to perform remote sharing utilizes the schedule service <NUM> or the file service <NUM> of the external service group system <NUM>.

For example, multiple electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> that perform remote sharing have a function to prompt a user to select a schedule from the conference schedule information managed by the schedule service <NUM>, and also have a function to read the attached file of the schedule selected from the conference schedule information. In addition, the multiple electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> that perform remote sharing have a function to prompt a user to select a file to be read from the file service <NUM> or from the shared site service <NUM>, and also have a function to read the selected file. The multiple electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> that perform remote sharing include a function to prompt a user to select a webpage having a chat function, a whiteboard function, and the like, and also have a function to read the selected webpage. Further, the multiple electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> that perform remote sharing have a function to prompt a user to select a saving destination folder of the file service <NUM> or the shared site service <NUM> for storing a file of the written contents, and also have a function to store the file of the written contents in the selected saving destination folder.

As described above, information selected by the user of the electronic whiteboard device <NUM> (i.e., information relating to resources of the external service) is managed as the device management information by the device management server device <NUM> in association with an identifier of the electronic whiteboard device <NUM>. Examples of the information selected by the user of the electronic whiteboard device <NUM> include conference schedule information, a file, a saving destination folder, and shared site information.

When performing remote sharing with other electronic whiteboard devices <NUM>, the electronic whiteboard device <NUM> acting as a reference electronic whiteboard device <NUM> refers to the device management information managed by the device management server device <NUM>, and searches for the other electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> that have the device management information indicating the same participant information as that indicated in the device management information for the reference electronic whiteboard device, as a candidate for remote connection destination. Likewise, the reference electronic whiteboard device <NUM> refers to the device management information, and searches for other electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> that have the device management information indicating the same resources as those indicated in the device management information for the reference electronic whiteboard device, as a candidate for remote connection destination. The reference electronic whiteboard device <NUM> then displays, to a user of the reference electronic whiteboard device, one or more of the other electronic whiteboard devices <NUM>, which are found as a candidate for remote connection destination. Alternatively, in an example not presently claimed, the reference electronic whiteboard device <NUM> automatically and remotely connects to one or more of the other electronic whiteboard devices <NUM>, which are found as a candidate for remote connection destination.

In the following example, the electronic whiteboard device 14A illustrated in <FIG> first selects conference schedule information, a file, a saving destination folder, and a shared site, and the electronic whiteboard device 14B subsequently selects the conference schedule information. A user of the electronic whiteboard device 14A selects the conference schedule information, file, saving destination folder, and shared site to start using the electronic whiteboard device 14A. In addition, the electronic whiteboard device 14A causes the device management server device <NUM> to manage the conference schedule information, file, saving destination folder, and shared site, which are selected by the user of the electronic whiteboard device 14A, in association with an IP address of the electronic whiteboard device 14A. In this example, it is assumed that there are no other electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> that have selected the same resources as those of the electronic whiteboard device 14A.

After the user starts using the electronic whiteboard device 14A, a user of the electronic whiteboard device 14B selects conference schedule information. The electronic whiteboard device 14B causes the device management server device <NUM> to manage the conference schedule information, which is selected by the user of the electronic whiteboard device 14B, in association with an IP address of the electronic whiteboard device 14B. In addition, the electronic whiteboard device 14B acquires the device management information from the device management server device <NUM>.

Since participants "user001, user002, and user004" indicated in the device management information for the electronic whiteboard device 14B and participants "user001, user002, and user004" indicated in the device management information for the electronic whiteboard device 14A are the same, the electronic whiteboard device 14B displays the electronic whiteboard device 14A as a recommended remote connection destination to the user of the electronic whiteboard device 14B. Alternatively, in an example not presently claimed, the electronic whiteboard device 14B automatically and remotely connects to the electronic whiteboard device 14A.

In addition, since the schedule name "Meeting01" indicated in the device management information for the electronic whiteboard device 14B and the schedule name "Meeting01" indicated in the device management information for the electronic whiteboard device 14A are the same, the electronic whiteboard device 14B displays the electronic whiteboard device 14A as a recommended remote connection destination to the user of the electronic whiteboard device 14B. Alternatively, in an example not presently claimed, the electronic whiteboard device 14B automatically and remotely connects to the electronic whiteboard device 14A.

Note that in the example illustrated in <FIG>, a participant "user004" is indicated in the device management information for a third electronic whiteboard device <NUM> having a device IP address "<NUM>. Accordingly, since the participant "user004" indicated in the device management information for the third electronic whiteboard device <NUM> is also indicated in the device management information for the electronic whiteboard device 14A, the third electronic whiteboard device <NUM> displays the electronic whiteboard device 14A to a user of the third electronic whiteboard device <NUM> as a recommended remote connection destination. Alternatively, the third electronic whiteboard device <NUM> automatically and remotely connects to the electronic whiteboard device 14A. Note that there may be a case where a participant (e.g., "user <NUM>"), who is included in the schedule (e.g., "Meeting01") selected by the electronic whiteboard device 14A, does not log into the electronic whiteboard device 14A but logs in to another electronic whiteboard device <NUM> (e.g., the third electronic whiteboard device <NUM>). In such a case, the display unit 60C of the electronic whiteboard device 14A may display, to the user of the electronic whiteboard device 14A, the logged in third electronic whiteboard device <NUM> by being included in the candidates for remote connection destination to be connected by the electronic whiteboard device 14A. Accordingly, a candidate for remote connection destination (i.e., the logged in third electronic whiteboard device <NUM>) to be remotely connected by the electronic whiteboard device 14A is displayed upon the conference participant's simply logging into the third electronic whiteboard device <NUM> without a schedule being selected by the electronic whiteboard device 14A. This will simplify a conference participant's connecting operation.

In addition, when a user uses an application of a terminal device (e.g., such as a user's personal PC) to log in with an ID and a password or the like, to perform remote sharing between one or more electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> and the terminal device, the terminal device may be included in the candidates for remote connection destination displayed by the electronic whiteboard device 14A.

In addition to the participants included in a schedule (e.g., "Meeting01") selected by the electronic whiteboard device 14A, a participant who is not included in the schedule (e.g., "Meeting01") but is authenticated by an IC card is added to the candidates for remote connection destination displayed by the electronic whiteboard device 14A. Further, when any one of the participants logs in from another electronic whiteboard device <NUM> or from the user's terminal device, another electronic whiteboard device <NUM> or the user's terminal device may also be included in the candidates for remote connection destination displayed by the electronic whiteboard device 14A.

Further, at the end of the conference, the device management information for all the connected electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> and terminal devices, and the device management information for the reference electronic whiteboard device within the device management server device <NUM> are reset or deleted based on an operation to end the conference. This enables only electronic whiteboard devices associated with the schedule (e.g., "Meeting01") or the participants to be determined as candidates for remote connection destination, and enables those electronic whiteboard devices unassociated with the schedule to be excluded from the candidates for remote connection destination.

The electronic whiteboard device 14A may also use resource information, in addition to the participant information that is associated with the schedule, to display, as a candidate for remote connection destination, other electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> and the like that have the same resources as the resources included in the schedule selected in the electronic whiteboard device 14A. Note the resource information used by the electronic whiteboard device 14A includes information about the utilized devices associated with a schedule, or information about a location of a conference room, and the like that are associated with the schedule. For example, there may be a case where multiple electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> are scheduled in a schedule, and another electronic whiteboard device <NUM>, which acts as a remote connection destination and has been logged into by a user, is not scheduled in the schedule. In this case, although another electronic whiteboard device <NUM> is not included in the schedule, the electronic whiteboard device 14A may still be able to display another electronic whiteboard device <NUM> as a candidate for remote connection destination at the time of selecting the schedule. This is because another electronic whiteboard device <NUM> acting as a remote connection destination is added as resources associated with the schedule.

As described above, in the information processing system <NUM> according to an embodiment, another electronic whiteboard device <NUM> having device management information indicating the same participants as the participants indicated in the device management information for the reference electronic whiteboard device, and another electronic whiteboard device <NUM> having resources indicating the same participants as the participants indicated in the resources of the reference electronic whiteboard device may be displayed, to a user, as a recommended remote connection destination, or may be selected as a remote connection destination to be automatically connected by the reference electronic whiteboard device. This will reduce a user's workload.

Note that the display of the recommended remote connection destination to a user, or the selection of a remote connection destination to be automatically connected may be performed before or after the receiving of an instruction from a user to perform remote sharing.

The following illustrates an example of processing from the start to the end of remote sharing performed by the information processing system <NUM>. <FIG> and <FIG> are flowcharts illustrating an example of processing performed in the information processing system <NUM> according to an embodiment. First, a user holds an IC card <NUM> to an IC card detector <NUM> (Step S11). In this step, the IC card detector <NUM> reads identification information from the user's IC card <NUM>.

Next, a participant manager <NUM> transmits the identification information read by the IC card detector <NUM> to a user information server device <NUM>, and acquires, from the user information server device <NUM>, service information of the user corresponding to the identification information (Step S12).

For example, when the identification information acquired from the IC card <NUM> is "ICCARD-<NUM>", the user ID "user001" is specified from the user information list illustrated in <FIG>, and service information illustrated in <FIG> is specified from the service information list illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> is a table illustrating an example of service information specified by the acquired identification information.

Next, the participant manager <NUM> transmits the user ID specified in Step S12 to the device management server device <NUM>. In response, the device management server device <NUM> registers the user ID specified in Step S12 in the device management information corresponding to the electronic whiteboard device <NUM>, from which the user ID was originally obtained (Step S13).

Next, when an authentication token for a schedule service <NUM> is included in the service information acquired in Step S12 (Step S14: Yes), the information processing system <NUM> performs processing from steps S15 to S17. Conversely, when the authentication token for the schedule service <NUM> is not included in the service information acquired in Step S12 (Step S14: No), the information processing system <NUM> skips processing from steps S15 to S17.

In Step S15, the conference schedule setting unit <NUM> displays a schedule selecting screen <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, for example. <FIG> is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a schedule selecting screen. The schedule selecting screen <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is a screen for selecting a schedule of the conference schedule information with respect to a user who has been specified by the participant manager <NUM>. Since the conference schedule information includes "organized time and duration", the schedule may be selected automatically based on the current time.

Next, in Step S16, the conference schedule setting unit <NUM> transmits the external service user IDs of respective participants indicated in the conference schedule information to the user information unit <NUM>, and acquires user IDs of the participants' electronic whiteboard system corresponding to the external service user IDs, from the user information unit <NUM>.

The conference schedule setting unit <NUM> then transmits, to the device management server device <NUM>, the conference schedule information (schedule name, etc.) selected by the user from the schedule selecting screen of <FIG> or the conference schedule information automatically set by the time and the user's authentication information, the IP address of the reference electronic whiteboard device, and the user IDs of the participants' electronic whiteboard system acquired in Step S16. The device management server device <NUM> may then update the device management information of <FIG>, for example (Step S17).

Next, when the authentication token for the file service <NUM> is included in the service information acquired in Step S12 (Step S18: Yes), the information processing system <NUM> performs processing in steps S19 to S23. Conversely, when the authentication token for the file service <NUM> is not included in the service information acquired in Step S12 (Step S18: No), the information processing system <NUM> skips processing of steps S19 to S23.

In Step S19, the file reader <NUM> displays a file selecting screen <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, for example. <FIG> is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a file selecting screen. The file selecting screen <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is a screen via which a user who has been identified by the participant manager <NUM> selects a file of the owner user.

Next, the file reader <NUM> acquires, from the file service <NUM>, the file selected by the user via the file selecting screen of <FIG>. The file reader <NUM> displays the acquired file on the whiteboard display unit <NUM> (Step S20). The file reader <NUM> transmits the information of the file (file name, etc.) and the IP address of the reference electronic whiteboard device to the device management server device <NUM>. The device management server device <NUM> then updates the device management information illustrated in <FIG> (Step S21).

Next, the file transmitter <NUM> displays a saving destination folder selecting screen <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> (Step S22). <FIG> is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a saving destination folder selecting screen <NUM>. The saving destination folder selecting screen <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is a screen on which a user who has been identified by the participant manager <NUM> selects a folder of the owner user.

The file reader <NUM> transmits information (e.g., a folder path) of the folder selected from the saving destination folder selecting screen <NUM> of <FIG>, and the IP address of the reference electronic whiteboard device to the device management server device <NUM>, and the device management server device <NUM> updates the device management information of <FIG> (Step S23).

Next, when the service information acquired in Step S12 includes the authentication token for the shared site service <NUM> (Step S24: Yes), the information processing system <NUM> performs processing in steps S25 to S29. When the authentication token for the shared site service <NUM> is not included in the service information acquired in Step S12 (Step S24: No), the information processing system <NUM> skips processing of steps S25 to S29.

In Step S25, the shared site reader <NUM> displays the shared site selecting screen <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, for example. <FIG> is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of the shared site selecting screen. The shared site selecting screen <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is a screen on which a user who has been identified by the participant manager <NUM> selects the shared site available to the user.

Next, the shared site reader <NUM> transmits information (a site name, etc.) of the shared site selected from the shared site selecting screen of <FIG> and the IP address of the reference electronic whiteboard device to the device management server device <NUM>. The device management server device <NUM> then updates the device management information of <FIG> (Step S26).

Next, the shared site reader <NUM> displays the file selecting screen <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> (Step S27). The file selecting screen <NUM> illustrated herein is a screen on which the user who has been identified by the participant manager <NUM> selects a file of the shared site available to the user.

Next, in Step S28, the shared site reader <NUM> acquires, from the shared site service <NUM>, the file selected by the user via the file selecting screen of <FIG>. The shared site reader <NUM> displays the file acquired from the shared site service <NUM> on the whiteboard display unit <NUM>. The shared site reader <NUM> transmits information of the file (a file name, etc.) and the IP address of the reference electronic whiteboard device to the device management server device <NUM>. The device management server device <NUM> then updates the device management information of <FIG> (Step <NUM>).

The remote destination connecting unit <NUM> acquires the device management information of <FIG> from the device manager <NUM> of the device management server device <NUM> (Step S30).

The remote destination connecting unit <NUM> compares external resources and participant information of the device management information for the reference electronic whiteboard device with external resources and participant information of the device management information for another electronic whiteboard device <NUM>.

The remote destination connecting unit <NUM> then determines whether there is another electronic whiteboard device <NUM> that includes at least one of the same external resources or at least one of the same participant information as those of the reference electronic whiteboard device <NUM> (Step S31).

Upon determining that there is any of the other electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> that includes at least one of the same external resources or at least one of participant information (Step S31: Yes), the display unit 60C displays the recommended connection destination screen <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> (Step S32).

<FIG> is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a recommended connection destination screen. The recommended connection destination screen <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is a screen, which displays, to the user, one or more other electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> as a recommended remote connection destination. The recommended electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> each have at least one of the external resources or at least one of participant information that are the same as the external resources or participant information included in the reference electronic whiteboard device <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example of the recommended connection destination screen <NUM> displayed by the reference electronic whiteboard device <NUM> having an IP address "<NUM>. In this recommended connection destination screen <NUM>, an electronic whiteboard device <NUM> having an IP address "<NUM>. <NUM>" and an electronic whiteboard device <NUM> having an IP address "<NUM>. <NUM>" are recommended as remote connection destinations.

In the electronic whiteboard device <NUM> having an IP address "<NUM>. <NUM>", the same participants "User001, User002, User004" as those of the reference electronic whiteboard device <NUM> having an IP address "<NUM>. <NUM>" are included in the logged in users. Thus, the electronic whiteboard device <NUM> having an IP address "<NUM>. <NUM>" is recommended as a remote connection destination.

Likewise, in the electronic whiteboard device <NUM> having the IP address "<NUM>. <NUM>", the same schedule name "Meeting01" as that of the reference electronic whiteboard device <NUM> having the IP address "<NUM>. <NUM>" is selected as resources to be used for remote sharing. Thus, the electronic whiteboard device <NUM> having the IP address "<NUM>. <NUM>" is recommended as a remote connection destination.

Further, in another electronic whiteboard device <NUM> having an IP address "<NUM>. <NUM>", the same participant "User <NUM>" as that of the reference electronic whiteboard device <NUM> having the IP address "<NUM>. <NUM>" is included in the logged in users. Thus, another electronic whiteboard device <NUM> having an IP address "<NUM>. <NUM>" is also recommended as a remote connection destination.

When "OK" is selected in the recommended connection destination screen <NUM> (Step S33: OK), the connecting unit 60D remotely connects to another electronic whiteboard device <NUM>, which is recommended in the recommended connection destination screen <NUM>, and the reference electronic whiteboard device starts remote sharing with the recommended electronic whiteboard device <NUM> (Step S35). As a result, the meeting between participants of the reference electronic whiteboard device and participants of other electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> is started (Step S36). In this meeting, written contents, camera images, and microphone sound or speech are remotely shared. Thereafter, the information processing system <NUM> progresses processing to Step S37.

In Step S31, when the determining unit 60B determines that "there are no other electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> that have at least one of the external resources or at least one of participants that are the same as the external resources or participants as those of the reference electronic whiteboard device <NUM>" (Step S31: No), and when "cancel" is selected in the recommended connection destination screen <NUM> (Step S33: Cancel), the display unit 60C displays the connection destination selecting screen <NUM> illustrated as an example in <FIG> (Step S32).

<FIG> is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of the connection destination selecting screen <NUM>. The connection destination selecting screen <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is a screen for prompting a user to select desired one or more electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> from among the multiple other electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> other than the reference electronic whiteboard device <NUM>.

When "OK" is selected on the connection destination selecting screen <NUM> in a state where the desired one or more (two in the example of <FIG>) of the other electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> are selected, the connecting unit 60D of the reference electronic whiteboard device remotely connects to the selected one or more electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> selected on the connection destination selecting screen <NUM>, and starts remote sharing with the selected one or more electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> (Step S35). As a result, the meeting between the participants of the reference electronic whiteboard device and the participants of the other electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> is started (Step S36). In this meeting, written contents, camera images, and microphone sound or speech are shared remotely. Thereafter, the information processing system <NUM> progresses processing to Step S37.

In Step S37, the file transmitter <NUM> stores a file of the written contents in the saving destination folder selected on the saving destination folder selecting screen <NUM> in <FIG>. For example, when a user presses a conference end button, the remote sharing performed by the information processing system <NUM> ends (Step S38). In this step, the participant manager <NUM> resets the device management information for the reference electronic whiteboard device by transmitting an update instruction to the device management server device <NUM>. The reset of the device management information, for example, is a process of clearing the values of the schedule name, file name, saving destination folder, and shared site information of the device management information. The participant manager <NUM> instructs the whiteboard display unit <NUM> to clear the displayed contents. The electronic whiteboard device <NUM> performs a logoff process of a user who has logged in with the IC card <NUM>. The electronic whiteboard device <NUM> may further switch the reference electronic whiteboard device to a sleep state or a power off state.

Note that a method of recommending a remote connection destination is not limited to the method using the recommended connection destination screen <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. For example, the recommended remote connection destinations may be indicated on the connection destination selecting screen <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. In this case, as illustrated in <FIG>, the recommended remote connection destinations may be displayed in a state where the recommended remote connection destinations have been already selected or in a state where the recommended remote connection destinations are displayed in order of priority.

Next, processing from the start to the end of remote sharing by the information processing system <NUM> will be described using a sequence diagram. <FIG> are sequence diagrams illustrating an example of processing of an information processing system according to an embodiment.

First, a user holds the IC card <NUM> over the IC card detector <NUM> of an electronic whiteboard device (Step S101). The IC card detector <NUM> then reads identification information from the IC card <NUM> (Step S102).

Next, in Step S103, the IC card detector <NUM> notifies the participant manager <NUM> of the identification information read from the IC card <NUM>. In Step S104, the participant manager <NUM> transmits the notified identification information to the user information server device <NUM>, and requests the user information server device <NUM> to provide service information. As a result, the participant manager <NUM> acquires the service information of the user corresponding to the notified identification information, from the user information unit <NUM> of the user information server device <NUM> (Step S105).

The participant manager <NUM> transmits a user ID corresponding to the notified identification information and an identifier of the electronic whiteboard device, such as the IP address to the device manager <NUM> of the device management server device <NUM>. The participant manager <NUM> then registers the user ID corresponding to the identifier in the device management information (Step S106).

When the service information acquired in Step S105 includes an authentication token for the schedule service <NUM>, the information processing system <NUM> performs processing in steps S107 to S116. Conversely, when the authentication token for the schedule service <NUM> is not included in the service information acquired in Step S105, the information processing system <NUM> skips processing of steps S107 to S116.

In Step S107, the participant manager <NUM> transmits the service information acquired in Step S105 to the conference schedule setting unit <NUM> and requests the conference schedule setting unit <NUM> to display the schedule selecting screen. In Step S108, the conference schedule setting unit <NUM> requests the schedule service <NUM> to acquire a list of schedules by using the authentication token for the external service included in the received service information. As a result, in Step S109, the conference schedule setting unit <NUM> acquires the list of schedules transmitted from the schedule service <NUM>. The acquired list of schedules is a schedule list (of the conference schedule information) in association with a user who has held the IC card <NUM> over the IC card detector <NUM> of the electronic whiteboard device. In Step S110, the conference schedule setting unit <NUM> displays the schedule selecting screen <NUM> (see <FIG>) including contents of the schedule list acquired in Step S109.

Thereafter, when the user selects a desired schedule from the schedule selecting screen <NUM> (Step S111), the conference schedule setting unit <NUM> requests the schedule service <NUM> to acquire the conference schedule information, by using the authentication token for the external service, which is included in the service information acquired in Step S105, and the schedule name of the schedule selected in Step S111 (Step S112). As a result, the conference schedule setting unit <NUM> acquires the conference schedule information (i.e., conference schedule information in association with the user who has held the IC card <NUM> over the IC card detector <NUM>) transmitted from the schedule service <NUM> (Step S113).

Subsequently, the conference schedule setting unit <NUM> transmits the external service user IDs of the participants displayed in the conference schedule information acquired in Step S113 to the user information unit <NUM> (Step S114). As a result, in Step S115, the conference schedule setting unit <NUM> acquires a list of user IDs transmitted from the user information unit <NUM> (i.e., the respective participants' user IDs of the electronic whiteboard system).

Subsequently, the conference schedule setting unit <NUM> transmits the identification of the electronic whiteboard device, the schedule information acquired in Step S113, and the list of user IDs acquired in Step S115 to the device manager <NUM> of the device management server device <NUM>. As a result, the device manager <NUM> performs updating processing of the device management information using the information (Step S116).

When the service information acquired in Step S105 includes the authentication token for the file service <NUM>, the information processing system <NUM> performs processing in steps S117 to S129. Conversely, when the authentication token for the file service <NUM> is not included in the service information acquired in Step S105, the information processing system <NUM> skips processing of steps S117 to S129.

In Step S117, the participant manager <NUM> transmits the service information acquired in Step S105 to the file reader <NUM> and requests the file reader <NUM> to display the file selecting screen <NUM>. In Step S118, the file reader <NUM> requests the file service <NUM> to acquire a folder and file list using the authentication token for the external service included in the received service information. As a result, in Step S119, the file reader <NUM> acquires a folder and file list of the user transmitted from the file service <NUM>. In Step S120, the file reader <NUM> displays the file selecting screen <NUM> (see <FIG>), which includes the folder and file list of the user acquired in Step S119.

Thereafter, when the user selects a desired file from the file selecting screen <NUM> (Step S121), the file reader <NUM> requests the file service <NUM> to acquire the file selected by the user using the authentication token for the external service, which is included in the service information acquired in Step S105, and a folder path and a file name of the file selected in Step S121 (Step S122). As a result, in Step S123, the file reader <NUM> acquires the file transmitted from the file service <NUM>. In Step S124, the file reader <NUM> displays the file acquired in Step S123 on the whiteboard display unit <NUM>.

Subsequently, the file reader <NUM> transmits the identifier of the electronic whiteboard device and the file name of the file acquired in Step S123 to the device manager <NUM> of the device management server device <NUM>. As a result, the device manager <NUM> performs updating processing of the device management information using the above information (Step S125).

Subsequently, in Step S126, the file reader <NUM> notifies the file transmitter <NUM> of the folder and file list of the user acquired in Step S119. In Step S127, the file transmitter <NUM> displays the saving destination folder selecting screen <NUM> (see <FIG>), which includes the received user's folder and file list.

Thereafter, when the user selects a desired folder from the saving destination folder selecting screen <NUM> (Step S128), the file transmitter <NUM> transmits the identifier of the electronic whiteboard device and the folder name of the folder selected in Step S128 to the device manager <NUM> of the device management server device <NUM>, thereby causing the device manager <NUM> to perform updating processing of the device management information using the above information (Step S129).

When the service information acquired in Step S105 includes the authentication token for the shared site service <NUM>, the information processing system <NUM> performs processing in steps S130 to S143. Conversely, when the authentication token for the shared site service <NUM> is not included in the service information acquired in Step S105, the information processing system <NUM> skips processing of steps S130 to S143.

In Step S130, the participant manager <NUM> transmits the service information acquired in Step S105 to the shared site reader <NUM> and requests the shared site reader <NUM> to display the shared site selecting screen <NUM>. In Step S131, the shared site reader <NUM> requests the shared site service <NUM> to acquire the shared site list using the authentication token for the external service included in the received service information. As a result, in Step S132, the shared site reader <NUM> acquires the list of the shared sites transmitted from the shared site service <NUM>. In Step S133, the shared site reader <NUM> displays the shared site selecting screen <NUM> (see <FIG>), which includes a list of the shared sites acquired in Step S132.

Thereafter, when the user selects a desired shared site from the shared site selecting screen <NUM> (Step S134), the shared site reader <NUM> sends the identifier of the electronic whiteboard device and the shared site name of the shared site selected in Step S134 to the device manager <NUM> of the device management server device <NUM>, thereby causing the device manager <NUM> to perform updating processing of the device management information using the above information (Step S135).

In Step S136, the shared site reader <NUM> requests the shared site service <NUM> to acquire a folder and file list by using the authentication token for the external service included in the received service information and the shared site name of the shared site selected in Step S134. As a result, in Step S137, the shared site reader <NUM> acquires the folder and file list transmitted from the shared site service <NUM>. In Step S138, the shared site reader <NUM> displays the file selecting screen <NUM> (see <FIG>), which includes the folder and file list acquired in Step S137.

Thereafter, when the user selects a desired file from the file selecting screen <NUM> (Step S139), the shared site reader <NUM> requests the shared site service <NUM> to acquire the file selected by the user by using the authentication token for the external service included in the received service information, and the folder path and file name of the file selected in Step S139 (Step S140). As a result, in Step S141, the shared site reader <NUM> acquires the file transmitted from the shared site service <NUM>. In Step S142, the shared site reader <NUM> displays the file acquired in Step S141 on the whiteboard display unit <NUM>.

Thereafter, the shared site reader <NUM> transmits the identifier of the electronic whiteboard device and the file name of the file acquired in Step S141 to the device manager <NUM> of the device management server device <NUM>. As a result, the device manager <NUM> performs updating processing of the device management information using the above information (Step S143).

Next, in Step S144, the file reader <NUM> requests the device manager <NUM> of the device management server device <NUM> to acquire the device management information. As a result, in Step S145, the file reader <NUM> acquires remote management information transmitted from the device manager <NUM>. In Step S146, the file reader <NUM> notifies the remote destination connecting unit <NUM> of the remote management information acquired in Step S145.

The remote destination connecting unit <NUM> compares external resources and participant information of the device management information for the electronic whiteboard device (as a reference electronic whiteboard device) with external resources and participant information of the device management information for other electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> to determine whether there are any of the other electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> that match at least one of the external resources or at least one of the participant information of the reference electronic whiteboard device.

In Step S147, when it is determined that "there are one or more electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> that matches at least one of the external resources and the participant information", the remote destination connecting unit <NUM> displays the recommended connection destination screen <NUM>. In Step S148, the remote destination connecting unit <NUM> receives the selection of "OK" or "Cancel" from the user on the recommended connection destination screen <NUM>.

Conversely, in Step S149, when it is determined that "there are no other electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> that match at least one of the external resources and the participant information", or when "Cancel" is selected on the recommended connection destination screen <NUM>, the remote destination connecting unit <NUM> displays the connection destination selecting screen <NUM>. In Step S150, the remote destination connecting unit <NUM> receives the selection of one or more remote connection destinations by the user on the connection destination selecting screen <NUM>.

Subsequently, in Step S151, the remote destination connecting unit <NUM> remotely connects to one or more remote connection destinations recommended on the recommended connection destination screen <NUM> or one or more remote connection destinations selected on the connection destination selecting screen <NUM>, thereby starting remote sharing with the remote connection destinations.

In Step S152, when remote sharing is started in Step S151, the whiteboard display unit <NUM> receives writing input from the user. When the file transmitter <NUM> receives, from the user, a request for storing the written contents (Step S153), the file transmitter <NUM> requests the whiteboard display unit <NUM> to acquire the written contents (Step S154). As a result, in Step S155, the file transmitter <NUM> acquires a file of the written contents from the whiteboard display unit <NUM>. In Step S156, the file transmitter <NUM> stores the file acquired in Step S155 in the saving destination folder (i.e., the saving destination folder selected on the saving destination folder selecting screen <NUM>) of the file service <NUM>.

Thereafter, when the user ends the conference (Step S157), the participant manager <NUM> requests the device manager <NUM> of the device management server device <NUM> to reset the device management information and causes the device manager <NUM> to reset the device management information for the reference electronic whiteboard device (Step S158). In Step S159, the participant manager <NUM> instructs the whiteboard display unit <NUM> to discard the display contents.

According to the present embodiment, an information processing system <NUM> including a reference electronic whiteboard device and multiple other electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> is provided. In the information processing system <NUM>, one or more of the other electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> having the device management information that includes the same participant information as that of the reference electronic whiteboard device, and one or more of the other electronic whiteboard devices <NUM> having the device management information that includes the same resources as those of the reference electronic whiteboard device is be displayed to a user as a recommended remote connection destination. The information processing system having such a configuration may be enabled to reduce a user's workload.

The present invention is not limited to the above specifically disclosed embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the claims. The information processing system <NUM> described in the present embodiment is merely an example, and it is obvious that various system configuration examples may be provided in accordance with application or purpose.

The "information processing device" of the present invention is not restricted to an electronic whiteboard device and may be any devices that are capable of remote sharing. The "information processing device" of the present invention may be, for example, a PJ (Projector), an IWB (Interactive Whiteboard), an output device such as a digital signage, an HDD (Head Up Display) device, an industrial machine, an imaging device, a sound collector, a medical device, a network home appliance, a Personal Computer, a cellular phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a game machine, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a digital camera, a wearable PC or a desktop PC, or the like.

The functions of the embodiments described above may also be implemented by one or more processing circuits.

As used herein, a "processing circuit" includes a processor programmed to perform each function by software, such as a processor implemented in electronic circuits, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) designed to perform each function as described above, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or a conventional circuit module.

In the above-described embodiment, although a schedule service <NUM> or the like is provided from the external service group system <NUM>, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, an internal service group system may be provided by the same company together with the user information server device <NUM>, the device management server device <NUM>, and the electronic whiteboard device <NUM>, and a service group such as the schedule service <NUM> may be provided by the internal service group system. In this case, it is not necessary to separate the service group such as the schedule service <NUM> from the user identification information (user ID) used in the user information server device <NUM>, and the entire electronic whiteboard system including the schedule service <NUM> may be managed with the same user ID.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an information processing device capable of reducing a user's workload in selecting another information processing device as a remote connection destination in remote sharing is provided.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a user's workload in terms of selecting another information processing devices as a remote connection destination may be reduced.

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 be 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 comprise any suitably programmed apparatuses such as a general purpose computer, personal digital assistant, mobile telephone (such as a WAP or <NUM>-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 conventional carrier medium. The carrier medium can comprise a transient carrier medium such as an electrical, optical, microwave, acoustic or radio frequency signal carrying the computer code. An example of such a transient medium is a TCP/IP signal carrying computer code over an IP network, such as the Internet. The carrier medium can also comprise a storage medium for storing processor readable code such as a floppy disk, hard disk, CD ROM, magnetic tape device or 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.

Claim 1:
An information processing device capable of remote sharing of data, such as written contents, camera images, microphone sound or speech, and the like, with one or a plurality of other information processing devices (<NUM>) connected to a device management server (<NUM>), the information processing device (<NUM>) acting as a reference information processing device (<NUM>), the information processing device (<NUM>) comprising:
an acquiring unit (60A) configured to acquire device management information of the reference information processing device and the one or more other processing devices from the device management server (<NUM>), the device management server being configured to store the device management information, the device management information indicating respective participants associated with the other information processing devices (<NUM>);
a remote destination connecting unit (<NUM>) configured to compare device management information of the reference information processing device (<NUM>) with the device management information of the one or more of other information processing devices (<NUM>);
a display unit (60C) configured to display one or more of the other information processing devices (<NUM>) as a candidate for remote connection, the one or more of the other information processing devices (<NUM>) being determined as having device management information indicating at least one of the same participants as participants indicated in the device management information of the reference information processing device (<NUM>); and
a selection unit (60C) configured to prompt a user of the reference information processing device (<NUM>) to select any of the one or more of the other information processing devices (<NUM>) displayed as a candidate for remote connection, and
wherein the remote destination connecting unit (<NUM>) is configured to remotely connect the reference information processing device (<NUM>) to the selected one or more of the other information processing devices (<NUM>).