Information processing apparatus for performing processing dependent on presence/absence of user, and method therefor

• US 20040158739A1
• Filed: 02/03/2004
• Published: 08/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Ayutthaya Limited (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Ayutthaya Limited (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Wakai, Masanori, Jeyachandran, Suresh, Suda, Aruna Rohra
• Granted Patent: US 7,540,017 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/200
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]

Abstract

In response to an instruction by a user, or by performing reception, detection and assumption processing, the presence state of the user is determined, and corresponding presence mode conversion data are acquired and are set as user presence data. When the presence mode conversion data are referred to, and processing that corresponds to the user'"'"'s presence state is performed: when the user is present, urgent mail is transmitted, and when the user is absent, a message for the user is accepted.

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus comprising:

presence determination means for determining whether a user is present;

process decision means for employing the result obtained by said presence determination means to decide what process is to be performed; and

processing means for performing said process selected by said process decision means.

2. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising storage means for storing user presence information indicating a presence state of a user, wherein said presence determination means refers to said user presence information to make a presence determination.

3. An information processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising instruction means for instructing said user presence state, wherein in accordance with an instruction by said instruction means, said storage means updates said user presence information.

4. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising instruction means for instructing said user presence state, wherein in accordance with an instruction by said instruction means, said presence determination means performs said presence determination.

5. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising presence assumption means for making an assumption concerning said user presence state, wherein in accordance with an assumption made by said presence assumption means, said presence determination means performs said presence determination.

6. An information processing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising schedule data storage means for storing schedules for said user, wherein said presence assumption means refers to said schedules for said user when making an assumption.

7. An information processing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising execution list storage means for storing that which said user is to execute, wherein said presence assumption means refers to said execution list when making an assumption.

8. An information processing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising hysteresis storage means for storing hysteresis for what said user has executed, and wherein said presence assumption means refers to said hysteresis when making an assumption.

9. An information processing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising:

reception means for receiving information; and

received information analyzation means for analyzing said information received by said reception means,

wherein said presence assumption means employs results obtained by an analyzation performed by said received information analyzation means when making an assumption.

10. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising reception means for receiving information indicating said user presence state, wherein said presence determination means employs the received information to perform a presence determination.

11. An information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said reception means receives user presence information indicating whether a user is present near another apparatus, and wherein, when said user presence information that is received indicates that said user is near another apparatus, said presence determination means determines that said user is not near a subject apparatus.

12. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising detection means for detecting a user presence state, wherein in accordance with a detection by said detection means, said presence determination means performs a presence determination.

13. An information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said detection means detects a signal transmitted from an apparatus carried by said user.

14. An information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said detection means includes means for monitoring pictures taken of an area around said apparatus.

15. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when it is ascertained that said user is present near said apparatus, said process decision means designates a presence process as a process to be executed.

16. An information processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said presence process is notification of urgent information.

17. An information processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said presence process is a request to enter information.

18. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when it is ascertained that said user is not present near said apparatus, said process decision means selects an absence process as a process to be executed.

19. An information processing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said absence process is a process for locking said apparatus to inhibit use by a third party.

20. An information processing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said locking process is preformed for information and a process to which access is not permitted for security reasons.

21. An information processing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said locking process is not performed for information and a process other than those to which access is not permitted for security reasons.

22. An information processing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said absence process is a process for reporting a location at which said user is present.

23. An information processing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said absence process is a process for forwarding a message.

24. An information processing apparatus according to claim 18, which performs a process for forwarding said message to a designated person.

25. An information processing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said absence process is a process for permitting a visitor to enter a message and for storing said message that is entered.

26. An information processing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said absence process is a process for performing a predetermined process for information that is received during a user absence.

27. An information processing apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said predetermined process is a process for returning an absence notice to a transmission source for said information received during a user absence.

28. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said presence determination means identifies a change in said user presence state.

29. An information processing apparatus according to claim 28, wherein, based on the contents of an instruction issued by a user, said presence determination means identifies a change in said user presence state.

30. An information processing apparatus according to claim 28, further comprising leaving-seat processing means for performing a leaving-seat process when said presence determination means determines that said user will leave his or her seat.

31. An information processing apparatus according to claim 30, wherein said leaving-seat process is notification of a user of predetermined information.

32. An information processing apparatus according to claim 30, wherein said leaving-seat process is alteration of information that indicates the presence of said user.

33. An information processing apparatus according to claim 28, further comprising returning processing means for performing a returning process when said presence determination means determines that said user has returned to his or her seat.

34. An information processing apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said returning process is notification of a user of predetermined information.

35. An information processing apparatus according to claim 34, wherein said predetermined information constitutes contents of processes performed during the absence.

36. An information processing apparatus according to claim 35, wherein said contents of said processes are messages entered or information received.

37. An information processing apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said returning process is an unlocking process.

38. An information processing apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said returning process is alteration of information that indicates the presence of said user.

39. An information processing apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said returning process is a process for recovering a job environment extent when said user left his or her seat.

40. An information processing apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said returning process is a process for notifying another apparatus of the presence of said user.

41. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when said presence determination means determines that said user presence state is unknown, said process decision means designates a presence unknown process as a process to be executed.

42. An information processing apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said presence unknown process is a process for querying said user presence state.

43. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when said presence determination means determines that a contradiction exists in said user presence state, said process decision means designates a presence contradiction process as a process to be executed.

44. An information processing apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said presence determination means determines that a contradiction exists in said user presence state when a presence state determined based on specific information differs from a presence state determined based on other specific information.

45. An information processing apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said presence contradiction process is a process for confirming whether a user who is determined to be present at his or her seat is an authorized user.

46. An information processing apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said presence contradiction process is a process for notifying said user that a contradiction exists.

47. An information processing apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said presence contradiction process is a process for notifying another apparatus of a determination that a contradiction exists.

48. An information processing apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said presence contradiction process is a process for locking a process.

49. An information processing apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said presence contradiction process is a process for generating an alarm.

50. An information processing apparatus comprising:

presence information acquisition means for acquiring from another apparatus presence information concerning a user;

identification means for identifying an apparatus that corresponds to said presence information obtained by said presence information acquisition means; and

notification means for, based on said apparatus identified by said identification means, transmitting identity of a location at which said user is present.

51. An information processing apparatus according to claim 50, wherein said notification means is display means for displaying a location at which said user is present.

52. An information processing apparatus according to claim 50, wherein said display means displays at the same time locations at which a plurality of users are present.

53. An information processing apparatus, which is capable of communicating with a different information processing apparatus, comprising:

interrupted process information acquisition means for acquiring information concerning a process that a user has interrupted at a different apparatus; and

process resumption means for employing said information obtained by said interrupted process information acquisition means to resume said process that was interrupted at said different information apparatus.

54. An information processing apparatus according to claim 53, further comprising:

reception means for receiving, from another information apparatus, leaving-seat information that indicates said user is leaving said apparatus; and

leaving-seat information storage means for storing said leaving-seat information in correlation with said user of said apparatus,

wherein, when leaving-seat information for a new user is stored in said leaving-seat information storage means, said interrupted process information acquisition means acquires, from said apparatus said leaving-seat information concerning, information concerning a process interrupted by said user.

55. An information processing method comprising:

a presence determination step of determining whether a user is present;

a process decision step of employing the result obtained at said presence determination step to decide what process is to be performed; and

a processing step of performing said process selected at said process decision step.

56. An information processing method according to claim 55, further comprising a storage step of storing user presence information indicating a presence state of a user, wherein at said presence determination step said user presence information is referred to in order to make a presence determination.

57. An information processing method according to claim 56, further comprising an instruction step of instructing said user presence state, wherein in accordance with an instruction at said instruction step, said user presence information is updated at said storage step.

58. An information processing method according to claim 55, further comprising an instruction step of instructing said user presence state, wherein in accordance with an instruction at said instruction step, said presence determination is performed at said presence determination step.

59. An information processing method according to claim 55, further comprising a presence assumption step of making an assumption concerning said user presence state, wherein in accordance with an assumption made at said presence assumption step, said presence determination is performed at said presence determination step.

60. An information processing method according to claim 59, further comprising a schedule data storage step of storing schedules for said user, wherein at said presence assumption step said schedules for said user are referred to when making an assumption.

61. An information processing method according to claim 59, further comprising an execution list storage step of storing that which said user is to execute, wherein at said presence assumption step said execution list is referred to when making an assumption.

62. An information processing method according to claim 59, further comprising a hysteresis storage step of storing hysteresis for what said user has executed, and wherein at said presence assumption step, said hysteresis is referred to when making an assumption.

63. An information processing method according to claim 62, further comprising:

a reception step of receiving information; and

a received information analyzation step of analyzing said information received at said reception step,

wherein at said presence assumption step are employed results obtained by an analyzation performed at said received information analyzation step when making an assumption.

64. An information processing method according to claim 55, further comprising a reception step of receiving information indicating said user presence state, wherein at said presence determination step, the received information is employed to perform a presence determination.

65. An information processing method according to claim 64, wherein, at said reception step, received is user presence information indicating whether a user is present near another apparatus, and wherein, when said user presence information that is received indicates that said user is near another apparatus, it is determined at said presence determination step that said user is not near a subject apparatus.

66. An information processing method according to claim 65, further comprising a detection step of detecting a user presence state, wherein, in accordance with a detection at said detection step, a presence determination is performed at said presence determination step.

67. An information processing method according to claim 64, wherein at said detection step is detected a signal transmitted from an apparatus carried by said user.

68. An information processing method according to claim 64, wherein said detection step includes a step of monitoring pictures taken of an area around said apparatus.

69. An information processing method according to claim 55, wherein, when it is ascertained that said user is present near said apparatus, at said process decision step a presence process is designated as a process to be executed.

70. An information processing method according to claim 69, wherein said presence process is notification of urgent information.

71. An information processing method according to claim 69, wherein said presence process is a request to enter information.

72. An information processing method according to claim 55, wherein, when it is ascertained that said user is not present near said apparatus, at said process decision step an absence process is selected as a process to be executed.

73. An information processing method according to claim 72, wherein said absence process is a process for locking said apparatus to inhibit use by a third party.

74. An information processing method according to claim 73, wherein said locking process is preformed for information and a process to which access is not permitted for security reasons.

75. An information processing method according to claim 73, wherein said locking process is not performed for information and a process other than those to which access is not permitted for security reasons.

76. An information processing method according to claim 72, wherein said absence process is a process for reporting a location at which said user is present.

77. An information processing method according to claim 72, wherein said absence process is a process for forwarding a message.

78. An information processing method according to claim 72, which performs a process for forwarding said message to a designated person.

79. An information processing method according to claim 72, wherein said absence process is a process for permitting a visitor to enter a message and for storing said message that is entered.

80. An information processing method according to claim 72, wherein said absence process is a process for performing a predetermined process for information that is received during a user absence.

81. An information processing method according to claim 80, wherein said predetermined process is a process for returning an absence notice to a transmission source for said information received during a user absence.

82. An information processing method according to claim 55, wherein a change in said user presence state is identified at said presence determination step.

83. An information processing method according to claim 82, wherein, based on the contents of an instruction issued by a user, a change in said user presence state is identified at said presence determination step.

84. An information processing method according to claim 82, further comprising a leaving-seat processing step of performing a leaving-seat process when it is determined at said presence determination step that said user will leave his or her seat.

85. An information processing method according to claim 84, wherein said leaving-seat process is notification of a user of predetermined information.

86. An information processing method according to claim 84, wherein said leaving-seat process is alteration of information that indicates the presence of said user.

87. An information processing method according to claim 82, further comprising a returning processing step of performing a returning process when it is determined at said presence determination step that said user has returned to his or her seat.

88. An information processing method according to claim 87, wherein said returning process is notification of a user of predetermined information.

89. An information processing method according to claim 88, wherein said predetermined information constitutes contents of processes performed during the absence.

90. An information processing method according to claim 89, wherein said contents of said processes are messages entered or information received.

91. An information processing method according to claim 87, wherein said returning process is an unlocking process.

92. An information processing method according to claim 87, wherein said returning process is alteration of information that indicates the presence of said user.

93. An information processing method according to claim 87, wherein said returning process is a process for recovering a job environment extent when said user left his or her seat.

94. An information processing method according to claim 87, wherein said returning process is a process for notifying another apparatus of the presence of said user.

95. An information processing method according to claim 55, wherein when at said presence determination step it is determined that said user presence state is unknown, at said process decision step a presence unknown process is designated as a process to be executed.

96. An information processing method according to claim 95, wherein said presence unknown process is a process for querying said user presence state.

97. An information processing method according to claim 55, wherein when at said presence determination step it is determined that a contradiction exists in said user presence state, at said process decision step a presence contradiction process is designated as a process to be executed.

98. An information processing method according to claim 97, wherein at said presence determination step, it is determined that a contradiction exists in said user presence state when a presence state determined based on specific information differs from a presence state determined based on other specific information.

99. An information processing method according to claim 97, wherein said presence contradiction process is a process for confirming whether a user who is determined to be present at his or her seat is an authorized user.

100. An information processing method according to claim 97, wherein said presence contradiction process is a process for notifying said user that a contradiction exists.

101. An information processing method according to claim 97, wherein said presence contradiction process is a process for notifying another apparatus of a determination that a contradiction exists.

102. An information processing method according to claim 97, wherein said presence contradiction process is a process for locking a process.

103. An information processing method according to claim 97, wherein said presence contradiction process is a process for generating an alarm.

104. An information processing method comprising:

a presence information acquisition step of acquiring from another apparatus presence information concerning a user;

an identification step of identifying an apparatus that corresponds to said presence information obtained at said presence information acquisition step; and

a notification step of, based on said apparatus identified at said identification step, transmitting identity of a location at which said user is present.

105. An information processing method according to claim 104, wherein said notification step is a display step of displaying a location at which said user is present.

106. An information processing method according to claim 105, wherein at said display step, locations at which a plurality of users are present are displayed at the same time.

107. An information processing method comprising:

an interrupted process information acquisition step of acquiring information concerning a process that a user has interrupted at a different apparatus; and

a process resumption step of employing said information obtained at said interrupted process information acquisition step to resume said process that has been interrupted at said different information apparatus.

108. An information processing method according to claim 107, further comprising:

a reception step of receiving, from another information apparatus, leaving-seat information that indicates said user is leaving said apparatus; and

a leaving-seat information storage step of storing said leaving-seat information in correlation with said user of said apparatus,

wherein, when leaving-seat information for a new user is stored at said leaving-seat information storage step, at said interrupted process information acquisition step, information concerning a process interrupted by said user is acquired from said apparatus said leaving-seat information concerning.

109. A computer-readable storage medium in which is stored a program for controlling a computer, said program comprising codes for permitting said computer to perform:

a presence determination step of determining whether a user is present;

a process decision step of employing the result obtained at said presence determination step to decide what process is to be performed; and

a processing step of performing said process selected at said process decision step.

110. A computer-readable storage medium in which is stored a program for controlling a computer, said program comprising codes for permitting said computer to perform:

a presence information acquisition step of acquiring from another apparatus presence information concerning a user;

an identification step of identifying an apparatus that corresponds to said presence information obtained at said presence information acquisition step; and

a notification step of, based on said apparatus identified at said identification step, transmitting identity of a location at which said user is present.

111. A computer-readable storage medium in which is stored a program for controlling a computer, said program comprising codes for permitting said computer to perform:

an interrupted process information acquisition step of acquiring information concerning a process that a user has interrupted at a different apparatus; and

a process resumption step of employing said information obtained at said interrupted process information acquisition step to resume said process that has been interrupted at said different information apparatus.