Realization of Distributed Cooperative Work Environment and Its Application to Virtual Offices

近年来，由于计算机的小型化，网络化工作站变得无处不在。这种网络化的计算机使新型的计算机支持协同工作（CSCW）系统成为可能，为协同工作提供了新的途径。本研究计划的目标包括利用成熟的数据库技术实现先进的CSCW系统。我们从以下三个方向进行了研究。1)传统的CSCW系统利用视频设备。我们既使用非视频设备，也使用基于视频的设备。2)对现实世界的仿真是实现CSCW系统的有效途径。我们不仅使用现实世界的概念和隐喻，而且还探索实现这种协作环境的可能性，使我们能够做我们在现实世界中无法做的事情。3)应有效利用数据库功能，包括允许信息重用的功能。我们的主要成果包括：1)引入了基于数据库视图概念的对象代理模型、协作环境模型和操作视图机制等概念。2)为了管理超媒体文档共享中的干扰问题，引入了环境感知、用户和任务的可观察性和可控性等概念。3)为了实现先进的协同工作机制，我们扩展了活动数据库和工作流表示的某些功能。重点讨论了主动机制的隐私问题、工作流环境的动态变化、工作流表示的主要方法之一IDEF0模型的扩展等问题。5)讨论了在三维协同环境和WWW页面协同检索中的应用，并对具体功能进行了原型化。

In recent years, networked workstations became ubiquitous because of the downsizing of computers. Such networked computers make it possible to realize novel computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW) systems, which provide new ways of collaborative work. The objectives of this research project include the realization of advanced CSCW systems using well-established technologies of databases. We performed the research in the following three directions.1) Conventional CSCW systems utilize video facilities. We utilize non-video facilities as well as video-based facilities.2) Simulation of the real world would be a useful way to realize a CSCW system. We not only use real world concepts and metaphors but also explore the possibilities of realizing such collaborative environments that allow us to do the things which we cannot do in the real world.3) Database functions including the ones allowing for reuse of information should be effectively utilized.Our major results include :1) We introduced concepts such as an object deputy model, a collaborative environment model and action view mechanisms based on the concept of database views.2) In order to manage interference problem in the sharing of hypermedia documents, concepts such as environment awareness and observability and controllability of users and tasks are introduced.3) To realize advanced mechanisms of collaborative work, we extended certain functions of active databases and workflow representations. In particular, privacy issues of active mechanisms, dynamic changes of CSCW environments, extension of IDEF0 model, which is one of the major methods to represent workflows are discussed4) We developed a prototype of hypermedia system having environment awareness mechanisms and personalization facilities.5) We discussed applications to 3D collaborative environments and collaborative retrieval of WWW pages and prototyped specific functions.