Abstract: A method for changing over a general-purpose OS display for an information processing apparatus to a dedicated display screen includes accessing a setup procedure describing setup processing and at least an account generating process for generating user account information for a general-purpose operating system (“OS”). The method includes accessing changeover information for changing over a general-purpose OS display screen for the information processing apparatus to a dedicated display screen, and in response to starting up the general-purpose OS for the first time, executing the setup processing including the user account generating process based on the setup procedure stored by the procedure storage unit, changing over the general-purpose OS display screen to the dedicated display screen based on the changeover information stored by the changeover information storage unit, and displaying the dedicated display screen. An apparatus and a program product perform the method.

Abstract: An apparatus for managed updating of meeting handout data is disclosed. A method and system also perform the functions of the apparatus. An apparatus is disclosed that, in one embodiment, includes an acquisition unit that acquires from a server, meeting information and meeting handout data for a meeting, and stores the acquired meeting information and meeting handout data to a storage area in a memory unit of a meeting device. The apparatus also includes an authentication unit that authenticates a participating terminal to participate in the meeting; and a management unit that, after authenticating the participating terminal, changes a locator for the meeting handout data that the participating terminal acquires from a storage place of the server to the storage area in the memory unit of the meeting device.

Abstract: A method for changing over a general-purpose OS display for an information processing apparatus to a dedicated display screen includes accessing a setup procedure describing setup processing and at least an account generating process for generating user account information for a general-purpose operating system (“OS”). The method includes accessing changeover information for changing over a general-purpose OS display screen for the information processing apparatus to a dedicated display screen, and in response to starting up the general-purpose OS for the first time, executing the setup processing including the user account generating process based on the setup procedure stored by the procedure storage unit, changing over the general-purpose OS display screen to the dedicated display screen based on the changeover information stored by the changeover information storage unit, and displaying the dedicated display screen. An apparatus and a program product perform the method.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, methods, and computer program products for determining an authentication procedure are disclosed. One apparatus includes a processor and a memory that stores code executable by the processor. The code is executable by the processor to acquire a schedule of a conference and a reference time which is determined on the basis of the schedule, recognize at least one voice of at least one participant who participates in the conference, determine whether the at least one voice of the at least one participant meets a predetermined condition after the elapse of the reference time, and output information for promoting progress of the conference in response to the determining whether the at least one voice of the at least one participant meets the predetermined condition after the elapse of the reference time.

Abstract: An apparatus for managed updating of meeting handout data is disclosed. A method and system also perform the functions of the apparatus. An apparatus is disclosed that, in one embodiment, includes an acquisition unit that acquires from a server, meeting information and meeting handout data for a meeting, and stores the acquired meeting information and meeting handout data to a storage area in a memory unit of a meeting device. The apparatus also includes an authentication unit that authenticates a participating terminal to participate in the meeting; and a management unit that, after authenticating the participating terminal, changes a locator for the meeting handout data that the participating terminal acquires from a storage place of the server to the storage area in the memory unit of the meeting device.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, methods, and computer program products for determining an authentication procedure are disclosed. One apparatus includes a processor and a memory that stores code executable by the processor. The code is executable by the processor to acquire a schedule of a conference and a reference time which is determined on the basis of the schedule, recognize at least one voice of at least one participant who participates in the conference, determine whether the at least one voice of the at least one participant meets a predetermined condition after the elapse of the reference time, and output information for promoting progress of the conference in response to the determining whether the at least one voice of the at least one participant meets the predetermined condition after the elapse of the reference time.

Abstract: A conferencing system configured to make it easy to switch video data to be displayed on a shared display device. Multiple client devices are connected to a switching device directly or via a network. The output of the switching device is connected to a shared display device. Each client device outputs, to the switching device, video data used for a presentation. The switching device registers, in a queue, the order of displaying received video data on the shared display device. The registered order can be the order of receiving video data at the switching device. The content of the queue and the allocated time of each presenter can be displayed on the shared display device. The switching device switches video data to be displayed on the shared display device at a predetermined timing according to the order of the queue.