JP7124014B2 - Data management system, control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a data management system and control method for monitoring storage areas in which data is stored.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus has a function of automatically transferring document data received using a facsimile (G3 FAX, Internet FAX) or the like in order to store the document data in a storage area such as a folder in a file server. . The image forming apparatus includes a multifunction peripheral (MFP) and the like. The image forming apparatus can transfer the received document data so that it is sorted and stored in multiple storage areas within the file server based on the information about the reception of the document data (received date, sender, etc.). be.

In addition, there is a function to periodically monitor the folder status of the file server and notify the user of the newly arrived file when a new file is stored in the folder.

In Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-100001, a file migration application of a multi-function device monitors a plurality of directories, and distributes files stored in a monitored directory to lower directories. The client terminal notifies the user of the newly arrived file based on the content of the update history file saved by the file migration application.

JP 2011-253455 A

In Patent Document 1 described above, the file migration application of the multifunction machine monitors the directory and sorts the files. Therefore, even if the directory to which the files are sorted is changed, the changed directory can be monitored.

Here, the above-mentioned image forming apparatus sorts and transfers received data to a plurality of storage areas of a file server, and a plurality of other information processing apparatuses monitors a plurality of storage areas to be sorted in the file server. Assuming a management system. In the case of such a system, when a storage area to which data is distributed or a file server itself is changed on an image forming apparatus, it is necessary to reflect the change as a monitoring target of a plurality of information processing apparatuses.

As a method of reflecting the change in the distribution destination in the monitoring target of the information processing device, it is conceivable that the user of the information processing device manually sets the monitoring target storage area. However, it takes time and effort for the user to manually reflect the change as a monitoring target in each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a mechanism in a data management system for automatically reflecting the changes to the objects monitored by the information processing apparatus when the above changes are made.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a server that manages document data, wherein a new document is added to a folder stored in the server that satisfies predetermined conditions. a monitoring means for monitoring whether data is stored, and when a file containing information about a second server exists in a first server monitored by the monitoring means, the monitoring means The second server is monitored instead of the first server based on information about the second server .

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a server that manages document data,
monitoring means for monitoring whether or not new document data is stored in a folder stored in the server that satisfies a predetermined condition;
If a file containing information about the second server exists in the first server to be monitored by the monitoring means,
The monitoring means
The second server is monitored instead of the first server based on information about the second server.

According to the present invention, in the data management system, when the above change is made, the change can be automatically reflected in the objects monitored by the information processing device.

1 is an overall view of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the MFP 101; FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of a file server 102; FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the PC 103. FIG. 2 is a software configuration diagram of the MFP 101. FIG. 6 shows the software configuration of a document management application 610. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the MFP 101; 3 is a diagram showing an operation screen of the MFP 101; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operation screen of the MFP 101; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operation screen of the MFP 101; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operation screen of the MFP 101; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operation screen of the MFP 101; FIG. FIG. 13 illustrates transfer settings 1300; FIG. 14 is a diagram showing setting information 1400; FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an address book 1500; FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the MFP 101; 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the MFP 101; 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the MFP 101; 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the document management application 610; 6 is a diagram showing a UI example of the document management application 610. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the document management application 610; 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the document management application 610; 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the document management application 610;

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the form for implementing this invention is demonstrated using drawing.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. An MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) 101 and a file server 102 are communicably connected to each other on a LAN (Local Area Network) 100 . The MFP 101 is an image forming apparatus as an example of an information processing apparatus having a data input function such as a facsimile function via a network. File server 102 is an example of an external server. The PC 103 is an example of an information processing device. A system including at least the MFP 101 and the PC 103 is referred to as a data management system here, but the MFP 101 alone can also be referred to as a management system.

The MFP 101 is connected to a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Networks) 110 and is capable of facsimile communication of document data with a facsimile machine (not shown).

FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the MFP 101. As shown in FIG. A control unit 210 including a CPU 211 controls the operation of the entire MFP 101 . The CPU 211 reads control programs stored in the ROM 212 and performs various controls such as reading/printing/communication. A RAM 213 is used as a main memory of the CPU 211 and a temporary storage area such as a work area. In the MFP 101, one CPU 211 uses one memory (RAM 213 or HDD 214) to execute each process shown in a flow chart which will be described later. For example, a plurality of CPUs, a plurality of RAMs or HDDs may cooperate to execute each process shown in the flowchart.

The HDD 214 stores document data and various programs. An operation unit I/F 215 connects the operation unit 220 and the control unit 210 . The operation unit 220 includes a liquid crystal display unit having a touch panel function, a keyboard, and the like, and serves as a reception unit that receives operations/inputs/instructions from the user.

A printer I/F 216 connects the printer 221 and the control unit 210 . Document data to be printed by the printer 221 is transferred from the control unit 210 via the printer I/F 216 and printed on a recording medium by the printer 221 .

A scanner I/F 217 connects the scanner 222 and the control unit 210 . The scanner 222 reads an image on a document to generate document data, and inputs the document data to the control unit 210 via the scanner I/F 217 . The MFP 101 can send the document data generated by the scanner 222 as a file or as an e-mail. Note that the MFP 101 may transmit data obtained by processing read image data as document data.

Modem I/F 218 connects modem 223 and control unit 210 . A modem 223 performs facsimile communication of document data with a facsimile device (not shown). Network I/F 219 connects control unit 210 (MFP 101 ) to LAN 100 . The MFP 101 uses the network I/F 219 to transmit document data and information to an external device (such as the file server 102) on the LAN 100 and receive various kinds of information.

FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the file server 102. As shown in FIG. A control unit 310 including a CPU 311 controls the overall operation of the file server 102 . The CPU 311 reads control programs stored in the ROM 312 and executes various control processes. A RAM 313 is used as a main memory of the CPU 311 and a temporary storage area such as a work area. The HDD 314 stores document data and various programs.

Network I/F 315 connects control unit 310 (file server 102 ) to LAN 100 . File server 102 uses network I/F 315 to transmit and receive various types of information to and from other devices on LAN 100 .

FIG. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of the PC 103. As shown in FIG. A control unit 410 including a CPU 411 controls the operation of the entire PC 103 . The CPU 411 reads control programs stored in the ROM 412 and executes various control processes. A RAM 413 is used as a main memory of the CPU 411 and a temporary storage area such as a work area. The HDD 414 stores image data and various programs. A keyboard 415 is an input device serving as support input means, and instructs input of control commands and text input to the document management application of the present invention. A display 416 is an output device serving as display means, and displays commands input from the keyboard 415, the status of the document management application of the present invention, and the like.

Network I/F 417 connects controller 410 (PC 103 ) to LAN 100 . The PC 103 transmits and receives various information to and from other devices on the LAN 100 using the network I/F 417 .

FIG. 5 is a software configuration diagram of the MFP 101. As shown in FIG. The MFP 101 is roughly divided into two parts, a native function part 510 and an additional application 520 . Each unit included in native function unit 510 is standardly provided in MFP 101 , while additional application 520 is an application program additionally installed in MFP 101 . The additional application 520 is a Java (registered trademark)-based application, and can easily add functions to the MFP 101 . Note that the MFP 101 may have other additional applications (not shown) installed.

A FAX receiving unit 511 receives image data transmitted via the PSTN 110 by facsimile. The image data received by the FAX receiving unit 511 is converted into PDF format by the FAX receiving unit 511 and then transferred to the transfer unit 512 . At this time, the FAX reception unit 511 also creates a control file including the source information of the image data (the FAX number of the source) and the date and time of reception of the image data, and transfers it to the transfer unit 512 together with the image data.

The transfer unit 512 transfers the image data received from the FAX reception unit 511 according to preset conditions. The transfer destination of the image data can be set to the printing unit 513, the file server 102, a PC (not shown) on the LAN 100, or the like. Here, it is assumed that the image data received by the FAX receiving unit 511 is set to be temporarily transferred to the additional application 520 .

The transfer unit 512 has an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) client function, and transfers image data by FTP to an application reception unit 522 having an FTP server function. Note that the control file created by the FAX receiving unit 511 is also FTP-transferred to the application receiving unit 522 together with the image data. Address book storage unit 514 stores address information registered by the user of MFP 101 . Details of the address book will be described later with reference to FIG.

Functions implemented by the additional application 520 include an application reception unit 522 and an application transfer unit 521 .

The application reception unit 522 receives the image data internally transferred from the transfer unit 512 and passes it to the application transfer unit 521 . The application transfer unit 521 transfers (outputs) the image data to the file server 102 according to the settings made by the method described later. For the transfer here, in addition to FTP, SMB (Server Message Block), WebDAV (Distributed Authoring and Versioning Protocol for the WWW), etc. can be used. Also, the application transfer unit 521 is permitted to access the address book storage unit 514, and acquires a registered name, which will be described later.

FIG. 6 is a software configuration diagram of a document management application 610 that operates on the PC 103. As shown in FIG. The document management application 610 is a program module that operates within the PC 103, is loaded into the RAM 413 when executed, and is executed by the CPU 411. FIG. In the document management application 610, the image data acquisition unit 613 requests acquisition of image data. This request can be obtained by accessing the file server 102 via the image data access unit 615 . These image data are displayed on the display unit 611, and the image data operation unit 614 refers to and operates the image data. A folder monitoring unit 612 can monitor a specific folder and detect whether or not new image data has been stored in the folder. As a monitoring method, the file server 102 detects and monitors event information that occurs when image data is stored. There is a method of comparing and extracting the difference. Moreover, you may combine those methods. Note that the area in which data is stored is not limited to a folder, and may be a directory, a tray, or the like.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a setting operation for transferring image data facsimile-received by the MFP 101 to the file server 102 . Each operation (step) shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is realized by CPU 211 of MFP 101 executing a control program stored in HDD 214 .

In S<b>701 , the application transfer unit 521 of the additional application 520 displays the status display screen 800 ( FIG. 8 ) on the operation unit 220 . A status display area 801 of the status display screen 800 displays a message indicating the current operational status of the FAX transfer function (additional application 520). The illustrated example shows that additional application 520 is currently operating normally. For example, if image data transfer to the file server 102 fails, or if the additional application 520 does not operate normally, a message to that effect is displayed in the status display area 801 . An operation key for updating the display contents of the status display area 801 may be further provided in the status display screen 800 .

In S702, the application transfer unit 521 determines whether or not the [to setting screen] key 802 on the status display screen 800 has been pressed. Here, the application transfer unit 521 waits until the [to setting screen] key 802 is pressed, and if it determines that the [to setting screen] key 802 has been pressed, the process advances to step S703. An example in which only one key ([to setting screen] key 802) is displayed on the status display screen 800 is shown, but keys for directly transitioning to each screen (FIGS. 9 to 12) to be described later are provided. can be

In S703, the application transfer unit 521 displays the file server setting screen 900 (FIG. 9) on the operation unit 220. FIG. The user of the MFP 101 inputs information for specifying the file server 102 and information for accessing the file server 102 via the file server setting screen 900 .

Specifically, the host name of the file server 102 is entered in the host name 901 . In the folder path 902, the starting point of the folder path for specifying the storage destination of the image data is input. In the user name 903 and password 904, the authentication information (user name and password) required to log in to the file server 102 is entered.

In S704, the application transfer unit 521 determines whether the [Cancel] key 911 has been pressed. When the application transfer unit 521 determines that the [Cancel] key 911 has been pressed, the process returns to S701 and the status display screen 800 is displayed. If the [Cancel] key 911 has not been pressed, the application transfer unit 521 proceeds to step S705 and determines whether or not the [Next] key 912 has been pressed. If it is determined that the [next] key 912 has been pressed, the process advances to step S706. If the [Next] key 912 has not been pressed, the process returns to S704.

In S<b>706 , the application transfer unit 521 stores the file server settings input to 901 to 904 of the file server setting screen 900 in the RAM 213 . In subsequent S707, the application transfer unit 521 displays the file name setting screen 1000 (FIG. 10) on the operation unit 220. FIG. The user of the MFP 101 designates a file name setting rule for image data to be transferred to the file server 102 via a file name setting screen 1000 .

For the image data transferred to the file server 102 by the additional application 520, a file name can be set by combining three types of information: [registered name], [FAX number], and [date and time]. [Registered name] is a name registered in advance in the address book in association with the FAX number of the transmission source of the image data. [FAX number] is the FAX number of the transmission source of the image data. [Date and time] is the date and time when the image data was received.

The user of the MFP 101 can use operation keys 1001 to 1003 to select separators (delimiters) for separating the three types of information described above. When the operation key 1001 is pressed, [-] (hyphen) is selected. When the operation key 1002 is pressed, [_] (underscore) is selected. When the operation key 1003 is pressed, [ ] (space) is selected. It can be seen that [_] (underscore) is selected in the illustrated example.

Also, the user of the MFP 101 can use check boxes 1013 to 1015 to specify the order in which the above three pieces of information are arranged. When a check box 1013 is checked, a file name is set by combining three types of information in the order of [registered name], [FAX number], and [date and time]. For example, if the registered name is "ABC Trading", the FAX number is "0311112222", and the date and time is "January 01, 2013 12:15:10", the file name is set as "ABC Trading_0311112222_20130101121510.pdf". be.

If a check box 1014 is checked, a file name is set by combining three types of information in the order of [date and time], [registered name], and [FAX number]. When a check box 1015 is checked, a file name is set by combining three types of information in the order of [FAX number], [Registered name], and [Date and time]. Note that not all the arrangement orders are candidates here (only some arrangement orders are made candidates), but all the arrangement orders may be displayed as candidates.

In S708, the application transfer unit 521 determines whether the [Cancel] key 1021 has been pressed. When the application transfer unit 521 determines that the [Cancel] key 1021 has been pressed, the process returns to S701 and the status display screen 800 is displayed. If the [Cancel] key 1021 has not been pressed, the application transfer unit 521 proceeds to step S709 and determines whether or not the [Return] key 1022 has been pressed. When the application transfer unit 521 determines that the [return] key 1022 has been pressed, the process returns to S703 and the file server setting screen 900 is displayed. If the [Back] key 1022 has not been pressed, the application transfer unit 521 advances to S710 and determines whether or not the [Next] key 1023 has been pressed. If the application transfer unit 521 determines that the [next] key 1023 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S711. If the [next] key 1023 has not been pressed, the process returns to step S708.

In S<b>711 , the application transfer unit 521 saves the contents specified via the file name setting screen 1000 in the HDD 214 . In subsequent S<b>712 , the application transfer unit 521 displays the folder path setting screen 1100 ( FIG. 11 ) on the operation unit 220 . The user of the MFP 101 specifies, via the folder path setting screen 1100, a folder path setting rule for specifying a folder in which image data is to be stored. On this screen, the user can set lower folders (subfolders) within the folder.

When the check box 1101 is checked, the image data is stored in the folder specified by the selection fields 1111 and 1112. When the check box is not checked, the image data is stored in the area indicated by the folder path 902 of the file server setting screen 900. It will be.

A selection column 1111 specifies the type of information to be used as the folder name of the first layer (the upper layer of the two layers). The user of the MFP 101 selects the type of information from candidates for [Registration Month] and [Registration Date] presented by a pull-down menu. [Registration month] is the month in which the image data was received. [Registration Date] is the date on which the image data was received. It is also possible to leave none of the types selected, in which case the image data will be stored in the area designated by the folder path 902 on the file server setting screen 900 .

A selection column 1112 specifies the type of information to be used as the folder name of the second layer (the lower layer of the two layers). The user of the MFP 101 selects [registration date] presented by the pull-down menu in the same manner as in the first layer. Note that it is also possible to leave none of the types selected, in which case the image data will be stored in the folder specified in the selection field 1111 .

A display column 1114 shows the order in which various types of information are arranged in accordance with the selection of each layer in the selection columns 1111 and 1112 . In the illustrated example, it can be seen that the folder name of the first hierarchy is [Registration Month] and the folder name of the second hierarchy is [Registration Date]. A formal folder path is completed by adding the folder path indicated in the display field 1114 to the end of the character string specified in the folder path 902 of the file server setting screen 900 . For example, if the registration month is "January 2013" and the registration date is "January 1, 2013", a folder path of "root/January 2013/January 01, 2013" is set.

In S713, the application transfer unit 521 determines whether or not the [Cancel] key 1121 has been pressed. If it is determined that the [Cancel] key 1121 has been pressed, the process returns to S701 and the status display screen 800 is displayed. If the [cancel] key 1121 has not been pressed, the application transfer unit 521 advances to step S714 to determine whether or not the [return] key 1122 has been pressed. When the application transfer unit 521 determines that the [return] key 1122 has been pressed, the process returns to S707 and the file name setting screen 1000 is displayed. If the [Back] key 1122 has not been pressed, the application transfer unit 521 advances to S715 and determines whether or not the [Next] key 1123 has been pressed. If the application transfer unit 521 determines that the [next] key 1123 has been pressed, the process advances to step S716. If the [Next] key 1123 has not been pressed, the application transfer unit 521 returns to S713.

In S<b>716 , the application transfer unit 521 saves the contents specified via the folder path setting screen 1100 in the HDD 214 . In subsequent S<b>717 , the application transfer unit 521 displays the test transmission screen 1200 ( FIG. 12 ) on the operation unit 220 . A user of the MFP 101 can perform test transmission to the file server 102 via the test transmission screen 1200 .

In the FAX number 1201, an arbitrary source FAX number used for test transmission is entered. Also, in the date and time of reception 1202, an arbitrary date and time of reception used for test transmission is entered. Although omitted in FIG. 7, when the [Confirm settings] key 1211 is pressed, a file name is selected based on the FAX number 1201 and reception date and time 1202 and the settings made through the screens of FIGS. 9 to 11. The folder in which the image data is stored is displayed. This allows the user to confirm the contents of the settings.

In S718, the application transfer unit 521 determines whether the [test transmission] key 1212 has been pressed. If the application transfer unit 521 determines that the [test transmission] key 1212 has been pressed, the process proceeds to S719, and if the [test transmission] key 1212 has not been pressed, the process proceeds to S720.

In S719, the application transfer unit 521 executes test transmission based on the contents of the FAX number 1201 and the reception date and time 1202 and the contents set on the screens of FIGS. In the test transmission, the test image data held in advance within the additional application (inside the HDD 214) is actually transmitted to the file server 102. FIG. By executing the test transmission, the user can confirm that the image data is normally stored in the folder of the file server 102 . After executing the test transmission, a screen showing the result of the test transmission may be displayed.

In S720, the application transfer unit 521 determines whether or not the [Cancel] key 1221 has been pressed. If it is determined that the [Cancel] key 1221 has been pressed, the process returns to S701 and the status display screen 800 is displayed. If the [Cancel] key 1221 has not been pressed, the application transfer unit 521 proceeds to S721 and determines whether or not the [Return] key 1222 has been pressed. When the application transfer unit 521 determines that the [return] key 1222 has been pressed, the process returns to S712 and the folder path setting screen 1100 is displayed. If the [Back] key 1222 has not been pressed, the process advances to S722 to determine whether or not the [OK] key 1223 has been pressed. If the application transfer unit 521 determines that the [OK] key 1223 has been pressed, the process advances to step S723. If the [OK] key 1223 has not been pressed, the application transfer unit 521 returns to S718.

In S723, the application transfer unit 521 determines whether or not the setting of the storage destination of the image data has been changed. Specifically, when a folder path indicating a new storage destination area is described in the setting information shown in FIG. judge. If there is a change in the storage destination of the image data, the process proceeds to S724. If there is no change in the storage destination, the process proceeds to S725.

In S724, the application transfer unit 521 adds information specifying the storage destination area after the change to the setting information in the storage destination before the change.

In S<b>725 , the application transfer unit 521 stores the setting information of the folder path set in S<b>716 under the folder path 902 .

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing transfer settings 1300 set according to the flowchart of FIG. The transfer settings 1300 are assumed to be stored in the HDD 214 in CSV or XML format, but may be in another format.

A line 1301 describes the host name of the file server 102 entered in the host name 901 of the file server setting screen 900 . A line 1302 describes the starting point of the folder path entered in the folder path 902 of the file server setting screen 900 . A line 1303 describes the user name for logging in to the file server 102 entered in the user name 903 of the file server setting screen 900 . A line 1304 describes a password for logging in to the file server 102 entered in the password 904 of the file server setting screen 900 .

A line 1305 describes a file name setting rule set on the file name setting screen 1000 . In the illustrated example, the file name is set in the order of [registered name], [fax number], and [date and time] using [_] (underscore) separators. A line 1306 describes a setting rule for the folder path set on the folder path setting screen 1100 . In the illustrated example, the folder paths are set in the order of [Registration Month] and [Registration Date].

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of setting information updated in S724 and created in S725 according to the flowchart of FIG. These setting information are stored in CSV or XML format. As for the format, other formats may be used.

A line 1401 describes the version of the setting information file. A line 1402 describes the folder path setting rule set on the folder path setting screen 1100 . In the illustrated example, the folder paths are set in the order of [Registration Month] and [Registration Date].

The description in line 1403 is added only to the setting information updated in S724.

A line 1403 is path information described only when updating is performed in S724, and is a folder containing a storage area (subfolder) to be a transfer destination of setting information and image data newly stored after the processing of S724. A folder path indicating location information is described. Here, the newly set folder may exist in the file server 102 where the data storage destination before change exists, or may exist in a server different from the file server 102 . Note that the line 1403 may describe a path indicating the location information of the newly set setting information file.

FIG. 15 shows the contents of the address book 1500 stored in the address book storage unit 514. As shown in FIG. A destination ID 1501 is an ID that uniquely indicates each destination registered in the address book 1500 . A name 1502 is the name of each destination registered in the address book 1500 . A FAX number 1503 is the FAX number of each destination registered in the address book 1500 .

When the image data read by the scanner 222 is facsimile-transmitted from the MFP 101 via the PSTN 110, referring to the address book 1500 saves the trouble of specifying the destination. The address book 1500 may register not only facsimile transmission destinations, but also e-mail destinations and file transmission (FTP, SMB, WebDAV) destinations.

16 to 18 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of transferring image data received by facsimile by the MFP 101 to the file server 102. FIG. Each operation (step) shown in the flow charts of FIGS. 16 to 18 is realized by the CPU 211 of the MFP 101 executing the control program stored in the HDD 214 .

In S1601, the FAX reception unit 511 receives image data by facsimile. In S1602, the transfer unit 512 internally transfers the image data to the application reception unit 522 by FTP. In S1603, the application transfer unit 521 acquires the FAX number of the sender and the date and time of reception from the control file transferred together with the image data.

In S<b>1604 , the application transfer unit 521 acquires file server settings included in the transfer settings 1300 . In S1605, the application transfer unit 521 creates a file name to be set for the image data. In S1606, the application transfer unit 521 creates a folder path for specifying the storage destination of the image data.

In S<b>1607 , the application transfer unit 521 accesses the file server 102 . At this time, the user name and password included in the file server settings obtained in S1604 are transmitted to the file server 102, and the result of authentication by the file server 102 is received. In S1608, the application transfer unit 521 determines whether or not the authentication was successful (whether it was possible to log in to the file server 102).

In S1609, the application transfer unit 521 confirms whether or not the folder indicated by the folder path created in S1606 exists (asks the file server 102). In S1610, the application transfer unit 521 determines whether or not the corresponding folder exists. If the corresponding folder exists, the process proceeds to S1612; otherwise, the process proceeds to S1611.

In S1611, the application transfer unit 521 requests the file server 102 to create a folder indicated by the folder path created in S1606. In S1612, the application transfer unit 521 externally transfers the image data to the file server 102 and stores it in the folder (storage area) indicated by the folder path created in S1606.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart explaining in detail the processing of S1605 of FIG. In S<b>1701 , the application transfer unit 521 acquires file name settings included in the transfer settings 1300 . In S1702, the application transfer unit 521 inquires of the address book storage unit 514 about the name registered in association with the FAX number of the transmission source.

In S1703, the application transfer unit 521 determines whether acquisition of the registered name from the address book storage unit 514 has succeeded. If it is determined that the acquisition of the registered name has succeeded, the process advances to S1704, and the application transfer unit 521 sets the acquired registered name as part of the file name. If it is determined that acquisition of the registered name has failed (for example, if the FAX number of the sender is not registered in the address book), the process advances to step S1705, and the application transfer unit 521 replaces the default name with part of the file name. set as The default name is, for example, a character string "not applicable".

In S1706, the application transfer unit 521 sets the FAX number acquired in S1603 as part of the file name. In S1707, the application transfer unit 521 sets the reception date and time acquired in S1603 as part of the file name. Note that the settings in S1704 to S1707 are performed according to the contents of the file name setting obtained in S1701.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart explaining in detail the processing of S1606 in FIG. In S<b>1801 , the application transfer unit 521 acquires folder path settings included in the transfer settings 1300 . In S1802, the application transfer unit 521 inquires of the address book storage unit 514 about the name registered in association with the FAX number of the transmission source. Note that if the registered name has already been obtained in S1702 of FIG. 17, the processing of S1802 may be omitted.

In S1803, the application transfer unit 521 determines whether acquisition of the registered name from the address book storage unit 514 has succeeded. If it is determined that acquisition of the registered name has succeeded, the process advances to S1804, and the application transfer unit 521 sets the acquired registered name as part of the folder path. If it is determined that acquisition of the registered name has failed (for example, if the FAX number of the sender is not registered in the address book), the process advances to step S1805, and the application transfer unit 521 converts the default name to a part of the folder path. set as The default name is, for example, a character string "not applicable".

In S1806, the application transfer unit 521 sets the FAX number acquired in S1603 as part of the folder path. In S1807, the application transfer unit 521 sets the reception date acquired in S1603 as part of the folder path. Note that the settings in S1804 to S1807 are performed according to the contents of the folder path settings acquired in S1801.

As a result, the received image data can be sorted and stored in a plurality of folders.

Next, the means for monitoring the sorted and stored image data will be described.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart for explaining a setting operation for monitoring image data transferred to the file server 102 by the document management application 610 . Each operation (step) shown in the flowchart of FIG. 19 is realized by executing the control program stored in the HDD 414 by the CPU 411 of the PC 103 . This process is, for example, a process that is periodically executed at time intervals of several minutes. Note that the document management application may execute only the process of monitoring the folder every few minutes, and check the setting information file, for example, every few hours.

In S1902, it is checked whether the setting information 1400 is stored in the monitoring folder path specified at that time. If it is determined that the setting information 1400 is stored, the process proceeds to S1903, and if not stored, the process proceeds to S1904.

The monitoring folder path is manually set via the screen of the document management application 610, or is set according to the process of S1905, which will be described later.

Here, an example of manually specifying a folder (monitoring folder path) to be monitored by the document management application 610 (FIG. 20) displayed on the display 416 will be described.

FIG. 20 shows a screen of the document management application 610. As shown in FIG. A menu 2001 displays a list of execution commands for manipulating folders or image data, enabling execution. The address bar 2002 displays the path of the currently referenced folder. By directly inputting the path of the folder, the image data contained in the folder of the specified path are listed in the file list view 2005 . A toolbar 2003 displays shortcut buttons corresponding to operations that can be executed on the menu 2001 . A navigation pane 2004 displays a list of registered libraries and the location of the folder currently being referenced. Multiple libraries can be registered, and the file server can be changed for each registered library. Note that the relationship between libraries and folders is such that the library is in the upper layer and the folder is in the lower layer of the library layer. By pressing a registered button, the output bar 2006 can execute an action associated with the button on image data selected in the file list view 2005 . In the illustrated example, "file:///sharedserver" is registered as a library, and the folder "file:///sharedserver/root" storing the setting information is referenced in S725. Select this folder "file:///sharedserver/root" and execute folder monitoring using the menu 2001 or toolbar 2003 . The image data stored in the folder to be monitored is listed in a new arrival notification window 2007 .

Returning to the description of FIG. In S1904, the folder indicated by the monitoring folder path is monitored. By this monitoring, a list of image data stored in the folder can be displayed.

In S<b>1903 , the folder monitoring unit 612 confirms the contents of the setting information 1400 . In S1905, the folder monitoring unit 612 confirms the setting in line 1403 and determines the folder to be monitored.

In S1906, the folder monitoring unit 612 checks the row 1402 of the setting information 1400 in the monitoring folder path. In S<b>1907 , the folder monitoring unit 612 acquires the current date of the PC 103 . For example, in the example described later, the acquired date is January 01, 2013. In S1908, the folder monitoring unit 612 determines the setting value of line 1402 obtained in S1906. If the set value is [registration month]¥[registration date], the process advances to S1909. If the set value is [Registration Month], the process advances to S1910. If the set value is [registration date], the process advances to S1911. If there is no setting value, the process proceeds to S1912. In S1909 to S1912, the folder monitoring unit 612 generates the path of the folder to be monitored. As for the path generation method, a folder path to be monitored is generated based on the current date acquired in S1907 with the set value set to an actual folder name.

For example, in S1909, the folder path with the setting information and the naming rule of the transfer settings are concatenated, and "file:///sharedserver/root/January 2013/January 01, 2013" is set as the monitoring target folder path. do. In S1910, the folder monitoring unit 612 sets "file:///sharedserver/root/2013.01" as a folder path to be monitored. In S1911, the folder monitoring unit 612 sets "file:///sharedserver/root/January 01, 2013" as a folder path to be monitored. In S1912, "file:///sharedserver/root" is set as the folder path to be monitored. At this time, a folder an arbitrary date before the date and time acquired in S1907 may be added as a monitoring target.

In S1913, the folder corresponding to the monitoring target folder path determined in S1909 to S1912 is monitored. By this monitoring, a list of image data stored in the folder can be displayed. The folder path to be monitored is changed according to the rules of S1909 to S1912 each time the date changes.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart explaining in detail the processing of S1905 in FIG. In S2101, it is checked whether or not the setting indicated by line 1403 exists in the setting information 1400 in the monitoring folder path at that time. If there is a setting, the process advances to S2102. If there is no setting, the process proceeds to S2104.

In S2102, path information is acquired from the information described in line 1403. FIG. For example, in the example illustrated in line 1403 of setting information 1400, the information "file://xxx.yyy.zzz/folder" described after Changedpath is acquired as the folder path.

In S2103, it is determined whether or not the folder obtained in S2102 is accessible. If access is possible, the process advances to S2105. If access is not possible, the process advances to S2107. In S2105, the confirmation of S2101 to S2107 is performed again using the acquired folder path as the monitoring folder path.

In S2104, it is determined whether or not the folder accessed using the monitored folder path at that time is registered as a library of the document management application 610. FIG. If registered, the process advances to S2106. If not registered, the process advances to S2107. In S2106, the folder to be monitored is determined according to the flow of FIG. 19 using the information of the setting information 1400 in the currently referenced folder.

In S2107, a message box or notification window is displayed indicating that the access was not possible.

According to this embodiment, even if the folder in which the data is stored is changed by the additional application, the document management application can monitor the folder to which the document data is transferred by the additional application.

(Example 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the invention will be described. If it is not registered as a library in the flowchart S2104 described in the first embodiment, the document management application 610 makes access impossible and excludes it from the monitoring target. In order to avoid this, means for registering as a library and making it possible to be monitored will be described with reference to FIG. The rest of the configuration is the same as that described in the first embodiment, so the description is omitted.

In S2101, the row 1403 of the setting information 1400 is confirmed. If there is a setting, the set folder path is acquired (S2102), and it is confirmed whether the folder path is accessible (S2103). If it is accessible, the path of the acquired folder is set as a monitoring target (S2105), and S2101 to S2105 are repeated until there is no more description in line 1403 of the setting information 1400 . If there is no description in line 1403 of the setting information 1400, it is checked in S2201 whether the folder to be monitored determined in S2101 to S2105 is registered as a library of the document management application 610. FIG. If it is registered as a library, the process advances to S2104. If it is not registered as a library, the process proceeds to S2202. In S2202, a folder that has not been registered as a library is registered as a library so that the document management application 610 can refer to it.

According to this embodiment, it is possible for the document management application 610 to refer to a folder that is not registered as a library, and to monitor the folder.

(Example 3)
Next, a third embodiment of the invention will be described. When a folder that is an arbitrary date before the date and time acquired in S1907 is added as a monitoring target, a specific folder is set as a transfer destination and monitored for several days, and then the transfer destination is changed. Then, since the document management application 610 may not be activated, there is a possibility that the change of the folder to be monitored may not be noticed. Even if the change is noticed by periodically referring to the setting information, if the interval is long, it may not be possible to determine to which of the previous transfer destination and the new transfer destination the image data has been transferred. In such a case, if the transfer destination is changed after setting it once, the previously set folder will be monitored as a monitoring target, and the new transfer destination will be monitored to prevent omission of monitoring. The means will be described with reference to FIG. The rest of the configuration is the same as that described in the first embodiment, so the description is omitted.

In S2301, the setting information 1400 is checked to see if the changed path is described in the line 1403. If the setting has been changed in S2302, the process advances to S2303, and if the setting has not been changed, the process ends. In S2303, the current date and time of the PC 103 is acquired. In S2304, the folder monitored before confirmation in S2301 is acquired. In S2305, it is checked whether or not the folder acquired in S2304 satisfies a predetermined condition that the date is earlier than the date acquired in S2303. In S2305, if there is an earlier date, the process proceeds to S2306. If not, exit. In S2306, the number of days with the difference is extracted. In S2307, the folder with the date acquired in S2306 in the folder before change is monitored. In S2308, the folder with the date acquired in S2306 is monitored in the changed folder.

For example, if the folder to be monitored is "file:///sharedserver/root/" and monitoring is being performed until January 3, 2013, the next execution date of the document management application 610 is January 6, 2013. Suppose At this time, it is assumed that "file:///xxx.yyy.zzz/folder" is described in the row 1403 of the setting information 1400 in S2301. In this case, it is determined in S2302 that the setting has been changed. In S2303, when the date of the PC is obtained, January 06, 2013 is obtained. In S2304, it is confirmed that the monitoring was performed until January 03, 2013. In S2304, the difference is extracted assuming that there is a difference in dates. It is unknown whether January 04, 2013 and January 05, 2013 are in "file:///sharedserver/root/" before change or in "file:///xxx.yyy.zzz/folder" You can check that it is in good condition. In S2307, the folder of "file:///sharedserver/root/" before change is monitored. For that purpose, "file:///sharedserver/root/January 2013/January 04, 2013" and "file:///sharedserver/root/January 2013/January 05, 2013" are monitored. and On the other hand, in S2308, the folder "file:///xxx.yyy.zzz/folder" after the change is also monitored. Therefore, "file:///xxx.yyy.zzz/folder/January 2013/January 04, 2013" and "file:///xxx.yyy.zzz/folder/January 2013/2013 01/05” will be monitored.

According to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent omission from the monitoring target by monitoring both blank dates during the detection of changes.

(Other examples)
The present invention also includes an apparatus or system configured by appropriately combining the above-described embodiments, and a method therefor.

Here, the present invention is a main device or system that executes one or more software (programs) that realize the functions of the above-described embodiments. A method for realizing the above-described embodiments executed by the device or system is also one aspect of the present invention. Also, the program is supplied to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and is read and executed by one or more computers (CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or device. In other words, one aspect of the present invention includes the program itself or various computer-readable storage media storing the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (for example, an ASIC) that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments.

101 MFPs
103 PCs
521 application transfer unit 522 application reception unit 612 folder monitoring unit

Claims (6)

An information processing device capable of communicating with a server that manages document data,
monitoring means for monitoring whether or not new document data is stored in a folder stored in the server that satisfies a predetermined condition;
If a file containing information about the second server exists in the first server to be monitored by the monitoring means,
The monitoring means
An information processing apparatus, wherein the second server is monitored instead of the first server based on information about the second server. if the file does not exist on the first server,
2. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said monitoring means monitors said first server. The predetermined condition is
3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the naming rule is for folders containing date information. Information about said second server may include:
3. The authentication information includes authentication information for logging in to the second server, a host name of the second server, and at least part of a folder path of a folder to which document data is to be sent. 4. The information processing device according to any one of 1 to 3 . Said file is
5. The information processing according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , comprising at least one of information on said second server and setting information on folders stored in said second server. Device. A program for functioning as an information processing device capable of communicating with a server that manages document data,
monitoring means for monitoring whether or not new document data is stored in a folder stored in the server that satisfies a predetermined condition;
If a file containing information about the second server exists in the first server to be monitored by the monitoring means,
The monitoring means
A program for functioning as an information processing apparatus, characterized by monitoring said second server instead of said first server based on information relating to said second server.

Images