JP2002312208A - Data warehouse system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem that an apparatus specified by an administration side need to be prepared to acquire document data because contents and destination of document data to be sent can be set only by a document data storage means 130 and the administration side of a document database 190, for increase convenience. SOLUTION: This system is provided with a document information storage means storing document information, a document operation command analysis means analyzing data received from a communication apparatus connected to a communication network and extracting a document operation command, a document information management means reading out document information specified by the document operation command from the document information storage means, a document information style changing means changing the document information into a data style corresponding to the document operation command, and a document sending control means sending the document information after data style change.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data warehouse system for storing document data stored in various formats and metadata thereof, and providing a service for transmitting the document data as required. A data warehouse system capable of requesting transmission of document data via a communication network including a line and transmitting the document data after converting the media form of the document data according to the communication device of the transmission destination It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a conventional data warehouse system (conventional example 1) disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-297977. In the figure, 1
Reference numeral 00 denotes a facsimile transceiver for transmitting and receiving facsimile signals via the telephone line 110. FAX transceiver 100
The facsimile signal transmitted and received by the computer comprises document image data and a communication procedure signal. Reference numeral 110 denotes a telephone line serving as a facsimile signal transmission medium. Reference numeral 120 denotes a document image data management unit that manages the document image data extracted from the facsimile signal. The data is stored in the document data storage unit 130 together with the data. The management data includes a document number for identifying a document, a communication time, and the like. 1
Reference numeral 30 denotes document data storage means for storing document data based on document image data extracted from a facsimile signal together with management data. Reference numeral 140 denotes a control unit that writes and reads document data to and from the document data storage unit 130 and generates management data to be added to the document data.

Next, the operation will be described. When receiving the facsimile signal from the facsimile transceiver 100 via the telephone line 110, the document image data management means 120 extracts the document image data contained in the facsimile signal and converts it into document data. At this time, the control unit 140 generates management information such as a document number and a communication time for the document data, and outputs the management information to the document image data management unit 120. The document image data management unit 120 adds management data from the control unit 140 to the corresponding document data based on the communication procedure signal of the facsimile signal and stores the document data in the document data storage unit 130. Document data storage means 13
The document data stored in “0” can be read and viewed by the control unit 140 based on the corresponding management data.

In order to transmit the document data stored in the document data storage means 130, the control unit 140 controls a facsimile transmission / reception means (not shown) in the document image data management means 120, and transmits the data to another facsimile transmission / reception apparatus. Establish transmission to 100. Thereafter, under the control of the control unit 140, the facsimile transmission / reception unit transmits the document data read out from the document data storage unit 130 via the telephone line 110 based on the management data to another FAX transceiver 100.

Further, the control unit 140 includes input means and display means (not shown) so that an operator can operate document data extracted and stored from the facsimile signal via the control unit 140. It is configured. Thereby, browsing and searching of data are executed based on the management data added to the document data. This document data can be transmitted to any FAX transceiver 100 by the operation of the operator via the control unit 140.

In addition to the data warehouse system described above, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-3381 discloses a technique for automatically transmitting electronic document data by e-mail. FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a conventional data warehouse system (conventional example 2) disclosed in JP-A-11-3381. In the figure, 150 is the network 1
A personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as PC) connected to the PC 60 for sending and receiving e-mails.
0 and the document transmission control means 170. 170 is a document sending control unit for automatically sending electronic document data to the PC 150 by e-mail, 180 is a document information management unit for managing the electronic document data stored in the document database 190, and 190 is a document database. The document data 190a is stored together with metadata 190b describing management information. Reference numeral 190a denotes electronic document data, which is a plurality of PCs 150 connected via the network 160 by the document sending control means 170.
Sent to Reference numeral 190b denotes metadata describing management information of the electronic document data 190a. In addition, the document transmission control unit 170, the document information management unit 180, and the hardware resources of the information processing apparatus such as a PC or a workstation or the software resources executed by the CPU.
And a document database 190.

Next, the operation will be described. First, the document information management unit 180 transmits an electronic document to be transmitted to the transmission destination based on the transmission destination stored in the metadata 190b and the transmission type of the plurality of electronic document data 190a collected from another document database 190 (not shown). Data 190a
And management information for managing them in association with. Next, the document transmission control means 170
When the management information generated by the user 0 is input, an electronic mail for transmitting the electronic document data 190a corresponding to the management information to the designated transmission destination is created. Thereafter, the e-mail is transmitted to the network 16 by the document transmission control means 170.
PCs 150 installed at a plurality of points connected via the Internet
Automatically delivered to.

[0008]

Since the conventional data warehouse system is configured as described above, the contents of the document data to be transmitted and the destination of the document data are those which manage the document data storage means 130 and the document database 190. Therefore, there is a problem in that it is necessary to prepare a device designated by the management side in order to obtain document data, which is inconvenient.

For example, when browsing / acquiring document data with a PC or the like connected to a network, the P
C and the PC that acquires the data must be the same,
If an environment where document data can be acquired at a business trip destination or the like is not established, the end user can send another P
C may not be specified, and document data may not be obtained.

Further, since the document to be stored is configured to hold the document image data and the electronic document data independently, when transmitting data to a plurality of types of output devices such as a PC and a facsimile, one file is stored. There is a problem that it is necessary to hold data in a plurality of types of data formats expected as transmission requests for document data.

For this reason, if data is not stored in a data format that matches the transmission request, transmission of the document data itself may not be possible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an end user can use a communication device connected to a communication network including a telephone line so that an end user can communicate the contents of document information, an output destination, and an output destination communication. It is an object of the present invention to obtain a data warehouse system capable of designating the type of device, changing the document information of the content specified by the end user into a media form corresponding to the output destination communication device, and transmitting the data.

[0013]

A data warehouse system according to the present invention is connected to a document information storage means for storing document information including at least one of document image data, an electronic document, and metadata, and a communication network. A document operation command analysis unit that analyzes data received from the communication device to extract a document operation command, a document information management unit that reads out document information corresponding to the content specified by the document operation command from the document information storage unit, A document information form changing means for changing the document information read by the information management means into a data form corresponding to the document operation instruction, and the document information after the data form change to a communication device designated by the document operation instruction via a communication network. Document transmission control means for transmitting.

The data warehouse system according to the present invention includes document operation history storage means for extracting the contents of processing performed by each means and storing it as document operation history information.

[0015] In the data warehouse system according to the present invention, the document operation instruction analyzing means includes data form identifying means for identifying the data form of data received from a communication device connected to the communication network, and the data form identifying means comprises: A document operation instruction is automatically read from the received data based on the identified data form identification means.

A data warehouse system according to the present invention comprises a character recognition means for automatically reading a document operation command described in form image data received from a communication device connected to a communication network by the document operation command analysis means. It is.

The data warehouse system according to the present invention is characterized in that the document operation command analyzing means automatically reads a document operation command generated by voice in a voice signal received from a communication device connected to the communication network. It is provided.

In the data warehouse system according to the present invention, if the input voice signal is a tone signal, the voice recognition means automatically reads a document operation command from the tone signal.

[0019] In the data warehouse system according to the present invention, when the document operation command analysis unit receives text format data from a communication device connected to a communication network,
A text document recognizing means for automatically reading a document operation instruction in the data is provided.

In the data warehouse system according to the present invention, the document information form changing means determines whether or not the data form specified by the document operation command matches the data form of the document information read by the document information management means. If they match, the document information is output as it is without changing the data format.

In the data warehouse system according to the present invention, when the document information read by the document information management means is document image data, the document information form changing means reads a character portion in the document image data and converts the character code. Output.

According to the data warehouse system of the present invention, when the data format specified by the document operation command is document image data and the document information read by the document information management means is metadata including a character code, The document information form changing means outputs document image data obtained by converting the character code information in the metadata into an image.

In the data warehouse system according to the present invention, when the data format is not specified in the document operation instruction and the personal computer is specified as the output destination communication device, the document information format changing means transmits the document to be transmitted. It converts information into a text file.

In the data warehouse system according to the present invention, the FA is used as an output destination communication device in a document operation command.
When the X transceiver is designated and the document information to be transmitted is document image data, the document transmission control means transmits a facsimile output signal generated according to the document image data.

In the data warehouse system according to the present invention, when a communication device capable of receiving e-mail is specified as an output destination communication device in a document operation command, and the document information to be transmitted is document image data, the document image data The attached e-mail is generated and transmitted by the document transmission control means.

In the data warehouse system according to the present invention, when a communication device capable of receiving an e-mail is specified as an output destination communication device in a document operation instruction, and the document information to be transmitted is an electronic document, the electronic document is attached. The generated electronic mail is generated and transmitted by the document transmission control means.

[0027] In the data warehouse system according to the present invention, the document operation history storage means charges a fee according to the contents of the history information.

[0028] In the data warehouse system according to the present invention, the document operation history storage means charges for an input medium and an output medium of document information and a combination thereof.

[0029] In the data warehouse system according to the present invention, the document operation history storage means charges according to the amount of document information read from the document information storage means.

[0030] In the data warehouse system according to the present invention, the document operation history storage means charges a fee in accordance with the type and the number of changes of the document information.

In the data warehouse system according to the present invention, billing is performed according to the type, quantity, and destination of the document information transmitted by the document operation history storage means.

[0032]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Embodiment 1 FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a data warehouse system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a telephone (communication device) connected to the telephone line 6
In this case, in addition to information transmission by a voice signal, information transmission by a tone signal is included. A facsimile transceiver (communication device) 2 connected to the telephone line 6 transmits a facsimile transmission identification signal for identifying a facsimile transmission signal together with a facsimile transmission signal relating to information to be transmitted. Reference numeral 3 denotes a mobile device (communication device) such as a PDA that can wirelessly connect to the telephone line 6 and the network 10, and reference numeral 4 denotes a mobile phone (communication device) that can wirelessly connect to the telephone line 6 and the network 10. is there. Further, the mobile device 3 or the mobile phone 4 includes a device having a function of transmitting and receiving an e-mail via the server device 5. Reference numeral 5 denotes a server device of a network connection service provider, which provides a service for connecting the mobile device 3 or the mobile phone 4 to the Internet on the network 10. Reference numeral 6 denotes a telephone line (communication network), which includes a wireless telephone line for communicatively connecting the mobile device 3 or the mobile phone 4 in addition to a normal wired telephone line.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a personal computer (hereinafter, abbreviated as PC) (communication device) connected to the network 10, which is a WWW (World Wid) on the Internet.
It includes a browser function for acquiring information provided by eWeb) and an electronic mail transmission / reception function. 8 is PC7
And prints the document information received by the PC 7, for example. Reference numeral 9 denotes an Internet facsimile (communication device), which transmits a facsimile transmission identification signal for identifying a facsimile transmission signal together with a facsimile transmission signal relating to information to be transmitted via the Internet on the network 10. Reference numeral 10 denotes a network (communication network) used for data exchange, and specifically, a LAN (Local Area).
a Network) and WAN (Wide Area)
Network). In addition, the network 10 is connected to the Internet, particularly WWW (World).
It is defined by a concept including a computer network typified by Wide Web.

11 is a telephone line 6 or network 1
0 automatically receives data from the communication device connected to
Document operation command analysis means for extracting a document operation command from the data. The document operation command extracted by the document operation command analysis unit 11 includes designation information on the document from the communication device side, output destination information, and type information of the output destination communication device. In addition, as the designated information regarding the document,
It includes the document content and data format specified by the end user. Reference numeral 12 denotes a document information management unit that selects and outputs document information in the document database 15 in accordance with the specification information on the document included in the document operation command extracted by the document operation command analysis unit 11. Reference numeral 13 denotes a document information form change unit that changes the data form of the document information read by the document information management unit 12 according to the specification information on the document included in the document operation command and / or the type information of the output destination communication device. Here, the data format of the document information includes media formats such as document image data, electronic documents, metadata, and combinations thereof, as well as file formats such as JPEG format and text format, HTML and JAVA. (Registered trademark) etc. 14 is a telephone line 6 or a network 10
A document transmission control unit that transmits data to a communication device via the communication device, and transmits the document information whose data format has been changed to the communication device corresponding to the output destination information included in the document operation instruction. The above-described document operation command analysis means 11, document information management means 12, document information form changing means 13, and document transmission control means 14 are provided in the software executed by the computer constituting the data warehouse system according to the first embodiment. It can be realized by giving the processing function of each means.

Reference numeral 15 denotes a document database (document information storage means) which can be constituted by a hard disk of a computer device constituting the data warehouse system according to the first embodiment, or a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD. it can. Reference numeral 15a denotes document image data (document information) stored in the document database 15, which is a GIF format (Graphics) which is a general image document format.
Interchange Format), JPEG
Format (Joint PhotographicExpe
rt Group) or TIFF format (Tagg
ed Image File Format). Reference numeral 15b denotes electronic document data (document information) including a character code stored in the document database 15, which is a standard PDF format (Portable) as an electronic document format.
e Document Format) or TEXT format. Reference numeral 15c denotes metadata (document information) storing catalog information of the document image data 15a and the electronic document data 15b, which is generally constituted by spreadsheet software.

FIG. 2 shows the document operation command analyzing means 11 in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 11a denotes a document operation command analyzing unit (character recognizing means, voice recognizing means, text document recognizing means) which stores data received from a communication device via the telephone line 6 or the network 10 in the input data storing means 11e. An analysis operation for extracting a document operation instruction is performed each time the instruction is stored. 11b is a facsimile communication processing means (data form identification means) for automatically receiving a facsimile transmission signal via the telephone line 6 or the network 10;
The facsimile transmission signal from the AX 9 is identified and converted into a data format that can be stored in the input data storage unit 11e.
Reference numeral 11c denotes a voice communication processing means (data form identification means) for automatically receiving a voice signal or a tone signal via the telephone line 6, and stores a voice signal from the telephone 1 or the mobile phone 4 in the input data storage means 11e. Convert to storable data format. 11d is a mail communication processing means (data form identification means), which is a mobile device 3, a mobile phone 4, or a PC 7;
Automatically converts the received e-mail file into a data format that can be stored in the input data storage unit 11e.
An input data storage unit 11e stores data received from a communication device via the telephone line 6 or the network 10, and is a storage device of a computer device constituting the data warehouse system according to the first embodiment or a CD-ROM. It can be constituted by a recording medium such as a ROM or a DVD. Note that the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

Next, the operation will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the document operation instruction analyzing means of the data warehouse system according to the first embodiment. The operation of acquiring the document operation instruction will be described with reference to FIG. First, the document operation command analysis unit 11 waits for input data from a communication device connected to the telephone line 6 or the network 10. In the illustrated example, the telephone 1, the FA,
X transceiver 2, mobile device 3, mobile phone 4, PC7,
And input from six types of communication devices such as Internet FAX 9. At this time, the data received by the document operation command analysis unit 11 from the communication device via the telephone line 6 or the network 10 is transmitted to the facsimile communication processing unit 11 in the document operation command analysis unit 11.
b. The facsimile communication processing means 11b determines whether or not there is a facsimile communication identification signal in the input data (step ST1). When the facsimile communication identification signal is detected in the input data, the facsimile communication processing unit 11b determines that the subsequent input data is form image data based on the facsimile transmission signal, and performs a decoding process on the data. Convert to image data file format. Facsimile communication processing means 11b
The converted data output from is stored in the input data storage unit 11e. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step ST2, where the document operation command analysis unit 11a recognizes characters of the form image data and extracts a document operation command.

Here, the operation of the document operation command analysis unit 11a in step ST2 will be described in detail. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of the form image data received as a facsimile transmission signal. In the figure, reference numeral 16 denotes an entry character string corresponding to a user ID, reference numeral 17 denotes an entry character string corresponding to a password, and reference numeral 18 denotes an entry character string corresponding to an output document name. 19 is a mark area for indicating that the output document type is metadata, and 20 is an entry mark indicating that the output document type is document data. 21 is a mark area for indicating that the output device type is FAX, 22 is an entry mark indicating that the output device type is PC, and 23 is an Internet FAX output device type.
This is a mark area for indicating the selection to be made. 24
Is an entry mark indicating that the data output format is the JPEG format of the image document format, and 25 is a mark area for indicating that the data output format is the TIFF format of the image document format. 26 is a mark area for indicating that the data output form is the PDF format of the electronic document format, and 27 is a mark area for indicating that the data output form is the Word format of the electronic document format An area 28 is a mark area for indicating that the data output form is a text form of the electronic document form, and 29 is an entry character string corresponding to the data output destination.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a form definition format for defining the entry area of the form in FIG. In the figure, 3
0 is a field definition value that defines the coordinate value of the area in which the user ID is written, the number of characters to be written, and the type of character to be recognized. Similarly, 31 to 38 and 39 to 46 are field definition values that define the coordinate value of the area corresponding to each document item, the number of characters to be entered, and the character type to be recognized.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a character operation command. In the figure, 47 is a user ID for identifying a user who has issued a document reference request, 48 is a password for guaranteeing the validity of the user ID, 49 is an output document name for specifying a document to be output, and 50 is a document to be output An output document type that specifies the type, 51 is an output device type that specifies the type of output device that outputs the document information, 52 is a data output format that specifies the format of the output document information, and 53 is a destination that specifies the output destination of the document information Is the data output destination.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of extracting a document operation command from form image data. A specific operation in step ST2 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the document operation command analysis unit 11a operates the input data storage unit 1
From 1e, form image data as shown in FIG.
The correspondence between the form image data and the form definition format shown in FIG. 5 is determined, and an entry area represented by field definition values 30 to 46 corresponding to the document items defined in FIG. 5 is determined (step ST1a). This operation can be realized by using, for example, a method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-282193.

Next, the document operation command analysis unit 11a performs character cutout processing and character recognition processing on the image in the entry area corresponding to each document item, and codes the character image in the entry area (step). ST2a). Many methods for realizing this operation have been proposed in the past, and one of these methods is used.

Thereafter, the document operation command analysis unit 11a
The character recognition result of the form image data is associated with the document item and output (step ST3a). As a result, FIG.
The character recognition result associated with the document item as shown in FIG. In the illustrated example, a user ID 47 for identifying a user who has issued a document reference request as a document item,
Password 48 for guaranteeing the validity of the user ID,
An output document name 49 for specifying a document to be output, an output document type 50 for specifying a document type to be output, an output device type 51 for specifying a type of an output device for outputting document information, and data for specifying a form of document information to be output There are seven items: an output mode 52 and a data output destination 53 that specifies the output destination of the document information. The character recognition result associated with each document item as described above corresponds to a document operation command. For example,
If the character recognition result corresponding to the data output form 52 of the document item is JPEG, the data output form is changed to JPEG.
It is interpreted as a document operation command output in the format. In this way, the document image data is recognized by the document operation command analysis unit 11a, and the document operation command is extracted.

Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 3, if no facsimile communication identification signal is detected in the input data in step ST1, the facsimile communication processing means 11
b transfers the input data to the voice communication processing means 11c. The voice communication processing means 11c determines whether or not there is a tone signal in the input data (step ST3). When a tone signal is detected in the input data, the voice communication processing unit 11c determines that the subsequent input data is data transmitting a document operation command by the tone signal voice, and performs a frequency analysis on the data. Convert to a file format for recording tone signals. The converted data output from the voice communication processing means 11c is stored in the input data storage means 11
e. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step ST4, where the document operation command analysis unit 11a extracts a document operation command from the converted data. Many methods have been proposed for extracting information from a tone signal, and any of these methods will be used.

If no tone signal is detected in the input data, the voice communication processing means 11c determines whether or not the input data is a voice signal from the data format (step ST5). At this time, if it is determined that the input data is a voice signal, the voice communication processing unit 11c determines that the subsequent input data is data for transmitting a document operation command by a voice signal, and performs frequency analysis of the data. After that, audio data for recording an audio signal is generated. The audio data output from the audio communication processing unit 11c is stored in the input data storage unit 11e. After this, step ST
In step 6, the document operation command analysis unit 11a performs voice recognition on the voice data generated from the voice signal to extract a document operation command as shown in FIG. Regarding the operation of extracting information by voice recognition of voice data, many methods have been conventionally proposed, and any of these methods will be used.

On the other hand, the mail communication processing means 11d transmits the network 1 from the mobile device 3, the mobile phone 4, and the PC 7.
When an e-mail is received as input data via 0,
It is determined whether or not the input e-mail is in a text format (step ST7). If the input e-mail is in text format, the mail communication processing means 11d stores the e-mail in the input data storage means 11e. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step ST8, where the document operation command analysis unit 11a
Analyzes the electronic mail, which is information in a text format, and extracts a document operation command as shown in FIG.

If the input data is not an image, voice, text, or tone signal, the document operation command analysis unit 11a rejects the input data (step ST9). In the attribute determination of the electronic mail by the mail communication processing unit 11d, a text mail including only text may be distinguished from a binary mail that sends a document operation instruction described in a binary file such as voice or graphic.

As described above, the document operation instruction analyzing means 1
1 extracts a document operation command by analyzing data input in various forms such as an image, a sound, a text, and a tone signal.

Next, an operation of selecting document information based on a document operation command will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of metadata stored in a document database. In the figure, 54 is catalog information for the document name "1998 printer sales results", 55 is catalog information for the document name "1999 PC promotional materials", and 56 is the document name "00".
The catalog information for "Exhibition other companies'catalogs" is shown. Reference numeral 57 denotes a file name in which the entity of the document data having the document name "1998 sales results of the printer" is stored. Reference numeral 58 denotes a file name in which the entity of the document data having the document name "1999 promotional material of the personal computer" is stored. And 59
Indicates the file name in which the entity of the document data of the document name "2000 Catalog of Other Companies'PC" is stored.

Next, the operation will be described. FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the operation of the document information management means in FIG. 1. The selection process of the document information based on the document operation command will be described with reference to FIG. First, the document information management unit 12 inputs a document operation command output from the document operation command analysis unit 11. Here, it is assumed that the document operation command shown in FIG. 6 is input for simple explanation. When a document operation command is input, the document information management unit 12 extracts the description corresponding to the items of the user ID 47 and the password 48 of the document operation command, and compares it with a previously registered user ledger (not shown). Then, it is determined whether or not the user is a registered user (step ST1b). If the user is not registered, the process moves to step ST7b,
The document information management means 12 does not output data. On the other hand, if the user is a registered user, the document information management unit 12 extracts the description content corresponding to the item of the output document type 50 of the document operation command and determines whether or not the document data is the document data ( Step ST2b). At this time, if it is document data, the process proceeds to step ST3b, and if it is metadata, the process proceeds to step ST5b. In the document operation command shown in FIG. 6, since the output document type 50 is the document data, the document information management means 12 proceeds to step ST3b.
Transfer processing to

In step ST3b, the document information management means 12 determines whether or not the description content of the output document name 49 of the document operation command is described in the metadata. In the document operation command shown in FIG. 6, since the description content of the output document name 49 is "1999 PC promotional material", a document name matching this document name is searched from the metadata 15c shown in FIG. In the case of FIG. 8, the same document name can be detected in the second catalog information 55. If a document is found, the process proceeds to step ST4b, where the catalog information 5 whose document name is “1999 PC promotional material” is retrieved from the metadata 15c.
5 is extracted and output. On the other hand, if the output document name 49 does not exist in the metadata 15c in step ST3b, the process proceeds to step ST7b, and the document information management unit 12 does not output data.

According to the document operation instruction shown in FIG. 6, the process proceeds to step ST3b by the conditional branch of step ST2b. If the output document type 50 is not the document data, step S3 is executed.
Proceed to T5b. In this step ST5b, the document information management means 12 determines whether or not the output document type 50 is metadata. If the output document type 50 is not metadata in this determination, the output document type 50 is neither document data nor metadata in the determinations in steps ST2b and ST5b, and a type that does not exist in the document database 15 is specified. Therefore, the process proceeds to step ST7b, where the document information management unit 12
Does not output data. On the other hand, if the output document type 50 is metadata in step ST5b, the document information management means 12 outputs catalog information relating to the metadata itself (not shown) (step ST6).
b).

Thus, the document information management means 12
Checks the information about the user of the document operation command, searches the catalog information of the document data using the document name of the output request as a key, and outputs the catalog information matching the document name.

Next, the operation of changing the data format of document information will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a physical file configuration for storing document data. In the figure, reference numeral 60 denotes a physical file having a document name “1998 printer sales results”,
Reference numeral 61 denotes a physical file of the document name “1999 PC promotional materials”, and reference numeral 62 denotes a physical file of the document name “2000 exhibition exhibition PC catalog”.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the document information form changing means in FIG. 1. The operation of changing the data form of the document information will be described with reference to FIG. The document information form changing unit 13 inputs the document operation command output from the document operation command analysis unit 11 and the catalog information of the document data output from the document information management unit 12. Here, FIG.
The case where the document information form changing means 13 inputs the document operation command shown in FIG. 8 and the catalog information 55 shown in FIG. 8 will be described. First, the document information form changing unit 13 outputs the catalog information 55
The form of the document data described in (1) is specified (step S
T1c). In the catalog information 55 of the document name “1999 PC promotional material” shown in FIG. 8, the attribute value “Word” is described in the fifth document format (data format) column. Thereby, the document information form changing unit 13 can specify the document data described in the catalog information 55 as the data form of the “Word” format. Here, "Wor
"d" indicates the name of one data form belonging to the electronic document data including the character code.

After specifying the data format, the document information format changing means 13 determines whether or not the data output format 52 specified in the document operation command shown in FIG. 6 is specified (step ST2c). In the document operation command shown in FIG. 6, since the data output form 52 is designated as "JPEG", the document information form changing means 13 performs step ST3c.
Transfer processing to

In step ST3c, the document information form changing means 13 retrieves the catalog information 5 obtained in step ST1c.
Document format (data format) described in step 5 and step ST
It is determined whether or not the data output form 52 obtained in 2c matches. At this time, if both match,
The process of step ST15c is executed, and an entity file 61 corresponding to the document data file name 58 described in the catalog information 55 is output. Here, in the document operation command shown in FIG. 6 and the catalog information 55 shown in FIG. 8, the document format (data format) described in the catalog information 55 is “Word”, and the data output format 52 is “JPEG”. , The document information form changing unit 13 proceeds to step ST4c.

In step ST4c, the document information form changing means 13 determines whether the type of the document form (data form) described in the catalog information 55 is an electronic document including a character code. Here, the electronic document including the character code refers to all data forms in which the character code is inherent, and includes, for example, a document created by word processing software, a document created by spreadsheet software, and a text document. HTML documents and the like. In the catalog information 55 shown in FIG. 8, since the document format (data format) is specified as "Word", the electronic document is classified as an electronic document including a character code as described above. Thereby, the document information form changing unit 13 advances the processing to step ST5c.

In step ST5c, the document information form changing means 13 determines whether the data output form of the document operation command is an electronic document including a character code. In the document operation command shown in FIG. 6, the description content for the data output form 52 is designated as “JPEG”. here,
“JPEG” indicates the name of one storage format of document image data. Thereby, the document information form changing means 1
No. 3 determines that the data output form of the document operation command is not an electronic document including a character code.

If it is determined that the data output form is not an electronic document including a character code, the document information form changing means 13 determines whether the data output form is document image data (step ST7c). Here, the data output form 52 of the document operation command shown in FIG.
Since the description is “JPEG”, the document information form changing unit 13 branches the process to step ST11c.
If the data output form is not the document image data, the document information form changing unit 13 determines that the data output form is neither the electronic document nor the document image data, and outputs the data form stored in the document database 15. The file is output as it is, and the process ends.

In step ST11c, the document information form changing means 13 converts the document in the form of document data stored in the document database 15 into the form of document image data, and the document operation command shown in FIG. In the example of the catalog information 55, the document 6 stored in the document format (data format) “Word” stored in the document database 15
1 is converted to the document image data format “JPEG”.
This conversion operation is already commercially available as PC software, and is realized by using this software. When the conversion is completed, the document information form changing unit 13 outputs the converted file (step ST16c). Thus, the document operation command shown in FIG. 6 and the catalog information 55 shown in FIG.
In the example, the document information format changing unit 13 finally outputs a file obtained by converting the document 61 stored in the electronic data format “Word” stored in the document database 15 into the document image data format “JPEG”. Will be.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST5c that the data output form is an electronic document including a character code, the document information form changing means 13 converts the electronic document into another electronic document (step ST9c). This step ST
The processing in 9c is already commercially available as a conversion program in the form of a word processing data, and can be realized by using this.

In step ST4c, it is determined that the document format (data format) described in the catalog information is not an electronic document including a character code, and the process proceeds to step ST6c, where the data output format is changed to the character code in step ST6c. If it is determined that the electronic document includes the electronic document, the document information form changing unit 13 branches to the process of step ST10c. In step ST10c, the document information form changing unit 13 performs character recognition processing on the data stored in the form of the document image data to convert the data into an electronic document. This conversion process is performed by an OCR (Optical Charac).
Many of them are commercially available as “ter Reader” software, and are realized by using this software. On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST6c that the data output form is not an electronic document including a character code, the document information form changing unit 13 branches to the processing in step ST8c.

In step ST8c, the document information form changing means 13 determines whether the data output form is document image data. At this time, if the data output form is not the document image data, the document information form changing unit 13 determines that the data output form is neither the electronic document nor the document image data, and stores the data form stored in the document database 15. As it is, the file is output and the process ends. If the data output form is document image data, the process branches to step ST12c.

In step ST12c, the document information form changing means 13 converts the data stored in the form of document image data into another form of document image data. This conversion process is commercially available as image processing software, and can be realized by using this software.

If the data output mode is not specified in step ST2c, the document information mode changing means 13 determines whether there is an output device type described in the document operation command (step ST13c). At this time, if the output device type is specified, the process proceeds to step ST14c,
The document information form changing means 13 automatically converts the data form into a data form readable for the corresponding output device type. For example, in the document operation command shown in FIG. 6, since the PC is specified as the output device type 51, the document is converted into a text format independent of the PC model and output. On the other hand, if the output device type is not specified in step ST13c, the document information form changing unit 13 determines that the data output form is neither the electronic document nor the document image data, and stores the data output form in the document database 15. The file is output with the data format kept as it is, and the process ends.

In the above example, the processing contents for the document data have been described. However, the same processing can be performed even when metadata is input.

As described above, the document information form changing means 1
Numeral 3 converts the data format of the output data, which is stored in the document database 15 and includes the document image data 15a, the electronic document data 15b, or the metadata 15c specified in the document operation command, into the data output format described in the document operation command. To output the converted file.

Next, the process of transmitting document information will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the document transmission control means in FIG. 1. The transmission process of the document information will be described with reference to FIG. The document transmission control unit 14 inputs the converted document file for transmission obtained by the document information form changing unit 13 and the document operation command extracted by the document operation command analysis unit 11. Here, it is assumed that the document operation command shown in FIG. 6 is input for the sake of simplicity. First, the document transmission control unit 14 checks whether there is any contradiction between the data of the output device type, the data output mode, and the data output destination described in the document operation command (step ST1d). For example, when the facsimile transceiver 2 connected to the telephone line 6 is the communication device of the output destination, the data output destination specification must describe a telephone number, and the data output form is limited to the document image data format. . Therefore, the document sending control unit 14 stores a combination of allowable values of the above three types of parameters as a table (not shown) and checks the table against the contents actually described in the document operation instruction. . As a result of the collation, if the consistency is obtained, the document transmission control means 14 determines in step S
The process proceeds to T2d, and if consistency is not achieved, the process is rejected.

In step ST2d, the document transmission control means 14 determines whether or not the output device type is the facsimile transceiver 2. At this time, if it is determined that the output device type is the facsimile transceiver 2, the document transmission control means 14 executes the processing after step ST3d. First, the document transmission control means 14 executes a process of converting the document file obtained by the document information form changing means 13 into ITU-T recommended data for facsimile transmission (step ST3d). This conversion process can be realized by using commercially available fax transmission / reception software. Next, the document transmission control means 14 makes a telephone call to the telephone number designated as the data output destination, and automatically faxes the document file converted into the data of the ITU-T recommendation (step ST4).
d). This transmission process can also be realized by using commercially available fax transmission / reception software.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST2d that the output device type is not FAX, the document transmission control means 14 determines whether the output device type is PC7 or Internet FAX9 (step ST5).
d). At this time, if it is determined that the output device type is not the PC 7 or the Internet FAX 9, the document transmission control unit 14 performs data rejection processing.

If the output device type is PC7 or Internet FAX 9, the document sending control means 14 automatically creates an electronic mail with the document file output by the document information form changing means 13 as an attached file (step ST6d). . Thereafter, the document transmission control means 14 automatically transmits the e-mail created in step ST6d to the mail address specified as the data output destination (step ST7).
d). At this time, according to the document operation command shown in FIG. 6, by the processing of step ST6d and step ST7d,
The “1999 PC promotional material” is a document in the “JPEG” format, and has the mail address “ABC.AAA.BBB.
co. jp ”. By printing the data on the printer 8 in the PC 7 receiving the “JPEG” format “1999 PC promotional materials”, the user can obtain a desired document.

As described above, the document sending control means 14
Transmits the document data output from the document information form changing unit 13 in accordance with the document operation command output from the document operation command analysis unit 11.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the document database 15 that stores document information including at least one of the document image data 15a, the electronic document data 15b, and the metadata 15c, A document operation command analysis for analyzing data received from a communication device connected to the network 10 and extracting a document operation command including designation information on a document from the communication device, output destination information, and type information of the output destination communication device. Means 11;
A document information management unit 12 for reading out document information corresponding to the content specified by the specification information about the document from the document database 15, and the document information read by the document information management unit 12 is converted into the specification information about the document and / or Document information form changing means 13 for changing to a data form corresponding to the type information, telephone line 6 or network 10
And the document transmission control means 14 for transmitting the document information after the data format change to the communication device corresponding to the output destination information via the communication device. The document information can be converted into data suitable for the communication device of the transmission destination, and transmitted to a desired communication device at an arbitrary point. This way, for example, if you need a document while you are out,
Output document information in any format to nearby communication devices,
Documents that are forgotten to be brought on a business trip can be called up on a mobile phone or the like while traveling on a business trip and transmitted in a desired data format to a visit destination, thereby improving user convenience. Service can be provided.

Further, when the document information is transmitted to an information convenience providing a printing agency service, it is possible to receive materials to be brought to a business trip destination at an information convenience station adjacent to the business trip destination, and it is necessary to bring heavy documents during a business trip. And the convenience can be further improved.

Further, there is only one type of document information registered in the document database 15, and it is not necessary to hold a plurality of types of data forms for one document, so that the capacity of the storage means can be reduced. .

Embodiment 2 FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of a data warehouse system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the figure, 63 is each means 11, 12, 1
Document operation history storage means for extracting the content of the processing performed by each of the document operations 3 and 14, and stores history information such as the input source and the transmission destination of the document operation obtained as an extraction result. Further, the document operation history storage means 63 can be realized by giving the processing functions of the above means to software executed by a computer constituting the data warehouse system according to the second embodiment. Note that the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of document operation history data stored in the document operation history storage means in FIG.
In the figure, reference numerals 64 to 66 denote document operation histories from when the data warehouse system according to the second embodiment inputs data from a communication device via the telephone line 6 or the network 10 to when the user outputs desired document data. Is shown. For example, 64 is F connected to telephone line 6.
5 illustrates a document operation history when the document image data illustrated in FIG. 4 is transmitted from the AX transceiver 2.

Next, the operation will be described. The basic operation of the data warehouse according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus the duplicated parts are omitted.
The different parts will be described. For example, when the document image data shown in FIG. 4 is transmitted from the facsimile transceiver 2 connected to the telephone line 6, the document operation command analysis unit 11, the document information management unit 12, the document information form changing unit 13, and the document transmission The control means 14 performs the same operation as in the first embodiment. At this time, the document operation history storage unit 63 extracts the operation histories of the document operation command analysis unit 11, the document information management unit 12, the document information form change unit 13, and the document transmission control unit 14, and then extracts the operation history as shown in FIG. Accumulate document operation history.

In the example of FIG. 14, the document operation history storage means 6
3 acquires the user ID, the input system, the output system, and the transmission destination from the document operation command analysis unit 11, acquires the number of accesses to the document database 15 from the document information management unit 12, and sets the information conversion type and the number of information conversion pages. The number of pages to be sent is acquired from the document sending control unit 14 and the history is acquired from the document information form changing unit 13.

Note that the document operation history storage means 63 may determine the usage fee of the document output service based on the document operation history. Specifically, the type of input system,
A method according to the type of document operation such as the type of output system and its combination, a method according to the number of retrieved documents, a method according to the type and number of document information conversions,
A method can be realized in accordance with the type, quantity, and destination of a document to be sent.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the document operation history storage means 63 for extracting the contents of processing performed by the respective means 11, 12, 13, and 14 and storing the extracted contents as document operation history information. With this configuration, it is possible to easily recognize the insufficiency of operation of each unit from the document operation history, so that maintenance can be facilitated. Further, when the transmitted document information is not what the user desires, the document operation of each unit can be corrected based on the document operation history.

Further, according to the second embodiment, since the document operation history storage means 63 determines the usage fee of the document output service based on the document operation history, it is possible to charge according to the detailed contents of the document operation contents. Therefore, it is possible to flexibly set a fee setting that meets the detailed user needs of the wood grain.

[0084]

As described above, according to the present invention, a document information storage means for storing document information including at least one of document image data, an electronic document, and metadata, and a communication device connected to a communication network. Document operation command analysis means for analyzing received data to extract a document operation command; document information management means for reading document information corresponding to the content specified by the document operation command from the document information storage means;
Document information form changing means for changing the document information read by the document information management means into a data form corresponding to the document operation instruction, and a communication device which specifies the document information after the data form change by the document operation instruction via a communication network Document transmission control means for transmitting the document information stored in the document information storage means to the data according to the communication device of the transmission destination, using various communication devices from any point, A call can be transmitted to a desired communication device at an arbitrary point. By registering the document information in the document information storage means, it is possible to output document information in any format to nearby communication devices when the document is needed while going out, or to bring it with you when you travel. A document that has been forgotten to be called can be called by a mobile phone or the like while traveling on a business trip, and transmitted in a desired data format to a visit destination, thereby improving user convenience. There is.

According to the present invention, since the document operation history storage means for extracting the contents of the processing performed by each means and storing the extracted information as document operation history information is provided, the operation deficiency or correction of each means can be determined from the document operation history. There is an effect that it can be easily performed.

According to the present invention, the document operation command analysis means includes the data form identification means for identifying the data form of the data received from the communication device connected to the communication network, and the data form identification means identifies the data form. Character recognition means for automatically reading document operation instructions from received data based on form identification means and automatically reading document operation instructions described in form image data, document operation instructions generated by voice in voice signals Automatically reading a document signal, and if the voice signal is a tone signal, a voice recognition means for automatically reading a document operation command from the tone signal, and a text document recognition means for automatically reading a document operation command in text format data. The user can request transmission of document data using various communication devices, which improves convenience. There is an effect that it is Rukoto.

According to the present invention, when the document information read by the document information managing means is document image data, the document information form changing means reads a character portion in the document image data and outputs a character code, When the data format specified by the document operation command is document image data and the document information read by the document information management means is metadata including a character code, a document in which the character code information in the metadata is imaged. When image data is output and the data format is not specified in the document operation instruction and a personal computer is specified as the output destination communication device,
Since the document information to be transmitted is converted into a text file, there is an effect that the data can be converted into a data format desired by the user.

According to the present invention, the document transmission control means:
When a FAX transceiver is specified as an output destination communication device and the document information to be transmitted is document image data, a FAX output signal generated according to the document image data is transmitted, and an e-mail can be received as the output destination communication device. When the communication device is specified and the document information to be transmitted is document image data, a communication device capable of generating and transmitting an e-mail attached with the document image data and receiving the e-mail is specified as an output destination communication device. When the document information to be transmitted is an electronic document, an electronic mail with the electronic document attached is generated and transmitted, so that the document information corresponding to the output destination communication device desired by the user can be transmitted. There is.

According to the present invention, the document operation history storage means uses the input medium, output medium, and combination of the document information on the history information, and / or the number of the document information read from the document information storage means, And / or the type and number of changes of the document information, and / or the type, quantity, and destination of the document information to be transmitted, so that the fee can be charged according to the detailed contents of the document operation content. Since it is possible, there is an effect that it is possible to flexibly set a fee setting that meets the user needs of the fine grain.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a data warehouse system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a document operation command analysis unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of a document operation instruction analysis unit of the data warehouse system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of form image data received as a facsimile transmission signal.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a form definition format for defining an entry area of the form in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a character operation command.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of extracting a document operation command from form image data.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of metadata stored in a document database.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the document information management means in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a physical file configuration for storing document data.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the document information form changing means in FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the document transmission control means in FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of a data warehouse system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

14 is a diagram showing an example of document operation history data stored in the document operation history storage means in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a conventional data warehouse system (conventional example 1).

FIG. 16 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a conventional data warehouse system (conventional example 2).

[Explanation of symbols]

1 telephone (communication device), 2 FAX transceiver (communication device), 3 mobile device (communication device), 4 mobile phone (communication device), 5 server device, 6 telephone line (communication network), 7 personal computer (PC)
(Communications equipment), 8 printers, 9 Internet FAX
(Communication device), 10 network (communication network), 11 document operation command analysis unit, 11a document operation command analysis unit, 11b facsimile communication processing unit, 11
c voice communication processing means, 11d mail communication processing means,
11e Input data storage means, 12 document information management means, 13 document information form change means, 14 document transmission control means, 15 document database (document information storage means), 1
5a Document image data (document information), 15b Electronic document data (document information), 15c Metadata (document information), 16, 17, 18, 29, entry character strings, 19, 2
1,23,25,26,27,28 mark area, 2
0,22,24 Entry mark, 30-46 Field stipulated value, 47 User ID, 48 Password, 49
Output document name, 50 output document type, 51 output device type, 52 data output form, 53 data output destination, 54
~ 56 Catalog information, 57 ~ 59 File name, 60 ~ 6
2 files, 63 document operation history storage means, 64 to 6
6 Document operation history.

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (Reference) G06F 17/30 310 G06F 17/30 310Z

Claims (19)

[Claims] At least document image data, an electronic document,
Document information storage means for storing document information including any of metadata; document operation instruction analysis means for analyzing data received from a communication device connected to a communication network to extract a document operation instruction; Document information management means for reading out the document information corresponding to the content specified in the document information storage means, and a document information form for changing the document information read by the document information management means to a data form corresponding to the document operation instruction A data warehouse system comprising: a change unit; and a document transmission control unit that transmits the document information after the change of the data form to the communication device specified by the document operation command via the communication network. 2. The data warehouse system according to claim 1, further comprising document operation history storage means for extracting the contents of processing performed by each means and storing the extracted contents as document operation history information. 3. The document operation command analysis means includes a data form identification means for identifying a data form of data received from a communication device connected to a communication network, and the data form identification means includes a data form identification means. The data warehouse system according to claim 1, wherein a document operation command is automatically read from the received data based on the received data. 4. The document operation command analysis means includes character recognition means for automatically reading a document operation command described in form image data received from a communication device connected to a communication network. 1. The data warehouse system according to 1. 5. The document operation command analyzing means includes a voice recognition means for automatically reading a document operation command generated by voice in a voice signal when receiving a voice signal from a communication device connected to a communication network. 2. The data warehouse system according to claim 1, wherein: 6. The data warehouse system according to claim 4, wherein the voice recognition means automatically reads a document operation command from the tone signal when the input voice signal is a tone signal. 7. The document operation command analysis means includes a text document recognition means for automatically reading a document operation command in data when receiving text format data from a communication device connected to a communication network. The data warehouse system according to claim 1, wherein 8. The document information form changing means judges whether or not the data form specified by the document operation command matches the data form of the document information read by the document information management means,
2. The data warehouse system according to claim 1, wherein when both match, the data format of the document information is output as it is without changing the data format. 9. The document information form changing means, when the document information read by the document information management means is document image data, reads a character portion in the document image data and outputs a character code. The data warehouse system according to claim 1. 10. The document information form changing means, when the data form specified by the document operation command is document image data and the document information read by the document information management means is metadata including a character code, 2. The data warehouse system according to claim 1, wherein document image data in which character code information in the metadata is imaged is output. 11. The document information form changing means, when the data form is not specified in the document operation command and the personal computer is specified as the output destination communication device, converts the document information to be transmitted to a text file. The data warehouse system according to claim 1, wherein the data warehouse system performs the conversion. 12. The document transmission control means, wherein a facsimile transceiver is specified as an output destination communication device in a document operation command and document information to be transmitted is document image data.
2. The data warehouse system according to claim 1, wherein a facsimile output signal generated according to the document image data is transmitted. 13. A document sending control unit, wherein a communication device capable of receiving an e-mail is specified as an output destination communication device in a document operation command, and the document image data is attached when document information to be transmitted is document image data. The data warehouse system according to claim 1, wherein the data warehouse system generates and transmits an e-mail. 14. A document sending control means, wherein a communication device capable of receiving an e-mail is specified as an output destination communication device in a document operation command, and when the document information to be transmitted is an electronic document, an electronic document attached with the electronic document is attached. 2. The data warehouse system according to claim 1, wherein the data warehouse system generates and transmits an e-mail. 15. The data warehouse system according to claim 2, wherein the document operation history storage means charges a fee in accordance with the content of the history information. 16. The data warehouse system according to claim 2, wherein the document operation history storage means charges for an input medium and an output medium of the document information and a combination thereof. 17. The data warehouse system according to claim 2, wherein the document operation history storage means charges a fee according to the number of pieces of document information read from the document information storage means. 18. The data warehouse system according to claim 2, wherein the document operation history storage means charges a fee according to the type and the number of changes of the document information. 19. The data warehouse system according to claim 2, wherein the document operation history storage means charges for the type, quantity, and destination of the document information to be transmitted.