JP4518119B2 - Data processing system and data processing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a data processing system, a file server, a data processing method, and a data processing program, and in particular, a data processing system, a file server, and a data processing system for storing data virtually stored in a plurality of data processing devices in a file server. The present invention relates to a data processing method to be executed by the server and a data processing program to be executed by a file server.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, due to advances in network technology, usage forms for connecting a plurality of MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals) having functions of a scanner device, a printer device, a copy device, and a facsimile device to a network are increasing. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-333302 describes a data processing system that facilitates browsing of data stored in each of a plurality of MFPs in this usage pattern. A conventional data processing system requests display of data stored in a plurality of storage areas of a plurality of MFPs from a PC, acquires the plurality of data requested to be displayed from a plurality of MFPs, A list of a plurality of data stored in the MFP is displayed.

  On the other hand, it is possible to remotely operate the MFP from a personal computer (PC) connected to the MFP via a network. Since the MFP can execute various types of image processing such as file format conversion processing and enlargement / reduction processing, the MFP is remotely operated from a PC to cause the MFP to perform image processing on data stored therein, and processing results Is transmitted to the PC.

  However, if the MFP stops due to a trouble or the like during the remote operation, the process instructed by the remote operation is not executed. In this case, the user who is operating remotely cannot know the reason why the MFP has stopped and waits until the processing result is received. Even if the stopped MFP is restored, there is a problem that if the contents of the instruction by remote operation are erased by resetting or the like, the processing result cannot be received.

Further, when the MFP stops due to trouble or the like during remote operation, it is possible to cause another MFP to execute the process instead. However, since data stored in the MFP cannot be read from another MFP in order to enhance security, the other MFP cannot execute processing. Further, the MFP that has stopped due to a problem or the like may not be able to transmit data.
JP 2006-333302 A

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one object of the present invention is to transmit data stored in each of a plurality of data processing devices to another device while maintaining security. It is to provide a data processing system capable of doing so.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a plurality of data are respectively stored data processing apparatus, a data transmission how that can be transmitted to another device while maintaining security.

In order to achieve the above-described object, according to an aspect of the present invention, a data processing system is a data processing system including a file server, a plurality of data processing devices, and an operation terminal. a data storage means for storing data to be virtually stored in each of the plurality of data processing devices, in response to receiving the transmission request from any one of a plurality of data processing devices, transmission among the plurality of data processing devices Data sending means for sending the data specified by the transmission request among the data stored in the data storage means to the one that sent the request, and authentication information issuing for issuing authentication information corresponding to the data specified by the transmission request Means, a retransmission request receiving means for receiving a retransmission request including data identification information for identifying data and authentication information, and an authentication included in the retransmission request. On condition that the information matches the authentication information issued in response to the data identified by the data identification information included in the retransmission request includes a data retransmission means for retransmitting the data, a plurality of data processing devices Includes a conversion unit that converts data and a result transmission unit that transmits a conversion result obtained by the conversion unit to the operation terminal. The operation terminal is operated by a user of a selection device of any one of the plurality of data processing devices. Device designation accepting means for accepting designation, data designation accepting means for accepting one selected designation among data virtually stored in the designated selecting device, and conversion of data specified by the accepted designation Conversion instruction means for transmitting a conversion instruction for instructing to the selection device, and receiving authentication information corresponding to the data from the selection device in response to the transmission of the conversion instruction If the processing result executed in accordance with the conversion instruction from the authentication information receiving means and the selection device cannot be received within a predetermined time, a retransmission request including the data identification information and the received authentication information is transmitted to the file server, and the data The data transmission requesting means for requesting the file server to transmit the data specified by the conversion instruction in response to receiving the conversion instruction from the operation terminal. And data acquisition means for receiving data and authentication information corresponding to the data from the file server in response to a request for data transmission, and authentication information transmission means for transmitting the received authentication information to the operation terminal. .

  According to this aspect, data that is virtually stored in each of the plurality of data processing devices is stored, and when a transmission request is received from any of the plurality of data processing devices, the data that has transmitted the transmission request Data specified by the transmission request is transmitted to the processing device. Further, when authentication information corresponding to the data specified by the transmission request is issued and a retransmission request including the data identification information and the authentication information is received, the authentication information included in the retransmission request includes the data identification included in the retransmission request. The data is retransmitted on condition that it matches the authentication information issued corresponding to the data identified by the information. For this reason, authentication information is issued for the transmitted data, and the data is retransmitted on the condition that the authentication information is received. Therefore, the data that is virtually stored in each of the plurality of data processing devices, Data can be received while maintaining security in a device that does not virtually store data. Further, once data is transmitted and authentication information is issued, the data can be transmitted regardless of whether or not the data processing apparatus that virtually stores the data is driven. As a result, it is possible to provide a data processing system capable of transmitting data stored in each of a plurality of data processing devices to another device while maintaining security.

Preferably, the file server determines whether the data specified by the transmission request is data that is virtually stored in correspondence with the data processing apparatus that has transmitted the transmission request. 1 judging means is further provided, and the data transmitting means sends data based on the judgment result by the first judging means.

  Preferably, the operation terminal further instructs an alternative device selection unit that selects an alternative device different from the selection device from among the plurality of data processing devices, the acquired processing target data, and conversion of the processing target data. An alternative conversion instruction means for transmitting the conversion instruction to the alternative device and receiving the converted data.

According to another aspect of the present invention, full Airusaba further comprises erasing means depending on the data being retransmitted by the data retransmission unit, erases the authentication information issued in response to the data.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a data transmission method includes a plurality of data processing devices, a file server including data storage means for storing data virtually stored in each of the plurality of data processing devices, and an operation A data transmission method executed in a data processing system including a terminal, wherein a file server transmits a data request from a plurality of data processing devices in response to receiving a transmission request from any of the plurality of data processing devices. A step of transmitting data specified by the transmission request to the one that has transmitted the request, a step of issuing authentication information corresponding to the data specified by the transmission request, and data identification information and authentication information for identifying the data And a step of receiving a retransmission request including: authentication information included in the retransmission request corresponds to data identified by data identification information included in the retransmission request Issued conditions that it matches the authentication information Te transmitting, to execute the steps of retransmitting the data, and the plurality of data processing devices, and converting the data, the conversion result in the conversion step to the operation terminal And a step of accepting designation by a user's operation of any one of the plurality of data processing devices to the operation terminal, and data stored virtually in the designated selection device. A step of accepting one of the selected designations, a step of sending a conversion instruction for instructing conversion of data specified by the accepted designation to the selection apparatus, and from the selection apparatus in response to transmission of the conversion instruction Receiving the authentication information corresponding to the data and receiving the processing result executed in accordance with the conversion instruction from the selection device within a predetermined time. If not, send a retransmission request including the identification information of the data and the received authentication information to the file server, and execute the step of receiving the data. The selection device further receives a conversion instruction from the operation terminal. Accordingly, requesting the file server to transmit data specified by the conversion instruction, receiving data and authentication information corresponding to the data from the file server in response to the data transmission request, and receiving Transmitting the authentication information thus obtained to the operation terminal .

  According to this aspect, it is possible to provide a data transmission method capable of transmitting data stored in each of a plurality of data processing devices to another device while maintaining security.

Preferably, it is further determined whether or not the data specified by the transmission request is virtually stored in the file server corresponding to the data processing apparatus that has transmitted the transmission request. And the step of transmitting the data includes the step of transmitting the data based on the determination result in the determining step.

Preferably, the operation terminal further includes a step of selecting an alternative device different from the selection device from among the plurality of data processing devices, the acquired processing target data, and conversion for instructing conversion of the processing target data Transmitting the instruction to the alternative device and receiving the converted data.
Preferably, the file server further executes a step of deleting the authentication information issued corresponding to the data in response to the data being retransmitted in the step of retransmitting.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall outline of a data processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a data processing system 1 includes multifunction devices (hereinafter referred to as “MFPs”) 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C, personal computers (hereinafter referred to as “PCs”) 200, and files connected to a network 2. Server 300 is included.

  Here, MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C will be described as examples of data processing apparatuses. MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C have a plurality of functions such as a scanner function, a printer function, a copy function, and a facsimile function. MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C are installed with programs for executing various image processing such as file format conversion processing and enlargement / reduction processing, and can execute image processing. The PC 200 and the file server 300 are general computers.

  The network 2 is a local area network (LAN), and the connection form may be wired or wireless. The network 2 is not limited to a LAN, and may be a wide area network (WAN), a public switched telephone network (PSTN), or the like.

  In the present embodiment, MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C will be described as examples of data processing apparatuses. However, instead of MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C, for example, any apparatus that can execute image processing is used. For example, a personal computer, a scanner, a printer, a facsimile, or the like may be used.

  The functions of MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C are the same. Here, the configuration of MFP 100 will be described as an example.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration of the MFP. Referring to FIG. 2, MFP 100 includes a main circuit 101, and main circuit 101 is connected to facsimile unit 50, ADF 10, image reading unit 20, image forming unit 30, and paper feeding unit 40.

  The main circuit 101 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 111, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 112 used as a work area of the CPU 111, and an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) for storing programs executed by the CPU 111. ) 113, a display unit 114, an operation unit 115, a hard disk drive (HDD) 116 as a mass storage device, and a data communication control unit 117. The CPU 111 is connected to the display unit 114, the operation unit 115, the HDD 116, and the data communication control unit 117, and controls the entire main circuit 101. CPU 111 is connected to ADF 10, image reading unit 20, image forming unit 30, paper feeding unit 40, and facsimile unit 50, and controls the entire MFP 100.

  The display unit 114 is a display such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic ELD (Electro Luminescence Display), and displays an instruction menu for the user, information about acquired image data, and the like. The operation unit 115 includes a plurality of keys, and accepts input of various instructions, data such as characters and numbers by user operations corresponding to the keys. The operation unit 115 includes a touch panel provided on the display unit 114. The display unit 114 and the operation unit 115 constitute an operation panel.

  The data communication control unit 117 includes a LAN terminal 118 that is an interface for communicating with a communication protocol such as TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) or UDP (User Datagram Protocol), and a serial interface terminal 119 for serial communication. The data communication control unit 117 transmits / receives data to / from an external device connected to the LAN terminal 118 or the serial interface terminal 119 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 111.

  When a LAN cable for connecting to the network 2 is connected to the LAN terminal 118, the data communication control unit 117 communicates with other MFPs 100 </ b> A, 100 </ b> B, 100 </ b> C, the PC 200 or the file server 300 via the LAN terminal 118. Is possible.

  Further, the CPU 111 controls the data communication control unit 117 to communicate with the memory card 119A connected to the serial interface terminal 119. The CPU 111 reads a program to be executed by the CPU 111 from the memory card 119A, stores the read program in the RAM 112, and executes it. A recording medium for storing a program to be executed by the CPU 111 is not limited to the memory card 119A, but a flexible disk, a cassette tape, an optical disk (CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory) / MO (Magnetic Optical Disc)). / MD (Mini Disc) / DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)), IC card, optical card, mask ROM, EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), EEPROM (Electronically EPROM), or other media such as an EEPROM. Further, the CPU 111 downloads a program from a computer connected to the Internet and stores it in the HDD 116, or loads the program stored in the HDD 116 into the RAM 112 so that the computer connected to the Internet writes the program in the HDD 116. Then, it may be executed by the CPU 111. The program here includes not only a program directly executable by the CPU 111 but also a source program, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the like.

  The ADF 10 automatically conveys a plurality of documents set on the document feed tray 11 one by one to a predetermined document reading position set on the platen glass of the image reading unit 20, and the image reading unit 20 The document on which the document image is read is discharged onto a document discharge tray. The image reading unit 20 includes a light source that irradiates light to a document conveyed to a document reading position and a photoelectric conversion element that receives light reflected by the document, and scans a document image corresponding to the size of the document. The photoelectric conversion element converts the received light into image data that is an electrical signal and outputs the image data to the image forming unit 30. The paper feed unit 40 conveys the paper stored in the paper feed tray to the image forming unit 30.

  The image forming unit 30 forms an image by a well-known electrophotographic method. The image forming unit 30 performs various data processing such as shading correction on the document image input from the image reading unit 20, and the document image after the data processing is processed. Based on this, an image is formed on the sheet conveyed by the sheet feeding unit 40.

  The facsimile unit 50 is connected to the PSTN 7 and transmits facsimile data to the PSTN 7 or receives facsimile data from the PSTN 7. The facsimile unit 50 stores the received facsimile data in the HDD 116, or the image forming unit 30 forms an image of the facsimile data on a sheet. Further, the facsimile unit 50 converts the data stored in the HDD 116 into facsimile data, and outputs the facsimile data to a facsimile machine connected to the PSTN 7 or another MFP. As a result, the data stored in HDD 116 can be output to a facsimile machine or another MFP.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the PC. Referring to FIG.
The PC 200 includes a CPU 201 connected to the bus 220, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 203 for storing a program executed by the CPU 201, a RAM 205 used as a work area of the CPU 201, and a mass storage device. It includes an HDD 207, a communication I / F 211 for connecting the PC 200 to the Internet, a user interface 213 as an interface with the user, and a card I / F 209 to which the flash memory 208 is attached.

  The user interface 213 includes an operation unit 215 including a keyboard and a pointing device such as a mouse, and a display unit 217 including a liquid crystal display device that displays data.

  The CPU 201 controls the entire PC 200. The CPU 201 executes a program stored in the ROM 203. Further, the CPU 201 may load the program stored in the flash memory 208 via the card I / F 209 into the RAM 205 and execute it. Note that the recording medium for storing the program to be executed by the CPU 201 may be another medium.

  Further, the CPU 201 may download a program from a computer connected to the Internet and store the program in the HDD 207, or the computer connected to the Internet may execute the program by the CPU 201 so that the program is written in the HDD 207. The program here includes not only a program directly executable by the CPU 201 but also a source program, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the like.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the file server. Referring to FIG. 4, a file server 300 includes a CPU 301 connected to a bus 320, a ROM 303 for storing a program executed by the CPU 301, a RAM 305 used as a work area of the CPU 301, and a large-capacity storage. It includes an HDD 307 as a device, a communication I / F 311 for connecting the file server 300 to the Internet, a user interface 313 as an interface with the user, and a card I / F 309 to which the flash memory 308 is attached. Since the functions provided in the file server 300 are the same as those provided in the PC 200, description thereof will not be repeated here.

  In the present embodiment, remote operation programs for remotely operating MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C are installed in PC 200. When the remote operation program is executed on PC 200, any of MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C can be remotely operated. For example, when a program for remotely operating MFP 100 is executed on PC 200, the user of PC 200 can log in to MFP 100 via PC 200. Further, the user of PC 200 can cause MFP 100 to perform image processing on the data stored in MFP 100 and receive the processed data after the image processing.

  The HDD 307 provided in the file server 300 stores the actual data actually stored in the MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C. Specifically, the HDD 307 has four storage areas allocated for each device identification information for identifying each of the MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C, and the MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C have four storage areas. The actual state of data virtually stored is stored. Therefore, if the device identification information and the data identification information for identifying the data are known, one of the data stored in the HDD 307 can be specified.

  FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of functions of the CPU provided in the PC. Referring to FIG. 5, CPU 201 receives a conversion instruction receiving unit 251 for receiving an instruction to convert data, and sends a first conversion request based on the conversion instruction to any one of MFPs 100, 100 </ b> A, 100 </ b> B, and 100 </ b> C. First conversion request transmission unit 253 that transmits to requesting MFP, authentication information reception unit 257 that receives authentication information from requesting MFP, and retransmission for requesting transmission of data specified by a conversion instruction when a predetermined condition is satisfied A retransmission request transmission unit 261 that transmits a request, a data reception unit 263 that receives data in response to transmission of a retransmission request, and an alternative MFP that determines an alternative MFP from MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C other than the requested MFP A determination unit 259, a second conversion request transmission unit 265 that transmits a second conversion request to the alternative MFP based on the conversion instruction, Comprising a conversion data receiving unit 255 for receiving the converted data after converting the data from the MFP or alternative MFP, a.

  The conversion instruction receiving unit 251 receives a conversion instruction for converting data. The conversion instruction includes device identification information for identifying any one of MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C, data identification information for identifying data to be converted, and the contents of the conversion process. Specifically, when the user inputs an operation for designating one of MFPs 100, 100 A, and 100 C to operation unit 215, the device identification information designated among MFPs 100, 100 A, and 100 C is received from operation unit 215. Hereinafter, the MFP identified by the device identification information received by the conversion instruction receiving unit 251 is referred to as a request MFP. The request MFP indicates a device for requesting execution of image processing. Here, a case where MFP 100 is designated as the request MFP will be described as an example. Conversion instruction accepting unit 251 executes a remote operation program for remotely operating the requested MFP, receives a login screen from requested MFP, and displays it on display unit 317.

  When the user inputs authentication information to operation unit 315 in accordance with the login screen, the input authentication information is transmitted to requesting MFP. Upon receiving the authentication information, the requesting MFP determines whether or not to authenticate, and when authenticating, returns a list of file names of data for which the user is authorized to access. When receiving the list of file names, the conversion instruction receiving unit 251 displays the list on the display unit 217 and receives designation of at least one file name from the displayed list. When the user inputs an instruction to select a file name to the operation unit 315, the file name selected from the operation unit 315 is accepted as data identification information.

  Furthermore, the conversion instruction receiving unit 251 receives a process for executing the specified data. For example, when image processing for converting the data format is executed, processing specifying information for specifying the data format conversion processing and the file format of the converted data are received.

  The conversion instruction reception unit 251 outputs the received conversion instruction to the first conversion request transmission unit 253, the retransmission request transmission unit 261, and the second conversion request transmission unit 265.

  The first conversion request transmitting unit 253 transmits the first conversion request to the requesting MFP specified by the conversion instruction based on the conversion instruction input from the conversion instruction receiving unit 251. The first conversion request includes the contents of the conversion instruction. The operation of the requesting MFP that has received the first conversion request will be described later. The requesting MFP, in accordance with the content of the conversion process included in the first conversion request, identifies the data identified by the data identification information included in the first conversion request. Is processed, and the converted data converted by the image processing is returned. First conversion request transmitting unit 253 outputs a request signal indicating that a conversion instruction has been transmitted to requesting MFP to converted data receiving unit 255 and authentication information receiving unit 257.

  Authentication information receiving unit 257 receives authentication information from the requesting MFP. The operation of the requesting MFP will be described later. Since the requesting MFP returns authentication information for the data specified by the conversion instruction included in the first conversion request, the authentication information receiving unit 257 returns a response from the requesting MFP. Receive authentication information. The authentication information reception unit 257 outputs the received authentication information to the retransmission request transmission unit 261.

  The retransmission request transmission unit 261 transmits a retransmission request to the file server 300 for requesting transmission of data specified by the conversion instruction when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The predetermined condition is, for example, when a predetermined period has elapsed since the first conversion request was transmitted or when an error that prevents the conversion processing from being continued in the requesting MFP has occurred. As described above, the requesting MFP that has received the first conversion request performs image processing. However, if a large number of standby jobs to be processed are accumulated or a trouble such as turning off the power occurs, the image is processed. It takes time to finish the process. In such a case, the retransmission request transmission unit 261 transmits a retransmission request. The retransmission request includes device identification information and data identification information included in the conversion instruction input from the conversion instruction receiving unit 251, and authentication information input from the authentication information receiving unit 257. The operation when the file server 300 receives the retransmission request will be described later. When authentication based on the authentication information is successful, data identified by the device identification information and the data identification information included in the retransmission request is returned. The retransmission request transmission unit 261 outputs a transmission signal indicating that the retransmission request has been transmitted to the data reception unit 263.

  The data receiving unit 263 receives data transmitted from the file server 300 in response to input of a transmission signal. Specifically, when the communication I / F 211 receives data from the file server, the data is received from the communication I / F 211. When receiving data from the file server 300, the data reception unit 263 outputs the received data to the second conversion request transmission unit 265.

  Alternative MFP determination unit 259 determines an alternative MFP from MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C other than the requested MFP. Specifically, the types of image processing that can be processed by each of MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C are stored in advance, and the contents of the conversion processing included in the first conversion request from among MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C are stored. One capable of executing the corresponding image processing is determined as an alternative MFP. Substitute MFP determining section 259 outputs the determined apparatus identification information of the alternative MFP to second conversion request transmitting section 265.

  If there are a plurality of items that can execute image processing corresponding to the content of the conversion processing included in the first conversion request, one may be determined according to a predetermined rule. Predetermined rules, for example, prioritize those with fast processing speeds, prioritize those with high processing capability, or charge a fee for execution of processing. For example, prioritize things.

  Alternative MFP determination unit 259 displays the device names of MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C other than the requested MFP on display unit 217, and the user selects one of the displayed device names. You may do it.

  The second conversion request transmission unit 265 sends a second conversion request including the contents of the conversion instruction conversion process input from the conversion instruction receiving unit 251 and the data input from the data reception unit 263 to the alternative MFP determination unit 259. Is transmitted to the alternative MFP identified by the device identification information input from. Specifically, the second conversion request is transmitted to the alternative MFP via the communication I / F 211.

  Although the operation of the alternative MFP that has received the second conversion request will be described later, the alternative MFP performs image processing on the data included in the second conversion request according to the content of the conversion processing included in the second conversion request, and performs image processing. As a result, the converted conversion data is returned. Second conversion request transmission unit 265 outputs a request signal indicating that a conversion instruction has been transmitted to the alternative MFP to conversion data reception unit 255.

  The conversion data receiving unit 255 receives the conversion data from the requesting MFP when the request signal is input from the first conversion request transmitting unit 253, but is replaced when the request signal is input from the second conversion request transmitting unit 265. Receives conversion data from the MFP. The conversion data receiving unit 255 stores the received conversion data in a predetermined area of the HDD 207.

  FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functions of the CPU provided in the MFP. Here, the function of CPU 111 of MFP 100 will be described as an example. Referring to FIG. 6, the CPU 111 receives a first conversion request reception unit 151 that receives a first conversion request, a data acquisition unit 153 that acquires data identification information and authentication information included in the first conversion request, A conversion unit 157 that converts data, a conversion data transmission unit 161 that transmits conversion data, and a second conversion request reception unit 159 that receives a second conversion request are included.

  The first conversion request reception unit 151 and the data acquisition unit 153 function only when the MFP 100 becomes the request MFP, and the second conversion request reception unit 159 functions only when the MFP 100 becomes an alternative MFP, and the conversion unit The 157 and the converted data transmission unit 161 function both when the MFP 100 becomes a request MFP or when it becomes an alternative MFP.

  The first conversion request receiving unit 151 receives the first conversion request from the PC 200. Specifically, when the data communication control unit 117 receives the first conversion request from the PC 200 via the network 2, the first conversion request is received from the data communication control unit 117. The first conversion request unit 151 outputs the received first conversion request to the data acquisition unit 153.

  When the first conversion request is input from the first conversion request receiving unit 151, the data acquisition unit 153 sends a data transmission request for requesting transmission of data of the data identification information included in the first conversion request to the file server 300. Send to. The data transmission request includes device identification information assigned to MFP 100 and data identification information. Specifically, the data acquisition unit 153 causes the file server 300 to transmit a data transmission request via the data communication control unit 117.

  The operation of the file server 300 that has received the data transmission request will be described later, but the data identified by the data identification information included in the data transmission request is included in the data transmission request among the plurality of storage areas of the HDD 307. When the data is stored in the storage area assigned to the MFP specified by the identification information, the data is read and returned. Also, authentication information is issued for the data, and the issued authentication information is returned together with the data.

  The data acquisition unit 153 receives data and authentication information from the file server 300 in response to the transmission of the data transmission request. Specifically, when the data communication control unit 117 receives data and authentication information from the file server 300, the data acquisition unit 153 receives data and authentication information from the data communication control unit 117. The data acquisition unit 153 outputs the received data to the conversion unit 157 and outputs the authentication information to the authentication information transmission unit 155.

  The conversion unit 157 performs image processing on the data input from the data acquisition unit 153 according to the content of the conversion process included in the first conversion request received by the first conversion request reception unit 151. Then, the converted data after image processing is output to the converted data transmission unit 161.

  The conversion data transmission unit 161 transmits the conversion data input from the conversion unit 157 to the PC 200 that has transmitted the first conversion request. Specifically, the data communication control unit 117 transmits the converted data to the PC 200.

  Second conversion request receiving unit 159 functions when MFP 100 becomes an alternative MFP. The second conversion request receiving unit 159 receives the second conversion request from the PC 200. Specifically, when the data communication control unit 117 receives a second conversion request from the PC 200 via the network 2, the data communication control unit 117 receives the first conversion request from the data communication control unit 117. The second conversion request includes the content and data of the conversion process. The second conversion request unit 151 outputs the data included in the received second conversion request and the content of the conversion process to the conversion unit 157.

  When receiving the data and the processing content from the second conversion request receiving unit 159, the conversion unit 157 performs image processing on the data according to the processing content. Then, the converted data after image processing is output to the converted data transmission unit 161.

  Here, a case where MFP 100 is a request MFP and MFP 100A is a substitute MFP will be described as an example. When the PC 200 transmits the first conversion request to the MFP 100, the MFP 100 receives the data and the authentication information from the file server 300 and performs image processing on the data according to the content of the conversion process included in the first conversion request. It transmits to PC200. The MFP 100 as the requesting MFP returns the converted data after the image processing to the PC 200. However, if the image processing is delayed due to a trouble or the like, a predetermined time elapses after the PC 200 transmits the first conversion request. When a predetermined time elapses after transmitting the first conversion request, the PC 200 transmits the data identification information and the authentication information received from the request MFP to the file server 300 and receives data from the file server 300. Then, PC 200 determines MFP 100A as the alternative MFP, and transmits a second conversion request including data and the content of the conversion process to alternative MFP 100A. Upon receiving the second conversion request, alternative MFP 100A performs image processing on the data included in the second conversion request in accordance with the content of the conversion processing included in the second conversion request, and returns the converted data after the image processing to PC 200.

  Therefore, PC 200 can receive converted data after conversion from alternative MFP 100 at an early stage even when requested MFP 100 stops due to a trouble or the like.

  FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing an overview of the functions of the CPU provided in the file server. Referring to FIG. 7, CPU 301 provided in file server 300 includes a data transmission request receiving unit 351 for receiving a data transmission request from the requesting MFP, and a first for determining whether the data transmission request is a correct request. Determination unit 353, data management unit 355 for managing data stored in HDD 307, data return unit 361 for returning data in response to a data transmission request, and retransmission for receiving a retransmission request from PC 200 A request reception unit 363, a second determination unit 365 for determining whether or not the retransmission request is correct, and a retransmission unit 367 for retransmitting data in response to the retransmission request.

  The data management unit 355 manages data stored in the HDD 307. Here, data management unit 355 manages data for each of MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C. Therefore, the data stored in HDD 307 is stored with a file name that is a combination of device identification information for identifying each of MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C and data identification information for identifying the data. To do. Specifically, four storage areas (folders or BOXs) allocated to the MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C are formed in the HDD 307, and the data is stored in any of the four storage areas.

  Data transmission request receiving unit 351 receives a data transmission request from the requesting MFP. Specifically, when communication I / F 311 receives a data transmission request from the requesting MFP, it accepts the data transmission request from communication I / F 311. Data transmission request reception unit 351 outputs the data transmission request and the device identification information of the requesting MFP that has transmitted the data transmission request to first determination unit 353, and outputs the device identification information of the requested MFP to data return unit 361. .

  The first determination unit 353 determines whether the data transmission request is a correct request. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the data specified by the data identification information included in the data transmission request is data stored for the requesting MFP that has transmitted the data transmission request. Judgment is made based on whether or not the data identified by the data identification information included in the data transmission request is stored in the storage area allocated for the requested MFP in the HDD 307. If data is stored in the storage area assigned to the requesting MFP, it is determined that the data transmission request is correct, and if it is not stored, it is determined that the data transmission request is not correct. If first determination unit 353 determines that the data transmission request is correct, first determination unit 353 outputs a first read instruction to data management unit 355. The first read instruction includes device identification information and data identification information.

  When the first read instruction is input, data management unit 355 stores data stored in the storage area assigned to the MFP of the device identification information included in the first read instruction among the plurality of storage areas of HDD 307. Among these, the data identified by the data identification information included in the first read instruction is read, and the read data is output to the data return unit 361.

  Further, the data management unit 355 includes an authentication information issuing unit 357 and an authentication information deleting unit 359. The authentication information issuing unit 357 issues authentication information when the first reading instruction is input from the first determination unit 353. The authentication information is a password in which a plurality of alphanumeric characters or symbols are arbitrarily arranged. The authentication information issuing unit 357 stores the issued authentication information in association with the data identified by the data identification information included in the first read instruction, and outputs it to the data return unit 361. The authentication information deletion unit 359 will be described later.

  The data return unit 361 receives data and authentication information from the data management unit 355. The data return unit 361 returns the data and the authentication information to the request MFP specified by the device identification information input from the data transmission request receiving unit 351. Specifically, data and authentication information are transmitted to the requesting MFP via the communication I / F 311.

  The retransmission request receiving unit 363 receives a retransmission request from the PC 200. Specifically, when the communication I / F 311 receives a retransmission request from the PC 200, the retransmission request is received from the communication I / F 311. The retransmission request reception unit 363 outputs the retransmission request and the device identification information of the PC 200 that has transmitted the retransmission request to the second determination unit 353, and outputs the device identification information of the PC 200 to the retransmission unit 367.

  The second determination unit 365 determines whether or not the retransmission request is a correct request. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the authentication information included in the retransmission request matches the authentication information issued for the data specified by the data identification information included in the retransmission request. Authentication information stored in the HDD 307 in association with the device identification information and data identification information included in the retransmission request is read, and the read authentication information is compared with the authentication information included in the retransmission request. If they match, it is determined that the retransmission request is correct, and if they do not match, it is determined that the retransmission request is incorrect. If the second determination unit 365 determines that the data transmission request is correct, the second determination unit 365 outputs a second read instruction to the data management unit 355. The second read instruction includes device identification information and data identification information.

  When the second read instruction is input, data management unit 355 stores data stored in the storage area assigned to the MFP of the device identification information included in the second read instruction among the plurality of storage areas of HDD 307. Among these, the data identified by the data identification information included in the second read instruction is read, and the read data is output to the retransmission unit 367.

  In addition, when the authentication information deletion unit 359 of the data management unit 355 reads data from the HDD 307, the authentication information deletion unit 359 deletes the authentication information associated with the data. Security can be enhanced by using authentication information only once to read data.

  When data is input from data management unit 355, retransmission unit 367 returns the data to PC 200 specified by the device identification information input from retransmission request reception unit 363. Specifically, data is transmitted to the PC 200 via the communication I / F 311.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of management data. The management data is data used by the data management unit 355 of the CPU 301 included in the file server 300 to manage data stored in the HDD 307, and is stored in a predetermined area of the HDD 307. Referring to FIG. 8, the management data includes items of device identification information, data identification information, and authentication information. In the device identification information item, device identification information for identifying an MFP in which data stored in the HDD 307 is virtually stored among the MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C is set. In the data identification information item, data identification information for identifying data stored in the HDD 307 is set. In the authentication information item, authentication information issued by the authentication information issuing unit 357 when authentication information is issued corresponding to data is set. The item of the authentication information is set to blank or null by deleting the authentication information by the authentication information deleting unit 359.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of conversion designation processing. The conversion designation process is a process executed by the CPU 201 when the CPU 201 included in the PC 200 executes a conversion designation program. The conversion designation program is a part of the data processing program. Referring to FIG. 9, CPU 201 connects to the requested MFP (step S01). Specifically, selection of the requested MFP from MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C is received, and a remote operation program for remotely operating the requested MFP is executed. A list of device names of MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C is displayed on display unit 217. When an instruction to select one is input to operation unit 215, selection from MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C is performed from operation unit 215. The received MFP is accepted as the requested MFP. The PC 200 stores IP (Internet Protocol) addresses of the MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C in advance, and the CPU 201 that executes the remote operation program uses the IP address of the requested MFP to communicate with the requested MFP. Establish communication.

  Next, data designation is accepted. The data list is received from the requested MFP, and the data list is displayed on the display unit 217. When an instruction to select at least one piece of data from the displayed data list is input to the operation unit 215, data designation is accepted from the operation unit 215. The designation of data includes data identification information for identifying the data.

  Next, the contents of the conversion process are received (step S03). A case where a data format conversion process is executed as an image process will be described as an example. The conversion processing content accepts the data format after converting the data format. The data format is, for example, a PDF (Portable Document Format), a TIFF (Tagged Image File Format), a GIF (Graphic Interchange Format), or an MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) format.

  Then, it is determined whether a conversion instruction has been accepted (step S04). If a conversion instruction is accepted, the process proceeds to step S05; otherwise, the process returns to step S02. The conversion instruction is accepted when a key provided in advance on a keyboard provided in the operation unit 215 is pressed. Note that the order in which the data specification and the contents of the conversion process are received may be any first. In short, it is only necessary that the conversion instruction is received after the specification of data and the content of the conversion process are received.

  In the next step S05, the first conversion request is transmitted to the requesting MFP. The first conversion request includes device identification information for identifying the requested MFP, data identification information for identifying the data accepted in step S02, and the contents of the conversion process accepted in step S04.

  In step S06, authentication information is received. Upon receiving the first conversion request, the requesting MFP, here, the MFP 100, receives data and authentication information for the data from the file server 300, executes the conversion process, but returns the authentication information before performing the conversion process. To do. In step S06, in response to transmitting the first conversion request in step S05, authentication information is received from the requesting MFP that transmitted the first conversion request.

  In step S07, it is determined whether or not conversion data after conversion processing has been received from the request MFP. If conversion data is received, the process ends. If conversion data is not received, the process proceeds to step S08.

  In step S08, it is determined whether an error signal has been received from the requesting MFP. If an error signal has been received, the process proceeds to step S10; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S09. As will be described later, the error signal is a signal transmitted by the requesting MFP when the conversion processing cannot be executed in the requesting MFP.

  In step S09, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the first conversion request was transmitted. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S10; otherwise, the process returns to step S07. That is, if a predetermined time has elapsed since the first conversion request was transmitted, or if an error signal is received from the request MFP even before the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S10. The predetermined time is a predetermined time. The predetermined time may be varied for each type of conversion process. Further, the predetermined time may vary depending on the amount of data to be converted in consideration of the load difference.

  In step S10, a retransmission request is transmitted to the file server 300. The retransmission request includes the device identification information of the requested MFP designated in step S01, the data identification information designated in step S02, and the authentication information received in step S06. The operation when the file server 300 receives the retransmission request will be described later. When authentication based on the authentication information is successful, data identified by the device identification information and the data identification information included in the retransmission request is returned.

  In the next step S11, it is determined whether or not data has been received from the file server 300 in response to transmission of the retransmission request. If data has been received, the process proceeds to step S12; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S15. In step S15, an error process is executed and the process ends. For example, a message indicating that the conversion process is not continued is displayed on the display unit 217.

  In step S12, an alternative MFP is determined. The alternative MFP is an MFP for executing conversion processing instead of the request MFP. An alternative MFP is determined from MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C other than the requested MFP. Specifically, the types of image processing that can be processed by each of MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C are stored in advance, and the contents of the conversion processing included in the first conversion request from among MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C are stored. One capable of executing the corresponding image processing is determined as an alternative MFP.

  In step S13, the second conversion request is transmitted to the alternative MFP determined in step S12. Then, it is determined whether or not conversion data after conversion processing has been received from the alternative MFP (step S14). If conversion data is received, the process ends. If conversion data is not received, the process proceeds to step S15.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of data conversion processing. Data conversion processing is processing executed by CPU 111 when CPU 111 of each of MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C executes a data conversion program.

  Referring to FIG. 10, the processes in steps S21 to S30 are executed when MFP 100 becomes a request MFP, and the processes in steps S31 to S33 are executed when MFP 100 becomes a proxy MFP. Process.

  In step S21, the CPU 111 determines whether or not a connection is requested (step S21). If there is a connection request from PC 200, the process proceeds to step S22; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S31. In step S31, it is determined whether a second conversion request has been received. If the second conversion request is received from PC 200, the process proceeds to step S32. If not, the process ends. That is, the data conversion process is a process that is executed when either a connection request is received from the PC 200 or a second conversion request is received from the PC 200.

  If a connection request is received in step S21, the process proceeds to step S22. Here, the connection request is an instruction to start remote operation from the PC 200. In step S22, it is determined whether a first conversion request has been received. The process waits until the first conversion request is received from the PC 200, and when the first conversion request is received, the process proceeds to step S23. Instead of waiting until the first conversion request is received, an interrupt may be generated when the first conversion request is received, and the process may proceed to step S23.

  In step S23, a data transmission request is transmitted to the file server 300. The data transmission request includes the device identification information included in the first conversion request received in step S22 and the data identification information. Then, it is determined whether authentication information and data are received from the file server 300. If authentication information and data are received, the process proceeds to step S25, and if no data is received, the process proceeds to step S30. In step S30, error processing is executed, and the process proceeds to step S31. In the error process, for example, an error signal indicating that the conversion process cannot be executed is transmitted to the PC 200 that has transmitted the first conversion request.

  In step S25, conversion processing is started. In accordance with the content of the conversion process included in the first conversion request, the process of converting the data received in step S24 is started. Then, it is determined whether or not a trouble has occurred (step S26). If a trouble has occurred, the process proceeds to step S30; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S27. The trouble is a failure that causes the MFP 100 to be unable to execute the conversion process. For example, the trouble includes a trouble that requires the power of the MFP 100 to be turned off, a trouble that makes the data communication control unit 117 impossible, and a trouble that cannot be recovered by a specialized service person.

  In step S27, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the conversion process was started in step S25. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S30; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S28. The predetermined time is a predetermined time.

  In step S28, it is determined whether or not the conversion process has ended. If the conversion process is completed, the process proceeds to step S29; otherwise, the process returns to step S26. That is, if a predetermined time has elapsed from the start to the end of the conversion process, or if a trouble has occurred, the process proceeds to step S30, and before the predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the conversion process, If the conversion process is completed without any trouble, the process proceeds to step S29. In step S29, the converted conversion data is transmitted to PC 200 that has transmitted the first conversion request, and the process proceeds to step S31.

  In step S31, it is determined whether a second conversion request has been received. If the second conversion request is received from PC 200, the process proceeds to step S32. If not, the process ends. The second conversion request includes data and processing contents. In step S32, a conversion process is executed. Specifically, the data included in the second conversion request is converted according to the processing content included in the second conversion request. Then, the converted data after the conversion process is transmitted to the PC 200 (step S33), and the process ends.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of data management processing. The data management process is a process executed by the CPU 301 when the CPU 301 of the file server 300 executes a data management program. The data management program is a part of the data processing program. Referring to FIG. 11, CPU 301 determines whether a data transmission request has been received (step S41). If a data transmission request is received, the process proceeds to step S42; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S48. In step S48, it is determined whether a retransmission request has been received. If a retransmission request is received, the process proceeds to step S50, and if not, the process ends. That is, the data management process is a process executed by the CPU 301 that is executed when a data transmission request is received or when a retransmission request is received.

  In step S41, if a data transmission request is received, the process proceeds to step S42. The data transmission request is transmitted from the request MFP in step S23 shown in FIG. 10, and includes device identification information and data identification information. In step S42, device identification information included in the data transmission request is acquired. Then, it is determined whether or not the data transmission request is a correct request (step S43). If it is determined that the data transmission request is correct, the process proceeds to step S44. If it is determined that the data transmission request is not correct, the process proceeds to step S47. In step S47, an error signal is transmitted to the requesting MFP, and the process proceeds to step S48.

  In step S44, authentication information is issued. The authentication information is a password in which a plurality of alphanumeric characters or symbols are arbitrarily arranged. Then, the authentication information issued in association with the device identification information included in the data transmission request received in step S41 and the data specified by the data identification information is stored (step S45). Here, the authentication information issued in step S44 is set in the authentication information item of the management data stored in the HDD 307.

  Then, the authentication information issued in step S44 and the device identification information included in the data transmission request received in step S41 and the data specified by the data identification information are transmitted to the requesting MFP that has transmitted the data transmission request. (Step S46).

  If a retransmission request is received in step S48, the process proceeds to step S49. The retransmission request is transmitted by the PC 200 and includes device identification information, data identification information, and authentication information. In step S49, the authentication information issued for the data identified by the device identification information and the data identification information included in the retransmission request is read. Specifically, from the management data stored in the HDD 307, a management record including device identification information and data identification information included in the retransmission request is read, and authentication information included in the record is acquired.

  Then, the acquired authentication information is collated with the authentication information included in the retransmission request (step S50). If they match (YES in step S51), the process proceeds to step S52. If they do not match, the process proceeds to step S53. In step S52, the device identification information and the data identified by the data identification information included in the retransmission request are read from HDD 307 and transmitted to PC 200 that has transmitted the retransmission request. Then, the process ends.

  On the other hand, in step S53, an error signal is transmitted to PC 200 that has transmitted the retransmission request, and the process ends.

  In the present embodiment, authentication information is transmitted to requesting MFP 100, and authentication information is transmitted from requesting MFP to PC 200. However, authentication information may be transmitted directly from server 300 to PC 200.

  As described above, in the data processing system 1 in the present embodiment, the file server 300 stores data virtually stored in each of the MFPs 100, 100 A, 100 B, and 100 C in the HDD 307. Request for receiving first conversion request from PC 200 among MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C When a data transmission request is received from MFP, authentication information corresponding to data specified by the data transmission request is issued, and the data and The data are stored in association with each other, and the data and authentication information are transmitted to the requesting MFP. Further, when a retransmission request including data identification information and authentication information is received from the alternative MFP, the authentication information included in the retransmission request is stored in association with the data identified by the data identification information included in the retransmission request. The data is retransmitted to the alternative MFP on the condition that it matches. Authentication information is issued for the data transmitted to the requesting MFP, and the data is retransmitted to the alternative MFP on condition that the authentication information is received from the alternative MFP. Therefore, each of MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C is virtual. Can be transmitted to other MFPs while maintaining security.

  Further, after the data and the authentication information are transmitted to the requesting MFP and the authentication information is issued, the data is sent to the alternative MFP regardless of whether the requesting MFP that virtually stores the data is driven. can do. Therefore, data virtually stored in the requesting MFP can be transmitted to the alternative MFP while maintaining security.

  In the above-described embodiment, the data processing system 1 has been described. However, a data processing method for causing the PC 200, the server 300, and the MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C to execute the processes illustrated in FIGS. It goes without saying that the invention can be understood as a data processing program for causing a computer to execute the data processing method.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

It is a figure showing the whole data processing system outline in one of the embodiments of the invention. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration of an MFP. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of PC. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of a file server. It is a functional block diagram which shows an example of the function of CPU with which PC is provided. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of functions of a CPU provided in an MFP. FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the outline | summary of the function of CPU with which a file server is provided. It is a figure which shows an example of management data. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a conversion designation | designated process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a data conversion process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a data management process.

Explanation of symbols

  1 data processing system, 2 network, 10 ADF, 20 image reading unit, 30 image forming unit, 40 paper feeding unit, 50 facsimile unit, 101 main circuit, 111 CPU, 112 ROM, 113 EEPROM, 114 display unit, 115 operation unit 117 Data communication control unit 119A Memory card 151 Conversion request reception unit 151 Conversion request unit 153 Data acquisition unit 155 Authentication information transmission unit 157 Conversion unit 159 Conversion request reception unit 161 Conversion data transmission unit 201 , 301 CPU, 203, 303 ROM, 205, 305 RAM, 207, 307 HDD, 208, 308 Flash memory, 209, 309 Card I / F, 211, 311 Communication I / F, 213, 313 User interface, 215, 315 Control Unit, 217, 317 display unit, 251 conversion instruction reception unit, 253 conversion request transmission unit, 255 conversion data reception unit, 257 authentication information reception unit, 259 alternative MFP determination unit, 261 retransmission request transmission unit, 263 data reception unit, 265 Conversion request transmission unit, 265 conversion instruction transmission unit, 300 file server, 308 flash memory, 351 data transmission request reception unit, 353 first determination unit, 355 data management unit, 357 authentication information issue unit, 359 authentication information deletion unit, 361 Data return unit, 363 retransmission request reception unit, 365 second determination unit, 367 retransmission unit, 209 card I / F, 211 communication I / F, 309 card I / F, 311 communication I / F.

Claims (8)

A data processing system comprising a file server, a plurality of data processing devices, and an operation terminal,
The file server is
Data storage means for storing data virtually stored in each of the plurality of data processing devices;
In response to receiving a transmission request from any of the plurality of data processing devices, the transmission of the data stored in the data storage means to the one of the plurality of data processing devices that has transmitted the transmission request Data transmission means for transmitting data specified in the request;
Authentication information issuing means for issuing authentication information corresponding to data specified by the transmission request;
A retransmission request receiving means for receiving a retransmission request including data identification information for identifying data and authentication information;
Data retransmission for retransmitting the data on condition that the authentication information included in the retransmission request matches the authentication information issued corresponding to the data identified by the data identification information included in the retransmission request Means, and
Each of the plurality of data processing devices
Conversion means for converting data;
A result transmission means for transmitting a conversion result by the conversion means to the operation terminal,
The operation terminal is
Device designation accepting means for accepting designation by user operation of any one of the plurality of data processing devices;
Data designation accepting means for accepting one designation selected from data virtually stored in the designated selection device;
Conversion instruction means for transmitting a conversion instruction for instructing conversion of the data specified by the accepted specification to the selection device;
Authentication information receiving means for receiving authentication information corresponding to the data from the selection device in response to transmission of the conversion instruction;
When the processing result executed according to the conversion instruction cannot be received from the selection device within a predetermined time, the retransmission request including the identification information of the data and the received authentication information is transmitted to the file server, and the data A retransmission data receiving means for receiving
The selection device further includes:
In response to receiving the conversion instruction from the operation terminal, data transmission request means for requesting the file server to transmit data specified by the conversion instruction;
Data acquisition means for receiving the data and the authentication information corresponding to the data from the file server in response to the data transmission request;
A data processing system comprising: authentication information transmitting means for transmitting the received authentication information to the operation terminal . The file server determines whether or not the data specified by the transmission request is data that is virtually stored corresponding to the data processing apparatus that has transmitted the transmission request. A first determination unit;
The data processing system according to claim 1, wherein the data transmission unit transmits the data based on a determination result by the first determination unit. The operation terminal further includes an alternative device selection means for selecting an alternative device different from the selection device from the plurality of data processing devices,
And the processing object data to which the acquired, the processing conversion instruction for instructing conversion of the target data is transmitted to the replacement device, the alternative conversion instruction means for receiving the converted data, according to claim 1 or comprising a 2. The data processing system according to 2. 4. The file server according to claim 1, further comprising an erasure unit that erases the authentication information issued corresponding to the data in response to the data being retransmitted by the data retransmission unit . 5. The data processing system described in 1. A plurality of data processing devices, virtually the file server with a data storage means for storing data to be stored, the data transmission to be executed in the data processing system comprising a control terminal to the plurality of data processing devices A method,
In the file server,
Transmitting the data specified by the transmission request to one of the plurality of data processing devices that has transmitted the transmission request in response to receiving a transmission request from any of the plurality of data processing devices; ,
Issuing authentication information corresponding to data specified in the transmission request;
Receiving a retransmission request including data identification information for identifying data and authentication information;
Retransmitting the data on condition that the authentication information included in the retransmission request matches the authentication information issued corresponding to the data identified by the data identification information included in the retransmission request; , Execute
For each of the plurality of data processing devices,
Converting the data;
Transmitting the conversion result in the conversion step to the operation terminal, and
In the operation terminal,
Receiving a designation by a user operation of any one of the plurality of data processing devices;
Receiving one designation selected from data virtually stored in the designated selection device;
Transmitting a conversion instruction for instructing conversion of the data specified by the accepted specification to the selection device;
Receiving authentication information corresponding to the data from the selection device in response to transmission of the conversion instruction;
When the processing result executed according to the conversion instruction cannot be received from the selection device within a predetermined time, the retransmission request including the identification information of the data and the received authentication information is transmitted to the file server, and the data Receiving the step, and
In addition to the selection device,
Requesting the file server to transmit data specified by the conversion instruction in response to receiving the conversion instruction from the operation terminal;
Receiving the data and the authentication information corresponding to the data from the file server in response to the data transmission request;
And a step of transmitting the received authentication information to the operation terminal . In addition to the file server,
Determining whether the data specified by the transmission request is data that is virtually stored in correspondence with one of the plurality of data processing devices that has transmitted the transmission request; ,
The data transmission method according to claim 5, wherein the step of transmitting the data includes a step of transmitting the data based on a determination result in the determination step. In addition to the operation terminal,
Selecting an alternative device different from the selection device from the plurality of data processing devices;
The acquired processing target data and a step of transmitting a conversion instruction for instructing conversion of the processing target data to the alternative device and receiving the converted data. The data transmission method described. The said file server is further made to perform the step which erase | eliminates the said authentication information issued corresponding to the said data according to the said data being resent in the said resending step. The data transmission method according to the above.

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