JP4756821B2 - Document management apparatus, control method therefor, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a document management apparatus that controls electronic data obtained by digitizing a document image and controls output processing for the managed electronic data, a control method therefor, and a program.

  In recent years, the read document image data is stored in a database, the stored information is added as information to the print medium of the document, the stored information of the print medium is read, and reprinting is performed from the stored document image data. A document management system is already known from Patent Document 1, for example.

According to this document management system, if a print medium with storage information is provided, output of stored document image data corresponding to the print medium can be obtained. Here, access restrictions can be set for the document image data. If the user who desires the output does not have the right to access the document image data to be output, the print medium with storage information is read and the stored document image data is accessed as an error process. The user is notified that they do not have access rights.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-143414

  In the above-described conventional document management system, even when it is detected that the document image data to be output cannot be accessed, if the user needs to access the document image data, the user specifies the document manager of the document image data. However, it takes time and effort to apply to the document administrator for a temporary change of the access right to the document with a new means, and to go to the document image data again after passing through it. did.

  In the case of such a temporary access right change, it is often necessary to quickly restore the access right after the applicant accesses. In this case as well, the access rights had to be restored by the same procedure as usual, and the burden on the document manager was heavy.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and reduces the management burden on the administrator of document image data, and allows a user who does not have access rights to the document image data to quickly and quickly An object of the present invention is to provide a document management apparatus capable of accessing image data, a control method therefor, and a program.

In order to achieve the above object, a document management apparatus according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
A document management apparatus for managing electronic data obtained by digitizing a document image and controlling output processing for the managed electronic data,
Storage means for storing a database for managing electronic data to which an access right is given for each user;
When an output instruction for the specified electronic data in the database is input, a determination unit that determines whether the user who has input the output instruction has an access right to the electronic data;
As a result of the determination by the determination means, when there is no access right, a transmission means for transmitting change application information for applying for a change of the access right to an application destination apparatus on the network;
When an access right related to the output of the electronic data is given by a response from the application destination device to the change application information, a generating unit that generates an output standby job for executing the output of the electronic data;
Input means for inputting an instruction to execute the output standby job ;
Printing means for performing printing based on the electronic data,
When the output means is generating the output standby job by the access right being given to the electronic data determined by the determination means as having no access right, the printing means is executed by the input means Execute printing by the output standby job according to the input of the instruction,
When the determination unit determines that the user has access rights to the electronic data, the printing unit executes printing based on the electronic data according to the input of the output instruction .

Preferably, as a response to the change application information, condition setting means for setting a condition for recovering the access right to be changed to the original access right;
Recovery means for recovering the changed access right to the original access right based on the condition information set by the condition setting means.

  Preferably, the apparatus further includes an erasing unit for erasing the output standby job when the output standby job exists after the recovery by the recovery unit.

  Preferably, the information processing apparatus further includes notification means for notifying a user who has input the output instruction when the generation means generates the output standby job.

  Preferably, the notifying unit notifies the user who has input the output instruction of a message including the fact that the output standby job has been generated and access information for executing the output standby job.

  Preferably, the input means presents an input screen for inputting the access information when receiving an instruction to execute the output standby job.

  Preferably, the information processing apparatus further includes a presentation unit that presents an application confirmation screen for confirming whether or not there is an application for changing the access right when the access right is not determined as a result of the determination by the determination unit.

In order to achieve the above object, a method for controlling a document management apparatus according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
A document management apparatus control method for managing electronic data obtained by digitizing a document image and controlling output processing for the managed electronic data,
When an output instruction for specified electronic data in a database for managing electronic data to which an access right is given for each user is input, it is determined whether the user who has input the output instruction has an access right to the electronic data. A determination step to
As a result of the determination in the determination step, if there is no access right, a transmission step for transmitting change application information for applying for a change of the access right to an application destination device on the network;
When an access right related to the output of the electronic data is given by a response to the change application information, a generation step of generating an output standby job for executing the output of the electronic data;
An input step for inputting an instruction to execute the output standby job ;
A printing process for performing printing based on the electronic data,
If the output waiting job is generated in the generation step by giving an access right to the electronic data determined in the determination step as having no access right, the printing step is executed by the input step. Execute printing by the output standby job according to the input of the instruction,
When it is determined that the determination step has an access right to the electronic data, the printing step executes printing based on the electronic data according to the input of the output instruction .

In order to achieve the above object, a program according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
A program for managing electronic data obtained by digitizing a document image and causing a computer to execute control of a document management apparatus that controls output processing for the managed electronic data,
When an output instruction for specified electronic data in a database for managing electronic data to which an access right is given for each user is input, it is determined whether the user who has input the output instruction has an access right to the electronic data. A determination step to
As a result of the determination in the determination step, if there is no access right, a transmission step for transmitting change application information for applying for a change of the access right to an application destination device on the network;
When an access right related to the output of the electronic data is given by a response to the change application information, a generation step of generating an output standby job for executing the output of the electronic data;
An input step for inputting an instruction to execute the output standby job ;
Causing a computer to execute a printing step of performing printing based on the electronic data,
If the output waiting job is generated in the generation step by giving an access right to the electronic data determined in the determination step as having no access right, the printing step is executed by the input step. Execute printing by the output standby job according to the input of the instruction,
When it is determined that the determination step has an access right to the electronic data, the printing step executes printing based on the electronic data according to the input of the output instruction .

  According to the present invention, a document that can reduce the management burden on the administrator of document image data and can quickly access the document image data as needed even by a user who does not have access to the document image data. A management apparatus, its control method, and a program can be provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a document management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 200 denotes a multifunction machine having a plurality of types of functions such as a scanner function, a printer function, and a facsimile function. The multifunction device 200 includes a touch panel 203 for input and display, a scanner unit 201, a printer unit 202, and a data storage unit 204. The multifunction device 200 is, for example, a digital multifunction device that can be connected to the network 400.

  The multifunction device 200 stores document image data read by the scanner unit 201 and document image data received from the personal computer 300 through the network 400, for example, in the data storage unit 204, and stores the stored document image data in the data storage unit 204. Printing with the printer unit 202 is possible.

  Here, the document image data means a document or electronic data in which a document and an image are mixed.

  The multifunction device 200 has a personal authentication function, and has access rights to the multifunction device 200 and access rights to document image data managed by the data storage unit 204 (for example, read rights, write rights, print rights, etc.). It can be set for each individual. In particular, since the MFP 200 can be connected to a network, access to document image data via the network 400, change of access rights, printing instructions, and the like are also possible through personal authentication.

  The data storage unit 204 of the multifunction device 200 is equipped with a search function for stored document image data. The search result is displayed on the touch panel 203 according to the search condition input by the user from the touch panel 203. Output processing such as printing can be performed on the retrieved document image data.

  A personal computer 300 includes standard components (for example, a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, a hard disk, an external storage device, a network interface, a display, a keyboard, and a mouse) mounted on a general-purpose computer. In particular, the personal computer 300 can register document image data in the multifunction device 200 via the network 400, search for desired document image data from the multifunction device 200, and print it. is there. When the user of the personal computer 300 is an administrator of document image data managed by the data storage unit 204, various settings for access rights to the document image data can be made for each user. Here, the term “user unit” means that a single user includes a group including a plurality of users and a user.

  Next, the functional configuration of the multifunction device 200 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 101 denotes a reading unit that reads a document placed on the multifunction device 200. This corresponds to the scanner unit 201 in FIG. A central processing unit (CPU) 102 executes control of the multifunction device 200 according to various control programs (including programs for realizing various flowcharts described later) stored in the external storage unit 106.

  A printing unit 103 forms an image on a recording medium according to print data. The printing method of the printing unit 103 is, for example, a laser beam method, but is not limited thereto, and various printing methods such as an ink jet method and a thermal transfer method can be used. The printing unit 103 corresponds to the printer unit 202 in FIG.

  A display unit 104 includes, for example, an LCD, an LED, and the like. An input unit 105 includes a touch panel, numeric keys, buttons, a pointing device, and the like. Further, the display unit 104 and the input unit 105 implement the touch panel 203 in FIG.

  An external storage unit 106 includes a RAM, a ROM, a hard disk, and the like. In particular, the RAM functions as a data work area and a temporary save area. The ROM stores various initial data of the multifunction device 200, various control programs, an access right management table, and the like. The hard disk stores, for example, a database that manages document image data.

  The access right management table is a table for managing the access right for each document image data stored in the data storage unit 204 and the contents for each user (user ID) given to each user of the MFP 200. It is. In addition, for this access right, for example, permission / prohibition of reading / writing / printing on document image data can be set. Furthermore, for security enhancement, an access ID for accessing the document image data may be managed as necessary.

  A communication unit 107 transmits and receives data via the network 108. Reference numeral 108 denotes a network, typically the Internet, a LAN, a WAN, a telephone line, a dedicated digital line, an ATM, a frame relay line, a communication satellite line, a cable TV line, a data broadcasting wireless line, or the like. It is a so-called communication network realized by a combination, and it is sufficient if data can be transmitted and received.

  Hereinafter, in describing an example of processing executed by the multifunction device 200 of the present embodiment, it is assumed that the following environment is configured in the multifunction device 200.

  In the document management system of FIG. 1, document creator 1 (administrator) creates document image data A using personal computer 300 and stores it in data storage unit 204 of multifunction device 200. At that time, the access rights of two users (user 1 and user 2) are set for the document image data A. It is assumed that reading / writing / printing is all prohibited for user 1 and reading / writing prohibition / printing permission is set for user 2.

  Then, processing executed by the MFP according to the present embodiment in such an environment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the multifunction machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Note that the user 1 uses the touch panel 200 to input a user ID for identifying himself / herself when operating the multifunction device 200. Thereafter, the user 1 uses the touch panel 203 to search the document image data A stored by the document creator 1 from the document image data stored in the data storage unit 204 of the multifunction device 200. As a search result, the document name of the document image data A is displayed on the touch panel 203, and the user 1 selects the document image data display and inputs a print instruction.

  At this time, the multifunction device 200 determines whether or not the user 1 has an access right to the document image data A in step S11. This determination is performed based on the access right to the document image data A of the user 1 obtained by referring to the access right management table stored in the external storage unit 106.

  If there is an access right (YES in step S11), the process advances to step S14, the designated document image data is acquired from the data storage unit 204, and the document image data is printed by the printer unit 202. On the other hand, if there is no access right (NO in step S11), the process proceeds to step S12.

  In the present embodiment, since the access right of the user 1 for the document image data A is “printing prohibited”, the process proceeds from step S11 to step S12. On the other hand, when the user 2 gives the same print instruction to the document image data A, the access right of the user 2 with respect to the document image data A is “print permission”, so the process proceeds from step S11 to step S14. Document image data A is acquired from the data storage unit 204, and the document image data A is printed by the printer unit 202.

  In step S12, access right change application information for applying to change the access right of the user 1 is issued. Specifically, the multi-function device 200 sends an application for “print right of the document image data A of the user 1” to the terminal of the document creator 1 of the document image data A (for example, the personal computer 300) via the network 400 by e-mail. ".

  Thereafter, in step S13, a standby display (output permission waiting display) for waiting for a response corresponding to the access right change application is displayed on the touch panel 203. At this time, the print instruction of the user 1 is accepted as a job, but since the print permission has not been granted, the print instruction is stopped in the “waiting for print permission” state, and held as it is in the external storage unit 106 in the multifunction device 200 as the user 1 job. To do.

  Thereafter, the MFP 200 that issued the access right change application waits until the access right for the user 1 of the document image data A is changed. The access right change waiting process at this time will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the access right change waiting process executed by the multifunction machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Document creator 1 receives “application for printing right of document image data A of user 1” by e-mail software at personal computer 300 and knows the fact of the application. The document creator 1 determines to the user 1 “whether or not to print”. If it is considered that the user 1 can “print”, the access right for the user 1 of the document image data A is changed to “printing permission”. The access to the unit 204 is made and an access right change instruction is issued.

  In step S21, the MFP 200 determines whether there is an access right change instruction. If there is no instruction to change the access right (NO in step S21), the process waits until there is an instruction to change the access right. On the other hand, if there is a change instruction (YES in step S21), the process proceeds to step S22, and the user's access right to the document image data to be processed is changed based on the change instruction.

  In the case of the present embodiment, upon receiving an access right change instruction from the document creator 1, the multifunction device 200 changes the access right related to the printing of the user 1 with respect to the target document image data A from “printing prohibition” to “printing permission”. Change to Based on this change, the contents of the access right management table are updated.

  Next, in step S23, the job of the user 1 who has been in the “waiting for printing permission” state receives the printing permission, acquires the document image data A from the data storage unit 204, and waits for printing from the document image data A. Create a job. Thereafter, this print standby job is temporarily held before transmission to the printer unit 202, and waits for a print instruction from the user 1 again.

  Next, output waiting processing for waiting for a print instruction for a print standby job will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an output waiting process executed by the multifunction machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In step S31, the presence / absence of a print instruction is determined. If there is no print instruction (NO in step S31), the process waits until there is a print instruction. On the other hand, if there is a print instruction (YES in step S31), the process proceeds to step S32, and printing by a print standby job corresponding to the print instruction is executed.

  In this embodiment, as described above, the print standby job is temporarily held before transmission to the printer unit 202, and waits for a print instruction from the user 1 again. With this configuration, the document image data A to be printed is not printed without permission as soon as the print permission from the document creator 1 is given. Only the acquisition of the data A and the generation of a print standby job based on the data A are generated, and the print timing of the print standby job is left to the user 1.

  As a result, the user 1 intentionally confirms with the document manager 1 by another means in the printing operation of the document image data A for which printing prohibition is originally set as the access right, and the document image data 1 This eliminates the need to process the print right change timing between the document manager 1 and the user 1 together.

  In the access right change waiting process of FIG. 4, when the document creator 1 grants the access right, the access right is permanently granted. However, in some cases, the permission is granted permanently. In this case, it is assumed that the user wants to temporarily grant print permission. Therefore, in the access right change waiting process of FIG. 4, the document creator 1 may be configured to set conditions for the access right such that “printing permission” is given only for a certain period of time.

  Hereinafter, the access right change waiting process in such a case will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a modification of the access right change waiting process according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, in step S41, it is determined whether or not there is an access right change instruction. When there is no access right change instruction (NO in step S41), the process waits until there is an access right change instruction. On the other hand, if there is a change instruction (NO in step S41), the process proceeds to step S42, and setting of a condition for restoring the access right to be changed to the original access right is accepted in response to the access right change instruction.

  In the case of the present embodiment, for example, a condition setting screen is presented on the screen of the personal computer 300 used by the document creator 1, and conditions for the access right of the user 1 with respect to the document image data A are set via the condition setting screen. To do. Here, for example, the document creator 1 sets the time limit for permitting printing of the document image data A given to the user 1 to 24 hours.

  In this embodiment, an example in which condition setting is performed according to time has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and settings relating to printing such as the number of printings and the number of printings may be set as conditions.

  In step S43, the user's access right to the document image data to be processed is changed based on the change instruction together with the condition information input on the condition setting screen. Based on this change, the contents of the access right management table are updated.

  In step S44, the job of the user 1 who has been in the “waiting for printing permission” state receives the printing permission, acquires the document image data A from the data storage unit 204, and generates a print standby job from the document image data A. To do. Thereafter, this print standby job is temporarily held before transmission to the printer unit 202, and waits for a print instruction from the user 1 again.

  Thereafter, output waiting processing for waiting for a print instruction for the print standby job generated by the processing of FIG. 6 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a modified example of the output waiting process executed by the multifunction machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the output wait change process of FIG. 7, in addition to the determination of the presence or absence of a print instruction executed in the output wait change process of FIG.

  That is, in the multi-function device 200, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time (24 hours in the present embodiment) has elapsed since the change start time of the access right (print permission) of the user 1 to the document image data A in step S45. And determination in step S46, that is, whether or not there is a print instruction for the print standby job.

  In the present embodiment, if 24 hours have elapsed from the change start time (YES in step S45), the process proceeds to step S48, and the access right of the user 1 for the document image data A is changed from “print permitted” to “print prohibited”. Recover. Based on this change, the contents of the access right management table are updated.

  However, here, it is assumed that only the access right at the time of access to the document image data A is changed, the document instruction A has already been received, the document image data A is acquired for printing, and the printing process has started. It is assumed that execution of a print standby job (access has already been completed) is not canceled. For this reason, the print standby job in the “waiting for print instruction” state determines whether or not there is a print instruction of the user 1 in step S46 regardless of the recovery of the access right of the document image data A. If there is a print instruction (YES in step S46), the process proceeds to step S47, and printing by a print standby job corresponding to the print instruction is executed.

  By configuring in this way, even a user who does not have access right is temporarily given access right to allow document image data printing processing, and the access right after a predetermined time is changed before the change. By recovering to the right, abuse of the access right can be prevented.

  In the output waiting state process of FIG. 7, regardless of the recovery of the access right, when there is a print instruction, the print standby job corresponding to the print instruction is printed, but the access right is recovered. However, if there is no print instruction, the print standby job corresponding to the print instruction may be deleted.

  Hereinafter, the output waiting process in such a case will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a modification of the access right change waiting process executed by the multifunction machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, in step S51, the presence / absence of a print instruction is determined. If there is no print instruction (NO in step S51), the process proceeds to step S52. On the other hand, if there is a print instruction (YES in step S51), the process proceeds to step S55, and printing by a print standby job corresponding to the print instruction is executed.

  In step S52, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time (24 hours in the case of this embodiment) has elapsed since the change start time of the access right (printing permission) to be processed. If the condition is not satisfied (NO in step S52), the process returns to step S51. On the other hand, if the condition is satisfied (YES in step S52), the process proceeds to step S53.

  In step S53, the access right is restored to the access right before the change. Based on this change, the contents of the access right management table are updated. Next, in step S54, the print standby job is deleted.

  In the access right change waiting process of FIG. 4, when there is an access right change instruction, the access right management table managed in the MFP 200 is updated based on the change instruction. The content may be notified to the user for the access right.

  Hereinafter, the access right change waiting process in such a case will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a modification of the access right change waiting process executed by the multifunction machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, in the multifunction device 200, it is determined in step S61 whether or not there is an access right change instruction. If there is no instruction to change the access right (NO in step S61), the process waits until there is an instruction to change the access right. On the other hand, if there is a change instruction (NO in step S61), the process proceeds to step S62, and the access right is changed based on the change instruction. Based on this change, the contents of the access right management table are updated.

  Next, in step S 63, the job of the user 1 who has been in the “waiting for printing permission” state receives the printing permission, acquires the document image data A from the data storage unit 204, and waits for printing from the document image data A. Create a job. Thereafter, this print standby job is temporarily held before transmission to the printer unit 202, and waits for a print instruction from the user 1 again.

  In step S64, the user 1 who is the applicant for changing the access right is notified that the access right has been changed from “printing prohibited” to “printing permitted” and a print standby job waiting for a print instruction has been generated. A message to be transmitted is transmitted to the user terminal of the user 1 (personal computer, mobile phone, etc.) by e-mail.

  With this configuration, it is possible to notify the user 1 that the access right has been changed from printing prohibition to printing permission.

  The access right change waiting process of FIG. 4, FIG. 6, or FIG. 9 is not configured to strengthen the identification of the applicant (user) of the access right change instruction, but the actual document after allowing the access right to be changed. When accessing the image data, an access ID for the access may be issued to strengthen the identification of the applicant.

  The access right change waiting process in such a case will be described below with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a modification of the access right change waiting process executed by the multifunction machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, in step S71, the multifunction device 200 determines whether or not there is an access right change instruction. If there is no instruction to change the access right (NO in step S71), the process waits until there is an instruction to change the access right. On the other hand, if there is a change instruction (NO in step S71), the process proceeds to step S72, and the user's access right to the document image data to be processed is changed based on the change instruction. Based on this change, the contents of the access right management table are updated.

  Next, in step S73, as in step S42 in FIG. 6, in response to an access right change instruction, setting of a condition for restoring the access right to be changed to the original access right is accepted. Then, the condition information input on the condition setting screen is set to the changed access right.

  Next, in step S 74, the job of user 1 that has been in the “waiting for printing permission” state receives printing permission, acquires document image data A from the data storage unit 204, and waits for printing from the document image data A. Create a job. Thereafter, this print standby job is temporarily held before transmission to the printer unit 202, and waits for a print instruction from the user 1 again.

  Next, in step S75, an access ID (for example, 1234) for the waiting print standby job is issued. Then, for the user 1 who is an applicant for changing the access right, the access right is changed from “printing prohibited” to “printing allowed” together with this access ID, and a print standby job waiting for a print instruction is generated. A message to be notified is transmitted to the user terminal (personal computer, mobile phone, etc.) of user 1 by e-mail.

  With this configuration, it is possible to notify the user 1 that the access right has been changed from printing prohibition to printing permission.

  Next, an output waiting process corresponding to the access right change waiting process in FIG. 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a modification of the output waiting process executed by the multifunction machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, in step S <b> 81, the MFP 200 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the conversion start time of the user's access right (print permission) to the document image data A. If the condition is satisfied (YES in step S81), the process proceeds to step S83, and the access right is restored to the access right before the change. Based on this change, the contents of the access right management table are updated. In step S84, the print standby job is deleted.

  On the other hand, if the condition is not satisfied (NO in step S81), the process proceeds to step S82. In step S82, it is determined whether there is a print instruction. If there is no print instruction (NO in step S82), the process returns to step S81. On the other hand, if there is a print instruction (YES in step S82), the process proceeds to step S85.

  In step S85, an access ID input screen for inputting an access ID for executing a print standby job corresponding to the print instruction is displayed on touch panel 203.

  Here, an example of the ID input screen will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of an ID input screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  12 includes an input field 121 for inputting an access ID, an execution button 123 for executing processing after the access ID is input, and a cancel button 122 for canceling the access ID input operation itself. is doing. Here, when the user 1 inputs an access ID (1234 in the case of the present embodiment) and operates the execution button 123, the determination of the consistency of the access ID is executed.

  That is, in step S86, it is determined whether or not the input access ID matches the access ID for the print standby job to be processed. If they do not match (NO in step S86), the process returns to step S81.

  If the IDs do not match, an access ID input error or the like is assumed. Therefore, a certain allowable number of times (for example, 3 times) is set as the access ID input number, and what is the input opportunity? I try to give it once. However, if the correct access ID is not input even if the number of times is exceeded, the access may be regarded as an unauthorized user and the process may proceed to step S83.

  If they match in step S86 (YES in step S86), the process advances to step S87 to execute printing by a print standby job corresponding to the print instruction.

  With this configuration, when the access right is restored, the print standby job related to the document image data is canceled at the same time, and the access ID is requested to execute the print standby job, thereby further strengthening the security. Is possible.

  In the process of FIG. 3, when there is no access right, it is configured to automatically issue an access right change application for applying for an access right change. It may be configured to check.

  Hereinafter, processing in such a case will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a modified example of processing executed by the multifunction machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, in step S91, the multifunction device 200 determines whether or not the user 1 has access rights to the document image data A. If there is an access right (YES in step S91), the process advances to step S96 to acquire the designated document image data from the data storage unit 204 and print the document image data from the printer unit 202. On the other hand, if there is no access right (NO in step S91), the process proceeds to step S92.

  In step S92, an application confirmation screen is displayed on the touch panel 203 for confirming whether or not an application for requesting printing permission from the document manager is performed.

  Here, an example of the application confirmation screen will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of an application confirmation screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The application confirmation screen 130 of FIG. 14 has an application button 132 for applying and a cancel button 131 for canceling the process without applying. Then, the subsequent processing is continued based on the operation of these buttons.

  That is, in step S93, the presence / absence of an application is determined via the application confirmation screen. If there is no application (NO in step S93), that is, if the cancel button 131 is operated, the process proceeds to step S97 and the process is terminated. On the other hand, if there is an application (YES in step S93), that is, if the application button 132 is operated, the process proceeds to step S94.

  In step S94, access right change application information for applying to change the access right of the user 1 is issued. Thereafter, in step S95, a standby display (output permission waiting display) for waiting for a response corresponding to the access right change application is displayed on the touch panel 203.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the user has no access right to the document image data at the time of access for output such as printing of the document image data, the access right is obtained. For this purpose, an application for access is automatically made to the application destination, and if permitted, a job waiting for output is automatically generated, so that the work of the user who is trying to obtain the output can be reduced. Further, even if the access right is temporarily changed, by automatically recovering the access right before the change, it is possible to reduce the trouble of the administrator at the time of temporary access permission.

[Other embodiment 1]
“Output of electronic data” in the present invention is not limited to print processing using electronic data (document image data) in the above embodiment, but also file transfer processing (FTP, SMB, file transmission) that transmits electronic data using communication means. File exchange methods such as writing to the system) in general, and electronic mail transmission in which electronic data is attached and transmitted as attachment data of an electronic mail. Therefore, it goes without saying that the various processes described above can be applied to the case where these outputs are performed.

[Other embodiment 2]
The “database” in the present invention may be disposed in the multifunction device 200 or at a position different from the multifunction device 200, and both may be connected by any wired / wireless communication means. Is included.

[Other embodiment 3]
The “notification” in the present invention includes not only the notification using the electronic mail of the above embodiment but also a general notification function that can transmit data to other devices through communication means (for example, a dialog screen, voice output). Also, this “notification”. This includes a case where data (signal) is transmitted to another program in hardware that implements the present invention.

  Although the embodiments have been described in detail above, the present invention can take an embodiment as, for example, a system, an apparatus, a method, a program, or a storage medium, and specifically includes a plurality of devices. The present invention may be applied to a system that is configured, or may be applied to an apparatus that includes a single device.

  In the present invention, a software program (in the embodiment, a program corresponding to the flowchart shown in the figure) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment is directly or remotely supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer of the system or apparatus Is also achieved by reading and executing the supplied program code.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, or the like.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R) and the like.

  As another program supply method, a client computer browser is used to connect to an Internet homepage, and the computer program of the present invention itself or a compressed file including an automatic installation function is downloaded from the homepage to a recording medium such as a hard disk. Can also be supplied. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  In addition to the functions of the above-described embodiments being realized by the computer executing the read program, the OS running on the computer based on the instruction of the program is a part of the actual processing. Alternatively, the functions of the above-described embodiment can be realized by performing all of them and performing the processing.

  Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or The CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the document management system of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the function structure of the multifunctional device of embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed by the multifunction machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an access right change waiting process executed by the MFP according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating output waiting processing executed by the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the modification of the access right change waiting process of embodiment of this invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a modified example of output waiting processing executed by the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a modification example of the access right change waiting process executed by the MFP according to the embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a modification example of the access right change waiting process executed by the MFP according to the embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a modification example of the access right change waiting process executed by the MFP according to the embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a modified example of output waiting processing executed by the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the ID input screen of embodiment of this invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a modification of processing executed by the multifunction machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the application confirmation screen of embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

200 MFP 201 Scanner unit 202 Printer unit 203 Touch panel 204 Data storage unit 300 Personal computer 400 Network

Claims (9)

A document management apparatus for managing electronic data obtained by digitizing a document image and controlling output processing for the managed electronic data,
Storage means for storing a database for managing electronic data to which an access right is given for each user;
When an output instruction for the specified electronic data in the database is input, a determination unit that determines whether the user who has input the output instruction has an access right to the electronic data;
As a result of the determination by the determination means, when there is no access right, a transmission means for transmitting change application information for applying for a change of the access right to an application destination apparatus on the network;
When an access right related to the output of the electronic data is given by a response from the application destination device to the change application information, a generating unit that generates an output standby job for executing the output of the electronic data;
Input means for inputting an instruction to execute the output standby job ;
Printing means for performing printing based on the electronic data,
When the output means is generating the output standby job by the access right being given to the electronic data determined by the determination means as having no access right, the printing means is executed by the input means Execute printing by the output standby job according to the input of the instruction,
When the determination unit determines that there is an access right to the electronic data, the printing unit executes printing based on the electronic data in accordance with the input of the output instruction. . Condition setting means for setting condition information for restoring the access right to be changed to the original access right as a response from the application destination device to the change application information;
The document management apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: recovery means for recovering the changed access right to the original access right based on the condition information set by the condition setting means. The document management apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: an erasing unit that erases the output standby job when the output standby job exists after the recovery by the recovery unit. The document management apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit that notifies the user terminal of the user who has input the output instruction when the generation unit generates the output standby job. The notification means notifies the user terminal of the user who has input the output instruction of a message including the fact that the output standby job has been generated and access information for executing the output standby job. Item 5. The document management apparatus according to Item 4. The document management apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the input unit presents an input screen for inputting the access information when receiving an instruction to execute the output standby job. The document according to claim 1, further comprising a presentation unit that presents an application confirmation screen for confirming whether or not there is an application for changing the access right when the access right is not found as a result of the determination by the determination unit. Management device. A document management apparatus control method for managing electronic data obtained by digitizing a document image and controlling output processing for the managed electronic data,
When an output instruction for specified electronic data in a database for managing electronic data to which an access right is given for each user is input, it is determined whether the user who has input the output instruction has an access right to the electronic data. A determination step to
As a result of the determination in the determination step, if there is no access right, a transmission step for transmitting change application information for applying for a change of the access right to an application destination device on the network;
When an access right related to the output of the electronic data is given by a response to the change application information, a generation step of generating an output standby job for executing the output of the electronic data;
An input step for inputting an instruction to execute the output standby job ;
A printing process for performing printing based on the electronic data,
If the output waiting job is generated in the generation step by giving an access right to the electronic data determined in the determination step as having no access right, the printing step is executed by the input step. Execute printing by the output standby job according to the input of the instruction,
If the determination step determines that there is an access right to the electronic data, the printing step includes printing based on the electronic data according to the input of the output instruction. Management device control method. A program for managing electronic data obtained by digitizing a document image and causing a computer to execute control of a document management apparatus that controls output processing for the managed electronic data,
When an output instruction for specified electronic data in a database for managing electronic data to which an access right is given for each user is input, it is determined whether the user who has input the output instruction has an access right to the electronic data. A determination step to
As a result of the determination in the determination step, if there is no access right, a transmission step for transmitting change application information for applying for a change of the access right to an application destination device on the network;
When an access right related to the output of the electronic data is given by a response to the change application information, a generation step of generating an output standby job for executing the output of the electronic data;
An input step for inputting an instruction to execute the output standby job ;
Causing a computer to execute a printing step of performing printing based on the electronic data,
If the output waiting job is generated in the generation step by giving an access right to the electronic data determined in the determination step as having no access right, the printing step is executed by the input step. Execute printing by the output standby job according to the input of the instruction,
When the determination step determines that the user has an access right to the electronic data, the printing step executes printing based on the electronic data according to the input of the output instruction .

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