JPH07200477A - Electronic filing deice and its file processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To add and manage various service functions which are necessary for a file server in use by an information system consisting of the file server and clients which can access the file server. CONSTITUTION:This device is equipped with filing means (1A and 2) which have file directories, a process executing means 1B which processes a 2nd file (data file) on the basis of a 1st file (script file) wherein process execution procedures are described, holding means (1 and 2) which hold the 1st file wherein the process execution procedures are described corresponding to the file directory, and a passing means 1E which decides a file corresponding to the file directory held by the holding means as a 1st file corresponding to the storage of the file in the file directory and passes the stored file as a 2nd file to the process executing means.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic filing apparatus and a file processing method therefor. For example, in a distributed environment such as a predetermined network, a file server and a plurality of clients accessible to the file server are constructed. The present invention relates to an electronic filing device adapted to add / manage various service functions required for a file server used and a file processing method thereof. Then, according to the electronic filing apparatus and the file processing method thereof according to the present invention, a certain predetermined process execution procedure is held in correspondence with the file directory,
When a desired file is stored in the file directory, the process execution procedure corresponding to the file directory is executed for the file. Also,
When a new process execution procedure is received, the corresponding file directory is newly set and held, and the process execution procedure in the device can be changed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in the technology of the method of executing this type of file service, a specific directory on the service side is monitored, and when the existence of a file requesting the service is detected, The form of executing the corresponding service was taken. In addition, common management of several services of different types has not been implemented, and registration / change / deletion of such services via an attached network has not been considered.

Conventional techniques of this type include remote
What is called batch method or remote job entry method is known, and according to this conventional method,
A method has been adopted in which required files and scripts are simultaneously transmitted from a client within a given network to a host. Publications disclosing this type of prior art include, for example, JP-A-4-112347.
Publication [file transmission method] and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-31240
Publication [Network file transfer method]
Can be mentioned. Then, according to the techniques disclosed in these publications, a script describing a transfer destination, a processing content, and the like regarding a certain predetermined file is sent to the host side together with the predetermined file. On the host side, the contents of the sent script are interpreted and the corresponding processing is executed. However, in such a conventional method, it is necessary to sequentially prepare a script that is effective only for files to be transmitted / received and execute the processing. From this, for example, when a plurality of clients in the network are to perform the same processing, it is necessary to prepare each script for each client. In addition, there is an idea to collect the corresponding files from the plurality of clients and process them all at once in order to avoid this, but in view of the types of files collected and the amount of information, etc., it is not practical. Not that.

[0004]

As a conventional technique of this type, as described above, what is called a remote batch system or a remote job entry system is known, and in this conventional system, A method of simultaneously transmitting a required file and script from a client in a predetermined network to a host has been adopted. In addition, in the publication related to this type of prior art exemplified above, a script that describes the transfer destination and the processing content regarding a certain predetermined file is sent to the host side together with the predetermined file, and on this host side, It interprets the contents of the sent script and executes the processing corresponding to this. However,
In such a conventional method, it is necessary to sequentially prepare a script effective only for a file to be transmitted / received and execute the processing. From this, for example, when a plurality of clients in the network are to perform the same processing, it is necessary to prepare each script for each client. Also, to avoid this, there is an idea to collect corresponding files from the plurality of clients and process them all at once, but it is not practical in view of the types of collected files and the amount of information. There is a problem.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and a predetermined processing function for a corresponding file is added to a directory to be used to provide various services. The purpose is to make it manageable in an integrated manner.

[0006]

The electronic filing apparatus and the file processing method therefor according to the present invention have been made to solve the above problems. That is, the electronic filing device according to the present invention includes a filing means (1A, 2) having a file directory and a second file (data file) based on a first file (script file) describing a processing execution procedure. And a holding means (1, B) for holding the first file (script file) describing the processing execution procedure in association with the file directory.
2) and corresponding to the storage of the file in the file directory, the file corresponding to the file directory held by the holding means is the first file (script file), and the stored file is the above-mentioned And a delivery means for delivering to the processing execution means as a second file (data file). Further, in another electronic filing device according to the present invention, the holding means is a specific file directory (directory 2B for directory management).
Based on the file stored in, the file that describes the processing procedure for causing the holding unit to hold the first file that describes the processing execution procedure is held in association with the specific file directory. It is characterized by that. A file processing method for an electronic filing device having a file directory according to the present invention corresponds to storing a file in the file directory, and processes the stored file based on an execution processing procedure associated with the file directory. It is characterized by:

[0007]

According to the present invention, for example, in a distributed environment such as a predetermined network (3 in FIG. 1), the file
In an information system constructed by a server (1) and a plurality of clients (4, 4a ... 4n) accessible to it, addition and management of various service functions required for a file server used. Is enabled. In the present invention, a predetermined process execution procedure (for example, the script [destination A] in the directory 2F in FIG. 3) is held in correspondence with the file directory (the directory 2F in FIG. 3 described above). When a desired file (that is, a file to be transferred to the destination A) is stored in the file directory, the process execution procedure corresponding to the file directory is executed for the file.
When a new process execution procedure (for example, the script [document shaping] of the directory 2E of FIG. 3) is received, the corresponding file directory (FIG. 3) is managed under the management of the script [system management] of the directory 2B. The directory 2E) is newly set and held so that the process execution procedure in the method can be newly executed.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a system related to an electronic filing device according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, a file server 1, a file system 2, and various clients 4, 4a, ... 4n.
Are connected to a common network 3, and as a whole, a system related to the electronic filing apparatus according to the present invention is configured.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram centering on the file server 1 applied in the present invention. Referring mainly to the file server 1 in FIG. 2, the file server unit 1A is a part that functions as a normal file server, and includes, for example, the exchange of files with the client 4 side as necessary. Perform normal administrative tasks. The script execution unit 1B has a function of executing a script corresponding to each process when executing a process of a predetermined file.
That is, from the corresponding one of the various directories 2Y in the file system 2 (script / data.
It performs a function of fetching a related script (via the file reading unit 1E), executing an operation related to the script together with required information from the directory management unit 1C, and returning the result to the original directory side. The directory management unit 1C performs a required management function regarding the correspondence between the directory structure in the file system 2 and the script for the directory.
The file monitoring unit 1D has a function of monitoring the presence / absence of file transfer with any one of a plurality of clients. As described above, the script / data file reading unit 1E performs an intermediary function of passing a related script from the corresponding one of the various directories 2Y in the file system 2 to the script executing unit 1B. Is.

FIG. 3 shows a file to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hierarchical configuration of the system 2. As shown by the basic structure 2X of the directory therein, various directories in FIG. 3 are composed of [1] directory body and [2] script added corresponding thereto. For example, looking at directory 2A, as the corresponding script shows,
This corresponds to system management. The directory 2A is for comprehensively managing the file system 2 including the directory 2A itself. Also, regarding directory 2B,
This corresponds to directory management,
Approved from the corresponding script. This directory
2B is for managing various directories such as registering new ones, changing or deleting existing ones in the directory in the file system 2. Other directories 2C to directory 2
K is similar, and their functions can be recognized from the scripts corresponding to them. Here, regarding the directory 2E (document shaping), it can be said that defining the format of a document to be handled is a function performed here. That is, for a given document, for example, [1] how to arrange characters (vertical writing or horizontal writing); [2] setting of the number of characters per line;
[3] Setting of the number of lines per page; A predetermined hierarchy is formed between these directories 2A to 2K, for example, a hierarchy such as "directory 2A (system management) → directory 2D (print) → directory 2J (printer 1)" is formed. Has been done. Here, the upper directory [directory 2
In D (print), a default script for the function of the lower directory [directory 2J (printer 1)] is prepared.

In FIG. 3, it is illustrated that various services are registered. The multiple types of directories shown here are script files that describe the functions that the administrator of the file system 2 or the user of the client 4 should register and add to the directory 2B for directory management. It can be registered by transferring a file. In FIG. 3, only the directory 2A and the directory 2B are initially set, and the other directories (2
C to 2K) are registered as necessary. Therefore, the configuration of the file system shown in FIG. 3 is merely an example, and other configurations can be arbitrarily adopted as needed.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for schematically explaining the operation of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the operation of the system is started by an appropriate means (S41).
Then, the states of all directories existing in the file system 2 are sequentially checked (S42). Then, it is determined whether or not the file corresponding to the first directory exists (S43), and when it is determined that the corresponding file exists, the directory path for the file is acquired (S44), and Then, the corresponding file name is acquired (S45). And
A script corresponding to the directory is acquired (S46) and the script is executed (S47).
Following this, the process returns to the initial step S42, and the state of the directory that follows is checked. In the same manner, the states of all directories will be sequentially examined.

FIG. 5 is a format diagram exemplifying a script for registering a desired directory (here, for mail transmission) in the present invention. In this FIG. 5, [entry] is used as a command, which opens a new directory (ie,
It is for new registration in the file system of FIG. 3). Here, [/ service / ma
il / send-user-a] is checked for the existence of the directory indicated by the directory path. Then, when the directory does not exist there, a new directory is created. That is, a new directory will be opened. Then, the script indicated by the script name (Scriptname) of [SendUserA] is registered as a process (mail transmission here) for the file transferred (from the client side) to the newly opened directory. In FIG. 5, the destination of [UserA] is [ThisFil
The file e] will be sent by mail. When this registration example is applied to the case of FIG. 3, a hierarchical structure of service [corresponding to system management (service) of directory 2A] / mail [directory 2
C)] / send-user-a [corresponds to destination A in directory 2F] in a series of directories (directory paths), the script for the last directory 2F is [SendUser
A] will be specified. Then, a predetermined file transfer destination is specified as [destination A]. The specific file here is detected as [ThisFile], and the specific file is transferred (mailed) to the destination A.

FIG. 6 is a format diagram illustrating a script for registering a desired directory (here, for printing) in the present invention. Also in FIG. 6, [entry] is used as a command for opening a new directory. here,[/
The presence or absence of the directory indicated by the directory path of "service / print] is checked. If the directory does not exist there, a new one will be created. And [PrintOut] S
The script indicated by "scriptname" is registered as a process (print in this case) for the file transferred (from the client side) to the newly opened directory. In FIG. 6, [PRINTER-
[1]] by the printer identified as [1]
file] will be printed.

FIG. 7 is a format diagram exemplifying a script for registering a desired directory (here, when formatting a document) in the present invention. Also in FIG. 7, [entry] is used as a command for opening a new directory. here,
The existence of the directory indicated by the directory path of [/ service / text-format] is checked. If the directory does not exist there, a new one will be created. And then [Finis
The script indicated by Scriptname is registered as a process (here, document shaping) for the file transferred (from the client side) to the newly opened directory, and the required document shaping is performed in a predetermined mode. Will be.

Directory for directory management 2
In B, in addition to [opening a new directory] as described above, [1] change the script corresponding to the existing directory; [2] delete unnecessary directories; It is possible.

Here, regarding the case of [changing the script corresponding to an existing directory], the command used at this time is the same [entry] as when opening the new directory. Even in the case of changing this script, the command [e
The script in the specified existing directory can be changed by writing the required directory path and the contents of the script after "entry". For example, the contents of the script corresponding to the directory 2F in FIG.
Can be changed to

Next, regarding the case of deleting an unnecessary directory, the command used at this time is [d
delete]. Then, by using this [delete] command, the directory
Path (eg [/ service / mail / send
-User-a]) can delete the specified directory. Also, the script corresponding to the directory specified here can be deleted. Referring now to FIG. 3, for example, a hierarchically structured service
ice [corresponds to system management (service) of directory 2A] / mail [corresponds to mail of directory 2C] / send-user-a [directory 2
Corresponding to the destination A of F]], the last directory 2F (also the corresponding script [destination A]) is designated as the deletion target.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the file
The server 1 has a file server unit 1 that performs normal functions.
A is provided, and for this reason, it is possible to perform a normal function between the file server 1 side and the client 4 side, and a predetermined file transfer supported by the file server 1 side. By using the protocol, the required file transfer will be performed.
Then, as the user on the client 4 side, it is only necessary to transfer the corresponding file to the directory that can provide the desired service.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart for schematically explaining the operation of the directory 2B (for directory management) in FIG. In FIG. 8, the system is started (S81), and it is determined whether or not a new file exists in the directory 2B for directory management (S82). When the result of this determination is No, that is, when there is no new file, loop back. On the other hand, step S82
When the result of the determination in step S4 is Yes, that is, when a new file exists, the process moves to the next step S83, and the required command is processed.
That is, functional processing such as [open new directory]; [change script corresponding to existing directory]; [delete unnecessary directory]; is selectively executed. When the required command processing is completed, the process returns to the previous step S82.

FIG. 9 shows the step S83 in FIG.
3 is a flowchart for explaining in detail. In FIG. 9, the required work starts (S91), a command is acquired from a specified file (S92), and it is determined what the acquired command is (S93).
When the commands are [entry] and [delete], the process shifts to (1) [see FIG. 10] and (2) [see FIG. 11], respectively. Step S93
If the result of the determination in S is [Other], an error (S94) is instructed, and the current work is completed (S).
95).

FIG. 10 shows [entr] in FIG.
[y] is a flowchart for explaining an operation according to a command. In FIG. 10, the directory path is acquired from a certain predetermined file (sent from the client side) (S101), and then the script is acquired from the corresponding file (S102). next,
The existence of the directory corresponding to the acquired path is determined (S103). If the result of this determination is Yes, that is, if it is determined that the directory corresponding to the path exists, then the next step S104.
Then, it is judged whether or not the corresponding script already exists. When the result of this determination is No, that is, when the corresponding script does not yet exist, the process proceeds to step S107, and the corresponding script is newly registered. On the other hand, the above step S1
If the result of the determination at 04 is Yes,
That is, when the corresponding script already exists, the old script is once deleted (S105), and then the process proceeds to step S107 described above to newly register the corresponding script. In addition, the above-described step S103
When the result of the judgment in No is No, that is,
If it is determined that the directory corresponding to the path does not exist, the process proceeds to step S106, a corresponding directory is newly created, and subsequently, a corresponding script is newly registered (S107).

FIG. 11 shows [delete] in FIG.
e] is a flowchart for explaining an operation according to a command. In FIG. 11, a directory path is acquired from a predetermined file (sent from the client side) (S111). Next, it is determined whether or not the directory indicated by the obtained path exists (S1).
12). If the result of this determination is Yes,
That is, when it is determined that the directory indicated by the path exists, the process proceeds to the next step S113, and it is determined whether or not the corresponding script already exists.
When the result of this determination is Yes, that is, when the corresponding script exists, this corresponding script is deleted (S114). On the other hand, when the result of the determination in step S113 is No, that is, when there is no corresponding script, step S114 described above is skipped. Then, in the next step S115, the directory is deleted (S115). On the other hand, when the result of the determination in step S112 described above is No, that is, when it is determined that the directory indicated by the path does not exist, a predetermined error instruction is given (S116). Become.

[0024]

As described above, according to the present invention, [1] From the client side, various processing functions can be effectively utilized by merely transferring a desired file to the file server side. can do. [2] Similarly, from the client side, just prepare an application using the file transfer protocol,
By the function provided on the file server side, mail,
Various services such as printing and document shaping can be embodied. [3] Since the corresponding processing contents are registered in advance in the directory on the file server side, even if the same processing request is issued from a plurality of clients at the same time, or the same processing request is repeated. Even if it is issued, it is not necessary to respond to them one by one and set a corresponding script, and it is possible to respond only by sending a file of data. [4] Since the procedure for registering / changing / deleting the directory and the processing content is prepared, the client side also registers / changes / changes various services.
You can delete it freely. And so on.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a system related to an electronic filing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram centering on a file server 1 applied in the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary diagram showing a hierarchical structure of a file system 2 applied in the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for schematically explaining the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a format diagram illustrating a script for registering a desired directory (here, when sending a mail) in the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a format diagram illustrating a script for registering a desired directory (here, when printing) according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a format diagram illustrating a script for registering a desired directory (here, when formatting a document) in the present invention.

8 is a flow chart for schematically explaining the operation of the directory 2B (for directory management) in FIG.

9 is a flowchart for explaining step S83 in FIG. 8 in detail.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an operation according to the [entry] command in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining an operation according to the [delete] command in FIG. 9;

[Explanation of symbols]

1-File server; 1A-File server unit; 1B-Script execution unit; 1C-Directory management unit; 1D-File monitoring unit; 1E-Script / data file reading unit; 2--File System; 3--Network; 4-4n-Client.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A filing means having a file directory, a processing execution means for processing a second file based on a first file describing a processing execution procedure, and a file including the first file describing a processing execution procedure. Corresponding to the holding means to hold in correspondence with the directory and the storage of the file in the file directory,
A file corresponding to the file directory held in the holding means is the first file, and the stored file is passed to the processing execution means as the second file. A characteristic electronic filing device. 2. The holding means stores a file describing a processing procedure for causing the holding means to hold the first file describing a processing execution procedure based on a file stored in a specific file directory. The electronic filing device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic filing device is configured to be held in association with the specific file directory. 3. An electronic filing apparatus having a file directory, which corresponds to the storage of the file in the file directory and processes the stored file based on an execution processing procedure associated with the file directory. File processing method.