JP2001188739A - System for approving document on internet in www base - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a document approving system for saving any labor for document approval. SOLUTION: A document preparing side 1 prepares electronic signature data 112 by an electronic signature generating module 101 based on a prepared document 111, and then up-loads the prepared document 111 and the electronic signature data 112 to a WWW server 2. Then, a document approval side 4 down-loads the prepared document and the electronic signature data, and verifies the electronic signature data by an electronic signature verifying module 402, and confirms that the prepared document is obtained from the document preparation side, and prepares an approval situation message 413 indicating approval or non-approval based on the contents of the prepared document, and generates electronic signature data 414 by an electronic signature generating module 401. Then, the approval situation message 413 and the electronic signature data 414 are up-loaded to the WWW server 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a WWW (World Wi-Fi).
The present invention relates to a document approval system for approving documents on the Internet based on de Web).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a conventional document approval system on the Internet based on e-mail. In FIG. The document approval side, 94, is the Internet. Next, the configuration of the document creation side 91 will be described. Reference numeral 911 denotes an electronic signature generation module that operates on the document creation side 91 and is stored in the main storage device. Reference numeral 912 denotes the document creation side 91.
913 is electronic mail software that operates on the document creation side 91 and is stored in the main storage device. 915 is a document created by the document creator (hereinafter referred to as a created document) and stored in an external storage device. Reference numeral 915 denotes electronic signature data (hereinafter referred to as created Digital signature data corresponding to document 914)
916, which is stored in the external storage device, is an approval status message received from the first document approval side 92, and indicates the approval result of the first document approval side 92 for the created document. 917 is the electronic signature data received from the first document approval side 92 stored in the storage device, and 918 is the approval status message received from the second document approval side 93 stored in the external storage device 919, which is stored in the external storage device, is the digital signature data received from the second document approval side 92, and is stored in the external storage device.

Next, the configuration of the first document approval side 92 will be described. 921 is the first document approver 92
922 is a digital signature generation module which operates on the main document storage device.
Reference numeral 923 denotes an electronic signature verification module that operates on the main document storage device, and 923 denotes electronic mail software that operates on the first document approval side 92 and is stored in the main storage device. Is a created document received from the document creating side 91 (the content is the same as the created document 914 of the document creating side 91), stored in the external storage device, and 925 is the electronic signature data (the document The content 926 is the same as that of the digital signature data 915 of the creator 91 and is stored in the external storage device. This is the approval status message (the content is the same as the approval status message 916 of the document creation side 91), which is stored in the external storage device. 927 first document approval side 9 on the basis of the approval status messages 926
2 (hereinafter referred to as electronic signature data corresponding to the approval status message 926. The content is the same as the electronic signature data 917 of the document creating side 91)
And stored in the external storage device.

Next, the configuration of the second document approval side 93 will be described. 931 is the second document approver 93
932 is a digital signature generation module that operates on the main document storage device.
Reference numeral 933 denotes an electronic signature verification module that operates on the main storage device, and 933 denotes electronic mail software that operates on the second document approval side 93 and is stored in the main storage device. Is a created document received from the document creating side 91 (the content is the same as the created document 914 of the document creating side 91) and stored in the external storage device, and 935 is the electronic signature data (the document The content is the same as that of the digital signature data 915 of the creator 91 and is stored in the external storage device. The reference numeral 936 indicates an approval result that is created by the second document approver 93 and that approves or rejects the created document 934. This is an approval status message (the content is the same as the approval status message 916 of the document creation side 91), which is stored in the external storage device. Reference numeral 937 denotes electronic signature data created by the second document approval side 93 based on the approval status message 936 (hereinafter referred to as electronic signature data corresponding to the approval status message 936. An electronic signature data corresponding to the approval status message of the document creation side 91). The content is the same as the signature data 917), and is stored in the external storage device.

Although there is usually at least one document approval side, in this conventional example, only two of the first and second document approval sides are selected from a plurality of document approval sides in order to simplify the description. The case where it exists is described.

Next, the operation of the conventional document approval system will be described with reference to FIG. A first document approval side 92 and a second document approval for a document created by the document creation side 91 while completely assuring that no manipulation such as tampering or impersonation by others is performed on the way through the Internet 94; In order for the document creation side 91 to confirm the approval result of the side 93, the following processing procedure was performed using the conventional e-mail software. (1) After creating the document, the document creating side 91 creates electronic signature data 915 corresponding to the created document 914 based on the created document 914 using the electronic signature generation module 911, and uses e-mail software. Then, the created document 914 and the electronic signature data 915 corresponding to the created document 914 are transmitted to the first document approval side 92 and the second document approval side 93. (2) The created document 914 is transmitted to the Internet 94
Created document to first document approval side 92 via
924 and delivered to the second document approver 93 as a created document 934. Also, the transmitted digital signature data 915 is delivered as electronic signature data 925 to the first document approval side 92 via the Internet 94, and is sent to the second document approval side 93.
Delivered as 5. In this case, the document creator 9
It is necessary to transmit the created document and the electronic signature data twice each from the first to both the first and second document approval sides. Generally, the number of document approvers is N (N
Is a natural number), the document creator 91 needs to transmit the created document and the electronic signature data corresponding to the created document N times.

(3) Next, the first document approval side 92 uses the electronic mail software 923 to create the document
After receiving the digital signature data 925, the digital signature data 925 is verified by using the digital signature verification module 922. If the verification is not completed normally, the created document is not from the document creator 91 or another person. To indicate that it has been tampered with. Accordingly, the verifier performs processing such as deletion on the created document. Upon successful completion of the verification, it can be confirmed that the received created document 924 is definitely the document creating side 91. Next, when the verification is completed successfully, the first document approval side 92 checks the content of the received created document 924 at the first document approval side 92, and when the content is approved, an approval status message indicating approval. In the case of not approving the 926, an approval status message 926 indicating that the 926 is not approved is created. Next, the first document approval side 92 uses the digital signature generation module 921 to generate electronic signature data 927 corresponding to the approval status message 926 based on the approval status message 926. Next, the first document approver 92 uses the e-mail software 923 to approve the approval status message 926 and the approval status message 9.
Digital signature data 927 corresponding to 26
Send to 1.

(4) Similarly, the second document approval side 93
Uses the e-mail software 933 to create documents 9
After receiving the digital signature data 935 from 1, the digital signature data 935 is verified using the digital signature verification module 932, and if the verification is not completed normally, the created document is not from the document creator 91 or Displays that it has been tampered with by others. Accordingly, the verifier performs processing such as deletion on the created document. Upon successful completion of the verification, it is confirmed that the created document 934 received is definitely the document creating side 91. Next, when the verification is completed successfully, the verifier checks the content of the received created document 934 at the second document approval side 93, and when the content is approved, an approval status message indicating approval. If no approval is given, an approval status message 936 indicating that approval is not made is created. Next, the second document approval side 93 uses the digital signature generation module 931 to generate electronic signature data 937 corresponding to the approval status message 936 based on the approval status message 936. Next, the second document approver 93 uses the e-mail software 933 to approve the approval status message 936 and the approval status message 936.
Digital signature data 937 corresponding to
Send to

(5) The approval status message 926 from the first document approval side 92 and the electronic signature data 927 corresponding to the approval status message 926 are transmitted to the document creation side 91 via the Internet 94. It is delivered as electronic signature data 917 corresponding to the approval status message 916. The approval status message 936 from the second document approval side 93 and the electronic signature data 937 corresponding to the approval status message 936 are transmitted over the Internet.
The document is sent to the document creating side 91 via 94, and is delivered as an electronic signature data 919 corresponding to the approval status message 918 and the approval status message 918, respectively.

(6) The document creating side 91 receives and stores the approval status message 916 and the electronic signature data 917 corresponding to the approval status message 916 from the first document approval side 92 using the electronic mail software 913. Next, the document creating side 91 verifies the electronic signature data 917 using the electronic signature verification module 912. If this verification is not completed successfully, an approval status message 916 indicates that it is not from the first document approver 92 or has been tampered with by others. As a result, the document creator performs processing such as deletion on the approval status message 916. The document creation side 91 can confirm that the approval status message 916 received is definitely from the first document approval side 92 by verifying the electronic signature data 917 normally. Next, if the verification is completed successfully, the document creator 91
Displays the contents of the approval status message 916. Thus, the document creator grasps the approval result of the first document approval side 92 for the document 914 created by the document creator. (7) Similarly, the document creation side 91 is the e-mail software 9
13 and receives and stores the approval status message 918 and the electronic signature data 919 corresponding to the approval status message 918 from the second document approval side 93. Next, the document creation side 91 verifies the electronic signature data 919 using the electronic signature verification module 912. If this verification is not completed successfully, the approval status message 986 indicates that it is not from the second document approval side 93 or has been tampered with by another person. As a result, the document creator performs processing such as deletion on the approval status message 918. The document creation side 91 confirms that the verification status message 918 received from the second document approval side 93 is definitely from the successful completion of the verification of the electronic signature data 919. Next, the document creating side 91 displays the contents of the approval status message 918. Thus, the document creator grasps the approval result of the first document approval side 93 for the document 914 created by the document creator.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a system in a case where document approval sides grasp each other's approval status in a conventional document approval system. 14, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 13 indicate the same or corresponding parts. Reference numeral 928 denotes an approval status request message created by the first document approval side 92. Reference numeral 929 denotes electronic signature data (hereinafter, approval status request) created by the first document approval side 92 based on the approval status request message 928. 92a is the approval status message received from the second document approval side 93; 92b is the electronic signature data received from the second document approval side 93 (in the approval status request message 92a) 938 is an approval status request message received from the first document approval side 92; 939 is an electronic signature data received from the first document approval side 92 (corresponding to the approval status request message 938). Electronic signature data).

Next, the operation in the case where the document approval sides grasp each other's approval status will be described with reference to FIG. For example, when the first document approval side 92 wants to grasp the approval status of the second document approval side 93, the operator inputs the approval status using external input means such as key input on the first document approval side 92. Make instructions. Based on this operation, the first document approval side 92 creates an approval status request message 928 indicating that the second document approval side 93 requests the approval status of the created document. Next, the electronic signature generation module 921 is used to create electronic signature data 929 corresponding to the approval status request message 928 based on the approval status request message 928. Next, the approval status request message 928 and the electronic signature data 929 corresponding to the approval status request message 928 are transmitted to the second document approval side 93 using the electronic mail software 923.

The approval status request message 928 and the electronic signature data 929 corresponding to the approval status request message 928 are sent via the Internet, and are sent as approval status request messages 938 and electronic signature data 939 corresponding to the approval status request messages 938, respectively. 2 is sent to the document approval side 93.

The second document approval side 93 uses the electronic mail software 933 to execute the approval status request message 938 and the electronic signature data 9 corresponding to the approval status request message 938.
39 is received from the first document approver 92 and stored. Next, the second document approval side 93 verifies the electronic signature data 939 corresponding to the approval status request message 938 using the electronic signature verification module 932. If the verification of the electronic signature data 939 is not completed normally, the received approval status request message 938 displays an error indicating that it is not from the first document approval side or has been falsified by another person. Accordingly, the verifier of the second document approval side 93 performs processing such as deletion on the approval status request message 938. This digital signature data 939
If the verification of the document is completed successfully, the second document approval side
93 is sure that the approval status request message 938 is the first
The second document approver 93 can confirm that the approval result has been requested by referring to the contents of the approval status request message 938 because the document approval side 92 can confirm that the approval result is obtained from the document approval side 92 Know. Therefore,
An approval status message 936 indicating the approval result such as approval or non-approval stored, and this approval status message 936
Is transmitted to the first document approval side 92 using the electronic mail software 933 as a response.

The approval status message 936 and the electronic signature data 937 corresponding to the approval status message 936 are sent via the Internet 94, and are respectively approved as an approval status message 92a and electronic signature data 92b corresponding to the approval status message 92a. 1 to the document approval side 92.

The first document approval side 92 sends the approval status message 92a and the electronic signature data 92b corresponding to the approval status message 92a to the first document using the electronic mail software 923.
Received from the document approval side 92 and stored. next,
The first document approval side 92 is the electronic signature verification module 9
Using 22, the digital signature data 92b corresponding to the approval status message 92a is verified. If the verification of the electronic signature data 92b is not completed normally, the received approval status message
Reference numeral 92a indicates that the document is not from the second document approval side or has been tampered with by another person. As a result, the verifier performs processing such as deletion on the approval status message 92a. If the verification of the electronic signature data 92b is completed normally, the first document approval side 92 can confirm that the approval status message 92b is definitely from the second document approval side 93. Next, when the verification of the electronic signature data 92b is completed normally,
The first document approver 92 sends this approval status message
Display the contents of 92a. Thereby, the verifier of the first document approval side 92 can confirm the approval result of the second document approval side 93 for the created document.

When the second document approval side 93 wants to know the approval status of the first document approval side 92, the operation is the same except that the direction is reversed.

As described above, when the first document approval side wants to know the approval result of the second document approval side, the first document approval side
It is necessary to transmit the approval status request message and the electronic signature data corresponding to this approval status request message once from the document approval side to the second document approval side. In response to this, an approval status message and digital signature data corresponding to the approval status message are transmitted once from the second document approval side to the first document approval side. Generally, there are a plurality of document approval sides, and a certain document approval side is N (N is a natural number)
When it is desired to grasp the approval result of the other document approver, this document approver sends an approval status request message and electronic signature data corresponding to this approval status request message once to each document approver other than itself. It must be transmitted N times for convenience.

[0019]

Since the conventional document approval system on the Internet using e-mail is configured as described above, the document creator sends an electronic document to the document approval side when sending the created document to the document approval side. The problem that the created document and the corresponding digital signature data must be sent to all the document approval sides using mail software, and the operation of sending the created document becomes more complicated as the number of document approval sides increases. was there.

Further, in order for the document approval sides to grasp each other's approval status, messages for requesting the approval status or responding to the approval status are transmitted / received using electronic mail software. There is a problem that as the number of document approval parties increases, the transmission operation of a message such as responding to the approval status request message and the corresponding digital signature data or the approval status message and the corresponding digital signature data becomes more complicated. Was.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has as its object to provide a document approval system that eliminates the trouble of document approval.

[0022]

A document approval system according to a first aspect of the present invention has a WWW (World Wide Web) server, is connected to the WWW server via a network, and has an electronic signature generation unit and an electronic signature verification unit. Including at least one document producing client,
The WWW server includes an upload unit and a download unit, and the document creating client includes:
First digital signature data is created by electronic signature generation means based on the created document (hereinafter referred to as created document), and the upload of the created document is requested to the WWW server, and the WWW server uploads the created document. Upon receipt of the request, the upload means causes the created document and the first
The electronic signature data is uploaded and stored from the client on the document creating side that has made the request.

A document approval system according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a WWW server and at least one client connected to the WWW server via a network and having an electronic signature generation unit, an electronic signature verification unit, and a display unit. Wherein the at least one client includes a document creator client and a document approval client, wherein the WWW server comprises upload means and download means, and wherein the document approval client comprises the document stored by the WWW server. The WWW server requests the WWW server to download a created document by a creating client. When the WWW server receives the download request of the created document, the WWW server stores the created document stored by the download unit. And the stored first electronic signature data is downloaded to the requesting client, the document approval side client, and the document approval side client downloads the first electronic signature data by the electronic signature verification means. After verifying and verifying that the downloaded created document is protected from malicious spoofing and falsification, if approving the downloaded created document, create an approval status message indicating approval and confirm the approval. If not, an approval status message indicating non-approval is created, second electronic signature data is generated by the electronic signature generation means based on the approval status message, and upload of the approval status message is sent to the WWW server. Request,
Upon receiving the approval status message upload request, the WWW server uploads the approval status message from the document approval side client and the second digital signature data by the upload means from the document approval side client and stores them. .

A document approval system according to a third aspect of the present invention includes a WWW server and at least one client connected to the WWW server via a network and having an electronic signature generation unit, an electronic signature verification unit, and a display unit. Wherein the at least one client comprises a document creator client and a document approval client, wherein the WWW server comprises upload means and download means, and wherein the document creator client is provided by the WWW server. Requesting the WWW server to download an approval status message by a document approval side client;
When the WWW server receives the request for downloading the approval status message, the download means stores the stored approval status message and the stored second storage message.
Downloads the electronic signature data to the document creation client that is the requesting source, and the document creation client verifies the downloaded second electronic signature data by the electronic signature verification unit, and checks the downloaded approval status. After verifying that the message is protected from malicious spoofing or tampering, the content of the downloaded approval status message is displayed on the display means.

A document approval system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention includes a WWW server and at least one client connected to the WWW server via a network and having an electronic signature generation unit, an electronic signature verification unit, and a display unit. Wherein the at least one client includes a document creator client and a document acknowledgment client, the WWW server includes upload means and download means, and wherein the document creator client includes an electronic signature generation means based on the created document. Generates the first digital signature data, requests the WWW server to upload the created document, and when the WWW server receives the upload request for the created document, the uploading means creates the created document by the upload unit. The document and the first electronic signature data are uploaded and stored from the requesting document creator client, and the document approval client requests the WWW server to download the created document stored in the WWW server. , Said W
When the WW server receives the download request for the created document, the download unit downloads the stored created document and the stored first electronic signature data to the requesting client, the document approval side client, by the download unit. The document-approving client verifies the downloaded first digital signature data by the digital signature verifying means, and verifies that the downloaded created document is protected from malicious spoofing and tampering. If the downloaded created document is approved, an approval status message indicating approval is created. If not approved, an approval status message indicating non-approval is created. By the second electronic station To generate the data, to request the upload of the approval status message to the WWW server,
Upon receiving the approval status message upload request, the WWW server uploads the approval status message from the document approval side client and the second digital signature data by the upload means from the document approval side client and stores them. .

A document approval system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention includes a WWW server and at least one client connected to the WWW server via a network and having an electronic signature generation unit, an electronic signature verification unit, and a display unit. The at least one client includes a document creation client and a document approval client, the WWW server includes an upload unit and a download unit, and the document creation client includes a created document (hereinafter referred to as a created document). ), First electronic signature data is created by electronic signature generation means, and uploading of the created document is requested to the WWW server. When the WWW server receives the upload request of the created document, Uploading means by store and upload the said created documents first electronic signature data from the request source of the document producer client, the document approval side client the WW
The W server requests the WWW server to download the created document stored by the W server. When the WWW server receives the download request of the created document, the download unit stores the stored created document and the stored second document. 1. The electronic signature data of (1) is downloaded to the requesting client, which is the document approver.
After verifying the downloaded first digital signature data by the digital signature verifying means and verifying that the downloaded created document is protected from malicious spoofing or tampering, approving the downloaded created document. If not, an approval status message indicating approval is created. If not approved, an approval status message indicating non-approval is created. Based on the approval status message, a second electronic signature is generated by the electronic signature generation means. Generating an approval status message, and requesting the WWW server to upload the approval status message. When the WWW server receives the upload request for the approval status message, the upload means transmits the approval status message and the second electronic signature data by the upload unit. The document approval client The document creation client requests the WWW server to download the approval status message stored in the WWW server, and the WWW server receives the approval status message download request and stores the document. The downloading means downloads the stored approval status message and the stored second digital signature data to the requesting client, the document creating client, and the document creating client downloads the second electronic signature data. After verifying that the downloaded approval status message is protected from malicious spoofing or tampering by verifying the electronic signature data of the electronic signature data by the electronic signature verification unit, the content of the downloaded approval status message is displayed. hand It is intended to be displayed on.

A document approval system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention includes a WWW server, and at least one client connected to the WWW server via a network and having an electronic signature generation unit and an electronic signature verification unit. At least one client includes a document creation client and a document approval client, and the WWW server includes a created document upload unit, a created document download unit, an electronic signature data upload unit, and an electronic signature data download unit; The side client creates first digital signature data by electronic signature generation means based on the created document (hereinafter referred to as created document), and uploads the created document to the WWW. When the WWW server receives a request to upload the created document, the created document uploading means sends the created document, and the electronic signature data uploading means sends the first electronic signature data to the requesting source. Uploaded from the document creation client and stored, the document approval client is the WWW
The server requests the WWW server to download the created document stored in the server, and when the WWW server receives the download request of the created document, the created document downloading unit converts the stored created document into the electronic signature. The stored first electronic signature data is downloaded by the data download means to the requesting client, the document approval side client, and the document approval side client verifies the downloaded first electronic signature data with the electronic signature verification Means to verify the downloaded created document is protected from malicious spoofing or falsification, and then approve the downloaded created document. In the case where the approval status message is not approved, an approval status message indicating non-approval is created, and based on the approval status message, the second electronic signature data is generated by the electronic signature generation means. Requesting upload from the WWW server,
When the WWW server receives the upload request for the approval status message, the WWW server uploads the approval status message by the created document upload unit, and uploads the second electronic signature data from the document approval side client by the electronic signature data upload unit. It is something to keep.

A document approval system according to a seventh aspect of the present invention includes a WWW server and at least one client connected to the WWW server via a network and having an electronic signature generation unit, an electronic signature verification unit, and a display unit. Wherein the at least one client includes a document creation client and a document approval client, and the WWW server includes created document upload means, created document download means, electronic signature data upload means, and electronic signature data download means. The document creation client creates first digital signature data based on the created document (hereinafter referred to as a created document) by electronic signature generation means, and uploads the created document. The request to the WWW server, the W
When the WW server receives the upload request for the created document, the WW server uploads the created document by the created document upload unit, and uploads the first digital signature data from the document creating client that has issued the request by the electronic signature data upload unit. And the document approval side client requests the WWW server to download the created document stored in the WWW server,
Upon receiving the request for downloading the created document, the WW server requests the stored created document by the created document download unit and the first electronic signature data stored by the electronic signature data download unit. The downloaded document is downloaded to the document-approving client, and the downloaded document is protected from malicious spoofing or falsification by the digital signature verifying means. After verifying that the downloaded document is approved, an approval status message indicating approval is created when approving the downloaded created document, and an approval status message indicating non-approval is created when not approved, and this approval status message is generated. Wherein the digital signature generating means generates a second digital signature data, requests the uploading of the approval status message to the WWW server on the basis of,
When the WWW server receives the upload request for the approval status message, the WWW server uploads the approval status message by the created document upload unit, and uploads the second electronic signature data from the document approval side client by the electronic signature data upload unit. Storing, the document creating client requests the WWW server to download the approval status message stored by the WWW server;
When the WWW server receives the download request for the approval status message, the WWW server stores the stored approval status message by the created document download unit, the stored second electronic signature data by the electronic signature data download unit, Downloading the document to the requesting document creation client, the document creation client verifies the downloaded second electronic signature data by the electronic signature verification unit, and the downloaded approval status message is malicious. After verifying that the information is protected from spoofing or tampering, the content of the downloaded approval status message is displayed on the display means.

A document approval system according to an eighth aspect of the present invention provides a WWW server and at least one client connected to the WWW server via a network and having an electronic signature generation unit, an electronic signature verification unit, and a display unit. Wherein the at least one client includes a document authoring client and a document authorizing client, the document authorizing client including a first document authorizing client and at least one second document authorizing client; The WWW server includes an upload unit and a download unit, and the second document approval-side client downloads an approval status message from the first document approval-side client stored in the WWW server. A request to the WWW server, the WWW server first that the storage by the downloading means and accepts a download request for approval status message by said first document approval side client from the second document approval side client
Downloads the approval status message from the document approval side client and the stored second digital signature data to the requesting second document approval side client, and the second document approval side client downloads After verifying the second digital signature data by the digital signature verifying means and verifying that the downloaded approval status message from the first document approval client is protected from malicious spoofing or tampering, The content of the downloaded approval status message is displayed on the display means.

A document approval system according to a ninth aspect of the present invention includes a WWW server and at least one client connected to the WWW server via a network and having an electronic signature generation unit, an electronic signature verification unit, and a display unit. Wherein the at least one client includes a document authoring client and a document authorizing client, the document authorizing client including a first document authorizing client and at least one second document authorizing client; The WWW server includes an upload unit and a download unit, and the first document approval side client requests the WWW server to download a created document stored in the WWW server,
When the WWW server receives the download request for the created document, the download unit stores the created document and the stored first document by the download unit.
Is downloaded to the requesting first document approval side client, and the first document approval side client downloads the downloaded first digital signature data by the digital signature verification means. After verifying that the created document is protected from malicious spoofing or falsification, if approving the downloaded created document, create an approval status message indicating the approval,
If not approved, an approval status message indicating non-approval is created, second electronic signature data is generated by the electronic signature generation means based on the approval status message, and the upload of the approval status message is sent to the WWW server. The WWW server accepts the upload request for the approval status message, and uploads and stores the approval status message and the second electronic signature data from the first document approval side client by the upload means, The second document approval side client requests the WWW server to download an approval status message by the first document approval side client stored in the WWW server, and the WWW server sends the first document approval side By client When a download request for an approval status message is received from the second document approval side client, an approval status message by the first document approval side client stored by the download means and the stored second electronic signature data are received. Is downloaded to the requesting second document approval side client, and the second document approval side client verifies the downloaded second electronic signature data by the electronic signature verification means, and downloads the downloaded second electronic signature data. After verifying that the approval status message from the first document approval side client is protected from malicious spoofing or falsification, the contents of the downloaded approval status message are displayed on the display means.

A document approval system according to a tenth aspect of the present invention includes a WWW server and at least one client connected to the WWW server via a network and having an electronic signature generation unit, an electronic signature verification unit, and a display unit. Wherein the at least one client includes a document authoring client and a document authorizing client, the document authorizing client including a first document authorizing client and at least one second document authorizing client; The WWW server includes an upload unit and a download unit, and the first document approval side client requests the WWW server to download a created document stored in the WWW server, and the WWW server Receiving the download request for the created document, the download unit downloads the stored created document and the stored first electronic signature data to the first document approval side client that is the request source, The first
After verifying that the created document downloaded by the digital signature verifying means is protected from malicious spoofing or falsification, the document approval side client of the If the created document is approved, an approval status message indicating approval is created.If the approval is not approved, an approval status message indicating non-approval is created. 2 to generate the electronic signature data and upload the approval status message to the WW
When a request is made to the W server and the WWW server receives the upload request for the approval status message, the upload means uploads the approval status message and the second digital signature data from the first document approval side client and stores them. The second document approval client requests the WWW server to download an approval status message from the first document approval client stored in the WWW server, and the WWW server sends the first document to the first document approval client. When a download request for an approval status message by the approval side client is received from the second document approval side client, an approval status message by the first document approval side client stored by the download means is stored. Downloads the stored second digital signature data to the requesting second document approval client, and the second document approval client downloads the downloaded second digital signature data to the second document approval client. After verifying by the electronic signature verifying means that the approval status message downloaded by the first document approval side client is protected from malicious spoofing or falsification, the content of the downloaded approval status message Is displayed on the display means.

In the document approval system according to the eleventh aspect, the client may include a folder for storing files related to document creation and document approval, and a method for collectively deleting the folder when the files become unnecessary. , Unnecessary data batch deletion means for generating an empty folder.

[0033]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing Embodiment 1 of a document approval system on the Internet based on the WWW according to the present invention. FIG.
Where 1 is the document creation client and 2 is W
A WW server, 3 is the Internet, and 4 is a document approval side client. Next, the configuration of the document creation client 1 will be described. Reference numeral 101 denotes an electronic signature generation module that operates on the document creation client 1 and is stored in the main storage device. Reference numeral 102 denotes an electronic signature verification module that operates on the document creation client 1 and is stored in the main storage device. Reference numeral 111 denotes a created document created by the document creator in the document creating client 1 and is stored in the external storage device. Reference numeral 112 denotes the document creating client 1 based on the created document 111.
(Hereinafter referred to as digital signature data corresponding to the created document 111)
Reference numeral 113 stored in the external storage device denotes an approval status message received from the document approval side client 4, which indicates an approval result of the document approval side client 4 for the created document, and is stored in the external storage device. , 114 are digital signature data (digital signature data corresponding to the approval status message 113) received from the document approval side client 4, and are stored in the external storage device.

Next, the configuration of the WWW server 2 will be described. An upload module 201 operates on the WWW server 2 and is stored in the main storage device. The upload module 201 includes the following three modules. A document upload module 203, which is stored in the main storage device, operates on the WWW server 2 and uploads digital signature data from the document creation client 1 or the document approval client 4 Reference numeral 204 denotes an electronic signature data upload module stored in the main storage device, which operates on the WWW server 2 and is an approval status message upload module for uploading an approval status message from the document approval side client 4. Main memory Stored in location 205 is a download module operating on the WWW server 2, it is stored in the external storage device,
Reference numeral 206 denotes a created document download module which operates on the WWW server 2 and downloads the created document 211 to the document approval side client 4, including the following three modules. An electronic signature data download module that operates on the WWW server 2 and downloads electronic signature data to the document creation client 1 or the document approval side 4 is stored in the main storage device. And a download module 211 for downloading an approval status message to the document approval side client 4 and stored in the main storage device. Reference numeral 211 denotes a created document uploaded from the document creation side client 1 to the WWW server 2 ( Document creation The same content is) and 1 creating document 111, are stored in the external storage device, 212 creates uploaded from the document producer client 1 to the WWW server 2 Documents 21
The electronic signature data (the same content as the electronic signature data 114 of the document creation side 1) corresponding to 1 and stored in the external storage device. 213 is uploaded from the document approval side client 4 to the WWW server 2. 214 is an approval status message stored in the external storage device.
This is electronic signature data corresponding to the approval status message 213 uploaded to the server 2, and is stored in the external storage device.

Next, the client 4 on the document approval side
Will be described. Reference numeral 401 denotes an electronic signature generation module that operates on the document approval side client 4 and is stored in the main storage device. Reference numeral 402 denotes an electronic signature verification module that runs on the document approval side client 4 and is stored in the main storage device. Reference numeral 411 denotes a created document (the same content as the created document 111 of the document creator 1 and the created document 211 of the WWW server 2) downloaded from the WWW server 2 to the client 4 on the document approval side. 412 is the created document 4 downloaded from the WWW server 2 to the document approval client 4
11 corresponding to the electronic signature data (the electronic signature data 112 of the document creator 1 and the electronic signature data 21 of the WWW server 2).
413, which is stored in the external storage device. Reference numeral 413 denotes an approval status message (document creation side 1) indicating an approval result that the document approval side client 4 approves or rejects the created document 411. Is the same as the approval status message 113 of the WWW server 2 and the content of the approval status message 213 of the WWW server 2). The electronic signature data 114 corresponding to the approval status message of the document creator 1 and the electronic signature data 214 corresponding to the approval status message of the WWW server 2 have the same contents, and are stored in the external storage device.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the document creating client 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the document approval side client 4 in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the WWW server 2 according to the first embodiment. Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. FIG. First, in the document creation client 1, a document creator creates a document (creation document) 111 including text data, graphics, and image data using a known technique such as a word processor or a text editor. Next, based on the created document 111, the digital signature generation module 101
Is used to generate digital signature data 112 corresponding to created document 111 (step S201).

Next, the document creator performs an operation to instruct to upload the created document 111 to the WWW server by using the upload screen of the homepage constructed on the Web browser. FIG. 9 shows an example of a screen used in this operation. On this screen, select the file name to be uploaded (created document, approval status message, etc.). Here, in order to select a created document, a check mark is put on the created document as shown in FIG. 9, and "Yes" is selected by an input means such as a mouse. With this upload operation, the document creation client 1 first requests the WWW server 2 to upload the created document 111. This upload request is delivered to the WWW server 2 via the Internet. When the WWW server 2 receives the upload request from the document creating client 1, the created document upload module 20
2, the created document 111 is uploaded from the document creating client 1 to the WWW server 2. Further, the created document upload module 11
Created document 111 uploaded on WWW server 2
A third party who stores the created document 211 and accesses the WWW server 2 generates and sets a hyperlink between the created document 211 and the created document download module 206 so that the created document 211 can be downloaded. (Step S402).
Next, the WWW server 2 sends a normal upload completion message to the document creating client 1 as a response. This normal upload end is received by the document creation client 1 via the Internet 4. Thus, the upload of the created document 111 from the document creating client 1 to the WWW server 2 is completed (step S202).

Subsequently, the document creating client 1 requests the WWW server 2 to upload the digital signature data 112 corresponding to the created document 111. This upload request is sent to WWW via Internet 3
Delivered to server 2. When the WWW server 2 receives the request for uploading the electronic signature data 112, the electronic signature data upload module 203 of the WWW server 2 is used to transmit the electronic signature data 112 corresponding to the created document 111 from the client 1 on the document creating side to the WWW server. Upload to 2. Further, the electronic signature data upload module 203 stores the electronic signature data 112 uploaded on the WWW server 2 as the electronic signature data 212, and enables a third party accessing the WWW server 2 to download the electronic signature data 212. For this purpose, a hyperlink between the electronic signature data 212 and the electronic signature data download module 207 is generated and set (step S404). Next, the WWW server 2 sends a normal upload completion message to the document creating client 1 as a response. This upload is completed successfully via the Internet 4 via the document creation client 1
Is received. Thus, the upload of the electronic signature data 112 from the created document side client 1 to the WWW server 2 is completed (step S203).

Next, the document creating client 1
In, the document creator performs an operation of searching for an approval status message on the WWW server using the download screen of the homepage constructed on the Web browser in order to check the approval status of the document approval side client 4. Based on this operation, the document creation client 1 accesses the WWW server 2 (step S204). Upon receiving this access, the WWW server 2 transmits the client name and file name of the other party regarding all the created documents and the approval status message stored in its own server to the access source (step S41).
4). Here, a document creation client is transmitted as the client name of the created document, and only the created document is transmitted as the file name. The transmitted information is sent to the document creating side 1 and displayed on the download screen of the homepage. In particular, when a hyperlink is set, it is displayed in another color (for example, blue). Therefore, on the download screen, only the document creation client as the client name and the created document as the file name are displayed. Until the approval status message from the document approval side client 4 is uploaded to the WWW server 2 and the uploaded approval status message is displayed on the download screen of the document creation side client 1 and confirmed by the document creator, The above-described approval status confirmation operation is repeatedly performed as needed (steps S204 and S205).

On the other hand, the client 4 on the document approval side
, The document approver performs an operation of searching for a created document on the WWW server using the download screen of the homepage shown in FIG. 11 as needed until the created document is found. Based on this operation, the document approval side client 4 accesses the WWW server 2 (step S301). Upon receiving this access, the WWW server 2 transmits the client name and file name of the other party regarding all the created documents and the approval status message stored in the server itself to the access source (step S414). Here, a document creation client is transmitted as the client name of the created document, and only the created document is transmitted as the file name. The transmitted information is sent to the document approval side 4 and displayed on the download screen of the homepage. In particular, when a hyperlink is set, it is displayed in another color (for example, blue). Therefore, on the download screen, the document creation client,
Only the created document is displayed as the file name (step S302). Therefore, the document verifier puts a check mark in the created document, and selects "Yes" with a mouse or the like. Based on this selection operation, the document approval side client 4
Request the download of the created document to 2. WWW
When the server 2 receives the download request from the document approval client 4, it creates a creation document 211 with a hyperlink set from the WWW server 2 to the requesting document approval client 4 using the creation document download module 206. to download. (Step S408). The document approval side client 4 stores the created document 211 downloaded from the WWW server 2 as the created document 411 (step S303).

Next, the client 4 on the document approval side
Is the electronic signature data 212 corresponding to the created document 211
Requesting the WWW server 2 to download the electronic signature data 212. When the WWW server 2 receives the electronic signature data 212 download request, the electronic signature data 212 is transmitted from the WWW server 2 to the document approval side client 4 using the electronic signature data download module 207. (Step S410). Document approval side client 4 is WW
The digital signature data 212 downloaded from the W server 2 is stored as the digital signature data 412 (step S30).
4).

Next, the document approval side client 4
Performs signature verification in order to verify whether or not the created document 411 is from the document creating client 1 (step S305). The signature verification is performed by using the digital signature verification module 402 to generate the digital signature data 4.
12 and the created document 411.

If the signature verification is not normally performed, the document approval side client 4 displays that the downloaded created document 411 is not a document created by the document creating client 1 or has been falsified by another person. (Step S
306). If the signature verification is successful, the temporary file 18 is definitely
Is displayed, and a screen prompting the user to input whether or not to approve the created document is displayed (step S307).

In the signature verification in step S305, if it can be confirmed that the created document 411 is definitely created by the document creating client 1, the document approving client 4
The document verifier checks the contents of the created document 411 and performs an input of approval or non-approval. Then, if the content of the created document 411 is not approved, the document approval-side client 4 creates an approval status message 413 indicating that the content is not approved, and then uses the electronic signature generation module to generate an electronic signature corresponding to the approval status message. The signature data 414 is generated (Step S30)
8). If the content of the created document 411 is to be approved, an approval status message 413 for approval is created, and subsequently, electronic signature data 414 corresponding to the approval status message is generated using an electronic signature generation module ( Step S309).

Next, the document approval side client 4
Requests the WWW server 2 to upload the approval status message 413. Upon receiving the upload request for the approval status message 413, the WWW server 2 uploads the approval status message 413 from the document approval side client 4 to the WWW server 2 using the approval status message upload module 204. The approval status message upload module 204 further stores the approval status message 413 uploaded on the WWW server 2 as an approval status message 213, and enables a third party who has accessed the WWW server 2 to download the approval status message 213. For this purpose, a hyperlink between the approval status message 213 and the approval status message download module 208 is generated and set (step S40).
6). Next, normal upload completion is transmitted from the WWW server 2 to the document approval side client 4 as a response. This upload is completed successfully on Internet 4
Is received by the client 4 on the document approval side. From the above, the document approval side client 4
Upload of the approval status message 413 from the client to the WWW server 2 is completed (step S310).

Next, the client 4 on the document approval side
Is the electronic signature data 4 corresponding to the approval status message 413.
Request 14 uploads to WWW server 2. WWW
When the server 2 receives the upload request for the electronic signature data 414, the server 2 uploads the electronic signature data 414 from the document approval side client 4 to the WWW server 2 using the electronic signature data upload module 203. The electronic signature data upload module 203 further stores the electronic signature data uploaded on the WWW server 2.
The third party who has stored the 414 as the electronic signature data 214 and accessed the WWW server 2 has a hyperlink between the electronic signature data 214 and the electronic signature data download module 207 so that the electronic signature data 214 can be downloaded. A link is generated and set (step S404). next,
Successful upload is transmitted from the WWW server 2 to the document approval side client 4 as a response. The normal end of the upload is received by the client 4 on the document approval side via the Internet 4. Thus, the upload of the digital signature data 414 from the document approval side client 4 to the WWW server 2 is completed (step S311).

Next, the document creating client 1
During the period when the user repeatedly accesses the WWW server 2, the approval status message and the electronic signature data from the document approval side client 4 are uploaded to the WWW server 2 as described above, and the approval status message 213 is received.
When a hyperlink to the download module stored and stored as the electronic signature data 214 is generated and set,
W executed subsequently by the document creation client 1
At the time of access to the WWW server 2 (step S204), the client name and file name of the created document and the approval status message are transmitted from the WWW server 2 to the document creating side 1. Therefore, on the screen of the home page of the document creating side 1, the destination client name and the file name relating to the created document and the approval status message are displayed as shown in FIG. in this case,
Since both the created document and the approval status message have hyperlinks, they are displayed in another color (for example, blue). Therefore, the document creator puts a check mark in the approval status message and selects "Yes" using an external input means such as a mouse. Based on this selection operation, the document creator 1 requests the WWW server 2 to download an approval status message. When the WWW server 2 receives this download request, the approval status message 213 in which the hyperlink is set is converted into a W
Download from the WW server 2 to the client 1 on the document creation side. Document creation client 1
The downloaded approval status message 213 is stored as the approval status message 113 (step S206).
Subsequently, the document creator 1 receives an approval status message.
WW download of digital signature data 214 corresponding to 213
Request to W server 2. Upon receiving this download request, the WWW server 2 downloads the electronic signature data 214 to which the hyperlink is set from the WWW server 2 to the document creation client 1 using the electronic signature data download module 207. The document creating client 1 stores the digital signature data 214 corresponding to the downloaded approval status message as the digital signature data 114 (step S207).

Next, the document creating client 1
Performs signature verification of the electronic signature data 114. This signature verification is performed using the electronic signature verification module 102 based on the approval status message 113 and the electronic signature data 114 (step S208). If the signature verification is not performed normally, the document creation client 1 sends an approval status message to the document approval client 4.
An error message is displayed indicating that the file is not the original or has been tampered with by another person (step S209). As a result, the document verifier performs a deletion process on the approval status message. If the signature verification is normally performed, the document creation client 1 determines that the approval status message is definitely from the document approval client 4, and displays the content of the approval status message (step S1). S209). As a result, the document approver can grasp the approval result of the created document 111 of the document approval side client 4 based on the display contents.

In this example, although the number of the document approval side clients 4 is one, there are usually a plurality of (accurately at least one) document approval side clients.

According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. In the conventional technology of e-mail based document approval, the document creator 1
A plurality of (eg, N: N is a natural number) document approval sides of the created document 111 and the corresponding digital signature data 112
In the case of transmission to the document approval side 4, it is necessary to individually deliver the mail to the document approval side 4 N times, and this distribution work was complicated. WW
Since the created document on the W server and the corresponding digital signature data are automatically transferred to the plurality of document approval sides, the document creation side need only perform the upload process to the WWW server 2 once. Therefore, the trouble of distributing the created document and the corresponding digital signature data is eliminated, and the work efficiency can be improved.

Further, in the conventional document approval system based on electronic mail, the document approval side uses its approval result as an approval status message and corresponding electronic signature data from the document creation side to a plurality (for example, M: M is a natural number). ) When reporting to another document approval side, it was necessary to individually deliver the mail M times. However, in the present invention, the approval status message and the corresponding electronic signature data are uploaded to the WWW server 2 only once. I just need. Therefore, the trouble of distributing the approval status message and the corresponding digital signature data is eliminated,
Work efficiency can be improved.

Embodiment 2 In Embodiment 2, when there are a plurality of client clients on the document approval side, a process is shown in which the document approval sides can grasp the approval status of the created document 111 with respect to each other. Specifically, here, an embodiment in which the second document approval-side client 5 grasps the approval status of the first document approval-side client 4 will be described.

FIG. 5 is a system configuration diagram showing a second embodiment of the document approval on the Internet based on the WWW according to the present invention. In FIG. 5, 1 to 4
And 111 to 414 are the same as in FIG. 5 is a second document approval client. Reference numeral 502 denotes an electronic signature verification module that operates on the second document approval-side client 5 and is stored in the main storage device. Reference numeral 513 denotes a second document approval-side client 5 that the WWW server 2
514 is the approval status message of the first document approval side client 4 (having the same content as the approval status message 413 of the first document side client 4) downloaded from the external storage device. Document approval side client 5 is WWW server 2
The digital signature data of the first document-approving client 4 (having the same contents as the digital signature data 414 of the first document-side client 4) downloaded from the external storage device.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 shows a second approval-side client 5 in the second embodiment.
3 is a flowchart showing the operation between the server and the WWW server.
Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The steps from document creation to document approval by the first document approval client 4 and confirmation of the document approval status by the document creation client 1 are performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The subsequent operation will be described below. At this point, WW
The approval status message 413 from the first document approval side client 4 and the electronic signature data 414 corresponding to the approval status message have already been uploaded to the W server 2 and stored as the approval status message 213 and the electronic signature data 214, respectively. I have.

Second Document Approving Client 5
In the document verifier, the created document 411
In order to confirm the approval result of the first document approval side client 4 to the user, the download screen of the homepage constructed on the Web browser
An operation for searching for an approval status message on the WW server is performed. Based on this operation, the document creating client 1 accesses the WWW server 2 (step S60).
1). Upon receiving this access, the WWW server 2 transmits the client name and file name of the other party regarding all the created documents and the approval status message stored in the server itself to the access source (step S414). Here, the destination client name “document creation client” and file name “creation document” for the created document, and the destination client name “first approval client 4” for the approval status message
And the file name "Approval Status Message 213" is WWW
Sent from server 2 to document creator 1. The transmitted information is sent via the Internet 3 to the access-source second document approval client 5 and displayed on the download screen of the homepage. In particular, when a hyperlink is set, it is displayed in another color (for example, blue). Therefore, on the screen of the home page of the document creating side 1, the destination client name and the file name relating to the created document and the approval status message are displayed as shown in FIG. In this case, since the created document and the approval status message have hyperlinks, they are displayed in different colors. Therefore, the document creator puts a check mark in the approval status message and selects "Yes" using an external input means such as a mouse. Based on this selection operation, the second document approval-side client 5 requests the WWW server 2 to download the approval status message 213. WWW server 2
Upon accepting the download request of the approval status message 213, the approval status message download module 20 hyperlinked to the approval status message 213
8, the approval status message 213 is downloaded to the second document approval side client 5 (step S412).

Second Document Approving Client 5
Saves the downloaded approval status message 213 as the approval status message 513 (step S60).
3). Next, the second document approver client 5
Is the electronic signature data 214 corresponding to the approval status message 213
Is requested to the WWW server 2. WWW server
2 accepts a download request for the electronic signature data 214 corresponding to the approval status message, and uses the approval status message download module 208 hyperlinked to the approval status message 213 to convert the approval status message 213 to a second document. It is downloaded to the approval-side client 5 (step S410). The second document approval-side client 5 stores the downloaded approval status message 213 as an approval status message 513 (step S604).

Next, the second document approval-side client 5 verifies the signature of the digital signature data 514 using the digital signature verification module 502 (step S60).
5). The signature verification is performed using the electronic signature verification module 514 based on the electronic signature data 514 and the approval status message 513. If the signature verification is not performed normally, the second document approval side client 5 displays an error indicating that the approval status message 513 is not from the first document approval side client or has been tampered with by another person. (Step S606). As a result, the document verifier receives the approval status message 513.
Processing such as deletion. If the signature verification is successful, the second document approval client 5
Determines that the approval status message 513 is definitely from the first document approval side client 4, and displays the contents of the approval status message (step S).
607). As a result, the document verifier can grasp the approval result of the first document approval side client 4 for the created document 111.

According to the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. When the second document approval client 5 wants to know the approval status of the first document approval client 4 for the created document 411, the WWW server
Since the approval status message is automatically downloaded by performing an operation of requesting the approval status message to be downloaded to the client 2, an operation for transmitting the approval status request message to the first document approval side client 4 is performed. Can be omitted. In this example, one second document approval side client is described. However, a plurality of document approval side clients (exactly one or more) exist. Assuming that the number of document approval side clients is N (N is a natural number), conventionally, the operation for transmitting the approval status request message is N
Double. According to the present embodiment, this operation can be omitted. Therefore, the trouble of transmitting the approval status request message is eliminated, and the work efficiency can be improved.

Even when the first document approval side 4 wants to notify its approval status to a plurality of other document approval side clients, the first document approval side 4 only needs to upload it to the WWW server 2 once. Since it is possible to omit the process of contacting the side, troublesomeness is eliminated, and work efficiency can be improved.

In the above embodiment, in the WWW server 2, a created document upload module 202 for uploading created documents, an electronic signature data upload module 203 for uploading electronic signature data, and an approval status for uploading an approval status message. Message upload module 20
Although 4 is provided separately, an upload module 201 that summarizes these functions may be provided so that any of the created document, the electronic signature data, and the approval status message can be uploaded. Similarly, in the above embodiment, the created document download module 206 for downloading the created document, the electronic signature data download module 207 for downloading the electronic signature data, and the approval status message load down module 208 for loading the approval status message down. Although provided separately, a download module 205 that summarizes these functions is provided to create documents, digital signature data,
Any of the approval status messages may be made downloadable.

Third Embodiment The third embodiment shows a process of collectively deleting unnecessary documents, approval status messages, and digital signature data that have been accumulated in the document approval side client and become unnecessary. FIG. 7 relates to the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram showing a third embodiment of document approval on the Internet based on the WWW. In FIG. 7, 1
To 4 and 111 to 414 are the same as in FIG. Reference numeral 410 denotes a folder for storing unnecessary created documents, unnecessary digital signature data, and unnecessary approval status messages. Stored in an external storage device, reference numeral 403 denotes unnecessary data for deleting the folder 410. This is a batch deletion module, which is stored in the main storage device.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the process of batch deletion of unnecessary data by the approval-side client 4 according to the third embodiment. Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Each time the document approval client 4 downloads the created document 411 and the electronic signature data 412 corresponding to the created document or the approval status message 413 and the electronic signature data 414 corresponding to the approval status message, these files are stored in the same folder. Accumulated in 410. The created document 411, the electronic signature data 412 corresponding to the created document, the approval status message 413, and the electronic signature data 414 corresponding to the approval status message
If the document is no longer needed, the document approval client
The operator of No. 4 starts the unnecessary data batch module 403.
The unnecessary data package module 403 generates an empty folder 410 after deleting the folder 410. Accordingly, the created document 411, the electronic signature data 412 corresponding to the created document, the approval status message 413, and the electronic signature data 414 corresponding to the approval status message
Are deleted all at once.

According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. In a conventional e-mail-based document approval system, when the created documents and corresponding electronic signature data sent from a number of document creation clients to the document approval client and stored are no longer needed, the operator can delete the documents. It was necessary to perform a procedure of searching the received mailbox and selecting and deleting only the corresponding mail. In the present invention, the unnecessary data batch module can be used without performing such search and selection processing. It becomes possible to collectively delete unnecessary data simply by starting.

[0064]

According to the second, third, fifth and seventh aspects of the present invention, the document approval side sends its approval result as an approval status message and corresponding digital signature data to the document creation side and a plurality of other documents. When it is desired to report to the approval side, each of the document creation side or the plurality of other document approval sides accesses the WWW server from time to time so that the approval status message and the corresponding electronic signature data on the WWW server are transmitted to the document creation side and the plurality of document creation sides. Will be automatically sent to the document approval side of
It is only necessary to upload the approval status message to the WWW server once, so that the trouble of the distribution work is eliminated and the effect that the work efficiency can be improved can be achieved.

According to the first, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh aspects of the present invention, when a document creation side wants to transmit a created document and corresponding digital signature data to a plurality of document approval sides, Since the document approval side of the WWW server accesses the WWW server at any time, the created document and the corresponding digital signature data on the WWW server are automatically transmitted to the plurality of document approval sides.
The document creator only needs to upload to the WWW server once, which eliminates the burden of the distribution work and improves the efficiency of work.

According to the eighth, ninth, and tenth aspects of the present invention, when the second document-approving client wants to know the approval status of the first document-approving client for the created document, Since the approval-side client can be grasped only by accessing the WWW server, the process of requesting the first document approval-side client for an approval status report can be omitted. This has the effect that the efficiency can be improved.

Further, according to the eleventh aspect, the unnecessary document batch deletion means is unnecessary in each client, the digital signature data corresponding to the generated document, the approval status message, and the approval status message. Deletes the folder that stores the digital signature data to be created, and then creates an empty folder, so if the user wants to delete unnecessary data, there is no need to search or select unnecessary data, and the user becomes unnecessary. The data can be collectively deleted only by activating the unnecessary data collective module, so that there is an effect that complication is released.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of a WWW-based document approval system on the Internet according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a document creation client according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a document approval side client in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a WWW server according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a system configuration diagram showing a second embodiment of document approval on the Internet based on the WWW according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of a first approval-side client 4 according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing a third embodiment of a document approval on the Internet based on the WWW according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process of batch deletion of unnecessary data by a document approval side client 4 according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an upload screen.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a download screen.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a download screen.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a download screen.

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of a conventional document approval system on the Internet based on e-mail.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration in a case where conventional document approval sides grasp each other's document approval status.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 document creation client, 2 digital signature generation module, 3 digital signature verification module, 4 created document, 5 electronic signature data, 6 WWW server, 7 created document, 8 electronic signature data, 1a electronic signature data, 9 electronic signature data, 1b Electronic signature data, 1
1 Created Document Upload Module, 12 Created Document Download Module, 13 Digital Signature Data Upload Module, 14 Digital Signature Data Download Module, 15 Document Approval Client, 16 Digital Signature Generation Module, 17 Digital Signature Verification Module, 18 Temporary File, 19 Electronic Signature data, 25 Internet, 72 unnecessary data batch deletion means, 91 is the document creation side, 911 e-mail software, 912 created document, 913 electronic signature data, 91
4 Approval status message, 915 Electronic signature data, 916
Approval status message, 917 electronic signature data, 92 1st
Document approval side, 921 Email software, 922
Created document, 923 digital signature data, 924 approval status message, 925 electronic signature data, 93 email software, 932 created document, 933 electronic signature data, 934 approval status message, 935 electronic signature data,
94 Internet, 926 approval status request message,
・ 927 Electronic signature data, 928 Approval status message, 92
9 Digital signature data, 936 approval status request message,
937 Electronic signature data.

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A WWW (World Wide Web) server,
At least one of which is connected to the WWW server via a network and has an electronic signature generation unit and an electronic signature verification unit
The WWW server includes an upload unit and a download unit, and the document creation client includes a first electronic signature generation unit based on a created document (hereinafter, referred to as a created document). Creates signature data and uploads the created document to the WWW
A request to the server, and the WWW server, upon receiving the upload request for the created document, uploads and stores the created document and the first digital signature data from the requesting document creating client by the upload means. Features a WWW-based document approval system on the Internet. 2. A system comprising: a WWW server; and at least one client connected to the WWW server via a network and having an electronic signature generation unit, an electronic signature verification unit, and a display unit. A client and a document approval side client, wherein the WWW server includes an upload unit and a download unit, and wherein the document approval side client downloads the created document stored by the WWW server by the document creation side client to the WWW. Request to the server, and when the WWW server receives the request for downloading the created document, the download unit requests the stored created document and the stored first electronic signature data by the download unit. The document approval side client verifies the downloaded first electronic signature data by the electronic signature verification means, and the downloaded created document is maliciously spoofed or falsified. After verifying that it is protected from, if you approve the downloaded created document, create an approval status message indicating approval, if not approved, create an approval status message indicating non-approval, Based on the approval status message, the electronic signature generation means generates second electronic signature data, requests the WWW server to upload the approval status message, and the WWW server accepts the upload request for the approval status message. And the above Document approval system on Internet in WWW-based, characterized in that to store and upload the document approval side the client and according to approval status messages second electronic signature data from the document approval side client by loading means. 3. A WWW server, and at least one client connected to the WWW server via a network and having an electronic signature generation unit, an electronic signature verification unit, and a display unit, wherein the at least one client is a document creator. A client and a document approval side client, wherein the WWW server includes an upload unit and a download unit, and the document creation side client downloads an approval status message stored by the WWW server by the document approval side client. The WW
When the WWW server receives a request to download the approval status message, the WWW server requests the stored approval status message and the stored second electronic signature data by the download unit. The document creation side client downloads the document, and the document creation side client verifies the downloaded second electronic signature data by the electronic signature verification means, and the downloaded approval status message is protected from malicious spoofing or tampering. A WWW-based document approval system on the Internet, wherein the content of the downloaded approval status message is displayed on the display unit after verifying that the document is protected. 4. A system comprising: a WWW server; and at least one client connected to the WWW server via a network and having an electronic signature generation unit, an electronic signature verification unit, and a display unit. A client and a document approval client; the WWW server includes an upload unit and a download unit; and the document creation client creates first electronic signature data by an electronic signature generation unit based on the created document. The WWW server requests the upload of the created document to the WWW server. When the WWW server receives the upload request of the created document, the upload unit transmits the created document and the first document.
Uploading and storing the electronic signature data from the requesting document creation client, the document approval client requests the WWW server to download the created document stored in the WWW server, and the WWW server Upon receiving the download request for the created document, the download unit downloads the stored created document and the stored first electronic signature data to the requesting client, which is the requesting client. The client verifies the downloaded first digital signature data by the digital signature verifying means, and verifies that the downloaded created document is protected from malicious spoofing or tampering. If the downloaded created document is approved, an approval status message indicating approval is created. If not approved, an approval status message indicating non-approval is created. Generates the second digital signature data, requests the WWW server to upload the approval status message, and when the WWW server receives the upload request for the approval status message, the uploading unit approves the document by the document approval side client. A WWW-based document approval system on the Internet, wherein a status message and the second electronic signature data are uploaded and stored from the document approval side client. 5. A WWW server, and at least one client connected to the WWW server via a network and having an electronic signature generation unit, an electronic signature verification unit, and a display unit, wherein the at least one client is a document creator. A WWW server including an upload unit and a download unit; and the document creation client includes a first document generation unit based on a created document (hereinafter, referred to as a created document). Electronic signature data, and uploading the created document to the WWW
A request to the server, the WWW server receives the upload request of the created document, uploads the created document and the first digital signature data from the document creating client of the request source by the uploading unit, and stores the uploaded document. The document approval side client requests the WWW server to download the created document stored in the WWW server,
When the WWW server receives the download request for the created document, the download unit stores the created document and the stored first document by the download unit.
Downloads the electronic signature data to the requesting document approval side client, and the document approval side client verifies the downloaded first electronic signature data by the electronic signature verification means. After verifying that the document has been protected from malicious spoofing and tampering, if the downloaded document is approved, an approval status message indicating the approval is created. An approval status message is created, the second electronic signature data is generated by the electronic signature generation means based on the approval status message, and an upload of the approval status message is requested to the WWW server. Request to upload status message Receiving the approval status message and the second digital signature data from the document approval side client by the uploading means, and store the same. The document creation side client receives an approval status message stored in the WWW server. To the WWW server, and upon receiving the request for downloading the approval status message, the WWW server transmits the stored approval status message and the stored second electronic signature data by the download unit, Downloading the document to the requesting document creating client, the document creating client verifies the downloaded second electronic signature data by the electronic signature verifying means, and the downloaded approval status message is After verifying that it is protected from a spoofing and tampering with intent, document approval system on the Internet in WWW base, characterized in that display the contents of the approval status message that the download to the display means. 6. A WWW server, and at least one client connected to the WWW server via a network and having an electronic signature generation unit and an electronic signature verification unit, wherein the at least one client is a document creation client, A document approval side client, wherein the WWW server includes a created document upload unit, a created document download unit, an electronic signature data upload unit, and an electronic signature data download unit; The first electronic signature data is created by electronic signature generation means based on the document, and uploading of the created document is performed by the WWW.
A request to the server, and when the WWW server receives the upload request for the created document, the created document uploading unit sends the created document, and the electronic signature data uploading unit sends the first electronic signature data to the requesting document. Uploading and storing from the creating client, the document approval-side client requests the WWW server to download the created document stored in the WWW server, and the WWW server accepts the download request of the created document. The created document stored by the created document download means is stored in the document which is a request source of the stored first electronic signature data by the electronic signature data download means. Downloading the document to the approval side client, the document approval side client verifies the downloaded first electronic signature data by the electronic signature verification means, and the downloaded created document is protected from malicious spoofing or tampering. After verifying that the downloaded document is approved, create an approval status message indicating approval, and if not approving, create an approval status message indicating non-approval. The second electronic signature data is generated by the electronic signature generation means based on the above, the upload request of the approval status message is requested to the WWW server, and the WWW server receives the upload request of the approval status message, and Upload Means for uploading said approval status message by said means, and uploading said second electronic signature data from said document approval side client by said electronic signature data uploading means, and storing the same. . 7. A WWW server, and at least one client connected to the WWW server via a network and having an electronic signature generation unit, an electronic signature verification unit, and a display unit, wherein the at least one client is configured to generate a document. WWW server includes a created document upload unit, a created document download unit, an electronic signature data upload unit, and an electronic signature data download unit. The document creation client includes a created document. (Hereinafter referred to as a created document), first electronic signature data is created by electronic signature generation means, and uploading of the created document is performed by the WWW.
When the WWW server receives a request for uploading the created document, the WWW server creates the created document by the created document upload unit, and creates the document by requesting the first electronic signature data by the electronic signature data upload unit. Uploading and storing from the client side, and the document approval side client downloads the created document stored by the WWW server to the WW.
When a request is made to the W server, and the WWW server receives the request for downloading the created document, the created electronic document stored by the created document download unit is stored by the electronic signature data download unit. Downloading the signature data to the requesting client approving client; the document approving client downloads the downloaded first electronic signature data by the electronic signature verifying means to the downloaded created document with malicious impersonation; After verifying that the document has been protected from tampering, if the downloaded document is approved, an approval status message indicating approval is created. If not approved, an approval status message indicating non-authorization is created. Then, based on the approval status message, the electronic signature generation means generates second electronic signature data, and uploads the approval status message to the WW.
When the request is made to the W server and the WWW server accepts the upload request for the approval status message, the approval status message is approved by the created document upload unit, and the second electronic signature data is approved by the electronic signature data upload unit. Uploading and storing from the client, the document creation client requests the WWW server to download the approval status message stored in the WWW server, and the WWW server sends a request to download the approval status message. Upon receipt, the created document download unit sends the stored approval status message, and the electronic signature data download unit sends the stored second electronic signature data to the request source. Downloading the document to the document creating client, the document creating client verifies the downloaded second electronic signature data by the electronic signature verifying means, and the downloaded approval status message is protected from malicious spoofing or tampering. A WWW-based document approval system on the Internet, wherein the content of the downloaded approval status message is displayed on the display unit after verifying that the document is protected. 8. A WWW server, and at least one client connected to the WWW server via a network and having an electronic signature generation unit, an electronic signature verification unit, and a display unit, wherein the at least one client is configured to create a document. A first client and a second client. The WWW server includes an uploader and a downloader. The client includes a first client and a second client. Wherein the second document-approving client comprises the W
The WWW server requests the WWW server to download an approval status message stored by the first document approval side client stored in the WWW server, and the WWW server requests the first document approval side client to download the approval status message from the first document approval side client. Receiving from the document approval side client of the second document approval side by the download means the approval status message by the stored first document approval side client and the stored second digital signature data of the second request source. The second client approving client downloads the second electronic signature data to the client, and verifies the downloaded second electronic signature data by the electronic signature verifying unit. After verifying that the client's approval status message is protected from malicious spoofing and tampering, displaying the contents of the downloaded approval status message on the display means, on the Internet based on WWW. Document approval system in. 9. A WWW server, and at least one client connected to the WWW server via a network and having an electronic signature generation unit, an electronic signature verification unit, and a display unit, wherein the at least one client is configured to generate a document. A first client and a second client. The WWW server includes an uploader and a downloader. The client includes a first client and a second client. The first document approval side client requests the WWW server to download a created document stored in the WWW server,
Upon receiving the download request for the created document, the W server downloads the stored created document and the stored first electronic signature data to the requesting first document approval side client by the download unit. Then, the first document approval side client verifies that the created document downloaded by the electronic signature verifying means is protected from malicious spoofing or falsification of the downloaded first electronic signature data. Later, when approving the downloaded created document,
An approval status message indicating approval is created, and if not approved, an approval status message indicating non-approval is created, and the second electronic signature data is generated by the electronic signature generation unit based on the approval status message. Requesting the upload of the approval status message to the WWW server, and when the WWW server receives the upload request for the approval status message, the uploading unit transmits the approval status message and the second electronic signature data to the first electronic signature data. Uploads and stores the document from the document approval side client, and the second document approval side client
The WWW server requests the WWW server to download an approval status message stored by the first document approval side client stored in the WWW server, and the WWW server requests the first document approval side client to download the approval status message from the first document approval side client. Receiving from the document approval side client of the second document approval side by the download means the approval status message by the stored first document approval side client and the stored second digital signature data of the second request source. The second client approving client downloads the second electronic signature data to the client, and verifies the downloaded second electronic signature data by the electronic signature verifying unit. After verifying that the client's approval status message is protected from malicious spoofing and tampering, displaying the contents of the downloaded approval status message on the display means, on the Internet based on WWW. Document approval system in. 10. A WWW server, and at least one client connected to the WWW server via a network and having an electronic signature generation unit, an electronic signature verification unit, and a display unit, wherein the at least one client is configured to create a document. A first client and a second client. The WWW server includes an uploader and a downloader. The client includes a first client and a second client. The first document approval side client requests the WWW server to download a created document stored in the WWW server,
Upon receiving the download request for the created document, the W server downloads the stored created document and the stored first electronic signature data to the requesting first document approval side client by the download unit. Then, the first document approval side client verifies that the created document downloaded by the electronic signature verifying means is protected from malicious spoofing or falsification of the downloaded first electronic signature data. Later, when approving the downloaded created document,
An approval status message indicating approval is created, and if not approved, an approval status message indicating non-approval is created, and the second electronic signature data is generated by the electronic signature generation unit based on the approval status message. Requesting the upload of the approval status message to the WWW server, and when the WWW server receives the upload request for the approval status message, the uploading unit transmits the approval status message and the second electronic signature data to the first electronic signature data. Uploads and stores the document from the document approval side client, and the second document approval side client
The WWW server requests the WWW server to download an approval status message stored by the first document approval side client stored in the WWW server, and the WWW server requests the first document approval side client to download the approval status message from the first document approval side client. Receiving from the document approval side client of the second document approval side by the download means the approval status message by the stored first document approval side client and the stored second digital signature data of the second request source. The second client approving client downloads the second electronic signature data to the client, and verifies the downloaded second electronic signature data by the electronic signature verifying unit. After verifying that the client's approval status message is protected from malicious spoofing and tampering, displaying the contents of the downloaded approval status message on the display means, on the Internet based on WWW. Document approval system in. 11. A client for storing files related to document creation and document approval, and collectively deleting unnecessary folders when the files are no longer required, and then generating an empty folder. And means.
10. A document approval system on the Internet based on WWW according to 10.