JP2003234889A - Data storage system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data storage system capable of efficiently managing data of large volume by inserting the identification information of a file and a page into the data itself. <P>SOLUTION: A system server 101 receiving a file from a data reader 103 in a step S209 converts the file format of the file into a prescribed file format (S213). Then whether a communication network sending the original data is a mail or not is checked (S215). When the communication network is other than the mail in the step S215, original ID given in preprocessing (S201) is inserted into a prescribed insertion position (S217) and stored in a prescribed storage area (S219). When the communication network is the mail, the original data are stored in the prescribed storage area as it is (S219). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data storage system, and more particularly to a data storage system that efficiently manages files sent by various information transmission means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in order to effectively use resources and improve work efficiency, not only internal business documents but also external business documents are becoming paperless (electronic). However, many documents are still exchanged on a paper basis,
Electronic data sent by e-mail, etc., mail and FA
Non-electronic information sent by X (including printed matter,
Microfilm and other non-electronic information.
same as below. ) And are mixed. As a method for managing such a large amount of data, the non-electronic information received from the other party or accumulated in the past is read by a scanner or F
A method of reading in AX or the like, converting this into electronic data and storing it is used.

In order to efficiently manage a file converted into electronic data, a file name for identifying the electronic data must be given. However, it is impossible for a person in charge to give a file name to a large amount of electronic data (for example, 10,000 copies / day), and even if it is possible, a file name is given twice. There is a possibility. As a conventional technique for solving the above problems, there is a "data registration method (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-1419)".
7) ”is disclosed. Data registration method
1-14197) is for collectively assigning a file name to the input image data and for assisting the editing of the file name on the GUI screen.

[0004]

However, even if a unique file name is given, it is difficult to judge what the content of the file is based on only the file name. In view of the above prior art, the present invention is
An object of the present invention is to provide a data storage system that can manage a large amount of data more efficiently by inserting identification information of files and pages into the data itself.
Further, the present invention, by describing the original ID,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a data storage system that can determine whether or not it has been digitized even if distributed, and can easily call the electronic file. Also,
According to the present invention, when new electronic data is created by editing existing electronic data, the existing electronic data can be quickly accessed based on the original ID to efficiently input / add information. The purpose is to provide a data storage system that can perform. It is another object of the present invention to provide a data storage system that can be computerized without changing the existing work system using paper.

[0005]

In order to solve the above problems, a data storage system according to the present invention is a data storage system for facilitating identification of the relationship between original data and electronic data obtained by converting the original data. A means for reading the original data as electric image information, a means for converting the electric image information into a predetermined file format, a means for giving an original ID to the electronic data converted into the file format, and an electronic ID for the original ID. And a means for inserting the data.

In the above data storage system, when the original data is copied, a means for embedding the original ID in the original data can be provided. The data storage system may include means for embedding the original ID in the original data. In the above data storage system, when there are a plurality of original data, it is possible to provide a means for giving a serial number to the original ID. In the above data storage system, the original data is electronic information and non-electronic information.

[0007] It is preferable that the data storage system includes a database that stores the location of the original data and the original ID in association with each other, and means for finding the location of the original data from the original ID based on the database. The data storage system may include means for inserting a barcode together with the original ID when inserting the original ID into the original data or the electronic data obtained by converting the original data. In the above data storage system, when inserting the original ID into the original data or the electronic data obtained by converting the original data, it is possible to include means for inserting a barcode instead of the original ID.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, an embodiment of a data storage system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a network configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram illustrating an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. 4 to 5 are diagrams for explaining the output file according to the embodiment of the present invention. The “original ID” used in the embodiment of the present invention refers to a file name uniquely assigned to acquire specific information (file) on a computer. Then, if necessary, the same original ID as the file name is embedded in the electronic data or non-electronic information.

When embedding an original ID in electronic data or non-electronic information, only a character string may be embedded, or a bar code (or a combination of a bar code and a character string) corresponding to the original ID may be embedded. Good. When the barcode is embedded, the original ID corresponding to the barcode is read using the barcode reading device in the state of being printed out in the case of electronic data and in the state of being unchanged in the case of non-electronic information.

In the data storage system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the location of the original data and the original I
It has a database that stores it in association with D,
By referring to the database, the original I
The location of the original data can be confirmed from D.

(1) Outline Explanation FIG. 1 shows an outline of a data storage system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 101 is a system server which is the core of this system, and a communication network 1 to be described later.
This is a computer that performs a predetermined process on original data (including both electronic and physical data. The same applies hereinafter) received via 05 and saves the processed data. The communication network 105 includes not only an electric communication line but also an actual delivery network (a delivery network by a private company in addition to a national postal service) (hereinafter the same).

FAX machine 103a and mail server 10
3c is a device for receiving original data via the communication network 105, and the scanner 103b is the communication network 105.
This is a device for converting paper data (paper on which characters, figures, symbols, etc. are described. The same applies hereinafter) received via the electronic data. In this embodiment, the FAX 103
a, the scanner 103b, and the mail server 103c are collectively referred to as a "data reading device". 110a-11
Reference numeral 0d denotes a client terminal, which is the system server 101.
Data stored in
It can be viewed and printed.

(2) Functional Configuration of Various Terminals The functional configurations of the client terminals 110a to 110d and the system server 101 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The system server 101 includes a CPU. The CPU is a central processing unit that performs arithmetic processing when the system server 101 performs various types of processing. A ROM is connected to the CPU. The ROM is a memory for storing a basic input / output processing program executed when the system server 101 is activated. A RAM is connected to the CPU. RA
M is a memory for temporarily storing programs and data used when the CPU executes various arithmetic processes.

Further, an output part is connected to the CPU. The output unit is an interface for outputting various data obtained by arithmetic processing by the CPU to a printer or the like. The printer is connected to the output unit as described above. The printer prints various print data obtained by arithmetic processing on paper or the like. As the printer, a laser printer, an inkjet printer, a dot printer, a thermal transfer printer, or the like can be used. If the system server 101 does not print, the printer does not necessarily have to be connected. An image processing unit is connected to the CPU. The image processing unit is for generating screen display data based on the calculation processing result of the CPU. The image display data generated by the image processing unit is appropriately displayed as a screen by the display connected to the image processing unit. If it is not necessary to monitor the processing process in the system server 101, the display does not necessarily have to be connected.

A storage device is connected to the CPU. The storage device is for storing programs and data used when the CPU executes various processes and for storing data generated by the arithmetic processing by the CPU. A database management module is stored in the storage device. Client terminals 110a to 110d
Is a workstation, a personal computer, a portable information device, a computer such as a mobile phone, and peripheral devices of this computer.

(3) Description of operation procedure of this system FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a "FAX line network" is used as the communication network.
The case of using the three routes of "mail" and "Internet" will be described. When the original data is sent from the sender 200 via the communication network 105, the data reading device 103
Pre-processing (S201) is executed at. Pre-processing (S201)
Will be described in detail later. System server 101
Accesses the data reading device 103 at regular intervals (for example, once every 15 seconds), and requests the file if there is a new file (S203). In the figure, the file request (S203) from the system server 101 is used as a trigger to send a new file, but the data reading device 103 voluntarily sends a new file to the system server 10.
1 may be transmitted.

The data reading device 103 confirms whether or not there is a new file (S205), and if it exists, transmits the file (S207) and returns to the standby state (S).
211). On the other hand, if the new file does not exist,
It returns to the standby state as it is (S211). Upon receiving the file from the data reading device 103 in S209, the system server 101 converts the file format into a predetermined file format (S213). After that, it is confirmed whether or not the communication network to which the original data is sent is a mail (S215). If the result of S215 is other than mail, the original ID assigned in the preprocessing (S201) is inserted into a predetermined insertion location (S217) and saved in a predetermined storage area (S219). If it is a mail, it is saved in a predetermined storage area as it is (S219).

(4) Description of Preprocessing (S201) FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the preprocessing (S201 of FIG. 2). This preprocessing differs depending on the communication network 105 to which the original data is sent, and
7 (in the case), S311 to 319 (in the case), S3
The processes 21 to 325 (in this case) are executed by the various readers 103 below. When the communication network 105 is a FAX line network ... FAX device 103a When the communication network 105 is a mail ... Scanner 103b When the communication network 105 is the Internet ... Mail server 103c

First, the case where the communication network 105 is a FAX line network will be described. If the original data is sent from the sender 200 via the FAX network, F
The AX device 103a reads the original data (S301) and converts it into electronic data. After that, the original ID is given as a file name based on an original ID rule described later (S303), and the file is saved as a single file in a predetermined storage area (S305), and the process ends (S307).

Next, the case where the communication network 105 is a mail will be described. Original data (paper data in this case)
Is sent from the sender 200 as mail, the receiver inserts an original ID (based on an original ID rule described later) into the original data (S3).
11). As an insertion method, it is preferable to print the original ID on the original data with a printer or the like, but it is obvious that the original ID is not limited to this.

Next, the original data with the original ID inserted is read by the scanner 103b and converted into electronic data (S313). Then, the original ID inserted in S311 is added as a file name (S31
5) Then, the file is saved in a predetermined storage area as one file (S317), and the process ends (S319).

Next, a case where the communication network 105 is the Internet will be described. Original data (in this case,
When the electronic data) is sent from the sender 200 via the Internet, the mail server 103c gives the original data as a file name to the original data based on an original ID rule described later (S).
321). Then, the file is saved as a single file in the predetermined storage area (S323), and the process ends (S325).

(5) Description of Original ID Rule The "original ID rule" described in the description of FIG. 3 will be described. In 401 of FIG. 4 and 501 of FIG. 5, specific examples of the original ID are shown. It should be noted that this original ID rule is only an example, and any name that can uniquely determine the original data may be used. The original ID 401 in FIG. 4 is “FXJP_YYYYMMDD00001.tiff”, and the original ID 501 in FIG. 5 is “02IL_YYYYMMDD00001.tif”.
f ”. Then, these original IDs are determined based on the following rules.

The first 4 characters represent the type of communication network. Figure 4
The original ID 401 is "FXJP". The type of communication network indicates a domestic line of the FAX line network. The original ID 501 in FIG. 5 is “02IL”. The type of communication network indicates mail. Indicates the year received in the YYYY part. For example, in the case of 2002, YYYY = 2002, and in the case of 2010, YYYY = 2010. Indicates the month received in the MM part. For example, M for March
In the case of M = 03 and December, MM = 12. Indicates the date received in the DD part. For example, DD = 1 on March 1st and DD = 15 on March 15th. Five-digit number in front of extension (both in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5
00001) indicates the number of the data received on the same communication network (in some cases, the same communication network and the same communication line) on the date. For example, in the case of the 50th original data received on the domestic FAX line network on March 1, 2002, it is “FXJP_2002030100050”. On the other hand, 20
In the case of the original data first received by mail on March 1, 2002, it will be "02IL_2002030100001".

The original ID determined and added based on the "original ID rule" as described above is subjected to insertion processing based on the type of the communication network 105 as follows. When the communication network 105 is a FAX line network or the Internet Before saving in the system server 101 (S217 in FIG. 2)
When the file is output to a printer, the file is output to a predetermined position (specifically, 403 or 405 in FIG. 4, FIG.
The above-mentioned original ID is printed on 503 or 505). If the communication network 105 is a postal mail, it is inserted in the preprocessing (S311 in FIG. 3), and when the file is output to the printer, a predetermined position (specifically, in FIG.
No. 403 or 405, 503 or 505 in FIG. 5) is printed with the original ID.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, it is obvious that the present invention is not limited to the above description. For example, in the present embodiment, the case where the communication network between the sender and the receiver is single has been described, but it is clear that the communication network between the two may be plural types. (For example, sender-FAX network-Internet-receiver, etc.). In this case, the type of communication network determined in the preprocessing is the type of communication network in which the receiver finally received the original data.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the communication network is a postal service, the original ID (in some cases, the original ID and the bar code or only the bar code) is inserted into the original data, and then this is read by the scanner. , Original data (paper data in this case) is converted into electronic data by the scanner, and at the same time the original ID is automatically
(In some cases, the original ID and barcode, or only the barcode) may be inserted.

Further, in the present embodiment, if there are a plurality of original data (in the case of paper data, 500 sheets, etc.), an original ID is given to this one-to-one, but a serial number is added under the original ID. May be provided to enable identification. Further, although the paper data (postal matter, etc.) is digitized in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and even when the paper data (original) is simply copied, the paper data is taken while making the copy. The original ID can be embedded in the (original). Further, in the present embodiment, the paper data is described as an example of the data other than the electronic data, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the original ID can be obtained by digitizing the non-electronic information other than the paper data. Can be inserted. In this case, the original ID can be embedded in the non-electronic information as well. In addition, even if the original data is other than non-electronic information, the original ID (in this case, electronic data) is added to the original ID as necessary.
May be inserted.

[0029]

As described above, according to the data storage system of the present invention, a large amount of data can be managed more efficiently by inserting the file and page identification information into the data itself. Further, according to the data storage system of the present invention, by describing the original ID, it is possible to determine whether or not it has been digitized even when distributed, and the electronic file can be easily called. According to the data storage system of the present invention, when new electronic data is created by editing existing electronic data,
Based on the original ID, it is possible to quickly access the existing electronic data and efficiently input / add information. Furthermore, according to the data storage system of the present invention,
It is possible to proceed with computerization without changing the existing business structure that uses paper.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a network configuration diagram illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram when a file according to an embodiment of the present invention is output.

FIG. 5 is a diagram when a file according to an embodiment of the present invention is output.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 system server 103a FAX machine 103b scanner 103c mail server 105 communication network 110a to 110d client terminals

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 5B050 AA07 CA05 CA07 CA08 DA02                       DA06 EA19 FA02 FA19                 5B057 CA08 CA12 CA16 CB08 CB12                       CB17 CB19 CC01 CE08 CH07                       CH08 CH11 CH18                 5C076 AA14 AA16 AA17 BA03

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A data storage system for facilitating identification of a relationship between original data and electronic data obtained by converting the original data, a unit for reading the original data as electrical image information, and the electrical image. Means for converting information into a predetermined file format, and electronic data converted into the file format with the original I
A data storage system comprising: means for giving D; and means for inserting the original ID into the electronic data. 2. The data storage system according to claim 1, wherein the original ID is copied when copying the original data.
A data storage system comprising means for embedding the above in the original data. 3. The data storage system according to claim 1, further comprising means for embedding the original ID in the original data. 4. The data storage system according to claim 1, further comprising: a unit for giving a serial number to the original ID when there are a plurality of the original data. Storage system. 5. The data storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the original data is electronic information and non-electronic information. 6. The data storage system according to claim 1, wherein the location of the original data and the original ID
A data storage system, comprising: a database for storing and associated with each other; and means for determining the location of the original data from the original ID based on the database. 7. The data storage system according to claim 1, wherein when inserting an original ID into the original data or electronic data obtained by converting the original data, a barcode is added together with the original ID. A data storage system comprising means for inserting. 8. The data storage system according to claim 1, wherein when an original ID is inserted into the original data or electronic data obtained by converting the original data, a bar is substituted for the original ID. A data storage system comprising means for inserting a code.