JP2003296700A - Image data filing system and server device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide construction of an image data filing system to a user without labor and cost, and to reduce labor of maintenance of a service provider constructing and providing the image data filing system. <P>SOLUTION: The image data filing system is provided with a scanner 10 reading a document to generate image data, having a communication function, and sending the image data via the Internet 100 along with identification information data for identifying a sender, and a file server 20 connected to the scanner 10 via the Internet 100 and storing the sent image data in coordination with the identification information data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image data filing system and a file server, and more particularly,
The present invention relates to a technique for managing image data read by a scanner using the Internet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when an image data filing system is constructed, a scanner device for reading image data (hereinafter referred to as "scanner"), a file server for storing image data, and various functions for filing are provided. The user had to build the application on the file server provided by himself.

Specifically, when constructing an image data filing system, a user (1) purchases a file server and starts it up. (2) Purchase and install necessary applications according to the purpose of the filing system. (3) Connect to the scanner. I had to do the procedure myself.

[0004]

However, in order to start up the file server of the image data filing system, it is necessary for a person who has knowledge of the server to start up the file server. Therefore, there is a problem that it is not easy for general users to install the file server.

In addition, it is often necessary to have an administrator for backing up the data in the file server and performing maintenance / inspection work. Therefore, in order to operate the image data filing system, there is a problem that in addition to the purchase cost of the file server and the application, the human cost of starting up, maintaining and managing is required.

Also, regarding the application of the image data filing system, the user must select a commercially available application, purchase it, and install it. Also, even if the application is upgraded and the functions increase, in order to use it,
There was a problem that you had to purchase (or upgrade) again.

Further, in an application such as OCR, there is a problem that OCR processing may not be performed efficiently depending on the compatibility between the image processing method of OCR and the image quality of the scanner.

On the other hand, although a service for starting a file server and providing an application is also provided, it is necessary to make a business trip for each user, make adjustments on site, and perform troubleshooting according to each environment. Yes,
It was also a problem from the viewpoint of maintenance labor and maintenance cost.

Therefore, the present invention can reduce the time and cost for system construction and system operation of a user who intends to use the image data filing system, and at the same time reduce the time and cost for maintenance. The purpose is to provide a system and a file server.

[0010]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 is an image data filing system, which reads a document to generate image data, has a communication function, and transmits. A scanner device that transmits the image data via the Internet together with identification information data for identifying the origin, and the scanner device connected to the scanner device via the Internet, and the transmitted image data corresponds to the identification information data. And a file server for storing the data together.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the scanner device reads an original to generate image data, and at the same time, the image data is sent to the file server via the Internet together with the identification information data for identifying the sender. And the file server device stores the transmitted image data in association with the identification information data. As a result, it is possible to reduce the labor and cost for system construction and system operation of a user who intends to use the image data filing system, and to reduce the labor and maintenance cost for maintenance.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image data filing system according to the first aspect, a communication function unit that specifies the identification information data and makes a data reference request to the file server via the Internet is provided. And an image data display device having a display function unit for displaying an image based on the image data transferred from the file server via the Internet. Thereby, the stored image data can be displayed and confirmed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image data filing system according to the second aspect, the image data display device causes the file server to print the image on a desired printer device. Is specified and a print request is made. Thereby, the stored image data can be printed.

The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claim 2 or 3.
In the described image data filing system,
The file server has a processing / editing function for processing or editing the stored image data, and the image data display device sends the image data to the file server via the Internet. Of the above-mentioned processing or processing for requesting the editing /
It is characterized by having an edit request function unit. Thereby, the stored image data can be processed and edited.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image data filing system according to any of the second to fourth aspects, the image data display device is an information device including a personal computer or a portable information device including a PDA. It is characterized by being configured. As a result, using a personal computer, PDA, etc.,
The stored image data can be displayed, printed, processed, edited, etc.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, which is a file server, the image data transmitted via the Internet and the identification information data for specifying the transmission source of the image data are received. Is stored in association with the identification information data. As a result, the provider of the image data filing system manages the file server and application by itself, and travels to individual users,
Environmental investigations and knowledge of individual systems are no longer required, and maintenance labor and maintenance costs can be reduced.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, in the file server according to the sixth aspect, the identification information data is specified,
When a data reference request is made via the Internet, the image data corresponding to the identification information data is transferred to the data reference request source via the Internet. Thereby, the image data stored by the user can be used.

The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 6 or 7.
In the file server described above, when the identification information data is specified and a data print request is made via the Internet, the image data corresponding to the identification information data is sent from the data print request source or the data print request source via the Internet. The data is transferred to a data print destination specified by the data print request source. by this,
The image data stored by the user can be printed.

According to a ninth aspect of the invention, in the file server according to any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, the identification information data is specified, and the processing or editing request of the image data is made via the Internet. When the above is performed, the image data corresponding to the identification information data is processed or edited. As a result, the image data stored by the user can be processed and edited.

[0020]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, specific examples of embodiments of the image data filing system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a first embodiment of an image data filing system according to the present invention. This image data filing system is roughly classified into a scanner 10 and a file server 20. , Image data display device 30, and printer 4
0 and a communication network 100.

The scanner 10 transmits image data obtained by reading a paper document to the file server 20 via the communication network 100. From the scanner 10, the directory in the filing system (file server) can be designated and the image data format (PDF, JPEG, bitmap, etc.) can be specified.

The file server 20 stores the data transmitted from the scanner 10 according to the designation from the scanner 10. Further, the file server 20 processes the image data with the installed application according to the user's instruction from the image data display device 30, and saves it again. The file server 20 can print on the designated printer 40 according to a user's instruction from the image data display device 30.

The image data display device 30 is an information device such as a personal computer or PDA. The image data display device 30 displays the data stored in the file server 20 on the display and gives an instruction for image data processing / printing by an application installed in the file server 20.

The printer 40 transfers the image data stored in the file server 20 to the image data display device 3
Print according to the 0 instruction. The printer 40 is not essential if the printing function is not required.

Next, the operation of the image data filing system having the above configuration will be described. here,
It is assumed that the Internet is used as the communication network 100, and when image data is transmitted and received via the communication network, security is ensured by encryption processing or the like that is generally performed in Internet communication. . In addition, user authentication such as a password is required to access the file server and the actual image data.

FIG. 2 is a sequence chart of the image data filing system according to the present invention.

First, when a user scans an original using the scanner 10, the scanner 10 captures the image data and directly inputs it to the file server 20 existing on the communication network 100 (Internet) designated by the IP address in advance. Image data is transmitted (step A1). In this case, the scanner 10 also transmits the user identification information, the storage location, the image data format (file format, compression method, etc.) to the file server 20. The storage location and the format of the image data may be set in advance, or may be set individually by the user for each document.

When transmitting data to the file server 20 via the Internet, identification information such as a user ID and a transmission protocol (email, HTT).
P, ftp, etc.), user interface to the user (accessing the homepage, sending directly, etc.) must be specified in advance, but these can be selected by the user or the image data filing system as appropriate. You should keep it. That is, it is not particularly limited to either.

On the other hand, the file server 20 stores the image data transmitted from the scanner 10 in the storage location designated by the scanner 10 and the attribute (format, etc.) of the image data (step A2).

After the image data is transmitted from the scanner 10 to the file server 20, the user confirms the data.
A data reference request can be transmitted to the file server 20 via the image data display device 30 (step A3).

Upon receiving the data reference request, the file server 20 sends information such as image data to the image data display device 30 in response to the data reference request from the image data display device 30 (step A4).

Image data is transmitted to the communication network 100.
The image data display device 30 received via the terminal displays the image data. At this time, the user confirms that the image data is as desired (step A5), and if there is no problem (step A5; Yes), ends the image data filing process. Step A
In the confirmation of step 5, if there is a problem in the image data (step A5; No), the user again returns to step A1.
The above process is repeated, and the process is repeated until desired image data is stored.

FIG. 3 shows a sequence chart when the image data stored in the file server 20 is used.

When the user wants to view the image data stored in the file server 20, the image data display device 30 transmits a data reference request together with the user identification information to the file server 20 (step B1).

If the transmitted user identification information matches the user identification information corresponding to the image data, the file server 20 transmits the image data designated by the user to the image data display device 30 (step B2). Thereby, the image data display device 30 displays the image data transmitted from the file server 20 (step B3).

In this case, when the user selects the image data to be displayed from the plurality of image data stored in the file server 20, for example, the following modes can be considered.

The display is performed by the user accessing the home page of the file server 20. Then, (1) a file list format like a normal personal computer, (2) a virtual document file is configured on the screen, and bookmarks and dividers (label names can be added) can be set in the document file. , (3) A virtual file cabinet is configured on the screen, and a format for referring to the above-mentioned document file format in the virtual file cabinet and (4) a format for displaying thumbnails of image data are used. Make it easy to access.

Further, when the user wants to print the stored image data, it is realized by a combination of reference of image data and designation of printing.

The user displays the image data on the image data display device 30 by the method described above.

Further, printing can be performed by designating the printer to be printed from the home page of the file server 20 (step B4 to step B6 in FIG. 3).
Also, without displaying the image data, (1) to (3)
It is also possible to specify image data by selecting image data by a method such as the above. The stored image data can be downloaded in the same flow as steps B1 to B3 in FIG.

Next, a process when the user wants to process / edit the stored image data will be described with reference to FIG. Here, a case where the OCR processing is performed on the image data stored in the file server 20 will be described as an example.

FIG. 4 is a sequence chart when the OCR processing is performed on the image data stored in the file server 20. A reference request is issued to the file server 20 by the same procedure as that described with reference to FIG.
The image data to be subjected to the R processing is displayed on the image data display device 30 (steps C1 to C3).

The user selects an application for processing / editing, that is, an application for performing OCR processing from the home page formed by the file server 20, and sends a processing / editing request to the file server (step C4).

Upon receiving the processing / editing request, the file server 20 executes the application for performing the designated OCR processing. As a result, the OCR processed (modified / edited) data is stored in the temporary storage location of the file server 20 (step C5). The file server 20 transmits the processed / edited data after the OCR processing to the image data display device 30.

The user confirms the data displayed on the image display device 30 (step C6), and if there is no problem (step C7; Yes), the image data display device 3
The storage request is transmitted from 0 to the file server 20. Then, the file server 20 moves the data from the temporary storage location to the storage location designated by the user (step C8).

On the other hand, if there is a problem at the time of confirmation in step C7 (step C7; No), steps C4 to C
The process of 7 is repeated.

As described above, since the file server 20 has an application for processing (processing / editing) image data, the user can always use the latest application.

In this case, if only a predetermined process is performed on the image data, the image data is processed / processed only by designating the document without displaying it.
It is also possible to edit.

Further, data is not edited / processed by the application of the file server 20, but once downloaded to the image data display device 30 and processed by the own application, the image data display device 30 transfers it to the file server 20. It is also possible to upload.

When using the image data filing system, the user makes a contract with the file server 20 or a service provider that provides an application.

The service fee in the contract is (1) initial cost for building the filing system (only at the time of building), (2) cost for maintaining / managing the file server (including backup of stored data, etc.) (For example, the fee is determined by the data size secured in the file server.) (3) It is determined by the use of the application (billing for each use, fixed monthly fee, etc.). Thereby, the identification information of the user is given to the user.

Since the service provider has the file server and the application within the range that the service provider can manage by himself / herself as compared with the case where the file provider is provided and managed to the individual user, he / she travels to each user. ,
In addition, there is no need to perform troubleshooting tailored to the environment of individual users.

As one example, when a trouble occurs, conventionally, a maintenance staff is dispatched to the user site, the environment of the user site is investigated, and then the problem is solved. Etc. has become an issue. In the case of the present invention, a small number of maintenance personnel may stand by at the place where the file server exists. Also, since the number is small, it is possible to make it a resident maintenance staff. In addition, since the environment and applications of the file server are fixed, troubles can be dealt with swiftly and accurately. Also,
Only by updating the application on the file server 20, the latest function can be always provided to the user.

By using the Internet and corresponding user identification information such as a user ID for identifying the user and a password for user authentication, the user can access the filing system regardless of location.

Further, the scanner 10 is connected to the T by a personal computer.
When controlled by WAIN or the like, the file server 20
The procedure for storing image data in the scanner 10 is as follows.
From the image data display device 30 to the file server 20 once. However, in this case, the image display device 30 needs to have a certain amount of hard disk capacity such as a personal computer, and when hardware resources such as a PDA are limited, the image display device 30 is operated by the method shown in FIG. I'll do it.

Next, a second embodiment of the image data filing system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the scanner 10, the image data display device 30 and the printer 4 are provided.
The point is not to individually provide 0, but to provide a multimedia terminal 50 that combines these functions. For specific operations, the operations of the scanner 10, the image data display device 30, and the printer 40 are described in the multimedia terminal 50.
Can be thought of as something to do.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the user scans a document using the multimedia terminal 50, the multimedia terminal 50 captures the image data and stores the IP data in advance.
Communication network 100 specified by address
The image data is directly transmitted to the file server 20 existing on the (Internet) (step D1). In this case, from the multimedia terminal 50 to the file server 20, user identification information, storage location, image data format (file format, compression method, etc.)
Etc. are also sent together.

On the other hand, in the file server 20, the image data transmitted from the multimedia terminal 50 is stored in the storage location designated by the multimedia terminal 50, and the attribute (format etc.) of the image data is stored (step D2). ).

After transmitting the image data from the multimedia terminal 50 to the file server 20, the user can transmit a data reference request to the file server 20 via the multimedia terminal 50 for data confirmation (step). D3).

Upon receiving the data reference request, the file server 20 transmits information such as image data to the multimedia terminal 50 in response to the data reference request from the multimedia terminal 50 (step D4).

Image data is transferred to the communication network 100.
The multimedia terminal 50, which has been received via, displays the image data. At this time, the user confirms that the image data is as desired (step D
5) If there is no problem (step D5; Yes), the image data filing process ends. Step D5
In the confirmation, if there is a problem in the image data (step D5; No), the user repeats the work from step D1 again and repeats the process until the desired image data is stored.

When such a multimedia terminal 50 is used, it can be used by one device without using a device such as a personal computer for storing image data in a filing system and processing / editing by an application. It will be possible. As a result, the operation of alternately operating the scanner 10 and the image data display device 30 only needs to operate the multimedia terminal 50, and the work flow of processing / editing image data into filing is more convenient for the user. It will be easy. Further, since the image data display device 30 is not essential, the cost of purchasing a personal computer becomes unnecessary.

In the above description, the multimedia terminal 50 in which the scanner 10, the image data display device 30 and the printer 40 are combined has been described.
It is also possible to configure a multimedia terminal in which 0 and the image data display device 30 are combined and to separately provide the printer 40.

As described above, according to each of the above embodiments, the user can construct the filing system without labor and cost. This is because the service provider builds and provides a filing system via the Internet.

Further, the service provider can reduce the man-hours for maintenance. This is because by managing the file server and the application by itself, it is not necessary to travel to individual users, conduct environmental surveys, or have knowledge of individual systems.

[0068]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible for the user to construct the image data filing system without labor and cost, and to reduce the maintenance man-hour of the service provider who constructs and provides the image data filing system.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a first embodiment of an image data filing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a processing flowchart for storing data in the filing system of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a processing flowchart when an image is displayed on an image data display device in the filing system of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a processing flowchart when processing / editing image data in the filing system of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a second embodiment of the image data filing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a processing flowchart for storing data in the image data filing system of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 scanner 20 file server 30 Image data display device 40 printers 50 multimedia terminals 100 communication network (Internet)

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 5B050 AA08 AA10 BA06 BA10 BA16                       CA07 CA08 DA06 FA02 FA03                       FA19                 5C062 AA02 AA05 AA29 AB17 AB38                       AB42 AC41 AC42 AC43 AF00                       BA04                 5C075 AB90 BB11 CA14

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A scanner device for reading an original document to generate image data, having a communication function, and transmitting the image data via the Internet together with identification information data for identifying a sender, and the scanner. An image data filing system, comprising: a file server connected to a device via the Internet and storing the transmitted image data in association with the identification information data. 2. A communication function unit that identifies the identification information data and makes a data reference request to the file server via the Internet, and the image data transferred from the file server via the Internet. The image data filing system according to claim 1, further comprising an image data display device having a display function unit for displaying an image based on the image data display device. 3. The image data display device makes a print request to the file server by specifying the image data so as to print the image on a desired printer device. Image data filing system. 4. The file server has a processing / editing function for processing or editing the stored image data, and the image data display device is stored in the file server via the Internet. 4. The image data filing system according to claim 2, further comprising a processing / editing request function unit that requests the processing or the editing of the image data. 5. The image data filing system according to claim 2, wherein the image data display device is configured as an information device including a personal computer or a portable information device including a PDA. . 6. Receiving image data transmitted via the Internet and identification information data for identifying a transmission source of the image data, and storing the image data in association with the identification information data. A file server characterized by. 7. When the identification information data is specified and a data reference request is made via the Internet, the image data corresponding to the identification information data is transferred to the data reference request source via the Internet. The file server according to claim 6, wherein 8. When the identification information data is specified and a data print request is made via the Internet, the image data corresponding to the identification information data is sent from the data print request source or the data print request source via the Internet. 8. The file server according to claim 6, wherein the file server transfers the data to a data print destination specified by the data print request source. 9. The identification information data is specified, and when the processing or the editing of the image data is requested via the Internet, the processing is performed on the image data corresponding to the identification information data. Alternatively, the file server according to claim 6, wherein the file server is edited.