JP2004005474A - Image forming apparatus and method for acquiring thumbnail of stored document - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus and a method for acquiring thumbnails of a stored document which can share an authentication function for the thumbnail of the stored document and can supply an external networking gear with the thumbnail of the stored document without wasting resources. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus 1, which supplies the thumbnail of the stored document according to a request from a user, solves above task, by including: Web page service 122 which receives a thumbnail acquisition request from the external networking gear 100, acquires certification information according to the thumbnail acquisition request; whereas supplies the networking gear with thumbnail storage location information acquired by using the certification information, and document managing service 123 which generates the certification information, according to a certification information acquisition request, transmits the information to the Web page service 122; and while reads out the thumbnail storage location information is read, according to the certification information, to transmit the read information to the Web page service 122. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a method for obtaining thumbnails of stored documents, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus and a method for obtaining thumbnails of stored documents for supplying thumbnails of stored documents to an external network device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an image forming apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as a multifunction peripheral) in which functions of respective apparatuses such as a printer, a copier, a facsimile, and a scanner are housed in one housing has become known. This multifunction machine includes a display unit, a printing unit, an imaging unit, and the like in one housing, and four types of software corresponding to a printer, a copier, a facsimile, and a scanner, respectively. It operates as a copy, facsimile and scanner. Patent Literature 1 describes an example of the above-described fusion machine.
[0003]
Such a multifunction machine stores, for example, a document file as a stored document in a document management database (hereinafter, referred to as a document management DB). Further, the multifunction peripheral stores a thumbnail (Thumbnail) in the document management DB as an image sample of the stored document. Thumbnails facilitate selection of a stored document, for example, by displaying a small image sample of the stored document.
[0004]
The multi-function device is connected to a network device or another multi-function device via a network, and distributes, for example, stored documents and thumbnails stored in the document management DB using a distribution function. In addition, in order to cope with security problems, the multifunction peripheral often sets a password for the stored document and the thumbnail stored in the document management DB.
[0005]
For example, when downloading a stored document or thumbnail from the multifunction peripheral, the network device transmits a document ID for identifying the desired stored document or thumbnail and a password proving the right to use the stored document or thumbnail to the multifunction peripheral.
[0006]
After performing password authentication, the multifunction peripheral reads the stored document or thumbnail corresponding to the document ID from the document management DB, and supplies the read stored document or thumbnail to the network device. For example, a network device has downloaded a stored document or a thumbnail from a multifunction device using a browser.
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-84383
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional multifunction peripheral receives various processing requests for stored documents and thumbnails from network devices and other multifunction peripherals in addition to transfer requests for stored documents and thumbnails. For this reason, the multifunction peripheral is provided with a user service process that responds to various processing requests for stored documents and thumbnails. Therefore, when a password is set for a stored document or a thumbnail, it is necessary to provide a password authentication function for each user service process according to various processing requests related to the stored document or the thumbnail, and the function is duplicated. there were.
[0009]
When the multifunction device handles the stored document or thumbnail read from the document management DB by a plurality of user service processes, the multifunction device transfers the read stored document or thumbnail as it is. Therefore, there is a problem that resources of the multifunction machine are wasted.
[0010]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides an image forming apparatus that can share an authentication function for a thumbnail of a stored document and can supply the thumbnail of the stored document to an external network device without wasting resources. An object of the present invention is to provide a method for acquiring thumbnails of stored documents.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus that supplies a thumbnail of a stored document stored in a document storage unit in response to a request from a user. A web page service for receiving the acquisition request and acquiring the certification information corresponding to the thumbnail acquisition request, and supplying the thumbnail storage location information acquired using the certification information to the external network device; A document management service for generating certification information according to the request and transmitting the generated certification information to the Web page service, reading thumbnail storage location information according to the certification information, and transmitting the information to the Web page service.
[0012]
The present invention also relates to a thumbnail acquisition method for an image forming apparatus that supplies a thumbnail of a stored document stored in a document storage unit in response to a request from a user, wherein a Web page service is provided for storing a stored document from an external network device. Receiving a thumbnail acquisition request from the document management service in response to the thumbnail acquisition request, and the Web page service uses the certification information to determine the thumbnail storage location information of the stored document. Providing a thumbnail storage location information obtained from the document management service and supplying the thumbnail storage location information to the external network device.
[0013]
According to the present invention, the authentication function for a thumbnail can be shared by generating authentication information according to a request for obtaining authentication information after authenticating the thumbnail of the stored document and transmitting the authentication information to the Web page service. .
[0014]
Further, according to the present invention, the certification information corresponding to the thumbnail acquisition request is transferred between the Web page service and the document management service, so that the thumbnail itself does not need to be transferred wastefully, and the thumbnail is not wasted. Can be supplied.
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0016]
FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of an embodiment of a multifunction peripheral according to the present invention. The multifunction device 1 is configured to include a software group 2, a multifunction device activation unit 3, and hardware resources 4.
[0017]
The multifunction peripheral starting unit 3 is first executed when the power of the multifunction peripheral 1 is turned on, and activates the application layer 5 and the platform 6. For example, the multifunction peripheral starting unit 3 reads the programs of the application layer 5 and the platform 6 from a hard disk device (hereinafter referred to as HDD) or the like, and transfers each read program to a memory area to start. The hardware resources 4 include a black-and-white laser printer (B & W LP) 11, a color laser printer (Color LP) 12, and hardware resources 13 such as a scanner and a facsimile.
[0018]
Further, the software group 2 includes an application layer 5 and a platform 6 activated on an operating system (hereinafter referred to as an OS) such as UNIX (registered trademark). The application layer 5 includes programs for performing processes specific to user services related to image formation such as a printer, a copy, a facsimile, and a scanner.
[0019]
The application layer 5 includes a printer application 21 which is a printer application, a copy application 22 which is a copy application, a fax application 23 which is a fax application, a scanner application 24 which is a scanner application, and a web page application. A web application 25, a SOAP communication application 26 as a simple object access protocol (hereinafter, referred to as SOAP) communication application, and one or more shared functions (hereinafter, referred to as SF) 28. 7 and a wrapping layer 8 including a WEB service function (hereinafter referred to as WSF) 27 provided between the WEB page application 25 and the SOAP communication application 26 and the SF 28. Including.
[0020]
The WSF 27 has an application program interface (hereinafter, referred to as an API) 51 that can receive processing requests from the WEB page application 25 and the SOAP communication application 26 by using a predefined function. The SF 28 has an API 52 that can receive a processing request from the WSF 27 by a function defined in advance.
[0021]
When the WSF 27 receives a processing request from the web page application 25 and the SOAP communication application 26 via the API 51, the WSF 27 selects the SF 28 according to the processing request. The WSF 27 transmits the processing request received via the API 51 to the SF 28 selected according to the processing request via the API 52. When the SF 28 receives a processing request via the API 52, the SF 28 performs processing according to the processing request.
[0022]
For example, although the MFP 1 of FIG. 1 includes two SFs 28, one SF 28 performs processing of a document management service 143 described later, and the other SF 28 performs processing of a document output service 144 described later.
[0023]
Further, the platform 6 interprets the processing request from the application layer 5 and generates a request for acquiring the hardware resource 4, and manages one or more hardware resources 4 to control the control service layer 9. And a handler layer 10 for managing the hardware resources 4 in response to the acquisition request from the SRM 39.
[0024]
The control service layer 9 includes a network control service (hereinafter, referred to as NCS) 31, a delivery control service (hereinafter, referred to as DCS) 32, an operation panel control service (hereinafter, referred to as OCS) 33, and a fax control service (hereinafter, referred to as FCS) 34. , An engine control service (hereinafter referred to as ECS) 35, a memory control service (hereinafter referred to as MCS) 36, a user information control service (hereinafter referred to as UCS) 37, a system control service (hereinafter referred to as SCS) 38, and the like. It is configured to include a service module.
[0025]
In addition, the platform 6 is configured to have an API 53 that can receive a processing request from the application layer 5 by a function defined in advance. The OS executes each software of the application layer 5 and the platform 6 as a process in parallel.
[0026]
The process of the NCS 31 provides a service that can be used in common to applications that require network I / O, and distributes data received from the network by each protocol to each application, or distributes data from each application. Mediation when sending to the network side.
[0027]
For example, the NCS 31 controls data communication with a network device connected via a network by HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol Daemon) by HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol).
[0028]
The process of the DCS 32 controls the distribution of stored documents and the like. The process of the OCS 33 controls an operation panel serving as information transmission means between the operator and the main body control. The FCS 34 process provides an API from the application layer 5 for performing facsimile transmission / reception using the PSTN or ISDN network, registration / quotation of various facsimile data managed in a backup memory, facsimile reading, facsimile reception printing, and the like. I do.
[0029]
The process of the ECS 35 controls engine units such as the black and white laser printer 11, the color laser printer 12, and the hardware resources 13. The process of the MCS 36 performs memory control such as acquisition and release of a memory, use of an HDD, and compression and decompression of image data. The UCS 37 manages user information.
[0030]
The process of the SCS 38 performs processes such as application management, operation unit control, system screen display, LED display, hardware resource management, and interrupt application control.
[0031]
The process of the SRM 39 controls the system and manages the hardware resources 4 together with the SCS 38. For example, the process of the SRM 39 performs arbitration in accordance with an acquisition request from an upper layer using the hardware resources 4 such as the monochrome laser printer 11 and the color laser printer 12, and controls execution.
[0032]
Specifically, the process of the SRM 39 determines whether the requested hardware resource 4 is available (whether the hardware resource 4 is not used by another acquisition request). The upper layer is notified that the resource 4 is available. The process of the SRM 39 performs scheduling for using the hardware resource 4 in response to an acquisition request from the upper layer, and the content of the request (for example, paper conveyance and image forming operation by the printer engine, memory reservation, file generation, etc.). Is implemented directly.
[0033]
The handler layer 10 also includes a fax control unit handler (hereinafter, referred to as FCUH) 40 that manages a fax control unit (hereinafter, referred to as FCU) described below, and an image that manages the memory allocated to the process and the memory allocated to the process. A memory handler (hereinafter referred to as IMH) 41. The SRM 39 and the FCUH 40 make a processing request to the hardware resource 4 using the engine I / F 54 that can transmit a processing request to the hardware resource 4 by a function defined in advance.
[0034]
The multifunction device 1 can perform processing required in common by each application on the platform 6 in a unified manner. Next, the hardware configuration of the MFP 1 will be described.
[0035]
FIG. 2 shows a hardware configuration diagram of an embodiment of the multifunction peripheral according to the present invention. The MFP 1 includes a controller 60, an operation panel 80, an FCU 81, an engine unit 82, and a plotter 83.
[0036]
The controller 60 includes a CPU 61, a system memory 62, a north bridge (hereinafter, referred to as NB) 63, a south bridge (hereinafter, referred to as SB) 64, an ASIC 66, a local memory 67, an HDD 68, a network interface controller, and the like. (Hereinafter referred to as NIC) 69, USB device 70, IEEE1394 device 71, and Centronics 72.
[0037]
The operation panel 80 is connected to the ASIC 66 of the controller 60. The FCU 81, the engine unit 82, and the plotter 83 are connected to the ASIC 66 of the controller 60 via a PCI bus 84.
[0038]
In the controller 60, the local memory 67, the HDD 68, and the like are connected to the ASIC 66, and the CPU 61 and the ASIC 66 are connected via the NB 63 of the CPU chip set. In this way, if the CPU 61 and the ASIC 66 are connected via the NB 63, it is possible to cope with a case where the interface of the CPU 61 is not disclosed.
[0039]
The ASIC 66 and the NB 63 are not connected via the PCI bus, but are connected via an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) 65. As described above, in order to control the execution of one or more processes forming the application layer 5 and the platform 6 of FIG. 1, the ASIC 66 and the NB 63 are connected not through the low-speed PCI bus but through the AGP 65, thereby preventing the performance from deteriorating. In.
[0040]
The CPU 61 performs overall control of the multifunction peripheral 1. The CPU 61 activates and executes the NCS 31, DCS 32, OCS 33, FCS 34, ECS 35, MCS 36, UCS 37, SCS 38, SRM 39, FCU H 40, and IMH 41 as processes on the OS, and executes the printer application 21 and the copy application which form the application layer 5 22, the fax application 23, the scanner application 24, the web page application 25, the SOAP communication application 26, the WSF 27 and the SF 28 are activated and executed.
[0041]
The NB 63 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 61, the system memory 62, the SB 64, the ASIC 66, the NIC 69, the USB device 70, the IEEE 1394 device 71, and the Centronics 72. The SB 64, the NIC 69, the USB device 70, the IEEE 1394 device 71, and the Centronics 72 are connected to the NB 63 via the PCI bus 73. The SB 64 is a bridge for connecting the NB 63 to a ROM, a PCI bus, and peripheral devices.
[0042]
The system memory 62 is a memory used as a drawing memory or the like of the multifunction peripheral 1. The local memory 67 is a memory used as a copy image buffer and a code buffer.
[0043]
The ASIC 66 is an IC for image processing having hardware components for image processing. The HDD 68 is a storage for storing image data, storing document data, storing programs, storing font data, storing forms, and the like. The operation panel 80 is an operation unit that receives an input operation from the operator and performs display for the operator.
[0044]
The NIC 69 is an interface device for connecting the MFP 1 to a network. The USB device 70, the IEEE 1394 device 71, and the Centronics 72 are interfaces conforming to respective standards. The FCU 81 has a memory. The memory of the FCU 81 is used, for example, to temporarily store facsimile data received when the power of the MFP 1 is OFF.
[0045]
Hereinafter, a method of acquiring thumbnails of stored documents realized by the multifunction peripheral 1 will be sequentially described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the multifunction peripheral for explaining a thumbnail acquisition method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Note that the functional configuration diagram of FIG. 3 omits functional configurations that are not necessary for description.
[0046]
As shown in FIG. 3, according to the thumbnail acquisition method of the present invention, a network device 100 connected to the multifunction device 1 via a network 200 such as the Internet uses a document file stored in the multifunction device 1 (hereinafter referred to as a stored file). Document).
[0047]
First, it is assumed that the browser 120 of the network device 100 has obtained a list of stored documents and a document ID stored in the MFP 1 from the MFP 1 using, for example, an HTTP request and an HTTP response. A user operating the network device 100 inputs a password if a password is required to obtain a thumbnail of a stored document, and clicks a button provided on the screen of the browser 120 for obtaining a thumbnail with a mouse or the like. I do. The user may select all or a part of the stored documents from the list of stored documents displayed on the screen of the browser 120 and obtain a thumbnail of the selected stored document.
[0048]
In step S1, the browser 120 of the network device 100 creates an HTTP request including the document ID and the password of the stored document, and transmits the HTTP request to the MFP 1 via the network 200 such as the Internet. The HTTP request transmitted from the network device 100 is supplied to the Web page service 122 via the httpd 121 of the NCS 31.
[0049]
Proceeding to step S2 following step S1, the Web page service 122 transmits the document ID and password of the stored document to the document management service 123, and makes a request to acquire a ticket 124 described later. The ticket acquisition request is performed using, for example, a ticket acquisition function “base64Binary getDocTicket (unsigned int [] docId, string [] password)” using the document ID and password of the stored document as arguments.
[0050]
The document management service 123 is included in the document management application 38. Proceeding to step S3 following step S2, the document management service 123 sends the document ID and password of the received stored document to the MCS 36, and requests authentication of the password. The password authentication request is performed using, for example, a password authentication request function “int mcsCheckPassword (unsignedInt DocId, string password)” using the document ID and password of the stored document as arguments for each document.
[0051]
The MCS 36 performs password authentication of the password received from the document management service 123. In step S4, the MCS 36 transmits the result of the password authentication to the document management service 123. The result of the password authentication is transmitted from the MCS 36 to the document management service 123 as a return value of the password authentication request function, for example.
[0052]
When the password is authenticated, the document management service 123 generates a ticket as shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a ticket. FIG. 4A shows a structure of a ticket 124 transferred between the Web page service 122 and the document management service 123. The ticket 124 stores a ticket ID and a data size of the ticket.
[0053]
FIG. 4B is a table 126 for collating the ticket 124. The table 126 is held by the document management service 123. Table 126 includes ticket content information and ticket management information. The ticket content information includes, as information, a ticket ID, an expiration date of the ticket, the number of files, an array of a structure in which a file ID as a document ID and a password are paired. The ticket management information has a current ticket number and the number of issued tickets as information. Note that the ticket 124 and the table 126 are associated by a ticket ID.
[0054]
In step S5, the document management service 123 sends the generated ticket 124 to the web page service 122. The ticket 124 is transmitted from the document management service 123 to the web page service 122, for example, as a return value of the ticket acquisition function.
[0055]
Proceeding to step S6 following step S5, the Web page service 122 transmits the ticket 124 received in step S5 to the document management service 123, and makes a request to acquire a URL indicating a storage location of the thumbnail (hereinafter, referred to as a thumbnail URL). . The thumbnail URL acquisition request is performed using, for example, a thumbnail URL acquisition function “anyURL getThumbnailURL (base64Binary ticket)” using the ticket 124 as an argument.
[0056]
Proceeding to step S7 following step S6, the document management service 123 checks the validity of the received ticket 124 using the table 126. If the ticket 124 is valid, the thumbnail of the thumbnail of the stored document corresponding to the ticket 124 A URL is created and transmitted to the Web page service 122.
[0057]
The thumbnail URL is transmitted from the document management service 123 to the web page service 122 as a return value of the thumbnail URL acquisition function, for example. The thumbnail URL is represented as “http: // [apparatus IP address] / [document file name]? [Ticket data]”.
[0058]
Proceeding to step S8 following step S7, the Web page service 122 transmits the thumbnail URL received in step S7 to the network device 100 via the httpd 121 of the NCS 31.
[0059]
Proceeding to step S9 following step S8, the browser 120 of the network device 100 creates an HTTP request including the thumbnail URL, and transmits the HTTP request to the MFP 1 via the network 200.
[0060]
Note that the HTTP request including the thumbnail URL is a request to the thumbnail URL using the HTTP GET method. The HTTP request transmitted from the network device 100 is supplied to the Web page service 122 via the httpd 121 of the NCS 31.
[0061]
Proceeding to step S10 following step S9, the Web page service 122 transmits the thumbnail URL to the document management service 123 and makes a request to acquire a thumbnail. The thumbnail acquisition request is performed using, for example, a thumbnail acquisition function “void getThumbnail (anyURL docID)” with the thumbnail URL as an argument.
[0062]
Proceeding to step S11 following step S10, the document management service 123 sends the thumbnail ID of the thumbnail corresponding to the thumbnail URL to the MCS 36, and requests opening of the thumbnail file. The request to open the thumbnail file is made by using, for example, a thumbnail open function “boolean mcsOpenThumbnail (unsignedIntthumbnailID)” using the thumbnail ID as an argument.
[0063]
Proceeding to step S12 following step S11, the MCS 36 reads the thumbnail corresponding to the thumbnail ID from the document management DB included in the HDD 68 or the like using the thumbnail ID received from the document management service 123, and stores the read thumbnail in the document management service 123. Send to The thumbnail corresponding to the thumbnail ID is transmitted from the MCS 36 to the document management service 123, for example, as a return value of the thumbnail open function.
[0064]
Proceeding to step S13 following step S12, the document management service 123 transmits the thumbnail received from the MCS 36 to the web page service 122. The thumbnail is transmitted from the document management service 123 to the Web page service 122, for example, as a return value of the thumbnail acquisition function.
[0065]
Proceeding to step S14 following step S13, the Web page service 122 transmits the thumbnail received from the document management service 123 to the network device 100 via the httpd 121 of the NCS 31.
[0066]
Then, the network device 100 displays the thumbnail acquired from the MFP 1 on the screen of the browser 120. Therefore, by operating the browser 120 of the network device 100, the user can easily acquire the thumbnail of the stored document stored in the multifunction device 1. By using the ticket 124 in the multifunction peripheral 1, the thumbnail data itself is not transferred unnecessarily, and waste of resources can be prevented.
[0067]
FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a multifunction peripheral for explaining a thumbnail acquisition method according to the second embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that the functional configuration diagram of FIG. 5 omits functional configurations that are not necessary for description. The processing in steps S1 to S12 in FIG. 5 is the same as the processing in steps S1 to S12 in FIG.
[0068]
Proceeding to step S15 following step S12, the document management service 123 transmits the thumbnail received from the MCS 36 in the processing of step S12 to the network device 100 via the httpd 121 of the NCS 31.
[0069]
Then, the network device 100 displays the thumbnail acquired from the MFP 1 on the screen of the browser 120. Therefore, by operating the browser 120 of the network device 100, the user can easily acquire the thumbnail of the stored document stored in the multifunction device 1. By using the ticket 124 in the multifunction peripheral 1, the thumbnail data itself is not transferred unnecessarily, and waste of resources can be prevented.
[0070]
FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of a multifunction peripheral for explaining a thumbnail obtaining method according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The functional configuration diagram of FIG. 6 omits functional configurations that are not necessary for explanation. The processing in steps S1 to S11 in FIG. 6 is the same as the processing in steps S1 to S11 in FIG.
[0071]
Proceeding to step S16 following step S11, the MCS 36 reads the thumbnail corresponding to the thumbnail ID from the document management DB included in the HDD 68 or the like using the thumbnail ID received from the document management service 123, and reads the thumbnail via the httpd 121 of the NCS 31. To the network device 100.
[0072]
Then, the network device 100 displays the thumbnail acquired from the MFP 1 on the screen of the browser 120. Therefore, by operating the browser 120 of the network device 100, the user can easily acquire the thumbnail of the stored document stored in the multifunction device 1. By using the ticket 124 in the multifunction peripheral 1, the thumbnail data itself is not transferred unnecessarily, and waste of resources can be prevented.
[0073]
In the thumbnail acquisition methods of the first to third embodiments described above, an example is shown in which thumbnails of stored documents are stored in advance in the document management DB included in the HDD 68 or the like. A thumbnail of the stored document may be created.
[0074]
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a process for creating a thumbnail of a stored document in response to a request to open a thumbnail file. In FIG. 7, functional configurations that are not necessary for description are omitted. Further, the process of creating thumbnails shown in FIG. 7 can be applied to the thumbnail acquisition methods of the first to third embodiments described above.
[0075]
Proceeding to step S11-1 following step S11 of the first to third embodiments, the MCS 36 requests the IMH 41 to perform image conversion from the stored document to the thumbnail using the thumbnail ID received from the document management service 123. Proceeding to step S11-2 following step S11-1, the IMH 41 performs image conversion using the image conversion option device 127 and creates a thumbnail from the stored document.
[0076]
Proceeding to step S11-3 following step S11-2, the optional device for image conversion 127 temporarily stores the created thumbnail in the HDD 68. Proceeding to step S11-4 following step S11-3, the image conversion option device 127 notifies the IMH 41 of the end of image conversion from the stored document to the thumbnail. Proceeding to step S11-5 following step S11-4, the IMH 41 responds to the MCS 36 that the image conversion has been completed.
[0077]
Progressing to step S11-6 following step S11-5, the MCS 36 acquires a thumbnail from the HDD 68. Then, the MCS 36 proceeds to step S12 or S16. When proceeding to step S12, the MCS 36 transmits the thumbnail read from the HDD 68 to the document management service 123. When proceeding to step S16, the MCS 36 transmits the thumbnail read from the HDD 68 to the network device 100 via the httpd 121 of the NCS 31.
[0078]
Therefore, in the processing of FIG. 7, the thumbnail of the stored document can be created after the request for opening the thumbnail file, so that the storage capacity of the HDD 68 can be saved as compared with the case where the thumbnail of the stored document is created and stored in advance. . In the process of FIG. 7, since the thumbnail of the stored document is created after the request to open the thumbnail file, the thumbnail URL transmitted to the network device 100 in step S8 is the temporary URL.
[0079]
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another example of a process of creating a thumbnail of a stored document in response to a request to open a thumbnail file. In FIG. 8, functional configurations that are not necessary for the description are omitted. Further, the process of creating a thumbnail shown in FIG. 8 can be applied to the thumbnail acquisition methods of the second and third embodiments described above.
[0080]
In step S12-1, following step S11 in the first and second embodiments, the MCS 36 acquires a stored document from the HDD 68 using the thumbnail ID received from the document management service 123, and stores the stored document in the document management service 123. To the image conversion module 128 in the system. The image conversion module 128 creates a thumbnail from the supplied stored document.
[0081]
Then, the document management service 123 proceeds to step S13 or S15. When proceeding to step S13, the document management service 123 sends the created thumbnail to the web page service 122. When proceeding to step S15, the document management service 123 transmits the created thumbnail to the network device 100 via the httpd 121 of the NCS 31.
[0082]
Therefore, in the process of FIG. 8, the thumbnail of the stored document can be created after a request for opening the thumbnail file is made, so that the storage capacity of the HDD 68 can be saved as compared with the case of creating and storing the thumbnail of the stored document in advance. . In the process of FIG. 8, since the thumbnail of the stored document is created after the request for opening the thumbnail file, the thumbnail URL transmitted to the network device 100 in step S8 is the temporary URL.
[0083]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the present invention.
[0084]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the authentication function for a thumbnail is generated by generating authentication information in response to a thumbnail acquisition request after authenticating a thumbnail of a stored document and transmitting the authentication information to a Web page service. Can be shared.
[0085]
Further, according to the present invention, the certification information corresponding to the thumbnail acquisition request is transferred between the Web page service and the document management service, so that the thumbnail itself does not need to be transferred wastefully, and the thumbnail is not wasted. Can be supplied.
[0086]
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of a multifunction peripheral according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an embodiment of the multifunction peripheral according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a functional configuration diagram of the multifunction peripheral for explaining a thumbnail acquisition method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a ticket.
FIG. 5 is a functional configuration diagram of a multifunction peripheral for explaining a thumbnail acquisition method according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a functional configuration diagram of a multifunction peripheral for describing a thumbnail acquisition method according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an example of processing for creating a thumbnail of a stored document in response to a request to open a thumbnail file.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another example of a process of creating a thumbnail of a stored document in response to a request to open a thumbnail file.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Fusion machine
2 Software group
3 Multifunction machine starter
4 Hardware resources
5 Application layer
6 platform
7 Shared function layer
8 Wrapping layer
9 Control Service Layer
10 Handler layer
31 Network Control Service (NCS)
36 Memory Control Service
60 Controller
80 Operation Panel
81 Fax Control Unit (FCU)
82 Engine
83 plotter
100 network equipment
120 Browser
121 httpd (HyperText Transfer Protocol Daemon)
122 Web page service
123 Document Management Service
124 tickets
126 tables
127 Optional equipment for image conversion
128 image conversion module

Claims (25)

An image forming apparatus that supplies a thumbnail of a stored document stored in a document storage unit in response to a request from a user,
A thumbnail acquisition request for a stored document is received from an external network device, and proof information corresponding to the thumbnail acquisition request is acquired, and thumbnail storage location information acquired using the proof information is supplied to the external network device. Web page service
A document management service for generating certification information corresponding to the certification information acquisition request and transmitting the generated certification information to the Web page service, reading thumbnail storage location information corresponding to the certification information, and transmitting the thumbnail storage location information to the Web page service. Image forming apparatus. The Web page service transmits a certification information acquisition request corresponding to the thumbnail acquisition request to the document management service to acquire the certification information transmitted from the document management service,
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the document management service generates certification information in response to the certification information acquisition request and transmits the certification information to the Web page service. The Web page service receives thumbnail storage location information from the external network device, acquires a thumbnail corresponding to the thumbnail storage location information from the document management service, and supplies the thumbnail to the external network device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The document management service receives thumbnail storage location information from the web page service, reads a thumbnail corresponding to the thumbnail storage location information from the document storage unit, and transmits the thumbnail to the web page service. 3. The image forming apparatus according to 3. The document management service receives thumbnail storage location information from the web page service, reads a thumbnail corresponding to the thumbnail storage location information from the document storage unit, and supplies the thumbnail to the external network device. Item 2. The image forming apparatus according to Item 1. The document management service receives thumbnail storage location information from the web page service, reads a thumbnail corresponding to the thumbnail storage location information from the document storage unit, and supplies the thumbnail storage unit to the external network device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The document management service further includes an image conversion unit that performs an image conversion process from a stored document to a thumbnail, wherein the document management service causes the image conversion unit to create a thumbnail corresponding to the received thumbnail storage location information, and stores the thumbnail in the Web. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image is transmitted to a page service. The document management service further includes an image conversion unit that performs image conversion processing from a stored document to a thumbnail, wherein the document management service causes the image conversion unit to create a thumbnail corresponding to the received thumbnail storage location information, and outputs the thumbnail to the external device. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image forming apparatus supplies the image data to a network device. The document management service further includes an image conversion unit that performs image conversion processing from a stored document to a thumbnail, wherein the document management service causes the image conversion unit to create a thumbnail corresponding to the received thumbnail storage location information, and outputs the thumbnail to the external device. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said image forming apparatus is supplied to said network device. The document management service includes an image conversion unit that performs an image conversion process from a stored document to a thumbnail, causes the image conversion unit to create a thumbnail according to the received thumbnail storage location information, and transmits the thumbnail to the Web page service. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein: The document management service includes an image conversion unit that performs an image conversion process from a stored document to a thumbnail, causes the image conversion unit to create a thumbnail corresponding to the received thumbnail storage location information, and supplies the thumbnail to the external network device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thumbnail acquisition request includes at least identification information for identifying a thumbnail of the stored document and password information for proving right to use the thumbnail. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thumbnail acquisition request includes at least identification information for identifying a stored document and password information for proving right to use the stored document. The document management service generates contents and identification information of certification information in response to the certification information acquisition request, and transmits the identification information to the Web page service as certification information, while retaining the contents of the certification information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The document management service specifies the contents of the held certification information corresponding to the identification information of the certification information, and transmits thumbnail storage location information corresponding to the contents of the certification information to the Web page service. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein: A thumbnail acquisition method of an image forming apparatus that supplies a thumbnail of a stored document stored in a document storage unit in response to a request from a user,
A web page service receiving a thumbnail acquisition request for a stored document from an external network device, and acquiring certification information corresponding to the thumbnail acquisition request from the document management service;
The Web page service acquires the thumbnail storage location information of the stored document from the document management service using the certification information, and supplies the thumbnail storage location information to the external network device. A thumbnail acquisition method comprising: A thumbnail providing step in which the Web page service receives thumbnail storage location information from the external network device, acquires a thumbnail corresponding to the thumbnail storage location information from the document management unit, and transmits the thumbnail to the external network device. 17. The thumbnail acquisition method according to claim 16, further comprising: In the thumbnail supply step, the document management service receives thumbnail storage location information from the web page service, reads a thumbnail corresponding to the thumbnail storage location information from the document storage unit, and transmits the thumbnail to the web page service. The method for acquiring a thumbnail according to claim 17, wherein The Web page service receives thumbnail storage location information from the external network device, and the document management unit acquires a thumbnail corresponding to the thumbnail storage location information from the document management unit and transmits the thumbnail to the external network device. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of supplying a thumbnail. The Web page service receives thumbnail storage location information from the external network device, and the document management unit causes the document management unit to read a thumbnail corresponding to the thumbnail storage location information from the document management unit, and sends the thumbnail to the external network device. 17. The thumbnail acquisition method according to claim 16, further comprising a thumbnail supplying step of supplying. The thumbnail supply step includes the step of causing the document management service to create a thumbnail corresponding to the received thumbnail storage location information by an image conversion unit that performs an image conversion process from a stored document to a thumbnail, and stores the thumbnail in the Web page service. 19. The thumbnail acquisition method according to claim 18, wherein the thumbnail is transmitted. The thumbnail supply step includes causing the document management service to create a thumbnail corresponding to the received thumbnail storage location information by an image conversion unit that performs an image conversion process from a stored document to a thumbnail, and generates the thumbnail according to the external network. 20. The thumbnail acquisition method according to claim 19, wherein the thumbnail acquisition method supplies the thumbnail to a device. The thumbnail supply step includes causing the document management service to create a thumbnail corresponding to the received thumbnail storage location information by an image conversion unit that performs an image conversion process from a stored document to a thumbnail, and generates the thumbnail according to the external network. 21. The thumbnail acquisition method according to claim 20, wherein the thumbnail acquisition method is supplied to a device. The thumbnail supply step includes causing the document management service to create a thumbnail corresponding to the received thumbnail storage location information by an image conversion unit in the document management service that performs an image conversion process from a stored document to a thumbnail. 19. The thumbnail acquisition method according to claim 18, wherein a thumbnail is transmitted to the Web page service. The thumbnail supply step includes causing the document management service to create a thumbnail according to the received thumbnail storage location information by an image conversion unit in the document management service that performs an image conversion process from a stored document to a thumbnail. 20. The thumbnail acquisition method according to claim 19, wherein a thumbnail is supplied to the external network device.

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