JP2005111848A - Information managing device/program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information managing device and an information managing program which execute an appropriate operation to a change in the circumstances, using a recording medium as a trigger. <P>SOLUTION: The information managing device comprises the following components: a printing designation means which outputs a designation to print given electronic data in an assigned job mode; an identification information acquiring means which acquires identification information for identifying a sheet; a storage means which stores additional information describing a corresponding operation to an event by making the additional information relevant to the identification information in compliance with the acquisition of the identification information of a recording medium where an image is formed according to the printing designation; and a modification means (S45) which modifies the job mode described in the additional information to the modified job mode, when the modification of the assigned job mode is received (S43) whereas the corresponding operation to the event entered in the additional information includes an operation to designate the printing of the electronic data in the assigned job mode. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information management apparatus and an information management program, and more particularly to an information management apparatus and an information management program that execute an operation using a recording medium as a trigger.

  Electronic data created by a computer is printed on a recording medium such as paper by a printer. The information printed on the paper indicates the content of the information itself, and the information can be transmitted to the person viewing the paper. However, after electronic data is once printed on a sheet, the information printed on the sheet is not related to the electronic data that is the source of the information.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-91391 (Patent Document 1) discloses a file means that stores information relating to a specific word, sentence, symbol, or graphic in advance as a related information file, and a word, sentence, symbol, or graphic. Medium on which is recorded at least one piece of description information, connection information for connecting the description information and the related information file of the file means, and selection information for selecting specific description information from the description information A paper, a reading means for reading the selection information and the connection information from the medium paper, a search means for searching for a relevant information file from the file means based on the selection information and the connection information read by the reading means, An output means for outputting a related information file searched by the search means; Information management system is described.
JP-A-9-91301

  In the document information management system described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-91301, the connection information recorded on the medium sheet can be associated with the related information file stored in the file means by the connection information recorded on the medium sheet. . However, since the related information files are related by the link information, different related information files cannot be related to the same link information. Further, the connection information and the related information file recorded on the medium sheet are not changed after the connection information is recorded on the medium sheet. For this reason, it is not possible to cope with a change in circumstances that occurs after the connection information is recorded on the medium sheet.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one of the objects of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus capable of executing an operation corresponding to a change in circumstances using a recording medium as a trigger. Is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, according to one aspect of the present invention, an information management apparatus identifies a print instruction unit that outputs an instruction to print given electronic data in a designated job mode, and a recording medium An identification information acquisition means for acquiring identification information for recording, and an operation corresponding to the event is described in association with the identification information in response to the acquisition of the identification information of the recording medium on which the image is formed in accordance with the print instruction. The storage means for storing the additional information and the operation corresponding to the event described in the additional information include an operation for instructing electronic data to be printed in the specified job mode, and a change in the specified job mode is received. A change means for changing the job mode described in the additional information to the changed job mode.

  According to the present invention, the additional information describing the operation corresponding to the event is stored in association with the identification information for identifying the recording medium, so that an operation different for each recording medium can be associated with the event. In addition, when a change in the specified job mode is received, the job mode described in the additional information is changed to the changed job mode. After the job mode is changed, printing is performed in the changed job mode. Is done. As a result, it is possible to provide an information management apparatus capable of executing an operation corresponding to a change in circumstances using a recording medium as a trigger.

  Preferably, when an image is formed on a plurality of recording media by image formation according to a print instruction, the same additional information is stored in association with identification information of each of the plurality of recording media.

  According to this invention, when images are formed on a plurality of recording media, the same additional information is stored in association with the identification information of each of the plurality of recording media. For this reason, any one of the plurality of recording media can be used as a trigger to execute the operation.

  Preferably, the additional information is information describing an operation corresponding to each of a plurality of events, and the plurality of events includes an event depending on a position of the recording medium and an event independent of the position.

  According to the present invention, the operation is described corresponding to each of a plurality of events, so that a plurality of operations can be executed using one recording medium as a trigger. In addition, since an event that depends on the position of the recording medium and an event that does not depend on the position are included, a desired event can be easily specified from a plurality of events.

  Preferably, the identification information is stored in a semiconductor device attached to the recording medium.

  According to the present invention, since the identification information is stored in the semiconductor device attached to the recording medium, the recording medium can be reliably identified.

  Preferably, event detection means for detecting occurrence of an event, and reading means for reading additional information stored in association with the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means in response to detection of the event by the event detection means And control means for executing an operation corresponding to the detected event among the events described in the read additional information.

  According to the present invention, in response to the detection of the event, the additional information stored in association with the identification information of the recording medium is read, and the operation corresponding to the event is executed among the events described in the additional information. Is done.

  Preferably, the image forming apparatus further includes an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium in response to a print instruction from the print instruction unit.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, an information management program outputs an instruction to print given electronic data in a designated job mode, and acquires identification information for identifying a recording medium; A step of storing additional information describing an operation corresponding to the event in association with the identification information in response to the acquisition of the identification information of the recording medium on which the image is formed in accordance with the print instruction; The operation corresponding to the event includes an operation for instructing electronic data to be printed in the designated job mode. When a change in the designated job mode is received, the job mode described in the additional information is changed. Changing the job mode to the computer.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information management program capable of executing an operation corresponding to a change in circumstances using a recording medium as a trigger.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall outline of a document management system according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a document management system 1 includes a computer 400 connected to a network 30, a printer 100 that prints print data output from the computer 400 on paper 10, and an image formed by the printer 100. The tablet 300 for instructing the occurrence of an event from the sheet 10A.

  Although the figure shows a case where there is one computer 400, one printer 100, and one tablet 300, these may be singular or plural.

  The computer 400 is a general personal computer. Since the hardware configuration is well known, description thereof will not be repeated here. A CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) 401 is mounted on the computer 400. The document management program recorded on the CD-ROM 401 is read by a CD-ROM drive or the like and temporarily stored in the hard disk. Further, it is read from the hard disk to a random access memory (RAM) and executed by a CPU (Central Processing Unit). In the computer 400, various application programs for generating print data such as a document creation program, a drawing program, a spreadsheet program, an image editing program, and a drawing program are executed. The user operates the computer 400 to cause the computer 400 to execute these application programs and generate print data that is electronic data. When an instruction to output the print data generated by the computer 400 is given, an information management program described later is executed.

  The paper 10 is a recording medium on which an image is formed by the printer 100. The sheet 10 includes an IC (Integrated Circuit) tag 11. The IC tag 11 includes a storage device that stores unique identification information for identifying a sheet on which the IC tag is attached and another sheet, and a communication device that can wirelessly communicate with an IC tag reader described later. For example, a semiconductor device such as a muchip can be used. Since the IC tag 11 is attached to the paper 10, the identification information is not copied simultaneously when the image formed on the paper 10 is optically read and copied by a copying machine or the like. Therefore, the paper 10 can be specified from the identification information.

  The printer 100 is an image forming apparatus, and forms an image on the paper 10 in accordance with a print job output from the computer 400. The sheet 10 </ b> A shows a state where the image 20 is formed on the sheet 10. The printer 100 includes an IC tag reader 101. The IC tag reader 101 communicates wirelessly with the IC tag 11 attached to the fed paper 10 and acquires identification information stored in the storage device of the IC tag 11. Therefore, it is possible to associate the identification information of the sheet 10 with the print job used to form an image on the sheet 10. This association is performed by the computer 400. Specifically, after transmitting a print job to the printer 100, the computer 400 receives the identification number of the paper 10 on which the image is formed according to the print job from the printer 100, and the received identification number is an electronic device corresponding to the print job. Associate with data. This will be described in detail later.

  The tablet 300 is a user interface for generating an event using the paper 10. The tablet 300 includes a coordinate input device 303 and an IC tag reader 310. When the user places the paper 10 on the coordinate input device 303 and designates an arbitrary position on the paper 10 with the pen 304, the position information on the designated paper 10 is input. Similar to the IC tag reader 101 provided in the printer 100, the IC tag reader 310 communicates wirelessly with the IC tag 11 attached to the paper 10 placed on the coordinate input device 303 and stores it in the storage device of the IC tag 11. The stored identification information is acquired. The tablet 300 has a common event generation button. The tablet 300 transmits the acquired identification information, common event, or position information on the paper 10 to the computer 400. As a result, an event occurs, and the computer 400 executes processing corresponding to the generated event. This will be described in detail later.

  The network 30 is a local area network (LAN), the Internet, or a general public line, and may be wired or wireless. Further, here, an example is shown in which the computer 400, the printer 100, and the tablet 300 are connected via the network 30, but these may be connected using a serial line or a parallel line.

  The document management program executed by the computer 400 has been shown as an example of being stored in the CD-ROM 401 and distributed, but other recording media such as a flexible disk, a cassette tape, a hard disk, an optical disk (MO (Magnetic Optical Disc) ) / MD (Mini Disc) / DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)), IC card (including memory card), optical card, mask ROM, EPROM (Erasable and Programmable ROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM) and other semiconductors It may be a medium that carries a fixed program such as a memory.

  Further, the document management program may be provided from another computer via the network 30 instead of via the recording medium.

  The program here is a concept including not only a program directly executable by the CPU but also a program in a source program format, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the like.

  In the document management system 1 in the present embodiment, the computer 400 functions as an information management apparatus. The computer 400 stores the electronic data in association with the identification information attached to the paper 10 on which the electronic data is printed. The computer stores additional information in association with the identification information and the electronic data. This additional information defines an operation corresponding to the event. The operation corresponding to the event is a process related to the electronic data printed on the paper 10, a copying process for printing the electronic data on another paper in a predetermined job mode, and a transfer process for sending the electronic data to another computer Update processing for printing the updated electronic data on another sheet in a predetermined job mode when the electronic data is updated. These duplication, transfer, and update processes are associated with common events that are not related to the position of the sheet 10. The occurrence of the event is input from the tablet as described above.

  In addition, the process corresponding to the event can include a process different from copying, transferring, and updating of electronic data. For example, it includes processing executable on the computer 400, such as displaying or printing other electronic data. These processes are associated with position events related to the position of the paper 10.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a tablet and an instruction of a position event by the tablet. FIG. 2A shows a plan view of the tablet. As described above, the tablet 300 is a user interface for generating an event. 2A, tablet 300 includes a coordinate input device 303, common event generation buttons 302A, 302B, and 302C, a display unit 301, and an IC tag reader 310 on the upper surface thereof.

  In order to generate an event using the tablet 300, first, the paper 10A on which the electronic data is printed and the image 20 is formed is mounted on the coordinate input device 303. Thereby, the IC tag reader 310 provided on the back surface of the coordinate input device 303 communicates with the IC tag reader 11 attached to the paper 10A, and the identification number given to the paper 10A by the IC tag reader 310 is acquired.

  Next, the user presses the common event generation buttons 302A, 302B, and 302C, or designates an arbitrary position on the paper 10A with the pen 304. The common event generation button 302A is a button for generating a duplicate event. The common event generation button 302B is a button for generating a transfer event. The common event generation button 302C is a button for generating an update event. Depending on the occurrence of the common event, one of the three predetermined operations of duplication, transfer, or update is executed by the computer 400. This operation is defined in advance by additional information stored in the computer 400.

  An instruction of an arbitrary position on the paper 10A using the pen 304 generates a position event. This position event is a predetermined operation of the computer 400 corresponding to a predetermined position of the sheet 10A. The position of the sheet 10 </ b> A and the operation corresponding to the position are defined in advance by additional information stored in the computer 400.

  The display unit 301 is a liquid crystal display device, for example, and displays an event execution result.

  FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating an example of the position of the sheet 10 </ b> A defined in advance by additional information. With reference to FIG. 2B, an example in which five regions 21A to 21E are defined on the sheet 10A is shown. Different position events can be defined in each of the five regions 21A to 21E. For example, when an arbitrary position in the area 21A is designated by the pen 304, the operation associated with the area 21A is executed by the computer 400. Therefore, it is desirable that the areas 21A to 21E and the electronic data have a predetermined association. The designation of the position on the paper 10A on the tablet 300 is performed by the user looking at the image 20 printed on the paper 10A. For this reason, it is preferable that the user can know the event from the image 20. Therefore, it is preferable that the image 20 is an image different in each of the five regions 21A to 21E. Thereby, since the user can select any one of the five images in the image 20, the user can recognize the position event to be generated from the image 20.

  The tablet 300 gives the computer 400 the identification information acquired by the IC tag reader 310 and the pressed position of the common event generation buttons 302A, 302B, 302C or the indicated position (coordinates) of the pen 304 detected by the coordinate input device 303. Send.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between electronic data and additional information. In FIG. 3, only common events are shown for explanation. Since the position event is similar to the common event, description thereof will not be repeated here.

  In FIG. 3 (A), in order to distribute the specification A version to the person in charge in the department in charge and the person in charge in the related department, the electronic file with the name “file A.aaa” storing the contents of the specification A version is stored. An example is shown in which data is printed and two copies of paper 10A are output. The specification version A is officially issued from the department in charge to the related department, but is a version that is scheduled to be updated several times before the final version is issued. Therefore, for the paper 10A distributed to the person in charge in the department in charge, the additional information is associated with the identification information of the paper 10A and the electronic data, and execution of all common events of copying, transfer and update is permitted. It is assumed that the operation to be performed is described. For the paper 10A distributed to the person in charge in the related department, the additional information is associated with the identification information of the paper 10A and the electronic data, and the copy and transfer operation is prohibited and the update is permitted only once. The operation to be performed is described.

  Thereby, the person in charge in the department in charge can cause the computer 400 to perform operations corresponding to all the events of duplication, transfer, and update from the tablet 300 using the paper 10A. On the other hand, the person in charge in the related department cannot cause the computer 400 to execute an operation corresponding to the duplication and transfer event from the tablet 300 using the paper 10A, and performs an operation corresponding to the update event. The computer 400 can be executed only once. Further, when the person in charge in the related department causes the computer 400 to execute an operation corresponding to the update event using the paper 10A, the additional information is changed so that the update is not permitted. For this reason, even if the second update event is generated, since the update event is not permitted, the operation corresponding to the update event is not executed in the computer 400.

  In this way, by associating additional information for each piece of identification information of the sheet 10A, even if two sheets 10A on which the same image is formed based on the same electronic data are printed, depending on the person who distributes the sheet 10A, The action corresponding to the event can be made different. As the event occurs, the additional information is changed after the operation corresponding to the event is executed. For this reason, additional information can be changed according to the change of the situation that the operation | movement corresponding to an event is performed.

  When the sheet 10A is composed of a plurality of sheets, the electronic data and the additional information are associated with the identification information of each sheet, and the additional information related to the identification information of all the sheets is changed after the operation corresponding to the event is executed. Is done.

  In FIG. 3B, in order to distribute the specification A ′ version to the person in charge in the department in charge, the electronic data with the file name “File B.aaa” storing the contents of the specification A ′ version is printed. An example of outputting paper 10A is shown. The specification A 'version is issued to the person in charge in the department in charge, and is a version that is scheduled to be updated several times before the final version is issued. For this reason, for the paper 10A distributed to the person in charge in the department in charge, the additional information is associated with the identification information of the paper 10A and the electronic data. Is defined as a description of the action to be performed. The additional information includes the updated file name as an operation corresponding to the update event. The updated file name defined by this additional information is changed every time the electronic data with the file name “File B.aaa” is updated. For this reason, additional information can be changed according to the change of the situation of file update.

  When the sheet 10A is composed of a plurality of sheets, the electronic data and the additional information are associated with the identification information of each sheet, and as the electronic data is updated, the additional information associated with the identification information of all the sheets is updated. Everything is changed.

  FIG. 3C shows a file name storing the contents of the specification B version for distributing the specification B version to the person in charge in the department in charge, the person in charge in the related department, and the person in charge of the sales company. In the example, three sheets of paper 10A printed with electronic data of “file C.aaa” are output. The specification B version is issued as the final version from the department in charge. For this reason, it is not updated after it is issued. Issuing corresponds to printing and distributing electronic data of “file C.aaa” first. For this reason, for the paper 10A distributed to the person in charge in the department in charge, the additional information is associated with the identification information of the paper 10A and the electronic data, and the operation of permitting the execution of a common event for copying and forwarding; It is assumed that the operation in which the update common event is not permitted is described. Further, for the paper 10A distributed to the person in charge of the related department, the additional information is associated with the identification information of the paper 10A and the electronic data, and the operation for permitting the execution of the common event of copying, transfer and update It is assumed that the operation in which the common event is not permitted is described. Further, for the paper 10A distributed to the person in charge of the sales company, the additional information is associated with the identification information of the paper 10A and the electronic data, and the execution of all common events of duplication, transfer and update is prohibited. It is assumed that the operation is described.

  As a result, the person in charge in the department in charge can cause the computer 400 to execute an operation corresponding to the duplication / transfer event from the tablet 300 using the paper 10A. Cannot be executed. The person in charge of the related department can cause the computer 400 to execute an operation corresponding to the duplication event from the tablet 300 using the paper 10A, but the computer 400 can perform an operation corresponding to the transfer and update event. It cannot be executed. Furthermore, the person in charge of the sales company cannot cause the computer 400 to perform operations corresponding to all the events of copying, transferring, and updating from the tablet 300 using the paper 10A.

  In this way, by associating additional information for each piece of identification information of the sheet 10A, even if three sheets 10A on which the same image is formed based on the same electronic data are printed, depending on the person who distributes the sheet 10A, The action corresponding to the event can be made different.

  When the sheet 10A is composed of a plurality of sheets, electronic data and additional information are associated with the identification information of each sheet.

  FIG. 4 shows additional information generated in the example shown in FIG. Here, it is assumed that an instruction to print “file A.aaa” with print job A is issued, and as a result, an image is formed on three sheets of paper. In FIG. 4A, additional information stored when the paper 10A distributed to the person in charge in the department in charge is printed and stored when the paper 10A distributed to the person in charge in the related department is printed. Additional information to be displayed.

  Referring to FIG. 4A, the additional information stored when the paper 10A distributed to the person in charge in the department in charge is printed is the electronic information storing the paper identification information and the contents of the specification A version. The file name “file A.aaa” indicating data, the “department in charge” indicating the distribution destination, and the page number are associated with the operation of the common event and the position event. The file name “file A.aaa”, the “department in charge” indicating the distribution destination, the operation of the common event, and the operation of the position event associated with the three pieces of identification information “1001”, “1002”, “1003” are Are all the same. Only the associated page numbers are different. Therefore, even if an event is generated using a sheet with one of the three pieces of identification information “1001”, “1002”, and “1003”, the operation for the event is the same. Will be executed.

  For details of the operation of the common event, “job mode A” is defined for the replication event, “destination address” is defined for the transfer event, and “update file name / "Job mode A" is defined. Since “job mode A” is defined for the duplication event, the electronic data of “file A.aaa” is printed out from the printer 100 in job mode A when the duplication event occurs. Since the “destination address” is defined in the transfer event, when the transfer event occurs, the electronic data of “file A.aaa” is transmitted to the “destination address” by communication means such as e-mail. The Since “update file name / job mode A” is defined in the update event, the electronic data of “update file name” is printed out in the job mode A from the printer 100 when the update event occurs. The updated file name is not stored at the beginning when this additional information is stored, and the updated file name is stored as the updated file name when the electronic data of “file A.aaa” is updated. Therefore, the additional information is changed when the update file is generated. If the electronic data of “File A.aaa” has not yet been updated and the update file name is not stored, even if an update event occurs, the file to be printed does not exist, so it corresponds to the update event. No action is performed.

  For the details of the operation of the position event, a plurality of positions and operations are defined. The position defines a rectangular area in the paper 10A by the coordinates of the upper left vertex and the lower right vertex of the area. The operation corresponding to the positions of the upper left vertex coordinates (100, 300) and the lower right vertex coordinates (300, 500) is “output file X”, and outputs electronic data with the file name “file X”. The action to be defined is defined. The other position event is “count value addition of item A” corresponding to the positions of the upper left vertex coordinates (600, 200) and the lower right vertex coordinates (900, 500). If the count value indicating the number of times is item A, an operation for incrementing the count value is defined.

  Although the additional information defining two position events is shown here, the number of position events is not limited to this, and one or a plurality of position events can be defined.

  The additional information stored when the paper 10A distributed to the person in charge in the related department is printed includes paper identification information and a file name “file A.aaa indicating electronic data storing the contents of the specification A version. ”,“ Related department ”indicating the distribution destination, and page number, and is information describing the operation of the common event and the operation of the position event. The file name “file A.aaa”, the “department in charge” indicating the distribution destination, the operation of the common event, and the operation of the position event associated with the three identification information “1011”, “1012”, and “1013” Are all the same. Only the associated page numbers are different. Therefore, even if an event is generated using a sheet to which any of the three pieces of identification information “1011”, “1012”, “1013” is attached, the operation for the event is the same, so the same operation is performed by the computer. Will be executed.

  For details of the operation of the common event, “not permitted” is defined for the replication event, “not permitted” is defined for the transfer event, and “update file name / job mode” is defined for the update event. "A / only once" is defined. Since “non-permitted” is defined for the duplication event, the electronic data of “file A.aaa” is not printed out from the printer 100 even if the duplication event occurs. Since “not permitted” is defined in the transfer event, the electronic data of “file A.aaa” is not transmitted even if the transfer event occurs. Since “update file name / job mode A / only once” is defined in the update event, when the update event occurs, the electronic data of “update file name” is sent only once from the printer 100 to the job mode. A is printed out. When an update event occurs and an operation corresponding to the update event, that is, when electronic data of “update file name” is printed out from the printer 100 in the job mode A, “not permitted” is defined for the update event. As described above, the additional information is changed.

  FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating the additional information after the additional information is changed. As described above, the additional information is changed in response to the execution of the operation corresponding to the event due to the occurrence of the event. The additional information to be changed is all the additional information in which the same operation is described in the update event. For this reason, all the impossibility information associated with the identification information “1011”, “1012”, and “1013” is changed.

  Here, the case has been described where the additional information is changed after the update event occurs and the operation is executed, but the additional information is changed after the operation associated with the occurrence of another event is executed. You may do it. Further, after an operation associated with the occurrence of a certain event, for example, a replication event, is executed, the additional information may be changed so as to change the operation corresponding to another event, for example, an update event.

  If the update file name is not stored, as described above, even if an update event occurs, the file corresponding to the update event is not executed because there is no file to be printed out.

  Further, the additional information is also changed by changing the job mode. FIG. 4B shows an example in which the job mode A is changed to the job mode B. Here, the job mode A is a mode in which “file A.aaa” is printed on one side, and the job mode B is a job mode in which “file A.aaa” is printed on both sides. Further, the job mode B may be a chapter job mode, a bind job mode, or the like. The additional information to be changed is all the additional information in which the same operation is described in the update event. For this reason, all the additional information associated with the identification information “1011”, “1012”, and “1013” is changed.

  The additional information position event stored when the paper 10A distributed to the person in charge in the related department is printed is the additional information stored when the paper 10A distributed to the person in charge in the department in charge is printed. Same as location event. The image formed on the sheet 10A is the same for the image distributed to the department in charge and the image distributed to the related department. Therefore, the position of the position event is the same for both sheets 10A. Here, the operations corresponding to the position event are the same as those distributed to the department in charge and those distributed to the related department, but different operations may be defined.

  FIG. 5 shows additional information generated in the example shown in FIG. Here, it is assumed that an instruction to print the electronic data with the file name “file B. aaa” storing the contents of the specification A ′ version in the job mode A is issued, and as a result, an image is formed on three sheets of paper. Shall be. FIG. 5A shows additional information stored when the sheet 10A distributed to the person in charge in the department in charge is printed.

  Referring to FIG. 5A, additional information stored when the sheet 10A distributed to the person in charge in the department in charge is printed includes sheet identification information, a file name “file B. aaa”, The “department in charge” indicating the distribution destination is associated with the page number, and is information describing the operation of the common event and the operation of the position event. The file name “File B.aaa”, the “department in charge” indicating the distribution destination, the common event operation, and the position event operation associated with the three pieces of identification information “2001”, “2002”, and “2003” are as follows: Are all the same. Only the associated page numbers are different. Therefore, even if an event is generated using a sheet to which any of the three pieces of identification information “2001”, “2002”, and “2003” is attached, the operation for the event is the same. Will be executed.

  For details on the operation of the common event, “non-permission” is defined for the replication event, “non-permission” is defined for the transfer event, and “the latest update file name / "Job mode A" is defined. Since “not permitted” is defined in the duplication event, the electronic data of “file B.aaa” is not printed out from the printer 100 when the duplication event occurs. Since “not permitted” is defined in the transfer event, the electronic data of “file B.aaa” is not transmitted when the transfer event occurs. Since the “latest update file name / job mode A” is defined in the update event, when the update event occurs, the electronic data of “latest update file name” is printed from the printer 100 in the job mode A. Is output. The updated file name is not stored at the beginning when this additional information is stored, and the updated file name is stored as the updated file name when the electronic data of “file A.aaa” is updated. Further, since this update may be performed not only once but also a plurality of times, the file name of the latest update file is defined. Therefore, the additional information is changed every time the latest update file is generated.

  For details of the operation of the position event, the position and the operation are defined. The operation corresponding to the positions of the upper left vertex coordinates (200, 500) and the lower right vertex coordinates (500, 800) is “output file X”, and outputs electronic data with the file name “file X”. The action to be defined is defined.

  The additional information is also changed by changing the job mode. FIG. 5B shows an example in which the job mode A is changed to the job mode B. Here, job mode A is a mode in which “file B.aaa” is printed on one side, and job mode B is a job mode in which “file B.aaa” is printed on both sides. Further, the job mode B may be a chapter job mode, a bind job mode, or the like. The additional information to be changed is all the additional information in which the same operation is described in the update event. For this reason, all the additional information associated with the identification information “2001”, “2002”, and “2003” is changed.

  FIG. 6 shows additional information generated in the example shown in FIG. Here, it is assumed that an instruction to print the electronic data of the file name “file C.aaa” in which the contents of the specification B version are stored in the job mode A is generated, and as a result, an image is formed on three sheets of paper. Shall be. In FIG. 6A, additional information stored when the paper 10A distributed to the person in charge in the department in charge is printed and stored when the paper 10A distributed to the person in charge in the related department is printed. And additional information stored when the sheet 10A distributed to the person in charge of the sales company is printed.

  Referring to FIG. 6A, additional information stored when the sheet 10A distributed to the person in charge in the department in charge is printed includes sheet identification information, a file name “file C.aaa”, The “department in charge” indicating the distribution destination is associated with the page number, and is information describing the operation of the common event and the operation of the position event. The file name “File B.aaa”, the “department in charge” indicating the distribution destination, the common event operation, and the position event operation associated with the three pieces of identification information “2001”, “2002”, and “2003” are as follows: Are all the same. Only the associated page numbers are different. Therefore, even if an event is generated using a sheet with one of the three pieces of identification information “3001”, “3002”, and “3003”, the operation for the event is the same. Will be executed.

  For details on the operation of the common event, “job mode A” is defined for the replication event, “destination address” is defined for the transfer event, and “not permitted” is specified for the update event. Is defined. Since “job mode A” is defined for the duplication event, the electronic data of “file C.aaa” is printed out in the job mode A from the printer 100 when the duplication event occurs. Since the “destination address” is defined in the transfer event, when the transfer event occurs, the electronic data of “file C.aaa” is transmitted to the “destination address” by communication means such as e-mail. The Since “not permitted” is defined in the update event, nothing is executed when the update event occurs. The details of the operation of the position event are the same as those described with reference to FIG. 4, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated here.

  Additional information stored when the paper 10A distributed to the person in charge in the department in charge is printed includes the paper identification information, the file name “file C.aaa”, and the “related department” indicating the distribution destination. And information describing the operation of the common event and the operation of the position event. The file name “file C.aaa”, the “related department” indicating the distribution destination, the operation of the common event, and the operation of the location event associated with the three pieces of identification information “3011”, “3012”, “3013” Are all the same. Only the associated page numbers are different. Therefore, even if an event is generated using a sheet with one of the three pieces of identification information “3011”, “3012”, and “3013”, the operation for the event is the same. Will be executed.

  For details of the operation of the common event, “up to job mode A / 2003/12/31” is defined for the replication event, “not permitted” is defined for the transfer event, and the update event “Not allowed” is defined. “Job mode A” is defined for the duplication event, but the time limit is set to 2003/12/31. Therefore, when a duplication event occurs, if the date of occurrence is up to December 31, 2003, the electronic data of “file C.aaa” is printed out from the printer 100 in the job mode A. It will not be printed after January 1st. As for the additional information, as of January 1, 2004, the operation of the duplicate event stored in association with the identification information “3011”, “3012”, “3013” is changed to “not permitted”. The Since “not permitted” is defined in the transfer event, the electronic data of “file C.aaa” is not transmitted even if the transfer event occurs. Since “not permitted” is defined in the update event, nothing is executed when the update event occurs. The details of the operation of the position event are the same as those described with reference to FIG. 4, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated here.

  Additional information stored when the paper 10A distributed to the person in charge of the sales company is printed includes paper identification information, a file name “file C.aaa”, a “sales company” indicating a distribution destination, This information is associated with the page number and describes the operation of the common event and the operation of the position event. The file name “file C.aaa”, the “sales company” indicating the distribution destination, the common event operation, and the location event operation associated with the three identification information “3021”, “3022”, “3023” Are all the same. Only the associated page numbers are different. Therefore, even if an event is generated using a sheet with any of the three identification information items “3021”, “3022”, and “3023”, the operation for the event is the same, so the same operation is performed by the computer. Will be executed.

  Regarding the details of the operation of the common event, “non-permission” is defined for all of the duplication event, the transfer event, and the update event. Since “not permitted” is defined in the duplication event, the electronic data of “file C.aaa” is not printed out from the printer 100. Since “not permitted” is defined in the transfer event, the electronic data of “file C.aaa” is not transmitted even if the transfer event occurs. Since “not permitted” is defined in the update event, nothing is executed when the update event occurs. The details of the operation of the position event are the same as those described with reference to FIG. 4, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated here.

  The additional information is also changed by changing the job mode. FIG. 6B shows an example in which the job mode A is changed to the job mode B. Here, job mode A is a mode in which “file C.aaa” is printed on one side, and job mode B is a job mode in which “file C.aaa” is printed on both sides. Further, the job mode B may be a chapter job mode, a bind job mode, or the like. The additional information to be changed is all the additional information in which the same operation is described in the update event. For this reason, all the additional information associated with the identification information “3001,” “3002,” and “3003” is changed. If the date is before December 31, 2003, the operation corresponding to the duplication event of all additional information associated with the identification information “3011”, “3012”, and “3013” is changed.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of additional information generation processing of processing executed in the document management system in the present embodiment. In FIG. 7, the flow of additional information generation processing executed by the computer 400 is shown on the right side, and the flow of print processing executed by the printer 100 is shown on the left side. Referring to the figure, it is detected in computer 400 that the user has opened a file in order to create, change, or update the file (step S01). The file opened here is electronic data. Then, a print instruction is detected (step S02). This print instruction includes a job mode setting. When a print instruction is detected, an event instruction input is accepted (step S03). The input of an event instruction refers to the input of additional information described with reference to FIGS. As described above, the additional information is information defining an event and an operation corresponding to the event, and the event includes a common event and a position event. Therefore, the event instruction includes an operation for each event of duplication, transfer, and update for a common event, and includes a position and an operation corresponding to the position for a position event. A screen for inputting these event instructions is displayed on the display of the computer 400, and the user's input is accepted. Note that, when a predetermined event is used for an event and an operation corresponding to the event, this event instruction can be omitted.

  Then, the electronic data opened in step S01 is converted into print data, and job data including the converted print data and the job mode set and input in step S02 is transmitted to the printer 100 (step S04). . Here, for the sake of explanation, it is assumed that the single-sided print job mode is set.

  The printer 100 receives print data from the computer 400 (step S11). Then, it is determined whether or not a job mode change has been input by the user (step S12). In the printer 100, the job mode for single-sided printing received from the computer 400 is set, but the user may desire to print in a job mode different from the job mode. Therefore, when the user changes the job mode, the changed job mode is transmitted to the computer 400 (step S13).

  When the changed job mode is received from the computer 400 (step S05), the event instruction input in step S02 is changed in step S06. If the changed job mode is not received, the process skips step S06 and proceeds to step S07.

  On the other hand, the printer 100 prints in the changed job mode, but before that, reads the identification information of the sheet 10 on which an image is to be formed from the IC tag 11 (step S14). Then, the print data included in the job mode received in step S11 is printed on the sheet 10 (step S15). When printing is completed, the identification information read in step S14 is returned to the computer 400 (step S16). Then, it is determined whether or not there is print data to be printed next (step S17). If it exists, the process returns to step S14 to repeat the above-described processing, and if it does not exist, the processing ends.

  The computer 400 is in a standby state until the identification information is received from the printer 100, and receives the identification information (step S07). Then, if the event instruction is changed in step S06 from the event instruction input in step S03, additional information is generated from the changed event instruction, and the received identification information received in step S07, and step S01 And stored in a storage device such as a hard disk in association with the electronic data opened in step S08. Then, based on the electronic data, it is determined whether or not the next print is performed by the printer 100 (step S09). If it is determined that there is a next print, the process returns to step S07, and the process of step S08 is repeatedly executed. To do. Thereafter, when it is determined that printing by the printer has ended, the file opened in step S01 is closed and the process is ended (step S10).

  As described above, the additional information is generated and stored every time a print is generated by the printer 100. Further, since the additional information is information associated with the identification information of the paper 10, different additional information can be generated and stored for each print job.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of event processing executed in the document management system in this embodiment. In the figure, the flow of processing executed by the tablet 300 is shown on the right side, and the flow of processing executed by the computer 400 is shown on the left side. Referring to FIG. 8, when the user places paper 10A on the coordinate input device of tablet 300, identification information is read from IC tag 11 of paper 10A by IC tag reader 310 of tablet 300 (step S31). Then, the read identification information is transmitted to the computer 400 (step S32).

  The computer 400 receives the identification information (step S21). In the additional information generation process described above, the additional information generated and stored is searched, and additional information associated with the received identification information is extracted (step S22).

  On the other hand, the tablet receives an event instruction (step S33). The event instruction is a user instruction for pressing the common event generation buttons 302A, 302B, and 302C or instructing an arbitrary position on the paper 10A with the pen 304. If pressing of the common event generation buttons 302A, 302B, and 302C is detected (YES in step S34), it is determined that any one of the common events of duplication, transfer, or update is instructed, and the process proceeds to step S36. If not (NO in step S34), an instruction of an arbitrary position on the paper 10A by the pen 304 is detected (step S35). When a common event is instructed, the fact is transmitted to the computer 400, and when a position event is instructed, the instructed position information is transmitted to the computer 400 (step S36).

  The computer 400 receives the event instruction transmitted from the tablet and analyzes the event (step S23). Event analysis is processing for determining an operation corresponding to a received event instruction from the additional information extracted in step S22. Then, an operation corresponding to the event instruction is executed by executing the determined operation (event execution process: step S24).

  If necessary, the additional information is changed according to the event execution process in step S24 (step S25).

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of additional information change processing executed in step S25 of FIG. This additional information change process is executed according to the event execution process. Here, for the sake of explanation, the case where the additional information shown in FIG. 4A is stored and an update event occurs on the sheet having the identification number “1011” will be described as an example. Referring to FIG. 9, it is determined whether the operation corresponding to the event executed in step S24 of FIG. 8 is an update event or a replication event (step S41). If true, the process proceeds to step S42, and if false, the process proceeds to step S46. Here, since an update event has occurred, the process proceeds to step S42.

  In step S42, the additional information describes an operation for printing “file A.aaa” in job mode A as an operation corresponding to the update event. Therefore, the electronic data with the file name “file A.aaa” is described. A print job including the print data obtained by converting the print data and the job mode A is transmitted to the printer 100 (step S42). In response to this, the printer 100 executes the processing of steps S11 to S17 shown in FIG.

  In step S43, it is determined that the job mode has been changed by receiving the changed job mode from the printer 100 (step S43), and the process proceeds to step S44. If the changed job mode is not received, the process proceeds to step S46.

  In step S44, additional information including electronic data whose file name is “file A.aaa” is extracted. Here, six pieces of additional information associated with the identification numbers “1001”, “1002”, “1003”, “1011”, “1012”, and “1013” are extracted. Then, of the operations corresponding to the events described in the extracted additional information, all the operations including the job mode are changed. Specifically, the operations corresponding to the duplication event and the update event associated with the identification numbers “1001”, “1002”, “1003”, and the identification numbers “1011”, “1012”, “1013”, respectively. The operation corresponding to the update event associated with each is changed to the job mode B. Thus, for these events that occur thereafter, the electronic data with the file name “file A.aaa” is printed in the job mode B.

  In step S46, it is determined whether or not there is a limit on the number of times. If there is a limit on the number of times, the process proceeds to step S47, and if not, the process ends. Here, an update event has occurred on the sheet having the identification number “0011”, and “update file name / job mode A / only once” is described as the operation corresponding to this update event, so the number of times is limited. It is determined that there is, and the process proceeds to step S47.

  In step S47, the operation corresponding to the executed event is changed to “not permitted”. At this time, the additional information to be changed is not only the additional information extracted in step S22 of FIG. 8, but also other additional information describing the same operation as the operation to be changed. Specifically, additional information associated with the identification numbers “1012” and “1013” is extracted, and the operation corresponding to those update events is changed to “not permitted”.

  As described above, in the document management system 1 according to the present embodiment, an event occurs after electronic data is printed on the paper 10 in order to change the additional information in response to the operation corresponding to the event being executed. It is possible to cope with circumstances such as. Further, since the change of the additional information is performed in units of print jobs, it is possible to cope with a situation in which an event occurs in all of the sheets printed by the same print job.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the second additional information change process. The second additional information changing process is a process of changing the additional information regardless of the occurrence of the event. Here, the case where the additional information shown in FIG. 4 is stored, the electronic data of the file name “file A.aaa” is updated, and the file name is “file A′.aaa” will be described as an example. To do. Referring to FIG. 10, it is detected that a file whose file name is “file A.aaa” is opened on computer 400 (step S 51). When it is detected that the file has been modified (step S52), it is determined that the file has been updated, the additional information is searched, and additional information including the file before the update is extracted. Here, six pieces of additional information associated with the identification numbers “1001”, “1002”, “1003”, “1011”, “1012”, and “1013” are extracted. Then, the updated file name “file A′.aaa” is stored in the extracted update file name of the additional information (step S53). Thereby, the additional information is changed. Then, the opened file is closed (step S54), and the process is terminated.

  For this reason, according to the change of the file, the additional information related to the file is changed.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of the third additional information changing process. The third additional information change process is also a process executed regardless of the operation corresponding to the event. Here, it is assumed that the additional information shown in FIG. 6A is stored and the current date is January 1, 2004. Referring to the figure, the additional information generated and stored in step S06 of FIG. 7 is read in order (step S61). Then, it is determined whether or not there is an operation that is limited in time among the operations defined in the read additional information (step S62). If there is, the process proceeds to step S63, and if not, the process ends. Here, additional information associated with the identification numbers “3011”, “3012”, and “3013” is extracted, and the process proceeds to step S63.

  In step S63, it is determined whether or not the period has expired. If it has expired, the process proceeds to step S64, and if not, the process ends. Here, since the time limit described in the additional information is “2003/12/31” and the current date is January 1, 2004, it is determined that the period has expired, and step S64 is performed. Proceed to

  In step S64, the operation whose period has expired is changed to “not permitted” (step S64). The additional information that is limited in period as described above is changed with the passage of time.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of the fourth additional information change process. The fourth additional information change process is also a process that is executed regardless of the operation corresponding to the event. Referring to FIG. 12, in the fourth additional information changing process, it is determined whether or not an input including contents for changing the additional information has been detected (step S71). If an input has been input, the process proceeds to step S72. Otherwise, the process is terminated. In step S72, it is determined whether or not the user owns the file related to the additional information to be changed (step S72). The user may have the authority to manage the file instead of owning the file. If it is determined that the file is the owner, the process proceeds to step S73. If not, the process ends.

  In step S73, the change in step S71 is accepted, and the additional information is changed according to the change content.

  As described above, the document management system 1 according to the present embodiment stores additional information describing an operation corresponding to an event in association with identification information for identifying a sheet. Can be associated with an event. Also, when a change in the specified job mode is received, the job mode described in the additional information is changed to the changed job mode. After the job mode is changed, printing is performed in the changed job mode. Is done. For this reason, the operation | movement corresponding to the change of a situation can be performed by using paper as a trigger.

  When the print job is to print on a plurality of sheets, the same additional information is stored in association with the identification information of each of the plurality of sheets. For this reason, since the same additional information is obtained in units of print jobs, the same operation can be executed using any one of a plurality of recording media as a trigger. For example, a plurality of sheets can be copied from one of the plurality of sheets.

  In addition, since the additional information describes an operation corresponding to each of a plurality of events, a plurality of operations can be executed using one sheet as a trigger. In addition, since a position event depending on the position of the sheet and a common event independent of the position are included, a desired event can be easily specified from a plurality of events.

  Further, since the identification information is stored in the IC tag attached to the paper, the paper can be reliably identified.

  Further, in response to the detection of the event, the additional information stored in association with the paper identification information is read, and the operation corresponding to the event is executed among the events described in the additional information. Can be executed easily.

  In the present embodiment, the computer 400 and the printer 100 are described as separate units. However, a printer in which these are integrated may be used. In addition, although the printer 100 and the tablet 300 have been described as separate units, a printer in which these are integrated may be used. Furthermore, a printer in which the computer 400, the printer 100, and the tablet 300 are integrated may be used.

  In the present embodiment, the additional information shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 is associated with identification information, electronic data, and a distribution destination. However, the additional information only needs to be associated with at least identification information. . The electronic data is used in response to a duplication event and a transfer event, but this electronic data may be included in an operation corresponding to the event.

  Further, the identification information of the paper 10 is recorded on the IC tag 11 attached to the paper 10. However, instead of the IC tag 11, the identification information is an image formed with an ink that does not reflect visible light. It is good. This is because if the visible light is not reflected, the image representing the identification information is not duplicated even if the paper 10A is copied by the copying machine. In this case, a function for forming an image with ink that does not reflect visible light may be added to the printer, and an image representing identification information may be identified by a scanner instead of an ID tag reader. In this case, it is not necessary to attach the IC tag 11 to the paper 10, and an ID tag reader is unnecessary.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

1 is a diagram showing an overall outline of a document management system in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the instruction | indication of a tablet and the position event by it. It is a figure for demonstrating the relationship between electronic data and additional information. It is a figure which shows the additional information produced | generated in the example shown to FIG. 3 (A). It is a figure which shows the additional information produced | generated in the example shown to FIG. 3 (B). It is a figure which shows the additional information produced | generated in the example shown in FIG.3 (C). It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the additional information generation process performed with the document management system in this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the event process performed with the document management system in this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the additional information change process performed by step S25 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a 2nd additional information change process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a 3rd additional information change process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a 4th additional information change process.

Explanation of symbols

  1 Document management system, 11 IC tag, 30 network, 100 printer, 101, 310 IC tag reader, 101 printer, 300 tablet, 301 display unit, 303 coordinate input device, 304 pen, 400 computer, 302A, 302B, 302C Common event occurrence button.

Claims (7)

Print instruction means for outputting an instruction to print given electronic data in a designated job mode;
Identification information acquisition means for acquiring identification information for identifying the recording medium;
A storage unit for storing additional information describing an operation corresponding to an event in association with the identification information in response to the identification information of the recording medium on which an image is formed in accordance with the print instruction;
The operation corresponding to the event described in the additional information includes an operation of instructing printing of the electronic data in the designated job mode.
An information management apparatus comprising: changing means for changing the job mode described in the additional information to the changed job mode when the change of the designated job mode is received.   2. The information according to claim 1, wherein, when an image is formed on a plurality of recording media by image formation according to the print instruction, the same additional information is stored in association with identification information of each of the plurality of recording media. Management device. The additional information is information describing an operation corresponding to each of a plurality of events,
The information management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of events include an event dependent on a position of the recording medium and an event independent of the position.   The information management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification information is stored in a semiconductor device attached to the recording medium. Event detection means for detecting the occurrence of an event;
Reading means for reading additional information stored in association with the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means in response to the detection of the event by the event detection means;
The information management apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that executes an operation corresponding to the detected event among events described in the read additional information.   The information management apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image forming apparatus that forms an image on the recording medium in response to a print instruction by the print instruction unit. Outputting instructions for printing given electronic data in a designated job mode;
Obtaining identification information for identifying the recording medium;
Storing additional information describing an operation corresponding to an event in association with the identification information in response to the acquisition of the identification information of the recording medium on which an image is formed in accordance with the print instruction;
The operation corresponding to the event described in the additional information includes an operation of instructing printing of the electronic data in the designated job mode.
An information management program for causing a computer to execute a step of changing the job mode described in the additional information to the changed job mode when the change of the designated job mode is received.

Images