JP2006099272A - Browsing system and its method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a browsing system that sets a deadline for access from recipients of draft data and that, if there is no access for a predetermined period of time within the deadline, sends a confirmation message to each recipient to urge browsing; and its control method. <P>SOLUTION: The destinations of the draft data and a deadline for browsing the data are set. The draft data are created on the basis of draft images and stored in a predetermined storage position in a document management system 102. Based on the recipients and the storage position, a URL via which the draft data can be accessed is created for each destination and reported. Each client accesses the draft data using the URL. Even if the client has no right to access, the access is permitted provided the UID of the client is designated as the recipient of the draft data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a browsing system and method for allowing a user to browse data stored in a server or the like.

A system that can exchange various data between a plurality of devices connected via a network is known. For example, a system that can use document image data read by a copying machine or the like for circulation purposes is proposed (Patent Document). 1). In this system, a URL indicating the storage location of the document image data is distributed to the distribution destination (user) of the document image, and each user can access the document image data by the URL.
JP 2002-055976 A

  However, in the above conventional example, in an apparatus that receives and manages such document image data, whether each user designated as a distribution destination of the stored document image data has viewed the document image data. Could not know.

  In the case of a user who does not have access rights to the upper folder of the file in which the document image data is stored, even if the document image data is set as a distribution destination, the document There was a problem that the image data storage location could not be accessed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and sets a time limit for access from a distribution destination of manuscript data, and if there is no access for a predetermined period within the time limit, a confirmation message is transmitted to the distribution destination for viewing. Providing a browsing system and a control method thereof.

A browsing system according to an aspect of the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
Generating means for setting a delivery destination of the original data, a viewing time limit, and generating original data based on the original image;
Storage means for receiving the document data generated by the generation means and storing it in a predetermined storage position;
URL creation means for creating a URL accessible to the document data for each delivery destination based on the delivery destination and the storage position;
Sending means for sending each URL created by the URL creating means to a corresponding delivery destination by e-mail;
Distribution means for reading out original data accessed by the URL from the storage means and transmitting the original data to a distribution destination corresponding to the URL;
Confirmation means for sending confirmation information to the distribution destination when the distribution destination of the original data does not access the original data for a predetermined period within the browsing period;
It is characterized by having.

A browsing system control method according to an aspect of the present invention includes the following steps. That is,
A control method of a browsing system configured by a network,
A generation step of setting a distribution destination of the document data, a viewing time limit, and generating document data based on the document image;
A storage step of receiving the document data generated in the generation step via the network and storing it in a predetermined storage position;
A URL creation step of creating a URL accessible to the document data for each delivery destination based on the delivery destination and the storage position;
A transmission step of sending each URL created in the URL creation step by e-mail to a corresponding delivery destination via the network;
A distribution step of reading document data accessed by the URL and transmitting the data to a distribution destination corresponding to the URL via the network;
A confirmation step of sending confirmation information to the distribution destination via the network when the distribution destination of the document data does not access the document data for a predetermined period within the browsing period;
It is characterized by having.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to set a time limit for access from a distribution destination of document data, and to send a confirmation message to the distribution destination to prompt browsing when there is no access for a predetermined period within the time limit.

  Further, according to the present invention, even a distributor who does not have access rights to a storage location such as a folder in which data to be distributed is stored can access the data by a URL assigned to the distributor. There is an effect that can be done.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  Here, an MFP (multifunction peripheral) 101 having a scanner, printer, copy, mail, and fax function, a document management system 102 (server), and client PCs 103 and 104 are connected to the network 110.

  With this configuration, the MFP 101 can transmit document data (document data) read by the scanner to the document management system 102 via the network 110, and store the document data in the document management system 102. At that time, the document management system 102 creates a URL list of document data by creating a URL with a URL indicating the storage location of the document data, a user (client) and a unique ID (UID) for the document data, This is transmitted to the MFP 101. As a result, the MFP 101 transmits an email to each user (client) designated as the distribution destination of the document data.

  The document management system 102 receives from the MFP 101 setting information for performing a delivery destination, a viewing deadline of the document data, a viewing confirmation date and time, a notification of a viewing expiration to the user, and document data read by the MFP 101, and the user A unique UID is created and managed for the (client) and its document data.

  Further, the document management system 102 temporarily accesses the user who has no access right to the folder in which the document data is stored (preliminarily set in the document management system 102) with a user name, a password, and a UID. It is also possible to give the right to view the document data.

  Furthermore, the document management system 102 manages the browsing deadline of the stored document data. When the browsing deadline has passed, or when the confirmation date and time designated to confirm the browsing comes, the URL of the URL is again given to the user. Deliver.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart for describing processing in MFP 101 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, in step S <b> 201, a login screen is displayed on the display unit of the MFP 101 in order to log in to the document management system 102. Then, the user logs in to the document management system 102 using the user name and password input based on this screen. In step S202, the folder name of the document management system 102 that stores the document data read by the scanner of the MFP 101 is input. In step S203, the user name or mail address (distribution destination) for distributing the URL of the document data is input.

  Next, in step S204, a UI screen as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the display unit of the MFP 101, and the date and time indicating the viewing time limit is input using the UI screen. In step S205, the date and time for confirming the browsing status with the user is input. Note that either step S204 or step S205 may be executed first.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display unit of the MFP 101.

  In FIG. 3, reference numeral 301 denotes a date entry field for the expiry date, 302 denotes the time, 303 denotes an input field for the date to be confirmed, and 304 denotes an input field for the time. The check box 305 is a box for setting whether or not to notify the user (here, the client D) who stores the document data when the browsing time limit has passed. In 306, the mail address of the user (client D) who stores the document data is input.

  When the various setting processes are completed, in step S206, the process waits for the scan button for reading the document to be pressed. When the scan button is pressed, the process proceeds to step S207, where the document of the document is read by the scanner of the MFP 101. Document data (image data) is generated. In step S208, the read document data, the URL distribution destination list, the confirmation date and time for confirming the browsing status, the browsing expiration date and time, and various setting information such as expiration notification are transmitted to the document management system 102.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a URL distribution destination list transmitted from the MFP 101 to the document management system 102 together with document data in step S208.

  Here, three mail addresses (mail addresses of clients A, B, and C) are set as URL distribution destinations. That is, it is shown that the store D has selected the clients A, B, and C as distribution destinations of the stored document data.

  In step S209, a list of URLs as shown in FIG. 5 is received from the document management system. Here, the URL of the document data is described for each user (clients A to C). In step S210, an email in which the URL received in step S209 is written is transmitted to each user.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of mail sent to the client A designated as the delivery destination in this step S210 (notification that the document data addressed to the client A is stored by the store D). It is.

  In the figure, 601 is the mail address of the client A, 602 is the mail address of the MFP 101 that is the transmission source, 603 is the subject of this mail, 604 is the address (URL) of the document data stored by the storage person D, and 605 is FIG. A message that informs the browsing deadline based on the date and time of the browsing deadline set on the screen shown in Fig. 3, and 606 is that the document data is not read until the confirmation date and time based on the confirmation date and time set on the screen of FIG. , A message indicating that a confirmation message is transmitted again is shown.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of the contents of a mail (notifying that the storage of the document data has been completed normally) to the document data storage person D.

  In the figure, 701 is the mail address of the store D, 702 is the mail address of the document management system 102 that is the sender, 703 is the address (URL) of the document data stored by the store D, and 704 is the screen shown in FIG. 4 is notified of the browsing deadline, the confirmation date and time of the browsing status, and the URI delivery destination (clients A, B, and C in FIG. 4). Reference numeral 705 denotes a management page in the document management system 102 that manages this document data.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining processing in the date designation processing (steps S204 and S205 in FIG. 2) in the MFP 101 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, in step S301, a screen for inputting date and time information as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed. In step S302, the user designates a viewing time limit and a confirmation date and time.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining document data reception processing in the document management system 102 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, in step S401, when setting information such as document data, URL distribution destination list (FIG. 4), browsing status confirmation date / time, browsing expiration date / time, and expiration notification is received from the MFP 101, the document data is stored in step S402. To time until the expiry date. Next, in step S403, as shown in FIG. 5, the URL of the document data corresponding to each distribution destination is created. In step S404, the list of document URLs created in step S403 is transmitted to the MFP 101.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining document data URL creation processing (step S403) in the document management system 102 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, in step S501, a document data path is acquired. In step S502, a unique random character string is created in the document management system 102 from the acquired path and URL distribution destination. In step S503, a document URL is created by combining the document storage location and the UID, for example, as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a process when receiving access for browsing by URL from a client in the document management system 102 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, in step S601, when accessed from a client by a URL, the UID is acquired. In step S602, the user name and password from the client are received, and the user name and password are verified. In step S603, if the account is correct, the process proceeds to step S604. If the account is incorrect, the process proceeds to an access prohibition process in step S607.

  In step S604, it is confirmed whether or not the logged-in account has an access right to refer to the document data or an upper folder of the document data. For example, it is assumed that this access right is set as shown in FIG. If the access right is given in step S604, the process proceeds to step S605, where the instructed document data is read and transmitted to the client.

  On the other hand, if the access right is not given in step S604, the process proceeds to step S606, and it is confirmed whether or not the combination of the login account and the UID exists in the list associated with the document data (FIG. 12). If it exists, the process proceeds to step S605 to transmit the document data. If not, the process proceeds to step S607 to notify the client that the document data cannot be accessed.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a management list of document data managed by the document management system 102.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a document data management screen managed by the document management system 102. Here, only the client B is not given the right to access the document data, but this is set in advance by the document management system 102, and the present invention is not limited to such setting. .

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing processing when the date and time for confirming the browsing status in the document management system 102 according to the embodiment of the present invention is reached.

  First, in step S701, the confirmation date and time of the browsing status set in a certain document data is acquired, and it is determined whether or not the current date and time has reached the date and time for checking the browsing status. Then, the browsing status of the document data is confirmed. If the document data has not been browsed, an e-mail is transmitted to the unread distribution destination.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing details of the processing in step S702 in the document management system 102 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, in step S801, one account of data in a distribution destination list of certain document data is extracted. In step S802, the browsing status of the extracted delivery destination is confirmed. If it has already been read, the process returns to step S801 to refer to the next delivery destination of the document data.

  On the other hand, if it is unread in step S802, the process proceeds to step S803, and an email in which a message that prompts the user to browse the document data is sent to each unread user. This mail describes the document URL, the browsing status confirmation date and time, and the browsing deadline date and time.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of an email including such a message that prompts browsing.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing processing for notifying the client when the viewing time limit has expired in the document management system 102 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, in step S901, it is determined whether or not the current date / time has reached the set viewing deadline, and when the viewing deadline has been reached, the process proceeds to step S902 to notify the storage person that the date has expired. Determine whether it has been. This is based on whether or not the check box 305 in FIG. 3 is checked. If it has been checked, the process proceeds to step S903, and the mail that the viewing time limit of the document data has expired is transmitted to the mail address of the storage person (D in this example). In step S904, all UIDs associated with the document data are deleted. If it is determined in step S902 that the user is not notified, the process proceeds to step S904.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of the mail transmitted to the storage person in step S904 in FIG.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining data transmission / reception among the MFP 101, the document management system 102, and the client in the system according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 19, the step numbers indicated in parentheses are the processes at the step numbers (step S) in FIG. 2 (processing of the MFP 101), FIGS. 9 and 11 (processing of the document management system 102). It represents that it corresponds to.

  In FIG. 19, client A has access rights to the target document data or a folder in which the document data is stored, whereas client B has access rights. Shown in case not.

  When the MFP 101 reads a document image after setting the viewing time limit, the viewing confirmation date and time, the transmission destination of the document data (1900), the scanned document data, the distribution destination, the storage person, the viewing time limit, and the confirmation date and time are To the document management system 102 (1901). As a result, the document management system 102 stores the document data, and creates a URL (FIG. 5) for each distribution destination based on the route information (address) indicating the storage destination and the distribution destination UID. (1902), and transmits it to the MFP 101 (1903). As a result, the MFP 101 sends an email to each client of the distribution destination (FIG. 6), and informs that the document data is stored, its browsing deadline, confirmation date and time, etc. (1904).

  When an access request for the stored document data is issued from the client (client A) to the document management system 102 (1905), a request for a user name and password is made. A account check (1906), whether or not there is an access right to the document data is checked (1907), and if the condition is satisfied, the requested document data is transmitted to the client A.

  On the other hand, in the case of the client B, the same procedure as in the case of the client A is executed until the account is checked, but it is found that the client B does not have the access right when checking the access right (1901). . Therefore, in this case, it is checked whether or not the UID of the client B is registered as the distribution destination of the manuscript data (1911: corresponding to step S606 in FIG. 11). The original data is transmitted to the client B (1912).

  Note that the present invention can be applied to a system (for example, a copier, a facsimile machine, etc.) composed of a single device even if it is applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, interface device, reader, printer, etc.). May be.

  Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or recording medium) on which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or apparatus, and to perform computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus. ) Is also achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. A case where part or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included.

  Furthermore, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function is determined based on the instruction of the program code. The case where the CPU of the expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the access right to the file can be temporarily given without being aware of the access right to the folder storing the target file. Thereby, desired data can be stored in an arbitrary place without worrying about the access right of each client.

  In addition, for each user listed as a distributor of certain document data, the document data can be browsed more reliably by performing management based on the read / unread of the document data.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case of document data has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be image data such as a photograph.

It is a block diagram which shows the system configuration | structure which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing in the MFP according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit of the MFP according to the embodiment. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a URL distribution destination list transmitted from the MFP to the document management system together with document data in step S208 of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of URL of the document data corresponding to each distribution destination of document data. It is a figure which shows the example of the content of the mail transmitted to the client A designated as a delivery destination by step S210 of FIG. It is a figure explaining the example of the content of the mail with respect to the storage person D of document data. 6 is a flowchart for explaining processing in date designation processing (steps S204 and S205 in FIG. 2) in the MFP according to the present embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the reception process of the document data in the document management system which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining URL production processing (Step S403) of document data in the document management system concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process at the time of receiving the access for browsing by URL from a client in the document management system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the management list | wrist of the document data which the document management system concerning this Embodiment manages. It is a figure which shows an example of the management screen of the document data which the document management system concerning this Embodiment manages. It is a flowchart which shows a process at the time of reaching the date and time for confirming the browsing condition in the document management system concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a process of step S702 in the document management system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the mail containing the message which prompts browsing. It is a flowchart which shows the process notified to a client, when the browsing time limit expires in the document management system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the mail transmitted to a storage person by step S904 of FIG. It is a figure explaining the flow of processing in the system concerning this embodiment.

Claims (6)

Generating means for setting a delivery destination of the original data, a viewing time limit, and generating original data based on the original image;
Storage means for receiving the original data generated by the generation means and storing it in a predetermined storage position;
URL creation means for creating a URL accessible to the document data for each delivery destination based on the delivery destination and the storage position;
Sending means for sending each URL created by the URL creating means to a corresponding delivery destination by e-mail;
Distribution means for reading out original data accessed by the URL from the storage means and transmitting the original data to a distribution destination corresponding to the URL;
Confirmation means for sending confirmation information to the distribution destination when the distribution destination of the original data does not access the original data for a predetermined period within the browsing period;
The browsing system characterized by having. The distribution unit further includes a determination unit that determines whether or not the distribution destination has an access right to a storage position of the document data.
2. The access to the document data is permitted even when the determination unit determines that the access right is not determined in the case of a distribution destination to which the URL is assigned. The browsing system described. The generation means further sets a confirmation date and time for transmitting a confirmation message to a corresponding delivery destination when the document data is not browsed for a predetermined period together with the browsing deadline,
The browsing system according to claim 1, wherein the confirmation unit transmits confirmation information to the corresponding delivery destination according to the confirmation date and time. A control method of a browsing system configured by a network,
A generation step of setting a distribution destination of the document data, a viewing time limit, and generating document data based on the document image;
A storage step of receiving the document data generated in the generation step via the network and storing it in a predetermined storage position;
A URL creation step of creating a URL accessible to the document data for each delivery destination based on the delivery destination and the storage position;
A transmission step of sending each URL created in the URL creation step by e-mail to a corresponding delivery destination via the network;
A distribution step of reading document data accessed by the URL and transmitting the data to a distribution destination corresponding to the URL via the network;
A confirmation step of sending confirmation information to the distribution destination via the network when the distribution destination of the document data does not access the document data for a predetermined period within the browsing period;
A method for controlling a browsing system, comprising: The distribution step further includes a determination step of determining whether the distribution destination has an access right to a storage position of the document data,
5. The access to the document data is permitted even if it is determined that the access right is not determined in the determination step in the case of a distribution destination to which the URL is assigned. A control method of the browsing system described. In the generating step, together with the browsing deadline, further sets a confirmation date and time for transmitting a confirmation message to a corresponding delivery destination when the document data is not browsed for a predetermined period of time,
6. The browsing system control method according to claim 4, wherein, in the confirmation step, confirmation information is transmitted to the corresponding delivery destination according to the confirmation date and time.

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