JP2006139370A - Information processor and file management program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor that increases the security of the same file existing in a plurality of devices, while making it possible to display a list of files in a way that allows users to easily understand a file configuration. <P>SOLUTION: The information processor is connected to an external device having the function of storing files, in such a way that the information processor can send and receive data to and from the external device. From a recording means for storing files and from a directory set in the external device and shared, the information processor acquires information about the files stored in the recording means and the directory, and detects the same file. Information about the files acquired is displayed in the form of a list without the redundancy of the same file detected. Either the recording means or the directory set in the external device is selected as a storage location of the same file detected, and either the files stored in storage locations other than the storage location selected are deleted or the external device is directed to execute deletion. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus connected to a predetermined external device so that data can be transmitted and received, and a file management program executed by the information processing apparatus.

  In recent years, personal computers and image forming apparatuses (for example, copiers, MFPs, etc.) not only in a relatively narrow range such as homes and offices in the same building but also in a relatively wide range such as between offices located remotely from each other. In general, a network in which devices such as servers are connected is constructed. In such a network, for example, a document file created by a personal computer or an image file formed by an image forming apparatus can be transmitted to an external device on the network and stored in the external device.

  By the way, in a network, the same file exists in various places such as a personal computer, an image forming apparatus, a server, etc. by performing processing such as printing, transmission, and backup in accordance with creation of a file in any device. May come to you. In this case, if the file is left unnecessarily without being deleted, the security of the file may be compromised. In this case, there is also a problem that the memory capacity of each device is wasted.

  Conventionally, as a file management technique, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-110783, when a storage space becomes insufficient during file storage, information on a file existing in the storage location is displayed. There is a known technique for urging unnecessary files to be deleted. Separately, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-187388, the attribute information can be stored together with the file in a table for managing the file (job), and registered based on the attribute information. When it is detected that the same file as the file already exists, a technique for overwriting the existing file with a new file to avoid the existence of a plurality of the same files is known.

Japanese Patent No. 2003-110783 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-187388

  In the technologies disclosed in each of the above patent documents, unnecessary files are deleted or a plurality of the same files are avoided in one device, but the same file executes a file management process. It was not possible to deal with cases that existed not only on the devices to be used but also on external devices. For this reason, the possibility that the same file exists in various places on the network cannot be eliminated, and the security of the file may still be violated.

  Conventionally, there is known a technique for displaying files in a storage location shared by multiple devices so that they can be viewed at once. In this case, the same file is also displayed as a different file, and the file is selected. It is expected that it will be difficult to specify the file. Therefore, when displaying files in a plurality of storage locations so that they can be viewed, it is desirable to display the same file in one file.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above technical problem, and improves the security of the same file existing across a plurality of devices, organizes the file, and realizes a file browsing display that allows the user to easily understand the file structure. An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and a file management program.

Therefore, the invention according to claim 1 of the present application is an information processing apparatus connected to a predetermined external device having a file storage function so that data can be transmitted and received.
Recording means for storing a file, acquisition means for acquiring information relating to each stored file from the recording means and the directory set and shared on the external device side, and information acquired by the acquisition means The detection means for detecting the same file, the display means for displaying a list of information on the file acquired by the acquisition means without duplication of the same file detected by the detection means, and the detection means. As a storage location of the same detected file, a selection unit that selects either the recording unit or the directory set on the external device side, and a storage location other than the storage location selected by the selection unit is stored. Deleting means for deleting the file or instructing the external device to execute the deletion. It is obtained by the.

  Further, in the invention according to claim 2 of the present application, in the invention according to claim 1, the selection means selects the storage location of the same file by the user each time the same file is detected by the detection means. It is characterized by making it possible.

  Furthermore, in the invention according to claim 3 of the present application, in the invention according to claim 1, the selecting means determines the storage location of the same file in accordance with the selection of the same file in the processing operation. It is characterized in that it can be selected.

  Furthermore, the invention according to claim 4 of the present application is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the detection means is provided in a storage location of either the recording means or a directory set on the external device side. The storage unit detects the same file as the file in response to the maximum usage capacity of the storage location during storage, and the selection unit detects the same file when the detection unit detects the same file. It is characterized in that the user can select the storage location of the same file.

  Furthermore, the invention according to claim 5 of the present application is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the selecting means is a predetermined storage location set in advance as the storage location of the same file. It is characterized by selecting.

  Furthermore, the invention according to claim 6 of the present application is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising determination means for determining the content of the final processing operation for the same file. The selection means is characterized by selecting a storage location set in advance based on the content of the final processing operation determined by the determination means as the storage location of the same file.

  Furthermore, the invention according to claim 7 of the present application is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the acquisition unit has the same file storage location selected by the selection unit as the same storage location. If the file is different from the storage location from which the file is derived, the file at the derivation source and the attribute information of the file are acquired.

  Furthermore, the invention according to claim 8 of the present application includes a recording unit provided in the information processing apparatus, connected to an information processing apparatus connected to a predetermined external device having a file storage function so that data can be transmitted and received, Obtaining information about the files stored in each of the directories set and shared on the external device side, detecting the same file based on the information about the obtained files, and A step of displaying a list of information on the files without duplication of the same detected files, and selecting either the recording unit or the directory set on the external device side as the storage location of the detected same files Delete the file stored in a storage location other than the selected storage location, or A step for instructing deletion execution, a file management program for execution.

  According to the invention of claim 1 of the present application, the same file existing over a plurality of devices can be arranged so as to remain in only one storage location, and the security of the file can be improved. Further, when displaying files in a plurality of storage locations so as to be viewable, the same file is displayed without duplication, so that it is possible to realize a display in which the user can easily grasp the file configuration.

  According to the invention of claim 2 of the present application, the user can select the storage location of the same file every time the same file is detected.

  Furthermore, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the user can select the storage location of the same file at the timing when the processing operation is executed for the same file.

  Still further, according to the invention according to claim 4 of the present application, the use capacity of the storage location while the predetermined file is stored in any storage location of the recording unit or the directory set on the external device side. When the same file is maximized, the same file is detected, and the user can select the storage location of the same file at the timing when the same file is detected.

  Furthermore, according to the invention according to claim 5 of the present application, a predetermined storage location that is set in advance is selected as the storage location of the same file, so that the user can save time and simplify the operation. Can be achieved.

  Furthermore, according to the invention according to claim 6 of the present application, as the storage location of the same file, it is possible to select a storage location that is set in advance based on the content of the final processing operation, so that the user can select the storage location. The operation can be simplified and the operation can be simplified.

  Furthermore, according to the invention of claim 7 of the present application, when the storage location of the selected identical file is different from the storage location from which the same file is derived, the file that is the derivation source Since the attribute information of the file is acquired, it is possible to avoid restricting file operations from a device that has been set as a derivation source after a plurality of files are combined into one. it can.

  Furthermore, according to the invention according to claim 8 of the present application, the same file existing across a plurality of devices can be arranged so as to remain in only one storage location, and the security of the file can be improved. Further, when displaying files in a plurality of storage locations so as to be viewable, the same file is displayed without duplication, so that it is possible to realize a display in which the user can easily grasp the file configuration.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, a multifunction multifunction peripheral (hereinafter referred to as MFP: Multifunction Peripheral) is taken up as the information processing apparatus described in the claims.
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a network including an MFP and a plurality of information processing terminals according to an embodiment of the present invention. The network 1 includes a plurality of information processing terminals (hereinafter referred to as PCs) 2A, 2B, and 2C such as personal computers, a server 4 that provides a predetermined service to other devices connected to the network 1, And an MFP 10 having a plurality of functions such as a printer function, a facsimile function, a copy function, and a scanner function. Each device is connected to each other via a network bus 5 so that data can be transmitted and received. In this network 1, for example, a file created by reading an original with the MFP 10 is transmitted to the PC 2A, 2B, 2C and displayed or stored on the PC 2A, 2B, 2C side, or processed by the PC 2A, 2B, 2C. It is possible to send a file such as document data or image data to the MFP 10 and print it on the MFP 10 side. The MFP 10, PC 2A, 2B, 2C, and server 4 all have a storage function for storing files, and files are transmitted and received between the components as long as they are accessible and stored at the transmission destination (reception side). Is possible.

  Further, although not particularly illustrated, the network 1 may be connected to the Internet via the network bus 5. In this case, the MFP 10 transmits a file created based on the document to, for example, a remote PC on another network via the Internet, receives a file from the PC via the Internet, and prints out based on the received file. It is also possible. Furthermore, the configuration of the network 1 actually includes, for example, a configuration other than the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1 such as a proxy server, a mail server, and a router, but these are omitted here.

  Next, a basic configuration of the MFP 10 will be described. As can be seen from FIG. 2, the MFP 10 has, as a conventionally well-known configuration, a CPU 11 that controls each configuration in the MFP 10 by executing various commands based on a predetermined program, and various files (programs and data). A hard disk (HD in the figure) 12, a scanning unit 13 for reading an original and creating an image file, a printing unit 14 for executing print output based on a predetermined file, operation of the apparatus by the user and various settings Network for connecting to the network 1 so as to transmit and receive various data such as file data between the operation unit 15 having a touch panel type display panel that enables input and an external device such as the PC 2A, 2B, 2C Interface card (NIC in the figure) 16. The operation unit 15 is not limited to the display panel, and may be provided with a mechanical operation button.

  As described above, in the network 1, the same file exists in various places such as the PCs 2 </ b> A, 2 </ b> B, 2 </ b> C, the server 4, and the MFP 10 by performing processing such as file printing, transmission, and backup. However, in this embodiment, the MFP 10 executes a file management process not only for the MFP main body but also for a plurality of devices connected to the network 1. The problem can be avoided. In order to execute such file management processing, the MFP 10 includes a file information analysis unit 17 and a file management unit 18 in addition to the above configuration.

  The file information analysis unit 17 acquires information about files stored in external devices such as the PCs 2A, 2B, 2C and the server 4 via the network 1 and is a file to be processed stored in the hard disk 12 on the MFP 10 side. Detect whether the same file exists. In addition, the file management unit 18 manages information about the file acquired by the file information analysis unit 17 and information about the same detected file, and creates information displayed on the display panel of the operation unit 15. Instructing execution of deletion processing of a file stored in a storage location other than the selected storage location. The components of the MFP 10 including the file information analysis unit 17 and the file management unit 18 are connected to each other via a bus 19 so that data can be transmitted and received.

  According to the file management process executed by the MFP 10, basically, a storage location where the same file is stored is searched on the network 1, and one storage location can be selected by the user from the searched storage locations. Is done. If a storage location is selected, files stored in other storage locations are deleted, and a plurality of files are combined into one. In addition, when the storage location of the same selected file is different from the storage location from which the same file is derived, the file (original file) in the derivation source and the attribute information of the file are acquired. Thus, after a plurality of files are combined into one, it is possible to avoid restricting file operations from a device for which a storage location as a derivation source has been set. Further, according to the file management process executed in the MFP 10, the same information is displayed when information on files stored in the storage location set for each device is displayed on the display panel of the operation unit 15 of the MFP 10. The files are displayed as one file, that is, the same file is displayed without duplication, and a list display in which the user can easily grasp the file structure is realized.

  More specifically, when a user performs an operation for displaying a file list on the operation unit 15 for a file processing operation (for example, printing or transmission), information related to the file stored in the hard disk 12 by the MFP 10 and external Information about files stored in a shared directory (hereinafter referred to as a shared folder) set on the device side is acquired. After acquisition, these pieces of information are collated to determine whether or not the same file exists. If the same file exists, a storage location selection screen that prompts the user to select one of the file storage locations is displayed on the display panel of the operation unit 15. An example of such a screen is shown in FIG. In this example, a file whose file name is “ccccccccccccc.doc” is stored in a storage location “BOX” set on the MFP 10 side and a storage location “AAA folder” set on the external device side.

  If a storage location on the MFP 10 side is selected on the screen as shown in FIG. 3, and if a print attribute is set for the file stored on the MFP 10 side, the file is stored on the MFP 10 side. The file is deleted from the storage location, the file is acquired from the storage location on the external device side, and stored in the storage location on the MFP 10 side. Then, the MFP 10 instructs the external device to delete the file from the storage location on the external device side. When all the information about the file is collated and the selection process of the storage location for storing the same file is completed, the same file list that is not duplicated, that is, the same file as the only file in the MFP 10 and the external device. A screen showing a file list including files that exist but have not been selected as one of the storage locations is displayed on the display panel of the operation unit 15. An example of such a screen is shown in FIG. In this example, files based on various formats are displayed in a scrollable manner. Here, as part of the file, a text file “aaaaaaaaaaaa.txt”, a bitmap file “bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb.bmp”, and a document file “cccccccccccccccc.doc” , TIF file “0123456789012345.tif” is displayed. Processing operation keys such as “print”, “send”, and “delete” are set below the scroll display. The user selects one of the scrollably displayed files and touches and executes one of the processing operation keys to perform the processing operation displayed on each processing operation key. Can do.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of such file management processing. In this process, it is first determined whether or not a user request for file list display has been detected (# 11). As a result, if it is determined that a user request has not been detected, step # 11 is repeated, and on the other hand, for example, a file list display button displayed on a touch panel display panel is touched. Alternatively, if it is determined that a user request has been detected by pressing a mechanical button for displaying a file list on the operation unit 15 of the MFP 10, information regarding files stored in the hard disk 12 of the MFP 10 is continued. (Hereinafter referred to as file information) is acquired (# 12).

  Next, it is determined whether or not any of the other devices connected to the network 1 has a folder from which file information can be acquired, that is, a folder shared so that the MFP 10 can be accessed (# 13). ). In the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not there is a folder from which file information can be acquired, particularly on the PC 2A side. As a result, when it is determined that the shared folder does not exist, only the information of the file stored in the hard disk 12 of the MFP 10 is read and displayed (# 20), and the process is completed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the shared folder exists as a result of # 13, information on the file stored in the shared folder set on the PC 2A side is continuously acquired via the network (# 14). . Thereafter, the file information acquired from the MFP 10 and the file information acquired from the shared folder set on the PC 2A side are sequentially checked to determine whether or not they are the same file (# 15). .

  As a result of # 15, if it is determined that they are not the same file, the process proceeds to # 19. On the other hand, if it is determined that they are the same file, the file storage location is continuously limited to one. It is determined whether or not a file storage location (a shared folder set on the PC 2A side or the hard disk 12 of the MFP 10) is selected (# 16). As a result, if it is determined that the file storage location is selected, the storage location selection process is executed (# 17), and then the process proceeds to # 19. On the other hand, it is determined that the file storage location is not selected. If the file information is stored, the file information of the file stored in the hard disk 12 of the MFP 10 is excluded from the display target (# 18), and the process proceeds to # 19. The storage location selection process of # 17 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step # 19, it is determined whether or not the collation between the file information acquired from the MFP 10 and the file information acquired from the shared folder set on the PC 2A side has been completed. As a result, when it is determined that all the collations are not completed, the process returns to # 15, and the subsequent steps are repeated for the unverified file information. On the other hand, when it is determined that all the collations have been completed, the file information to be displayed is displayed on the display panel of the operation unit 15. The process is thus completed.

  FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the storage location selection process of # 17 in FIG. In this process, first, the storage location where the file can be stored is displayed on the display panel of the operation unit 15 (# 21). Next, it is determined whether or not one of the displayed storage locations has been selected by the user (# 22). As a result, if it is determined that the storage location is not selected, step # 22 is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the storage location is selected, the selected storage location is continued. It is determined whether or not the place is set on the MFP 10 side (# 23).

  As a result of # 23, when it is determined that the selected storage location is not set to the MFP 10 side, that is, the folder is set to the PC 2A side, the file stored on the MFP 10 side is continuously deleted. Returning to the process shown in FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined that the selected storage location is set on the MFP 10 side, it is determined whether or not a printing attribute is set as the file attribute stored on the MFP 10 side ( # 24).

  As a result of # 24, if it is determined that the print attribute is not set, the process proceeds directly to # 26. On the other hand, if it is determined that the print attribute is set, the MFP 10 side The stored file is deleted, the file is copied from the shared folder set on the PC 2A side, and then the process proceeds to # 26. In # 26, the PC 2A is instructed to delete the file in the shared folder set on the PC 2A side. The process is thus completed.

  The file management process and the storage location selection process shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 6 are executed by reading a program stored in the hard disk 12 of the MFP 10, which is controlled by the CPU 11 of the MFP 10. Even if it is incorporated in advance as part of the underlying program, or as a file management program, for example, using an external recording medium such as CD-ROM 21 or floppy disk (registered trademark) 22 shown in FIG. It may be installed in the MFP 10 by being downloaded via the Internet and additionally stored in the hard disk 12.

  As described above, the same file that exists across multiple devices can be organized in such a way that it remains in only one storage location, improving the security of the file. When displaying in a viewable manner, the same file is displayed together in one file, so that it is possible for the user to easily display the file structure.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments, and it goes without saying that various improvements and design changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
In the embodiment described above, an example in which the MFP 10 has a configuration for executing file management processing has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other devices such as PCs 2A, 2B, and 2C execute file management processing. It may be configured as follows.

  In the above-described embodiment, the PC 2A is taken as an external device connected to the MFP 10 on the network 1 as a device for executing the file management process. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and includes a device other than the PC 2A or the PC 2A. It is also possible to perform file management processing using a plurality of devices as external devices.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the same file is detected across the MFP 10 and the external device (PC 2A) before the file list is displayed, and the storage location can be selected each time the same file is detected. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and after the same file is detected and the file list is displayed without duplication of the same file, the user selects a file already determined as the same file, When an instruction to execute a print processing operation by the printing unit 14 is given, the storage location may be selectable as the printing is completed. Regarding the timing at which the storage location can be selected, separately, a predetermined file is stored in the storage location set in the MFP 10 and the processing target is selected according to the maximum usage capacity of the storage location. When the same file is detected for each of the files, and the same file is detected, the storage location may be selectable. Further, in this case, the operation may be simplified, and the storage location set on the external device side may be automatically switched without using the storage location selection screen selected by the user. Further, when the same file is not detected, a warning to the user may be executed.

  Further, the content of the final processing operation for the same file may be determined without using the storage location selection screen, and a storage location set in advance according to the content of the final processing operation may be automatically selected. For example, if the content of the final processing operation for the same file is “print”, the file stored on the MFP 10 side is left, while the file stored on the external device side is deleted, and the final processing operation When the content is “send”, the file stored on the MFP 10 side may be deleted, and the file stored on the external device side may be left.

1 is a diagram schematically showing a network configuration including an MFP according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a basic configuration of an MFP. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the storage location selection screen displayed according to the detection of the same file. It is a figure which shows an example of a file list screen. It is a flowchart about a file management process. It is a flowchart about the storage location selection process of # 17 of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Network, 2A, 2B, 2C ... Information processing terminal, 4 ... Server, 10 ... MFP, 11 ... CPU, 12 ... Hard disk, 13 ... Scanning part, 14 ... Printing part, 15 ... Operation part, 16 ... I / F , 17 ... File information analysis section, 18 ... File management section, 21 ... CD-ROM, 22 ... Floppy disk.

Claims (8)

In an information processing apparatus connected to a predetermined external device having a file storage function so that data can be transmitted and received,
A recording means for storing the file;
Acquisition means for acquiring information about files stored in the recording means and the directory set and shared on the external device side;
Detection means for detecting the same file based on the information acquired by the acquisition means;
Display means for displaying a list of information on the files acquired by the acquisition means without duplication of the same files detected by the detection means;
A selection means for selecting either the recording means or a directory set on the external device side as a storage location of the same file detected by the detection means;
An information processing apparatus comprising: deletion means for deleting a file stored in a storage location other than the storage location selected by the selection means or instructing the external device to execute deletion .   2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit enables a user to select a storage location of the same file every time the same file is detected by the detection unit.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit enables a user to select a storage location of the same file when a processing operation is performed on the same file. The detection unit detects the file according to the maximum usage capacity of the storage location while the predetermined file is stored in any storage location of the recording unit or the directory set on the external device side. Finds the same file as
2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the same file is detected by the detection unit, the selection unit enables the user to select a storage location of the same file.   5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit selects a predetermined storage location set in advance as the storage location of the same file. Furthermore, a determination means for determining the content of the final processing operation for the same file is provided.
6. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit selects a storage location set in advance based on the content of the final processing operation determined by the determination unit as the storage location of the same file. The information processing apparatus according to one.   When the storage location of the same file selected by the selection device is different from the storage location that is the derivation source of the same file, the acquisition unit obtains the file at the derivation source and the attribute information of the file. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is acquired. To an information processing device connected to a predetermined external device having a file storage function so that data can be transmitted and received,
Obtaining information relating to files stored in each of the recording means provided in the information processing apparatus and a directory set and shared on the external device side;
Detecting the same file based on the information about the acquired file;
Listing information about the retrieved files without duplication of the same detected files;
Selecting either the recording unit or the directory set on the external device side as the storage location of the detected identical file;
A file management program for executing a step of deleting a file stored in a storage location other than the selected storage location or instructing the external device to execute the deletion.

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