JP2007034530A - Document processor and processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a document processor and an information reader improved in convenience. <P>SOLUTION: The document processor for managing information for specifying a paper document set designated as a relevant paper document group by a user receives designation of the relevant paper document group from the user, acquires paper document identifiers which are preset for each paper document contained in the designated paper document group, issues a unique paper document set identifier, and records the acquired paper document identifiers in association with the issued paper document set identifier as information for specifying the paper document set. This information for specifying the stored paper document set is used for predetermined processing related to paper documents. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to, for example, a document processing apparatus that performs document management in a company and an information reading apparatus that reads information such as paper documents.

In document management using a computer, it is a common practice to record electronic documents to be stored with document attributes. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a method of reading a document attribute set in advance on a paper medium and adding it to an electronic document when the document is converted into an electronic document with a scanner.
JP 2002-55085 A

  However, in the conventional document management method, identification information of a document (hereinafter referred to as a paper document) itself formed on a paper medium is not a management target, and processing performed on the paper document by the user is converted into electronic data. It could not be used for related processing.

  For this reason, for example, even if a user performs a series of operations such as organizing a group of paper documents created by bundling a plurality of paper documents into a file, in order to reflect information related to the operations in electronic data, It is not convenient because it is necessary to operate the apparatus to find out electronic data relating to each bundled paper medium and to perform a setting operation to correlate them.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a document processing apparatus and an information reading apparatus that can improve convenience.

  The present invention for solving the problems of the above-described conventional example is a document processing apparatus that manages information for specifying a paper document set designated as a paper document group associated with each other by a user, and is associated with each other. Accepts designation of a paper document group from a user, and issues information acquisition means for acquiring a paper document identifier preset for each paper document included in the designated paper document group, and issues a unique paper document set identifier Storage means for associating the issued paper document set identifier with the issued paper document set identifier and recording it as information for specifying the paper document set, and information for specifying the stored paper document set. The method is characterized by being subjected to a predetermined process relating to a paper document.

  Here, the holding unit further includes a paper document identifier and electronic data related to the paper document identified by the paper document identifier for at least a part of the paper document included in the designated paper document group. It may be held in association with each other.

  The information acquisition unit acquires information specifying a user together with the designation of a paper document group, and the holding unit holds the issued paper document set identifier in association with the acquired information specifying the user. It is good.

  Furthermore, an information reading apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention maintains and stacks a plurality of sheet-like media on a sheet-like medium to which an information transmission device that sends out held information is attached. The information held by each of the sheet-like media is collected and output.

  In this case, it may have a pair of sandwiching portions biased in directions close to each other, and may be sandwiched and maintained in a state where the plurality of sheet-like media are stacked by the pair of sandwiching portions, You may have a bag part which can be enclosed in the state which laminated | stacked the said several sheet-like medium.

  A document processing method according to another aspect of the present invention is a document processing method for managing information specifying a paper document set designated as a paper document group associated with each other by a user, and is associated with each other. Accepting designation of a paper document group from a user, obtaining a paper document identifier preset for each paper document included in the designated paper document group, issuing a unique paper document set identifier, and obtaining the obtained The paper document identifier is associated with the issued paper document set identifier, recorded as information for specifying the paper document set, and the stored information for specifying the paper document set is used for predetermined processing relating to the paper document. It is characterized by.

  Furthermore, a program according to another aspect of the present invention is a computer that accepts designation of paper document groups associated with each other from a user to a computer, and sets a predetermined paper document for each paper document included in the designated paper document group. A procedure for obtaining a document identifier, a procedure for issuing a unique paper document set identifier, associating the issued paper document set identifier with the obtained paper document identifier, and recording the information as information identifying a paper document set; And a procedure for performing a predetermined process relating to a paper document using the information specifying the stored paper document set.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be invented with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, a system configuration including a document processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a document management apparatus 1, a code reader 2 as an information reading apparatus, and a printer 3 as an image and code forming apparatus. And a user side terminal 4 as a document using apparatus.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the document management apparatus 1 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a hard disk 13, an interface (IF unit) 14, an operation unit 16, and a display unit 17. It is configured.

  Hereinafter, the operation of each unit of the document management apparatus 1 will be described. The control unit 11 of the document management apparatus 1 is a CPU or the like, and operates according to a program stored in the storage unit 12 or the hard disk 13.

  The control unit 11 performs the following processing in addition to performing a general operation as a server. That is, the control unit 11 issues a paper document identifier, transmits it to the printer 3 together with electronic data corresponding to the paper document identifier, and associates the issued paper document identifier with the electronic data corresponding to the hard disk 13. Store (paper document identifier issuance process).

  Further, the control unit 11 obtains a series of paper document identifiers related to a plurality of paper documents designated by the user as a group of paper documents associated with each other from the user terminal 4, issues a paper document set identifier, and issues the issued paper document identifier The paper document set identifier is stored in the hard disk 13 in association with the acquired series of paper document identifiers (paper document set issuance process). Specific contents of these processes will be described later.

  The storage unit 12 includes a storage element such as a RAM. The storage unit 12 holds a program executed by the control unit 11. The storage unit 12 also operates as a work memory that holds information generated by the control unit 11.

  The hard disk 13 is a computer-readable storage medium that stores a program executed by the control unit 11. In the present embodiment, this program is copied to the storage unit 12 and processed by the control unit 11. In addition, the hard disk 13 stores a document database that holds information on documents to be processed. The contents of this document database will be described later.

  The IF unit 14 is, for example, a network card, and transmits and outputs electronic data to the printer 3 in accordance with an instruction input from the control unit 11 via the network. The operation unit 16 includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and outputs a user operation content to the control unit 11. The display unit 17 is a display or the like, and presents information to the user according to an instruction input from the control unit 11.

  Further, the code reader 2 reads a paper document identifier recorded on the paper document by a user operation and sends it to the document processing apparatus 1. Here, the paper document identifier may be formed on a paper medium as a code image such as a barcode. In this case, the code reader 2 reads the code image, decodes the read code image, and outputs the decoded information to the document processing apparatus 1.

  The printer 3 is connected to the document processing apparatus 1 via a network, for example. The printer 3 receives from the document processing apparatus 1 the electronic data subjected to the image forming process and the paper document identifier, generates a code image based on the paper document identifier, An image is formed on a paper medium to generate a paper document.

  The user terminal 4 is a personal computer connected to the document management apparatus 1 via, for example, a network. The user terminal 4 exchanges information with the document management apparatus 1 and stores the document database stored in the hard disk 13 of the document management apparatus 1. Processing such as a search request related to. Further, the user terminal 4 exchanges information with the code reader 2 and transmits information received from the code reader 2 to the document management apparatus 1.

  Here, processing of the control unit 11 of the document management apparatus 1 will be described. Here, the paper document identifier issuing process of the control unit 11 will be described first. A program for performing this processing can be implemented as printer driver software for the printer 3, for example.

  That is, the control unit 11 starts this processing when an instruction to form an image based on the designated electronic data is given together with the designation of the electronic data from the user terminal 4, and the electronic data targeted for the image formation is started. A paper document identifier corresponding to is issued. Then, the electronic data and the issued paper document identifier are transmitted and output to the printer 3. Here, the control unit 11 may issue an individual paper document identifier for each page of the electronic data, or may associate a common paper document identifier with each page included in one electronic data. Furthermore, when printing a plurality of copies, a common paper document identifier may be associated with each copy, or the paper document identifiers for each copy may be issued as different from each other.

  In addition, the control unit 11 associates the information related to the electronic data with the issued paper document identifier, and stores them in the document database of the hard disk 13. Here, as shown in FIG. 3A, the document database records information related to electronic data, a paper document identifier corresponding to the information, and a paper document set identifier described later in association with each other. Here, the information related to the electronic data may be the electronic data itself, or reference information (path name, URL, etc.) specifying the electronic data in the hard disk 13 or on the server accessible via the network. There may be.

  When the paper document identifier is issued, the control unit 11 checks whether or not the information related to the electronic data subjected to image formation is already stored in the document database. The issued paper document identifier is added to the list of paper document identifiers associated with the information regarding. Also, if the information related to the electronic data subject to image formation is not already stored in the document database, information relating the electronic data and the issued paper document identifier is generated and registered in the document database. To do.

  This document database is also searched by the control unit 11 in response to a search instruction from the user terminal 4 side, for example, and the result of the search processing is transmitted to the user terminal 4 side for processing presented to the user. Provided. The user designates electronic data and gives an image formation instruction while referring to the search result.

  Next, the paper document set issuance process of the control unit 11 will be described. When the control unit 11 receives an instruction to generate a paper document set together with information on a plurality of paper document identifiers from the user terminal 4, the control unit 11 starts a paper document set issuance process. First, the control unit 11 issues a paper document set identifier corresponding to the paper document identifier, and among each of the received paper document identifier information stored in the document database, a paper document set is received. Store identifiers in association.

  One characteristic of this embodiment is that a plurality of paper document set identifiers can be assigned to one paper document identifier. That is, for example, when documents P and Q to which a common paper document identifier is assigned are distributed to users A and B, for example, user A associates this document P with another document X. On the other hand, the user B may manage a document Y and a document Q assigned with a paper document identifier different from X as a set of paper documents associated with each other.

  At this time, the paper document identifier commonly assigned to the documents P and Q includes a paper document set identifier assigned to the set of documents P and X, and a paper document set identifier assigned to the set of documents Q and Y. Will be associated.

  In consideration of such a case, information (user specifying information) indicating which user has registered as a paper document set may be associated with each paper document set identifier and stored in the document database. In this case, when receiving an instruction to generate a paper document set from the user terminal 4, the control unit 11 also receives information specifying the user (user specifying information), and the issued paper document set identifier and Then, the received user identification information is associated and stored in the document database (FIG. 3B).

  Next, the operation of the system including the document processing apparatus according to this embodiment will be described. In this system, for example, a user A who is in charge of creating a material creates a material to be distributed to a plurality of users as electronic data at a user terminal 4 on the user A side using, for example, a word processor and registers it in the document management apparatus 1. Request. In response to the registration request, the document management apparatus 1 acquires the electronic data from the user terminal 4 and registers it in the document database.

  The user A sends an image formation instruction to the document management apparatus 1 for the electronic data registered in the document database. This instruction includes a request to form an image corresponding to the number of copies.

  In response to this instruction, the document management apparatus 1 starts a paper document identifier issuing process and issues a paper document identifier. Then, the electronic data subjected to the forming process and the issued paper document identifier are output to the printer 3. The printer 3 prints an image on a sheet based on electronic data, generates a code image based on a paper document identifier, and also forms the code image on a sheet on which an image based on the electronic data is formed. The code image may be formed using, for example, an invisible toner that reflects infrared light instead of visible light.

  The user A distributes the paper medium output from the printer 3 to each user. When each user determines that the distributed paper medium is related to another paper medium, the user performs an operation of associating with the other paper medium. This operation is performed by, for example, an operation of bundling paper media with clips. The user reads the code image attached to each bundled paper medium using the code reader 2. When the code image is formed using invisible toner, the code reader 2 includes an optical system (for example, an imaging unit capable of imaging infrared light) that can read the invisible toner. .

  The plurality of paper medium identifiers read by the code reader 2 are held in the user terminal 4 as a series of paper medium identifiers. The user transmits the held paper medium identifier to the document processing apparatus 1 as information specifying a group of paper documents associated with each other, and transmits an instruction to generate a paper document set. The document processing apparatus 1 receives these information and instructions, starts a paper document set issuance process, and issues a paper document set identifier corresponding to the paper document identifier. Also, information for identifying the user who has given the instruction is acquired, and among the received paper document identifiers stored in the document database, for each of the received information of the plurality of paper document identifiers, the user specifying information and the paper document set identifier Are stored in association with each other.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, by performing the operation of reading the paper medium identifier formed on the bundled paper document, the setting process for associating corresponding electronic data and paper medium identifiers is performed on the document database side. It is possible to reduce the work load of this setting process and improve convenience.

  Further, it is possible to know which user is associated with which paper document as a set by referring to the document database, and other users can refer to information such as which document is considered to be related to each other.

  Further, here, the paper medium identifier is formed on each paper medium as a code image. However, for example, if a paper that includes a magnetic material and is capable of magnetic recording of information is used as a paper set in the printer 3, The paper medium identifier may be magnetically recorded on the paper.

  In the description so far, when the user performs the operation of associating the paper media associated with each other, in addition to the operation of bundling with a clip or the like, the operation of reading the code image attached to the bundled paper media is required. And it was a work burden. Therefore, in order to reduce this work burden, the code reader 2 in the present embodiment may be configured as follows.

[Clip shape code reader]
For example, the code reader 2 according to the present embodiment has a paper clip-like shape as shown in FIG. 4, and the user bundles the paper clip by binding the documents associated with each other. A series of paper medium identifiers assigned to the paper medium may be read. In this case, since the code reader 2 needs to read the paper medium identifier from the paper medium sandwiched as a paper clip (that is, from the paper medium not in direct contact), each paper medium has an RF-ID or the like. An information transmitting device that holds information and can read the held information wirelessly (such as an RF-ID or other passively reading device, or an actively transmitting device) Good) is attached. A medium identifier is stored in the RF-ID or the like. That is, in this case, a sheet to which an RF-ID or the like has been added in advance is set in the printer 3, and the printer 3 uses the RF-ID as a paper medium identifier acquired together with electronic data to be formed from the image processing apparatus 1. Record in ID etc.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the code reader 2 includes a pair of clip forming bodies 21 and a leaf spring 22. The pair of clip forming bodies 21 are coupled so as to be relatively rotatable, and are biased by a leaf spring 22 in a direction in which one end sides (clamping portions 21a) of the clip forming bodies 21 are close to each other. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, an information reader 25 and a communication unit 26 are built into at least one of the clip forming bodies 21.

  The user uses the paper clip-shaped code reader 2 to hold the paper medium as a plurality of sheet-like media in the holding portion 21a in a stacked state. The information reader 25 detects whether or not the user's finger is in contact with the side of the clip forming body 21 with respect to the sandwiching portion 21a (the operation portion 21b side). For this detection, a normal touch sensor may be used. When the information reader 25 detects that the user's finger has been removed from the operation unit 21b, the information reader 25 reads and collects the paper medium identifier from the RF-ID or the like set for each paper medium being held. Then, the information reader 25 outputs the read paper medium identifier to the communication unit 26.

  The communication unit 26 sends the paper medium identifier input from the information reader 25 to the user terminal 4. As a specific example, the communication unit 26 may transmit information to the user terminal 4 by wireless communication such as Bluetooth or wireless USB, or may be wired to the user terminal 4.

  According to the code reader 2, when a user performs an operation of inserting paper media to be associated with each other between the holding portions 21a in the same manner as a paper clip, the paper set for each of the inserted paper media. The medium identifier is read and transmitted to the user terminal 4. Then, the document processing apparatus 1 that has acquired the paper medium identifier from the user terminal 4 issues a paper medium set identifier and registers it in the document database in association with each paper medium identifier. Thereby, a user's work burden is further reduced and the convenience can be further improved.

[Envelope shape code reader]
Here, the paper clip-shaped code reader 2 has been described as an example. However, the code reader is not limited to this, and for example, as shown in FIG. It is good also as an envelope-shaped code reader which has a possible bag part. A folded portion 31 is provided in the opening of the bag-like body 30, and the opening can be closed by folding the folded portion 31.

  The code reader 2 includes an information reader 35 and a communication unit 36. The information reader 35 detects whether or not the opening portion of the bag is in contact (whether or not the bag is closed), and the information reader 35 is set for each paper medium included in the operation unit bag 30. The paper medium identifier is read from the RF-ID or the like and collected. Then, the information reader 35 outputs the read paper medium identifier to the communication unit 36.

  The communication unit 36 sends the paper medium identifier input from the information reader 35 to the user terminal 4. The communication unit 36 may transmit information to the user terminal 4 through wireless communication such as Bluetooth or wireless USB, or may be wired to the user terminal 4 as in the case of the paper clip shape.

  According to the code reader 2, when a user performs a work of putting a paper medium to be associated with each other into the bag-like body 30 and sealing it, the paper medium is set to each paper medium contained in the bag-like body 30. Is read and transmitted to the user terminal 4. Then, the document processing apparatus 1 that has acquired the paper medium identifier from the user terminal 4 issues a paper medium set identifier and registers it in the document database in association with each paper medium identifier. Thereby, a user's work burden is further reduced and the convenience can be further improved.

[Other shapes]
Furthermore, the code reader 2 is not limited to the shape described so far. For example, the code reader 2 reads a paper medium identifier from a plurality of sheet-like paper media by an operation of checking the paper media associated with each other having a pen shape (the pen has made a predetermined movement). Also good.

1 is a configuration block diagram illustrating an example of a system including a document processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram showing an example of a document processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing showing the example of the content of the document database which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram showing the example of the code reader 2 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram showing the structural example of the code reader 2 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram showing another example of the code reader 2 which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Document management apparatus, 2 Code reader, 3 Printer, 4 User terminal, 11 Control part, 12 Storage part, 13 Hard disk, 14 IF part, 16 Operation part, 17 Display part, 21 Clip formation body, 22 Leaf spring, 25, 35 Information reader, 26, 36 Communication unit, 30 bag, 31 Folding unit.

Claims (8)

A document processing apparatus that manages information for specifying a paper document set designated as a group of paper documents associated with each other by a user,
Information acquisition means for accepting designation of a paper document group associated with each other from a user and obtaining a paper document identifier set in advance for each paper document included in the designated paper document group;
A holding unit that issues a unique paper document set identifier, associates the issued paper document set identifier with the obtained paper document identifier, and records the information as information identifying the paper document set;
Including
The document processing apparatus characterized in that the information for specifying the stored paper document set is provided for a predetermined process relating to a paper document. The document processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The holding unit further associates a paper document identifier and electronic data related to the paper document identified by the paper document identifier with respect to at least a part of the paper document included in the designated paper document group. A document processing apparatus characterized by holding the data. The document processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
The information acquisition means acquires information for identifying a user together with designation of a paper document group,
The holding unit holds the issued paper document set identifier in association with the acquired information specifying the user. About the sheet-like medium to which the information transmitting device that sends out the held information is attached
An information reading apparatus characterized in that a plurality of sheet-like media are maintained in a laminated state, and the information held by each of the laminated sheet-like media is collected and output. The information reading device according to claim 4,
Having a pair of clamping parts biased in directions close to each other,
An information reading apparatus characterized in that the plurality of sheet-like media are sandwiched and maintained by the pair of sandwiching portions. The information reading device according to claim 4,
An information reading apparatus comprising a bag portion that can be included in a state where the plurality of sheet-like media are stacked. A document processing method for managing information for specifying a paper document set designated as a group of paper documents associated with each other by a user,
Accepting designation of paper document groups associated with each other from a user, obtaining a paper document identifier set in advance for each paper document included in the designated paper document group,
Issuing a unique paper document set identifier, associating the issued paper document set identifier with the acquired paper document identifier, and recording it as information for identifying the paper document set;
A document processing method characterized in that the information specifying the stored paper document set is subjected to a predetermined process relating to a paper document. On the computer,
A procedure of accepting designation of a paper document group associated with each other from a user and obtaining a paper document identifier set in advance for each paper document included in the designated paper document group;
A procedure for issuing a unique paper document set identifier, associating the issued paper document set identifier with the obtained paper document identifier, and recording it as information for identifying the paper document set;
A procedure for performing a predetermined process relating to a paper document using information for specifying the stored paper document set;
A program characterized by having executed.

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