JP2007193660A - Information management device, information management method and program therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To properly divide a tree-structure file including information about a tree structure of a storage device, in an information management device outputting the information about the tree structure of the storage device to external equipment by an instruction from the external equipment. <P>SOLUTION: When receiving the information about the tree structure of an HDD 54 as an XML file 70, a CPU 61 of a management server 60 analyzes the XML file 70, decides whether to perform division processing of the XML file 70 or not on the basis of the number of hierarchies and the number of folders, and creating the XML file wherein information about the folder of the same hierarchy having the common parent folder is described in each the hierarchy in a range wherein a time for analyzing each the XML file does not exceed a processing time allowable in a response to the external equipment to execute the division processing of the XML file 70 when deciding to perform the division processing. Thus, the management server 60 can be prepared for inquiry of folder information received in the case of file storage in a scanner device 20. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information management apparatus, an information management method, and a program thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an information management apparatus, an apparatus that describes a tree structure of a computer in an XML format and transmits it to another computer has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). The information management apparatus described in Patent Document 1 divides an XML file describing a tree structure of a transmission source computer into a plurality of divided files, and transmits the divided files to the transmission destination computer after the division is completed. In this computer, the entire tree structure of the transmission source computer is grasped by analyzing the division file received in parallel with the division processing of the transmission source computer and the transmission processing. In this way, the processing time can be shortened compared to the case where the transmission destination computer receives all the XML files that are not divided and then analyzes the file to grasp the entire tree structure of the transmission source computer. It is said.
JP 2004-287978 A

  However, the information management apparatus described in Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration whether it is necessary to divide an XML file describing a tree structure in order to reduce processing time. . In addition, it is not considered to use the divided files individually afterwards, and the destination computer analyzes all the information of the XML file to grasp all of the tree structure, that is, the user does not use it. There is a problem that unnecessary processing is still being performed in order to analyze and grasp the information of the partial tree structure.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and provides an information management apparatus, an information management method, and a program thereof that can appropriately execute division of a tree structure file including information on a tree structure of a storage device. One of the purposes is to do. Another object of the present invention is to provide an information management device, an information management method, and a program thereof that can efficiently analyze the tree structure information of the storage device when outputting the tree structure information of the storage device to an external device. I will.

  The present invention adopts the following means in order to achieve at least one of the above objects.

The information management apparatus of the present invention
An information management device for managing hierarchical tree structure information of a storage device,
Information storage means capable of storing a tree structure file in which the tree structure information of the storage device is described in a predetermined markup language;
Division determination means for determining whether or not to execute the process of dividing the tree structure file based on at least one of the state of the tree structure of the storage device and the processing capability of the information management device;
When the division determination unit determines not to execute the process of dividing the tree structure file, the information storage unit is controlled so that the tree structure file is stored in the information storage unit as it is. When it is determined that the process for dividing the tree structure file is to be executed, the tree structure file is divided so as to be in a predetermined division state including a part of the tree structure, and each of the divided tree structure files is Control means for controlling the information storage means to be stored in the information storage means;
It is equipped with.

  In this information management apparatus, a tree structure file described in a predetermined markup language and stored in the information storage means is divided based on at least one of the state of the tree structure of the storage device and the processing capability of the information management apparatus. It is determined whether or not to execute the process, and when it is determined not to execute the split process of the tree structure file, it is determined to store the tree structure file in the information storage unit as it is and to execute the split process of the tree structure file. In some cases, the tree structure file is divided so as to be in a predetermined division state including a part of the tree structure, and each of the divided tree structure files is stored in the information storage means. Generally, a tree structure file described in a markup language needs to analyze the entire file. For example, when an inquiry about the tree structure of a storage device is made from an external device, if the tree structure file is large, It may take time to analyze and take time to respond. Here, in order to determine whether to divide the tree structure file based on the state of the tree structure correlated with the processing time required for the analysis of the tree structure and the processing capability of the information management device, The tree structure file including information can be properly divided. In addition, by dividing the tree structure file in advance, it is possible to prepare for an inquiry about the tree structure information from an external device or the like. Here, the “predetermined division state” includes a state where each of the divided tree structure files is divided in a usable state.

  In the information management apparatus of the present invention, the control means may store the tree structure file described in XML or XHTML as the markup language in the information storage means. In this way, the tree structure of the storage device can be managed relatively easily using XML or XHTML.

  In the information management apparatus of the present invention, the information storage means stores the tree structure file including information of one or more folders in which the file can be stored, and the division determination means analyzes the tree structure file and analyzes the tree structure file. As a result, it may be determined that the process of dividing the tree structure file is executed when the number of folders included in the tree structure information is equal to or greater than a predetermined processing delay number as the state of the tree structure. In this way, using the number of folders included in the tree structure file correlated with the analysis processing time of the tree structure file, whether or not the division is executed in consideration of the time required for the analysis process of the tree structure file is determined. Can be determined. Here, the “predetermined number of processing delays” may be set to the number of folders that exceeds the allowable processing time when analyzing the tree structure file. The “folder information” may include a folder name, a folder address, and the like. At this time, the control means executes the tree structure file division processing so as to be in a predetermined division state, so that the tree structure file includes a folder having a number less than the processing delay number in the divided tree structure file. The dividing process may be executed. In this way, the number of folders included in the tree structure file is less than the number of processing delays, so that the time required for the analysis process of the tree structure file can be made appropriate.

  In the information management device of the present invention, the division determination unit analyzes the tree structure file, and as a result of the analysis, the number of tree structure hierarchies included in the tree structure file as the state of the tree structure of the storage device is It may be determined that the process of dividing the tree-structured file is executed when there are more than a predetermined number of processing delay hierarchies. In this way, it is possible to determine whether or not to execute the division in consideration of the time required for the analysis process of the tree structure file using the number of levels of the tree structure file correlated with the analysis process time of the tree structure file. it can. Here, the “number of processing delay hierarchies” may be set to the number of hierarchies that exceed the allowable processing time when the tree structure file is analyzed. At this time, the control means, when executing the division process of the tree structure file so as to be in a predetermined division state, the divided tree structure file including the upper hierarchy and the lower hierarchy associated with the upper hierarchy The tree structure file may be divided so that the tree structure file is divided into the divided tree structure file including the hierarchy. In this way, since the tree structure file is stored for each lower hierarchy having the same upper hierarchy included in the tree structure file, it is easy to associate the upper hierarchy with the lower hierarchy.

  In the information management apparatus of the present invention, the division determination unit may determine that the tree-structured file is to be divided when the processing capacity of the information management apparatus falls below a predetermined processing capacity. In this way, it is possible to determine whether or not to execute the division in consideration of the time required for the analysis process of the tree structure file by using the processing capability of the information management apparatus having a correlation with the analysis process time of the tree structure file. Here, the “processing capacity of the information management apparatus” may be, for example, specifications of the information management apparatus (CPU clock number, memory capacity, etc.). At this time, the division determination means analyzes the tree structure file, and as a result of the analysis, when the time required for the analysis exceeds a predetermined allowable processing time, the processing capability of the information management device is a predetermined processing capability. It may be determined that the process of dividing the tree-structured file is executed as being less than

  The information management device of the present invention includes information acquisition means for acquiring information on the tree structure of the storage device, and the control means is based on the tree structure information of the storage device acquired by the information acquisition means. The information storage unit may be controlled to store the tree structure file in the information storage unit. In this way, the tree structure information of the storage device can be obtained from the storage device relatively easily. At this time, the information acquisition means acquires the tree structure information of the storage device as a text file from the storage device, and the control means creates the tree structure file based on the acquired tree structure information. The information storage unit may be controlled to store the created tree structure file in the information storage unit. Alternatively, the information acquisition unit acquires the tree structure information stored in the storage device from the storage device in a tree structure file described in a predetermined markup language, and the control unit acquires the acquired information. The information storage means may be controlled to store the tree structure file in the information storage means. The control means may control the information acquisition means so as to periodically acquire the tree structure information from the information storage means, and the control means may store the tree structure information of the storage device. The information acquisition unit may be controlled so as to acquire the information of the tree structure transmitted from the storage device every time it is updated.

  The information management device of the present invention comprises command acquisition means for acquiring a command for outputting the tree structure information of the storage device to an external device, and output means capable of outputting information to the external device, The control means executes the division process of the tree structure file, controls the information storage means so that each of the divided tree structure files is stored in the information storage means, and then the command acquisition means outputs the output command. When acquired, the tree structure file including the tree structure information corresponding to the output command is read from the information storage unit among the divided tree structure files, the read tree structure file is analyzed, and the analysis result is obtained. The output means may be controlled to output to the external device as information on the tree structure of the storage device. In this way, in order to analyze the tree structure file corresponding to the tree structure queried from the external device among the tree structure files stored separately, the tree structure file including all the tree structures of the storage device is analyzed. Compared to the analysis, the tree structure information of the storage device can be analyzed more efficiently. At this time, the control means may output a text file as the analysis result to the external device when the analysis result is output to the external device as the tree structure information of the storage device. In this way, there is no need to analyze the tree structure file with an external device. In addition, when the command acquisition unit acquires the output command after controlling the information storage unit so that the tree structure file is stored in the information storage unit as it is, the control unit is stored in the information storage unit. The output unit may be controlled to read the tree structure file, analyze the read tree structure file, and output the analysis result to the external device as the tree structure information of the storage device. The control means includes a part of the tree structure when the division determination means determines to execute the process of dividing the tree structure file when the output instruction is not received from the instruction acquisition means. The tree structure file may be divided so that a predetermined division state is obtained. In this way, since the tree structure file is analyzed and divided in advance before an inquiry about the tree structure of the storage device from the external device, it is possible to respond quickly to an inquiry about the external device. The external device may be at least one of a scanner, a printer, a digital camera, and a mobile phone. Since external devices such as scanners, printers, digital cameras, and mobile phones often store data in a folder included in a tree structure or read data from a folder included in the tree structure, it is meaningful to apply the present invention. high.

The information management method of the present invention includes:
Information by computer software for managing hierarchical tree structure information of the storage device using information storage means capable of storing a tree structure file in which the tree structure information of the storage device is described in a predetermined markup language A management method,
(A) determining whether or not to execute a process of dividing the tree structure file based on at least one of a tree structure state of the storage device and a processing capability of the information management device;
(B) When it is determined in step (a) that the process of dividing the tree structure file is not to be executed, the information storage means is controlled so that the tree structure file is stored in the information storage means as it is, When it is determined in (a) that the process for dividing the tree structure file is to be executed, the tree structure file is divided so that a predetermined division state including a part of the tree structure is included, and the divided tree is obtained. Controlling the information storage means such that each of the structure files is stored in the information storage means;
Is included.

  In this information management method, a tree structure file described in a predetermined markup language and stored in the information storage means is divided based on at least one of the state of the tree structure of the storage device and the processing capability of the information management device. It is determined whether or not to execute the process, and when it is determined not to execute the split process of the tree structure file, it is determined to store the tree structure file in the information storage unit as it is and to execute the split process of the tree structure file. In some cases, the tree structure file is divided so as to be in a predetermined division state including a part of the tree structure, and each of the divided tree structure files is stored in the information storage means. In general, a tree structure file described in a markup language needs to analyze the entire file, and therefore processing time may be required when the file becomes large. Here, in order to determine whether to divide the tree structure file based on the state of the tree structure correlated with the processing time required for the analysis of the tree structure and the processing capability of the information management device, The tree structure file including information can be properly divided. In this information management method, various aspects of the above-described information management method may be adopted, and steps for realizing each function of the above-described information management method may be added.

  The program of the present invention is for causing each step of the information management method described above to be realized by one or more computers. This program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium (for example, hard disk, ROM, FD, CD, DVD, etc.), or from a computer via a transmission medium (communication network such as the Internet or LAN). It may be distributed to another computer, or may be exchanged in any other form. If this program is executed by a single computer or if each step is shared and executed by a plurality of computers, each step of the information management method described above is executed. can get.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a scan information management system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an operation panel 40 provided in the scanner device 20. The scan information management system 10 of the present embodiment is a scanner device 20 as an external device of the present invention that reads an image and converts it into scan data, and a function as a storage device of the present invention connected to the scanner device 20 via the LAN 12. And a management server 60 connected to the scanner device 20 and the file server 50 via the LAN 12 as a network and having a function as an information management device of the present invention. In the scan information management system 10, a plurality of scanner devices 20 (not shown) are connected to the LAN 12.

  The scanner device 20 is a network interface capable of transmitting and receiving signals between a scanner unit 30 including a scanner mechanism 31 and a scanner ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 32 and a device connected to the LAN 12 as an electric communication line. (I / F) 25, an operation panel 40 through which a user inputs various instructions, and a controller 29 that controls the entire apparatus. The scanner mechanism 31 is a so-called flatbed type, and includes a glass surface 33 on which a medium M for reading an image is placed, a line image sensor 34 for optically reading the medium M through the glass surface 33, and a line for reading the medium M. And a moving unit 36 that scans the image sensor 34. The scanner ASIC 32 is an IC chip having a function of controlling the scanner mechanism 31, and stores scan data read by the line image sensor 34 of the scanner mechanism 31 in a scanner buffer provided in the RAM 23 of the controller 29. The line image sensor 34 according to the present embodiment is a known color image in which reflected light after being emitted toward the medium M is separated into red (R), green (G), and blue (B) colors and used as scan data. It is a sensor.

  The operation panel 40 is a device for the user to input various instructions to the scanner device 20, and displays characters, figures, or symbols corresponding to the various instructions as shown in FIGS. A display unit 42 and an operation unit 44 for performing various operations are provided. The display unit 42 includes a liquid crystal panel that displays a color image. The folder selection screen 81 of the display unit 42 shown in FIG. 2 will be described later. On the operation unit 44, a cursor key 44a that is pressed when the user moves a cursor for selecting a process, characters, and the like, a determination key 44b that is pressed when determining a process selection, and the like are placed on the glass surface 33. A scan start key 44c that is pressed when reading the placed medium M is started, a registration key 44d that is pressed when storing scan data, and the like are arranged.

  The controller 29 is configured as a microprocessor centered on the CPU 21, and includes a ROM 22 that stores various processing programs, a RAM 23 that temporarily stores data, and a flash memory 24 that can write and erase data. . The controller 29 is connected to the scanner ASIC 32, I / F 25, and operation panel 40 via the bus 28. The ROM 22 stores a scan data management program 22a, which is an application program. The scan data management program 22 a is a program that stores data read by the scanner unit 30 in the file server 50. The RAM 23 is provided with an area such as a scanner buffer for temporarily storing image information read by the scanner unit 30.

  The file server 50 includes a CPU 51 that executes various controls, a ROM 52 that stores various control programs, a RAM 53 that temporarily stores data, an HDD 54 that is a large-capacity memory that stores various application programs and various data files, and a scanner device. 20 and an I / F 55 capable of transmitting / receiving signals to / from the management server 60, and these are connected so that information can be exchanged via a bus (not shown). The file server 50 is a server that stores a file created by an external device such as the scanner device 20 in the HDD 54. When the file server 50 transmits / receives data to / from the scanner device 20 or the management server 60 via the LAN 12, the file server 50 transmits / receives data using a reception buffer and a transmission buffer provided in a predetermined area of the RAM 53. In the HDD 54, folders for storing files are formed in a hierarchy, and an XML file 70 including information on the hierarchical tree structure is stored. Each folder of the HDD 54 stores scan data 54 a received from the scanner device 20. In this example, up to 50 folders can be created in one level of the HDD 54.

  Here, the XML file 70 will be described. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an XML file 70 including information on the tree structure of the HDD 54, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a tree structure included in the XML file 70. In the XML file 70, as shown in FIG. 3, as information on each folder, a folder name given by the user (for example, “first layer 01”) is associated with a folder name used for management inside the apparatus. The folder ID (for example, “ID01”), the address indicating the location of the folder stored in the HDD 64 (for example, “ftp://192.168.1.1/conference/first level 01 /”) and the like are sandwiched between tags <tranceInformation>. It is described in the description area. In the description area of the lower folder (so-called subfolder) included in the upper folder, the folder ID of the upper folder is described (for example, “<parent> ID01 </ parent>”), and the parent-child relationship of the folder Can be grasped. In the present specification, an upper folder is sometimes referred to as a parent folder, and a lower folder is sometimes referred to as a child folder. As described above, the XML file 70 describes all the tree structure information of the HDD 54. Then, if all contents described in the XML file 70 are analyzed, the entire tree structure of the HDD 64 can be grasped as shown in FIG. The XML file 70 includes the first hierarchy 01, the first hierarchy 02,... As the first hierarchy folder, and the second hierarchy 01, the second hierarchy 02,. .. Are included, the third hierarchy 01 is included below the second hierarchy 01, and a plurality of second hierarchy folders are also included below the first hierarchy 02.

  The management server 60 is configured as a device that outputs information on the tree structure of the file server 50 to the scanner device 20 in response to a command from the scanner device 20, and includes a CPU 61 that executes various controls, a ROM 62 that stores various control programs, and data A RAM 63 that temporarily stores data, an HDD 64 that is a large-capacity memory that stores various application programs and various data files, and an I / F 65 that can transmit and receive signals to and from an external device. Connected so that information can be exchanged. The management server 60 transmits information to the file server 50 by the installed program, receives the XML file 70 whose contents are described in XML as a markup language transmitted from the file server 50, or receives the received XML file The file 70 is analyzed and divided and stored in the HDD 64. The tree structure information of the file server 50 included in the XML file 70 is analyzed and the tree structure information is transmitted to the scanner device 20. It is a server that receives a response from. When transmitting / receiving data to / from the scanner device 20 and the file server 50 via the LAN 12, the management server 60 transmits / receives data using a reception buffer and a transmission buffer provided in a predetermined area of the RAM 63. The HDD 64 stores an XML file management program 64a, which is an application program, a first XML file 71 created by executing the XML file management program 64a, and the like.

  Next, regarding the processing of the scan information management system 10 of the present embodiment configured as described above, first, processing in which the file server 50 describes and transmits the tree structure information of the HDD 54 in the XML file 70 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a tree structure file update routine executed by the CPU 51 of the file server 50. This routine is stored in the HDD 54 and is repeatedly executed at predetermined timings (for example, every several milliseconds) after the file server 50 is activated. When this routine is started, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the tree structure stored in the HDD 54 has been changed (step S100). If the tree structure has not been changed, this routine is ended as it is. Here, the determination of whether or not the tree structure has been changed is stored in the HDD 54, for example, from a user computer (not shown) via the LAN 12 or by operating an input device connected to the file server 50 (not shown). This is performed by determining whether a new folder has been added to the folder or an existing folder has been deleted. When the tree structure is changed, the CPU 51 updates the description contents of the XML file 70 stored in the HDD 54 based on the change contents of the tree structure (step S110). For example, when a new folder is added, a description area of this folder is provided in the XML file 70, and the corresponding folder name and address are added to this description area. When an existing folder is deleted, the corresponding description area Is deleted from the XML file 70. Then, the updated XML file 70 is transmitted and output to the management server 60 (step S120), and this routine is terminated. Thus, whenever the tree structure of the file server 50 is changed, the changed content is transmitted to the management server 60 as the XML file 70.

  Next, processing by the management server 60 of the XML file 70 received from the file server 50 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a tree structure file management routine executed by the CPU 61 of the management server 60. This routine is stored in the HDD 64 and executed after receiving the XML file 70 from the file server 50. When this routine is started, the CPU 61 analyzes the XML file 70 received from the file server 50 (step S200). Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the analysis of the XML file 70 expands all contents described in the received XML file 70, and the tree structure of the HDD 54 such as the number of folders F and the number of hierarchies C included in the tree structure. Process to grasp all of. The received XML file 70 is temporarily stored in a communication buffer provided in the RAM 63.

  Subsequently, the CPU 61 determines whether or not the number of hierarchies C included in the XML file 70 is greater than or equal to the threshold value Cref (step S210). This threshold Cref is inquired about information acquisition of the tree structure of the HDD 54 from an external device such as the scanner device 20, and when the management server 60 analyzes the XML file 70, an allowable processing time (for example, 5 seconds or 10 seconds). Etc.) is determined based on the number of hierarchies that exceed. When it is determined in step S210 that the number of hierarchies C is greater than or equal to the threshold Cref, the CPU 61 determines whether or not the number of folders F included in the XML file 70 is greater than or equal to the threshold Fref (step S220). This threshold Fref is inquired about information acquisition of the tree structure of the HDD 54 from an external device such as the scanner device 20, and when the management server 60 analyzes the XML file 70, an allowable processing time (for example, 5 seconds or 10 seconds). Etc.) is set to the number of folders that will exceed. In other words, in step S210 and step S220, when the entire XML file 70 is analyzed by the management server 60, it is determined whether or not the allowable processing time in the response to the external device is exceeded. In the present embodiment, when the number of folders F is 2500 or more (threshold value Fref = 2500), it is determined that the processing time allowable in the response to the external device is exceeded. Further, as described above, the maximum number of folders F in one layer is determined to be 50, and when the number of layers C is two, the maximum number of folders F is within 2500. It is determined that the processing time allowable in the response to the external device is not exceeded up to the second layer, and the processing time allowable in the response to the external device is exceeded when the number of layers C is three layers (threshold Cref = 3) or more. Judged to be judged.

  When it is determined in step S210 that the number of hierarchies C is not greater than or equal to the threshold Cref, or when it is determined in step S220 that the number of folders F is not greater than or equal to the threshold Fref, the CPU 61 manages processing for analyzing the entire XML file 70. Even if it is executed by the server 60, it is considered that the allowable processing time is not exceeded, and the XML file 70 received and temporarily stored in the RAM 63 is stored in the predetermined area of the HDD 64 as it is (step S230), and this routine is terminated. To do. In this way, the latest information on the tree structure of the file server 50 is stored in the HDD 64 and prepared for an inquiry from the scanner device 20.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S210 that the number of hierarchies C is greater than or equal to the threshold value Cref, and in step S220, it is determined that the number of folders F is greater than or equal to the threshold value Fref, the CPU 61 determines the folder included in the XML file 70. A division process (steps S240 to S290) is executed for creating an XML file describing folder information including folder names and addresses of folders in the same hierarchy sharing the parent folder for each hierarchy. Specifically, the CPU 61 sets the value 1 to the number n of layers to be divided (step S240), and sets the information of the folders of the (n + 1) th layer to the information of the folders included in the nth layer sharing the parent folder. An included XML file is created (step S250). FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram for creating a first XML file 71 including information on a folder included in the first hierarchy, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the first XML file 71. As shown in FIG. 7, the CPU 61 creates a first XML file 71 including information on folders included in the first hierarchy sharing the parent folder (here, “conference” as the root). As shown in FIG. 8, the first XML file 71 is created so that the information of the first layer included in the XML file 70 (see FIG. 3) is extracted, the extracted information is described and each tag is matched. Is done. Here, “matching tags” means adding a tag that is closed to a tag that is not closed when the tag is extracted. At this time, the CPU 61 obtains link information 71a, which is information on the second hierarchy folder of the folder name “first hierarchy 01”, and link information 73a, which is information on the second hierarchy folder of the folder name “first hierarchy 02”. Add to each description area. Here, since the XML file 70 is analyzed in advance and the parent-child relationship of each folder is grasped, the name of the XML file created in each hierarchy by division is determined in advance, and the determined file name is assigned to the lower folder. The information is described in the link information 71a of the description area (see FIG. 8). In the present embodiment, the name of the XML file created by the division is such that the first hierarchy is “PluginParam” and the second hierarchy and below are given “subfolder” with a 4-digit number in the order of creation.

  After step S250, the CPU 61 saves the created XML file in a predetermined area of the HDD 64 (step S260), and determines whether there is another folder in which the XML file should be created in the current hierarchy (step S270). When there is another folder in which the XML file is to be created in the current hierarchy, the processes of steps S250 to S270 are performed, and when there is no other folder in which the XML file is to be created in the current hierarchy, for each folder for the current hierarchy. It is considered that all XML files have been created, and it is determined whether or not all hierarchies have been completed (step S280). When it is determined that all hierarchies have not been completed, the CPU 61 increments the number of hierarchies n by 1 (step S290), executes the processing of steps S250 to S290, and determines that all hierarchies have been completed in step S280. When this occurs, this routine is terminated. In this way, the latest tree structure information of the file server 50 is divided and stored in the HDD 64 so that analysis processing time is not required, and prepared for an inquiry from the scanner device 20.

  Here, the processing of steps S240 to S290 will be described. FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram for creating an XML file storing folder information included in the second hierarchy, FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the second XML file 72, and FIG. 11 stores information on folders included in the third hierarchy. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the fourth XML file 74. FIG. After creating the first XML file 71 of the first hierarchy, the CPU 61 extracts the folder information of the second hierarchy included in the folder name “first hierarchy 01” from the XML file 70, describes the extracted information, and sets each tag The second XML file 72 is created (see FIG. 9) and stored in a predetermined area of the HDD 64. In the second XML file 72, link information 72a that is information of a child folder of the folder name “second hierarchy 01” is additionally written in the description area. Subsequently, the CPU 61 checks whether other folders with different parent folders are in the same hierarchy, and creates, for example, a third XML file 73 for the other folders (see FIG. 9). When the processing of the second layer is completed, the CPU 61 extracts the folder information of the third layer included in the folder name “second layer 01” from the XML file 70, describes the extracted information, and matches each tag. As a result, the fourth XML file 74 is created (see FIG. 11) and stored in a predetermined area of the HDD 64. In the fourth XML file 74, link information 74a that is information of a child folder of the folder name “third hierarchy 01” is additionally written in the description area. In this way, by extracting the information of each layer from the contents described in the XML file 70, the dividing process of the XML file 70 including all the tree structure information of the HDD 54 is executed. An XML file group including a part of the tree structure information of the HDD 54 of the file server 50 is stored in a predetermined area of the HDD 64. For convenience of explanation, only the names of XML files created in each hierarchy are shown in the figure as serial numbers (see FIG. 11).

  Finally, each process performed in the scanner device 20 and the management server 60 when the scan data read by the scanner device 20 is stored in the file server 50 and the state of communication will be described. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram that sequentially shows scan data storage processing and communication in the scan information management system 10. Here, the tree structure information of the HDD 54 is divided and stored in the HDD 64 by the division processing in steps S240 to S290 of the tree structure file management routine described above, and the scan data read by the scanner device 20 is stored in a predetermined file server 50. A case of saving in a folder will be described. First, when the user places the medium M on the glass surface 33 of the scanner device 20 and presses the scan start key 44c, the scanner device 20 reads the medium M. Specifically, the CPU 21 transmits a reading command to the scanner ASIC 32, and the scanner ASIC 32 that has received the reading command scans the line image sensor 34 along the moving unit 36 to read the image forming surface of the medium M for one page. At the same time, the read scan data is sequentially stored in the scanner buffer of the RAM 23. When the registration key 44d is pressed by the user, the process shown in FIG. 13 for saving the scan data is started.

  When the registration key 44d is pressed, the CPU 21 of the scanner device 20 transmits a command for outputting folder information to the scanner device 20 to the management server 60 via the I / F 25 (step S300). Here, the output command when the registration key 44d is pressed for the first time is determined to output the folder information of the first layer of the HDD. Receiving this signal, the CPU 61 of the management server 60 reads the XML file of the hierarchy for which the output command has been issued, and analyzes the contents (step S400). Here, the first XML file 71 is read and the content is analyzed. At this time, since the CPU 61 only has to analyze the first XML file 71 divided in advance so as not to exceed the allowable processing time, it is possible to quickly analyze the information of the first layer folder. Next, the CPU 61 creates folder information including a folder name, folder ID, and folder address based on the analyzed contents as a text file (step S410), and creates the created folder information via the I / F 65 as a scanner device. 20 is transmitted and output (step S420).

  Receiving the text file including the folder information, the CPU 21 analyzes the contents and causes the display unit 42 to display the folder name in such a manner that the folder name can be selected (step S310). As described above, the scanner device 20 does not need to analyze the XML file. Here, the CPU 21 displays the folder selection screen 81 of FIG. On the folder selection screen 81, each folder name is displayed in characters and arranged vertically, and the folder name can be selected by a cursor 82 that moves up and down when the up and down key 44a is pressed. Note that the folder name where the cursor is located is set to be selected. Next, the CPU 21 determines which of a save instruction and a lower layer display instruction has been received from the user (step S320). Here, when the registration key 44d is pressed, it is determined that the current folder is instructed to store the scan data, and when the determination key 44b is pressed, the lower hierarchy of the folder selected on the folder selection screen 81 is determined. It is determined that it is determined that the display is instructed. When the display of the lower hierarchy is instructed in step S320, the processes after step S300 are executed on the lower hierarchy of the folder where the cursor 82 is arranged. That is, the CPU 21 transmits an output command for outputting the folder information of the lower hierarchy of the currently selected folder (step S300), and the CPU 61 that has received this output command executes the processing after step S400. On the other hand, when the scan data is instructed in step S320, the scan data is transmitted to the file server 50 based on the address included in the received folder information so that the scan data is stored in the instructed folder ( Step S330), this routine is finished.

  Here, a case where the scan data read by the scanner device 20 is stored in the “second hierarchy 01” folder of the file server 50 will be described. First, on the folder selection screen 81 displayed in step S310, when the user selects the folder name “first level 01” by operating the cursor 82 (see FIG. 2) and presses the enter key 44b, the CPU 21 An output command to output the lower folder information of “one layer 01” is transmitted to the management server 60. Receiving this output command, the CPU 61 reads the second XML file 72, which is the link destination of the link information 71a, and analyzes the read second XML file 72 (step S400). Then, an analysis result indicating that “second hierarchy 01”, “second hierarchy 02”,... Are included below the “first hierarchy 01” folder is obtained, and the folder information is converted into text based on the analyzed contents. A file is created (step S410), and the created folder information is transmitted and output to the scanner device 20 via the I / F 65 (step S420). Upon receiving the text file including the folder information, the CPU 21 analyzes the contents and displays the contents on the folder selection screen 81 so as to be selectable. When the user presses the enter key 44b and issues a display instruction of a lower hierarchy of “second hierarchy 01” among the displayed folder names, the CPU 21 outputs folder information of the lower hierarchy of “second hierarchy 01”. An output command to that effect is transmitted to the management server 60. Upon receiving this output command, the CPU 61 reads and analyzes the fourth XML file 74 that is the link destination of the link information 72a (see FIG. 10), creates folder information as a text file based on the analyzed contents, and creates the created folder. Information is transmitted and output to the scanner device 20 via the I / F 65. When the user presses the registration key 44d in the current folder “second level 01”, the CPU 21 transmits and outputs scan data to the file server 50 so as to be stored at the address of the folder “second level 01” instructed to be saved. . The file server 50 that has received the scan data saves it as scan data 54a in the designated folder. The file name of the scan data may be automatically given after the scan, or may be input by the user by operating the operation unit 44.

  Here, the correspondence between the components of the present embodiment and the components of the present invention will be clarified. The RAM 63 and the HDD 64 of the present embodiment correspond to the information storage unit of the present invention, the I / F 25 corresponds to the information acquisition unit, the command acquisition unit, and the output unit, and the CPU 21 corresponds to the division determination unit and the control unit. The XML file 70 corresponds to a tree structure file, the first to fourth XML files 71 to 74 correspond to divided tree structure files, the HDD 54 of the file server 50 corresponds to a storage device, and the scanner device 20 corresponds to an external device. It corresponds to. In this embodiment, an example of the information management method of the present invention is also clarified by describing the processing of the scan information management system 10.

  According to the scan information management system 10 of this embodiment described in detail above, whether or not to execute the process of dividing the XML file 70 described in XML and stored in the RAM 63 based on the state of the tree structure of the file server 50 is determined. If it is determined that the split process of the XML file 70 is not executed, the XML file 70 is stored in the HDD 64 as it is, and if it is determined that the split process of the XML file 70 is executed, one of the tree structures is stored. The XML file 70 is divided so as to be in a predetermined division state including the copy, and each of the divided XML files is stored in the HDD 64. In general, a tree structure file described in XML as a markup language needs to analyze the entire file. For example, when a tree structure information is inquired from an external device, the tree structure file is large. , It takes a long processing time to analyze and may take a long time to respond. Here, in order to determine whether to divide the XML file 70 based on the state of the tree structure correlated with the processing time required for the tree structure analysis, the XML including the tree structure information of the HDD 54 of the file server 50 is used. The file 70 can be properly divided. In addition, by dividing the XML file 70 in advance, it is possible to prepare for an inquiry about tree structure information from an external device or the like. Further, the tree structure of the file server 50 can be managed relatively easily using XML.

  In addition, the XML file 70 is analyzed, and as a result of the analysis, it is determined that the process of dividing the XML file 70 is executed when the number of folders is equal to or greater than the threshold value Fref. It is possible to determine whether or not to execute the division in consideration of time. Further, since the dividing process of the XML file 70 is executed so that a folder having a value less than the threshold value Fref is included in the divided XML file, the number of folders included in the XML file 70 is set to be less than the threshold value Fref. The time required for the XML file analysis process in the response can be made appropriate. Furthermore, since it is determined that the process of dividing the XML file 70 is executed when the hierarchy of the tree structure included in the XML file 70 is equal to or greater than the threshold value Cref, the time required for the analysis process of the XML file 70 in response to the external device It is possible to determine whether or not to execute division in consideration of the above. Furthermore, the dividing process is executed so that the XML file 70 is divided into the divided XML file including the upper layer and the divided XML file including the lower layer associated with the upper layer. Therefore, it is easy to associate the upper hierarchy with the lower hierarchy.

  Furthermore, since the XML file 70 is acquired from the file server 50 via the LAN 12 and the acquired XML file 70 is stored in the RAM 63, the tree structure information of the file server 50 can be obtained relatively easily from the file server 50. Can do. In addition, since the tree structure information of the HDD 54 is acquired from the file server 50 in the format of the XML file 70, the management server 60 does not need to create the XML file 70. Furthermore, since the XML file 70 transmitted from the file server 50 is acquired every time the tree structure information of the file server 50 is updated, it is possible to always obtain new tree structure information.

  Furthermore, when the division process of the XML file 70 is executed and each of the divided XML files is stored in the HDD 64 and an output command for information on the tree structure of the HDD 54 is acquired, an output command among the divided XML files is output. Is read from the HDD 64, the read XML file is analyzed, and the analysis result is output to the scanner device 20 as the tree structure information of the file server 50. Compared to the analysis of the tree structure file including all the tree structures of the file server 50 by analyzing the XML file corresponding to the tree structure queried from the scanner device 20 among the XML files that have been inquired. The tree structure information of the server 50 can be analyzed efficiently. Further, when the output command of the tree structure information of the HDD 54 is not acquired from the scanner device 20, the division processing of the XML file 70 is performed, that is, before the query of the tree structure information from the scanner device 20 is made, Since 70 is analyzed and divided, the inquiry from the scanner device 20 can be quickly dealt with. As described above, when the user tries to save the scan data with the scanner device 20, it is sufficient to analyze only the XML file in which only a necessary part is described, and the time required for the analysis of the tree structure can be reduced. The user can comfortably execute scan data storage. Further, since the text file is output to the scanner device 20 as an analysis result, it is not necessary to analyze the XML file by the scanner device 20. Furthermore, since a scanner device as an external device often stores scan data in a folder included in a tree structure or reads it from a folder included in the tree structure, it is highly significant to apply the present invention.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various modes as long as it belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, it is determined whether or not the XML file 70 is to be divided based on the number of folders F and the number of hierarchies C included in the tree structure of the HDD 54. It may be determined that the XML file 70 is to be divided when the CPU clock number, memory capacity, etc.) falls below a predetermined processing capability (for example, the clock number is 500 MHz or 1 MHz, or the memory is 128 Mb, 256 Mb, etc.). In this way, in order to determine whether to divide the XML file 70 using the processing capability of the management server 60 correlated with the analysis processing time of the XML file 70, the time taken for the analysis processing of the tree structure file is taken into consideration. Thus, it is possible to determine whether or not to execute the division. Alternatively, as a result of analyzing the XML file 70 in step S200 of the tree structure file management routine, when the time required for the analysis exceeds a predetermined allowable processing time (for example, 5 seconds or 10 seconds), the processing capacity of the management server 60 is increased. The XML file 70 may be determined to be divided as being less than the predetermined processing capacity. In this way, it is possible to determine whether or not to divide the XML file 70 based on the actual analysis time, so that the division of the XML file 70 including the tree structure information of the file server 50 can be more appropriately executed. it can.

  In the above-described embodiment, the number of folders that can be created in one hierarchy has been described as being limited to 50. However, the number of folders that can be created in one hierarchy is not particularly limited. At this time, the division process of the XML file 70 has been described as creating an XML file in which information on folders in the same hierarchy having a common parent folder is described for each hierarchy. However, as shown in FIG. It is good also as what divides | segments between the folders which share a folder. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of another XML file 70 division process. Specifically, for example, when the number of folders exceeding the threshold Fref is included in the same hierarchy sharing the parent folder, the CPU 61 determines to divide the folders sharing the parent folder. As shown in FIG. 14, the first hierarchy is divided into a first XML file 71 and an XML file 75, and a child folder of the “first hierarchy 01” folder is divided into an XML file 76 and an XML file 77. Even in this case, it is possible to prevent the time for analyzing each XML file from exceeding the allowable processing time. Therefore, the file server 50 can be compared with the case of analyzing a tree structure file including all the tree structures of the file server 50. The tree structure information can be analyzed efficiently.

  In the above-described embodiment, the XML file 70 is divided as described above, in which the XML file describing the information of the folder in the same hierarchy sharing the parent folder is created for each hierarchy. As shown, folders that share a parent folder may be divided without being divided into hierarchies within a range that does not exceed an allowable processing time when an XML file is analyzed. In this way, it is possible to prevent the XML file from being created more than necessary. Alternatively, the division process of the XML file 70 may be executed by combining the above-described division modes so that the allowable processing time is not exceeded when the XML file is analyzed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the division process is executed on the XML file 70 including all the tree structure information of the HDD 54. For example, an XML file (for example, the first file) including no tree structure information is included. The division processing may be executed on the 1XML file 71).

  In the above-described embodiment, the scan information management system 10 in which the file server 50 and the management server 60 are separately configured has been described. However, a file management server having both functions of the file server 50 and the management server 60 may be used. Even in this case, the same effect as the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

  In the above-described embodiment, the XML file 70 including the tree structure information of the HDD 54 is created by the file server 50, and the created XML file 70 is received by the management server 60. The management server 60 receives the created text file including the tree structure information, and the management server 60 creates the XML file 70 based on the received text file and stores it in the RAM 63. Also good. In this way, the processing load on the file server 50 can be reduced. The text file including the tree structure information may be, for example, a file in which addresses of folders are enumerated and separated by a comma or the like.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the tree structure is changed in the file server 50, the XML file 70 is updated, and the file server 50 transmits and outputs the updated XML file 70 to the management server 60. The management server 60 may periodically acquire the XML file 70 by accessing the HDD 54. Even in this case, the division of the XML file 70 including the information of the tree structure of the file server 50 can be properly executed.

  In the embodiment described above, the folder information is managed by storing a file in which the tree structure information of the HDD 54 is described in XML as a markup language in the HDD 64. However, the markup language is not limited to this, for example, A file in which tree structure information is described in XHTML as a markup language may be used, a file described in HTML, or a file described in SGML may be used.

  In the embodiment described above, the external device has been described as the scanner device 20, but the external device may be a printing device, a digital camera, or a mobile phone. When the external device is a printing device, the management server 60 outputs folder information including the image file name and folder name to the printing device when reading the image file stored in the folder included in the tree structure of the HDD 54. It may be. In addition, when the external device is a digital camera, the above-described processing may be executed when an image file captured by the digital camera is stored in the HDD 54. When the external device is a mobile phone, the above-described processing may be executed when a downloaded music file, a captured image file, or the like is stored in the HDD 54.

1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a scan information management system 10. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an operation panel 40 provided in the scanner device 20. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an XML file including information on a tree structure of an HDD. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the tree structure contained in the XML file. It is a flowchart showing an example of a tree structure file update routine. It is a flowchart showing an example of a tree structure file management routine. It is a conceptual diagram which creates the 1st XML file 71 containing the information of a 1st hierarchy. It is explanatory drawing of the 1st XML file. It is a conceptual diagram which creates the XML file containing the information of a 2nd hierarchy. It is explanatory drawing of the 2nd XML file. It is a conceptual diagram which produces the 4th XML file 74 containing the information of a 3rd hierarchy. It is explanatory drawing of the 4th XML file. It is explanatory drawing which shows a scan data preservation | save process sequentially. It is explanatory drawing of the division | segmentation process of the other XML file. It is explanatory drawing of the division | segmentation process of the other XML file.

Explanation of symbols

  10 Scan Information Management System, 12 LAN, 20 Scanner Device, 21 CPU, 22 ROM, 22a Scan Data Management Program, 23 RAM, 24 Flash Memory, 25 I / F, 28 Bus, 29 Controller, 30 Scanner Unit, 31 Scanner Mechanism , 32 Scanner ASIC, 33 Glass surface, 34 Line image sensor, 36 Moving unit, 40 Operation panel, 42 Display unit, 44 Operation unit, 44a Cursor key, 44b Enter key, 44c Scan start key, 44d Registration key, 50 File server 51 CPU, 52 ROM, 53 RAM, 54 HDD, 54a Scan data, 55 I / F, 60 Management server, 61 CPU, 62 ROM, 63 RAM, 64 HDD, 64a XML file management program , 65 I / F, 70 XML file, 71 1st XML file, 71a Link information, 72 2nd XML file, 72a Link information, 73 3rd XML file, 73a Link information, 74 4th XML file, 74a Link information, 75 XML file, 76 XML file, 77 XML file, 81 Folder selection screen, 82 Cursor, M medium.

Claims (14)

An information management device for managing hierarchical tree structure information of a storage device,
Information storage means capable of storing a tree structure file in which the tree structure information of the storage device is described in a predetermined markup language;
Division determination means for determining whether or not to execute the process of dividing the tree structure file based on at least one of the state of the tree structure of the storage device and the processing capability of the information management device;
When the division determination unit determines not to execute the process of dividing the tree structure file, the information storage unit is controlled so that the tree structure file is stored in the information storage unit as it is. When it is determined that the process for dividing the tree structure file is to be executed, the tree structure file is divided so as to be in a predetermined division state including a part of the tree structure, and each of the divided tree structure files is Control means for controlling the information storage means to be stored in the information storage means;
An information management device comprising: The control means stores the tree structure file described in XML or XHTML as the markup language in the information storage means.
The information management apparatus according to claim 1. The information storage means stores the tree structure file including information of one or more folders in which the file can be stored,
The division determination unit analyzes the tree structure file, and as a result of the analysis, when the number of folders included in the tree structure information as the state of the tree structure is equal to or greater than a predetermined processing delay number, the tree structure file To execute the process of dividing
The information management apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The control unit executes the tree structure file division processing so that a folder having a number less than the processing delay number is included in the divided tree structure file when executing the tree structure file division processing so as to be in a predetermined division state. Run the
The information management apparatus according to claim 3. The division determination unit analyzes the tree structure file, and as a result of the analysis, the number of tree structures included in the tree structure file as the state of the tree structure of the storage device is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of processing delay layers. Sometimes it is determined to execute the process of dividing the tree structure file,
The information management apparatus in any one of Claims 1-4. When the control unit executes the division process of the tree structure file so as to be in a predetermined division state, the divided tree structure file including the upper hierarchy and the lower hierarchy associated with the upper hierarchy are included. Performing the tree structure file division processing so that the tree structure file is divided into the divided tree structure files included,
The information management apparatus according to claim 5. The division determination means determines that the tree structure file is to be divided when the processing capability of the information management apparatus is lower than a predetermined processing capability.
The information management device according to claim 1. The information management device according to claim 1,
Information acquisition means for acquiring information on the tree structure of the storage device,
The control means controls the information storage means to store the tree structure file in the information storage means based on the information of the tree structure of the storage device acquired by the information acquisition means;
Information management device. The information management device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
Command acquisition means for acquiring, from the external device, a command to output the tree structure information of the storage device to the external device;
Output means capable of outputting information to an external device,
The control means executes the division process of the tree structure file and controls the information storage means so that each of the divided tree structure files is stored in the information storage means, and then the command acquisition means performs the output command Is obtained, the tree structure file including the tree structure information corresponding to the output command is read out from the information storage means, and the read tree structure file is analyzed, and the analysis result is obtained. Controlling the output means to output to the external device as information on the tree structure of the storage device,
Information management device. When the command acquisition unit acquires the output command after controlling the information storage unit so that the tree structure file is stored in the information storage unit as it is, the control unit stores the information stored in the information storage unit. Reading the tree structure file, analyzing the read tree structure file, and controlling the output means to output the analysis result to the external device as the tree structure information of the storage device;
The information management apparatus according to claim 9. When the control unit determines that the division determination unit performs the process of dividing the tree structure file when the output command is not received from the command acquisition unit, a predetermined part of the tree structure is included. Execute the split process of the tree structure file so that the split state of
The information management apparatus according to claim 9 or 10. The external device is at least one of a scanner, a printer, a digital camera, and a mobile phone.
The information management device according to claim 9. Information by computer software for managing hierarchical tree structure information of the storage device using information storage means capable of storing a tree structure file in which the tree structure information of the storage device is described in a predetermined markup language A management method,
(A) determining whether or not to execute a process of dividing the tree structure file based on at least one of a tree structure state of the storage device and a processing capability of the information management device;
(B) When it is determined in step (a) that the process of dividing the tree structure file is not to be executed, the information storage means is controlled so that the tree structure file is stored in the information storage means as it is, When it is determined in (a) that the process for dividing the tree structure file is to be executed, the tree structure file is divided so that a predetermined division state including a part of the tree structure is included, and the divided tree is obtained. Controlling the information storage means such that each of the structure files is stored in the information storage means;
Information management method.   A program for causing each step of the information management method according to claim 13 to be realized by one or more computers.

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