JP2008052373A - File communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a file communication device capable of reducing an operation burden of a user performing communication, perusal, and organization of an electronic file for lowering a procedure memorization burden of the user. <P>SOLUTION: The file communication device is provided with a storage part 306 storing an electronic file and a transmission folder concerning a destination address, a receipt part 302 receiving an instruction from the outside of the file communication device, and a communication I/F part 314 transmitting the electronic file to the destination address when the receipt part 302 receives an instruction instructing copy/movement of the electronic file to the transmission file. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a file communication apparatus that performs electronic file communication via a network.

  In recent years, the communication environment such as ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line), optical fiber, mobile phone network, and wireless LAN (Local Area Network) access point has been established, so that various devices can be connected to the network at any time and place. The environment that can be used is rapidly spreading. In such an environment, various types of data are transmitted and received between PCs (Personal Computers), mobile phones, home appliances, etc. For example, SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) defined by IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force). ), File transfer using FTP (File Transfer Protocol), HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol), and the like.

  Various mail client application software is used for sending and receiving mails, and electronic mails such as moving images and still images can be attached to and sent to emails. The operation procedure of the conventional general electronic file attached mail transmission in the mail client application software is as follows.

  Step 1: Create the body of the email. Step 2: Enter the destination mail address or select it from the address book. Step 3: Select a file to attach. Step 4: Instruct mail transmission. At this time, steps 1 to 3 can be executed in any order. It is also possible to omit step 1 and send without text. Step 3 usually includes an operation of selecting an arbitrary file from an arbitrary folder by tracing the file system hierarchy by a GUI (Graphical User Interface).

The operation procedure according to the conventional technique will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of screen transition when operating a file communication apparatus according to the prior art. A conventional file communication apparatus has a function of transmitting a mail attached with a still image file and a function of browsing a still image that is the content of the still image file.

  A conventional file communication apparatus first displays a menu screen 800 on a monitor. The menu screen 800 includes a “still image mail” button 802 and a “still image browsing” button 804.

  While viewing the menu screen 800 displayed on the monitor, the user can input a “still image mail” button 802, which is an instruction to start sending mail with a still image file attached from an input device such as a keyboard, and a still image file. One of the “Still Image Browsing” buttons 804 that is an instruction to start a still image browsing process, which is the content of the above, is selected. Hereinafter, the selection on the screen is performed by the user via the input device.

  When the “still image mail” button 802 is selected on the menu screen 800, the conventional file communication apparatus displays a destination selection screen 810 on the monitor. On the destination selection screen 810, the user selects a destination from a destination list in which a mail address is set in advance.

  When a destination is selected on the destination selection screen 810, the conventional file communication apparatus displays a folder selection screen 820 on the monitor. The folder selection screen 820 is a screen showing a list of folders included in the storage unit included in the file communication apparatus, and the user can arbitrarily select a folder displayed on the folder selection screen 820.

  When a folder is selected on the folder selection screen 820, the conventional file communication apparatus displays an image selection screen 830 on the monitor. The image selection screen 830 is a screen showing a list of still image files included in the selected folder, and the user can select any image displayed on the image selection screen 830 as an attached file.

  When a user selects an image file on the image selection screen 830 and then selects a mail transmission button 832 included in the image selection screen 830, the conventional file communication apparatus uses the mail address associated with the destination specified in a series of procedures. In response to this, an e-mail attached with the specified still image file is transmitted, and then the menu screen 800 is displayed again on the screen.

  When the “browse still image” button 804 is selected on the menu screen 800, the conventional file communication apparatus displays the folder list screen 840 on the monitor. The folder list screen 840 is a screen showing a list of folders included in the storage unit included in the file communication apparatus, and the user can arbitrarily select a folder displayed on the folder list screen 840.

  When a folder is selected on the folder list screen 840, the conventional file communication apparatus displays the image list screen 850 on the monitor. The image list screen 850 is a screen showing a list of still image files included in the selected folder.

  When a still image file is selected on the image list screen 206, an image browsing screen 860 is displayed on the conventional file communication apparatus. The image browsing screen 860 is a screen for enlarging and displaying an image that is the content of the selected still image file. The menu screen 800, the folder list screen 840, the image list screen 850, and the image browsing screen 860 can be changed in both directions by selecting a return button (not shown).

  A conventional file communication apparatus has a function of executing file operation processing such as copying, moving, and deleting a still image file. When the user designates a still image file on the image list screen 850 and then selects a button or the like (not shown), the conventional file communication apparatus monitors a context menu 872 for the designated still image file as shown in the image list screen 870. To display. A conventional file communication apparatus performs copying, moving, and deletion of a still image file in accordance with a user instruction via an input device.

Further, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 facilitates management of transmitted or received files by automatically sorting transmitted / received mails.
JP 2000-285040 A

  However, conventionally, the electronic file transmission procedure, the electronic file browsing procedure, and the organization procedure are separated. For this reason, there is a problem in that the user's operation for transmitting the electronic file, browsing the electronic file, and organizing the electronic file becomes complicated. Here, organizing electronic files refers to copying, moving, and deleting electronic files.

  For example, when browsing a still image file and then transmitting the still image file, the user needs to sequentially perform a browsing procedure and a transmission procedure from the menu screen 800. Furthermore, when the transmitted still image file is deleted, it is necessary to return to the menu screen 800 again.

  In addition, since the electronic file transmission procedure, the electronic file browsing procedure, and the organizing procedure are conventionally divided, there is a problem that the user needs to learn each of them and increases the burden on the user.

  The present invention aims to solve the above problems. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a file communication apparatus that can reduce a burden of a user's operation for communicating, browsing, and organizing an electronic file, and can reduce a burden of a user learning a procedure.

  To achieve the above object, a file communication apparatus according to the present invention is a file communication apparatus that communicates an electronic file via a network, and stores the electronic file and a transmission folder related to a destination address. Storage means, accepting means for accepting an instruction from outside the file communication apparatus, and when the accepting means accepts an instruction to copy or move the electronic file to the transmission folder, transmits the electronic file to the destination address Transmitting means.

  As a result, the user can transmit the electronic file to the destination associated with the folder only by performing a normal electronic file organizing procedure of copying or moving the electronic file. Therefore, the user can perform transmission, browsing, and organization of electronic files by a common procedure, and it is possible to reduce the burden on the user's operation for communication, viewing, and organization of electronic files, and the user should learn The number of procedures can be reduced.

  More preferably, the storage means stores transmission information indicating whether or not the transmission of the electronic file to the destination address is completed, and the transmission means has completed transmission by the transmission information. Send the electronic file only if it is indicated that there is no.

  As described above, since the information indicating whether or not the transmission of the electronic file is completed is attached, the electronic file is not repeatedly transmitted to the same address when the file communication apparatus is restarted. . Therefore, useless communication such as double transmission can be omitted.

  More preferably, the file communication apparatus further includes display control means for displaying the electronic file included in the transmission folder and the transmission information in association with each other.

  As a result, the user can easily check the transmission history, so that electronic file management can be facilitated.

  More preferably, when the receiving unit receives an instruction to copy or move the electronic file to the transmission folder, the transmission unit determines whether the file communication apparatus related to the destination address holds the electronic file. And a file transmission unit that transmits the electronic file to the destination address only when it is confirmed that the file communication apparatus related to the destination address does not hold the electronic file. .

  As described above, since the file communication device transmits the electronic file only when the destination file communication device does not hold the electronic file, the electronic file is duplicated when the file communication device is restarted. Will not be sent. Therefore, useless communication such as double transmission can be omitted.

  More preferably, when the confirmation unit receives an instruction to copy or move the electronic file to the transmission folder, the communication device indicated by the destination address holds the electronic file using the hash value of the electronic file. Check whether or not

  As described above, since the file communication apparatus determines whether or not the transmission destination holds the electronic file based on the hash value, it is possible to reduce the amount of communication compared to transmitting or receiving the electronic file itself. It becomes possible.

  More preferably, the storage means further includes a reception folder related to a transmission source address, and the file communication device further includes a reception means for receiving the electronic file, and an electronic device received by the reception means. Storage means for storing the received electronic file in the reception folder associated with the transmission source address of the file.

  This makes it possible to manage received electronic files with folders related to the same destination address and source address, easily confirm the sharing status of files sent to and received from a specific destination, and manage electronic files. It becomes easy.

  More preferably, when the transmission of the electronic file is completed, the transmission unit includes, from the transmission folder, information other than identification information that is information for identifying the electronic file among information included in the electronic file that has been transmitted. delete.

  This makes it possible to save the storage capacity for storing the transmitted electronic file body while allowing the user to refer to the transmission history.

  Note that the present invention can be realized not only as a file communication apparatus including such characteristic means, but also as an electronic file communication method using the characteristic means included in the file communication apparatus as a step, The electronic file communication method can also be realized as a program for causing a computer to execute. Such a program can be distributed via a recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory) or a communication network such as the Internet.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it becomes possible to reduce the burden of the user's operation which communicates, browses, and arranges an electronic file, and to reduce the burden of the user learning the procedure.

  A file communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a communication system in which file communication apparatuses according to an embodiment of the present invention are connected to each other. Each file communication apparatus in the present embodiment transmits and receives electronic files to and from each other via a LAN or WAN. Each file communication apparatus accepts an instruction from a user via a remote controller, and outputs a result of executing the user's instruction on a monitor connected to each file communication apparatus.

  In the communication system shown in this figure, the file communication apparatuses 111, 114, 121, and 131 in the present embodiment provided in the respective residences 110, 120, and 130 by the Internet 100 and the LANs 118, 128, and 138 which are one of the WANs. Connected to each other. The Internet 100 and the LANs 118, 128, and 138 are connected via routers 117, 127, and 137 installed in each residence. Further, the file communication apparatuses 111, 114, 121, and 131 are connected to the monitors 112, 115, 122, and 132, respectively, and receive signals output from the remote controllers 113, 116, 123, and 133.

  In the residence C110, two file communication apparatuses 111 and 114, monitors 112 and 115, and a router 117 are installed. The two file communication apparatuses 111 and 114 are connected by a LAN 118 via a router 117, and electronic files are transmitted / received via the LAN 118. Each file communication device 111 and 114 is connected to the Internet 100 via a LAN 118 and a router 117.

  File communication apparatuses 121 and 131, monitors 122 and 132, and routers 127 and 137 are installed in the residence A120 and the residence B130, respectively. The file communication apparatuses 121 and 131 are connected to the Internet 100 via routers 127 and 137 connected to the LANs 128 and 138, respectively.

  With such a configuration, the file communication apparatus according to the present invention displays a still image, which is the content of the electronic file, on the monitor in accordance with a user instruction performed via an input device such as a remote controller, and the still image as the content. Email to which an electronic file (hereinafter referred to as “still image file”) is attached is transmitted to another file communication device connected by WAN, and the still image file is copied to another file communication device connected by LAN. It is possible to do.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the external appearance of the remote controller 113 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The remote controller 113 outputs a signal corresponding to a user instruction to the file communication apparatus 111 by wireless communication. The remote controller 113 illustrated in this figure includes a power button 202, a list display button 203, a file operation button 204, a return button 206, a cursor movement button 208, and a selection button 210. The remote controls 116, 123, and 133 also have the same appearance, and transmit inputs received from the user to the file communication apparatuses 114, 127, and 137 using functions similar to those provided in the remote control 113.

  The power button 202 is a button for switching on / off the power of the file communication apparatus 111.

  The list display button 203 is a button for displaying a list of folders on the monitor 112.

  The file operation button 204 is a button for displaying on the monitor 112 a list of operations for the still image file specified by the user's selection. Examples of the operation on the still image file include copying, moving and deleting of the still image file, and sending an e-mail attached with the still image file.

  The return button 206 is a button for returning the screen displayed on the monitor 112 to the previous one.

  The cursor movement button 208 is a button for moving a cursor displayed on the monitor 112.

  The selection button 210 is a button for instructing selection of a display portion on the monitor 112 indicated by the cursor.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the file communication apparatus 111 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The file communication apparatus 111 illustrated in the figure performs copying, moving and deletion of a still image file, transmission of an e-mail attached with a still image file, etc. in accordance with a user instruction output from the remote controller 113. The result of the processing for the still image file based thereon and the content of the still image file are displayed on the monitor 112.

  Since the remote controller 113 has been described with reference to FIG. 2, the description thereof is omitted here. The monitor 112 is a device that displays the processing result of the still image file based on the user's instruction and the content of the still image file. For example, the monitor 112 is a television, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like.

  The file communication apparatus 111 according to the present embodiment includes a reception unit 302, a display control unit 304, a storage unit 306, a folder setting unit 308, a file operation control unit 310, a text reception unit 312, and a communication I / F. An (interface) unit 314 and a completion confirmation unit 316 are provided.

  The accepting unit 302 is a processing unit that accepts an instruction transmitted from a remote controller input by a user, and specifically, an infrared signal receiver or the like.

The display control unit 304 is a processing unit that controls the contents displayed on the monitor 112.
The storage unit 306 is a part that stores still image files classified into folders, and is specifically a storage medium such as a hard disk. Each folder can be associated with a destination address as accompanying information. The “transmission folder” is a folder associated with a destination address, and is used in the same meaning in the following.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in the storage unit 306. The storage unit 306 according to the present embodiment stores still image files by classifying them into folders. This figure shows an example of still image files classified into three folders 306a, 306b, and 306c. Each of the folders 306a, 306b, and 306c includes “setting information” that includes accompanying information set in the folder and “file information” that includes still image files classified in the folder.

  The “setting information” includes information having “folder name” as content and information indicating whether the folder is a “transmission folder”. When the folder is a “transmission folder”, the “setting information” further includes “transmission method” that is information indicating a file transmission method and information that includes “destination address”. As a method for transmitting a still image file, for example, there are transmission by attaching to a mail, copying via a LAN, and the like.

  The “file information” includes “image information” that contains an image included in each still image file, and “file identification information” that is information for specifying the file. “File identification information” is, for example, a thumbnail, a file name, a time stamp, or the like. Further, the still image file included in the transmission folder further indicates “file information” indicating whether or not the transmission of the e-mail attached with the still image file is completed at the destination address associated with the transmission folder “ Transmission information ".

  This figure shows a folder 306a whose “folder name” is “addressed to Mr. A”, a folder 306b whose “folder name” is “July”, and a folder 306c whose “folder name” is “August”. Illustrate.

  A folder 306a whose “folder name” is “addressed to Mr. A” has a “transmission folder” of “Yes”. Since it is a transmission folder, the “setting information” in this folder 306a includes “transmission method” “mail” and “destination address” “a@b.com”.

  Here, when the transmission method is “mail”, electronic mail is transmitted using the SMTP protocol. When the transmission method is “LAN”, for example, FTP protocol, SMB (Server Message Block) protocol, WebDAV (Distributed Authoring and Versioning protocol for the WWW) protocol, UPnP (registered trademark) (Universal Plug), etc. The upload protocol can be used, and the user associates the “destination address” with the folder in an address format corresponding to each.

  Also, the “file information” of the folder 306a whose “folder name” is “addressed to Mr. A” is “image information” and “image information” of nine still image files indicated by the file names “image 1” to “image 9”. File identification information ”. Among these, “image information” of the still image files indicated by “image 8” and “image 9” includes “transmission information” “not yet”, and “a @ b” of these still image files. It is shown that the transmission to “.com” has not been completed yet. In addition, since the “image information” of the seven still image files indicated by “image 1” to “image 7” does not include the transmission information “not yet”, “a @ b” of these still image files. It can be seen that transmission to “.com” is completed.

  By holding such transmission information, a still image in which transmission is not completed when the file communication apparatus is restarted after being turned off during mail transmission processing or while the server 140 cannot be connected Since the file becomes clear and only unsent still image files can be retransmitted, still image files included in the transmission folder can be prevented from remaining unsent, and double transmission can be avoided. be able to.

  In addition, the folder 306b whose “folder name” is “July” and the folder 306c whose “folder name” is “August” are both “No” in the “transmission folder” and are not transmission folders. Therefore, neither “transmission method” nor “destination address” is included in the “setting information” of these folders 306b and 306c.

From here, it returns to description of FIG.
The folder setting unit 308 is a processing unit that receives an instruction to start setting of “setting information” via the receiving unit 302 and displays a setting screen of “setting information” on the monitor 112 via the display control unit 304. is there. Further, the folder setting unit 308 receives the content of “setting information” via the accepting unit 302, displays a screen including the content on the monitor 112 via the display control unit 304, and stores the content in the storage unit A processing unit stored in 306.

  The file operation control unit 310 receives a list display instruction via the reception unit 302 and refers to the storage unit 306 to display the folder list stored in the storage unit 306 on the monitor 112 via the display control unit 304. It is a processing part to be made.

  The file operation control unit 310 is a processing unit that receives a file operation instruction for a still image file via the reception unit 302 and performs a file operation according to the instruction. Examples of file operations include copying, moving, and deleting still image files.

  In response to the instruction to copy or move the still image file, the file operation control unit 310 refers to the storage unit 306 and acquires “setting information” of the copy destination or destination folder. If the copy destination or destination folder is not the transmission folder, the file operation control unit 310 updates the contents of the storage unit 306 as information included in the “file information” of the copy destination or destination folder.

  If the copy destination folder or the destination folder is a transmission folder, an e-mail to a destination address included in the “setting information” of the transmission folder is created with the still image file as an attached file.

  In response to the instruction to delete the still image file, the file operation control unit 310 deletes the still image file from the storage unit 306.

  The text receiving unit 312 is a processing unit that receives an instruction from the file operation control unit 310 and causes the monitor 112 to display a text input screen via the display control unit 304. The text receiving unit 132 is a processing unit that receives the content of the text of the e-mail via the receiving unit 302 and displays the received content on the monitor 112 via the display control unit 304.

  When the communication I / F unit 314 receives an e-mail transmission instruction from the receiving unit 302, the communication I / F unit 314 transmits an e-mail attached with a still image file, and transmits transmission information to the still image file stored in the storage unit 306. A processing unit for storing. In addition, the communication I / F unit 314, when the transmission of the e-mail is completed, deletes information other than the identification information from the transmission folder from the information included in the still image file attached to the e-mail that has been transmitted. It is.

  When the completion confirmation unit 316 receives an instruction to turn off the power of the file communication apparatus 111 via the reception unit 302, the completion confirmation unit 316 refers to the storage unit 306 to determine whether transmission information is included in the still image file included in the transmission folder. Confirm. If a still image file including transmission information is included, an instruction to transmit the still image file is output to the communication I / F unit 134.

  By providing the above functions, the procedure for browsing and organizing still image files and the procedure for sending attached mail in the file communication apparatus 111 according to the present embodiment become common. As a result, the user can browse and organize still image files and transmit still image files in a mutually continuous procedure, which can reduce the burden on the user's operation and can be learned by the user. Can be reduced.

  In addition, by deleting information other than the identification information for the transmitted still image file, it is possible to leave a transmission history while saving the storage capacity for recording the transmitted still image file. Transmission management becomes easy. The file identification information includes, for example, a file name, a time stamp, a still image file thumbnail, and the like.

  Next, processing executed by the file communication apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of file operation processing executed by the file communication apparatus 111 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the receiving unit 302 determines whether the list display button 203 has been pressed (S101). If it is determined that the list display button 203 has not been pressed (No in S101), the reception unit 302 waits.

  When it is determined that the list display button 203 has been pressed (Yes in S101), the file operation control unit 310 receives the pressing of the list display button 203 from the reception unit 302 and stores the file by referring to the storage unit 306. The folder list information stored in the unit 306 is acquired, and the folder list is displayed on the monitor 112 via the display control unit 304 (S102).

  Subsequently, the reception unit 302 determines whether or not the user has selected a folder from the folder list displayed on the monitor 112 (S103). When it is determined that folder selection has not been received (No in S103), the reception unit 302 waits.

  When it is determined that the selection of a folder has been received (Yes in S103), the receiving unit 302 instructs the file operation control unit 310 to display a list of still image files included in the selected folder. Upon receiving the instruction, the file operation control unit 310 refers to the storage unit 306, acquires a list of identification information of still image files included in the selected folder, and selects the folder selected via the display control unit 304. A list of identification information of still image files included in the monitor 112 is displayed on the monitor 112. One example of the identification information is a thumbnail, and the file operation control unit 310 causes the monitor 112 to display a list of thumbnails of still image files included in the folder selected via the display control unit 304 (S104).

  Subsequently, the receiving unit 302 determines whether or not the selection of a still image file by the user has been received from the list of thumbnails displayed on the monitor 112 (S105).

  When it is determined that the selection of the still image file has been received (Yes in S105), the reception unit 302 instructs the file operation control unit 310 to enlarge the selected still image file. Upon receiving the instruction, the file operation control unit 310 acquires the image information of the selected still image file from the storage unit 306, and displays the enlarged image on the monitor 112 via the display control unit 304 (S106).

  If it is determined that the selection of a still image file has not been received (No in S105), the receiving unit 302 continues to determine whether or not the file operation button 204 has been pressed (S107). If it is determined that the file operation button 204 has not been pressed (No in S107), the receiving unit 302 returns to the step of determining whether or not the selection of a still image file has been received (S105).

  If it is determined that the file operation button 204 has been pressed (Yes in S107), it is determined whether an instruction to copy a still image file has been received (S108).

  First, when it is determined that an instruction to copy a still image file has been received (Yes in S108), the receiving unit 302 instructs the file operation control unit 310 to copy a still image file. Upon receiving the instruction, the file operation control unit 310 displays a folder list as copy destination candidates on the monitor 112 via the display control unit 304 (S109).

  When the file operation control unit 310 receives the copy destination folder selected by the user from the folder list via the reception unit 302, the file operation control unit 310 refers to the “setting information” of the copy destination folder stored in the storage unit 306. Thus, it is determined whether or not the copy destination folder is a transmission folder (S110).

  If it is determined that the copy destination folder is not a transmission folder (No in S110), the file operation control unit 310 creates a copy of the still image file in the copy destination folder (S114), and ends the process.

  When it is determined that the copy destination folder is a transmission folder (Yes in S110), the file operation control unit 310 outputs a text reception instruction to the text reception unit 312. The text accepting unit 312 that has received the text accepting instruction displays the text input screen on the monitor 112 via the display control unit 304, and then accepts the content of the input text via the accepting unit 302 (S111).

  The text receiving unit 312 that receives the text temporarily stores the content and displays the content on the monitor 112 via the display control unit 304. Meanwhile, the accepting unit 302 determines whether or not the transmission button displayed on the monitor 112 has been selected (S112). When it is determined that the send button has not been selected (No in S112), the text receiving unit 132 continues to receive the text (S111).

  If it is determined that the send button has been selected (Yes in S112), the accepting unit 302 outputs an e-mail transmission instruction to the communication I / F unit 314. Upon receiving the transmission instruction, the communication I / F unit 314 acquires the content of the text stored in the text input unit 132 and transmits an e-mail with the selected still image file attached together with the content of the text. (S113), the process ends.

  Next, when it is determined that an instruction to copy a still image file has not been received (No in S108), the receiving unit 302 continues to determine whether an instruction to move a still image file has been received (S120). If it is determined that an instruction for moving a still image file has not been received (No in S120), the receiving unit 302 further determines whether an instruction for deleting a still image file has been received (S130).

  If it is determined that an instruction to delete a still image file has not been received (No in S130), the receiving unit 302 returns to the determination (S105) of whether a selection of a still image file has been received. If it is determined that an instruction to delete a still image file has been received (Yes in S <b> 130), the file operation control unit 310 deletes the still image file from the storage unit 306.

  When it is determined that an instruction to move a still image file has been received (Yes in S120), the file operation control unit 310 that has received the instruction displays a folder list as a movement destination candidate on the monitor 112 via the display control unit 304. It is displayed (S121).

  When the file operation control unit 310 receives the destination folder selected by the user from the folder list via the reception unit 302, the file operation control unit 310 refers to the “setting information” of the destination folder stored in the storage unit 306. Thus, it is determined whether or not the copy destination folder is a transmission folder (S122).

  If it is determined that the copy destination folder is not the transmission folder (No in S122), the file operation control unit 310 moves the still image file to the movement destination folder (S123), and ends the process.

  If it is determined that the destination folder is a transmission folder (Yes in S122), the processes from S111 to S113 are executed.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of “setting information” setting processing executed by the file communication apparatus 111 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The accepting unit 302 determines whether or not a folder setting instruction has been accepted (S201). If it is determined that a folder setting instruction has not been received (No in S201), the receiving unit 302 waits.

  When it is determined that the folder setting instruction has been received (Yes in S201), the receiving unit 302 outputs the folder setting instruction to the folder setting unit 308. Upon receiving the folder setting instruction, the folder setting unit 308 acquires “setting information” of the folder to be set from the storage unit 306, and displays a “setting information” setting screen on the monitor 112 via the display control unit 304. (S202).

  Subsequently, the accepting unit 302 accepts input content that the user inputs via the remote controller 113 while viewing the setting screen (S203). The accepting unit 302 delivers the accepted information to the folder setting unit 308. The folder setting unit 308 that has received the setting content reflects the setting content received through the display control unit 304 on the setting screen displayed on the monitor 112.

  Subsequently, when accepting the setting end instruction (S204), the accepting unit 302 acquires the content of the “setting information” displayed on the monitor 112, and delivers it to the folder setting unit 308. The folder setting unit 308 that has acquired the setting content determines whether information is set in a required item of the setting content (S205). If there is even one item for which no information is set among the required items (No in S205), the folder setting unit 308 displays a setting screen on the monitor 112 via the display control unit 304, and the receiving unit 302 The process returns to accepting the setting contents (S203).

  If it is determined that information is set for all the essential items (Yes in S205), the folder setting unit 308 stores the acquired setting contents in the storage unit 306 as “setting information” of the corresponding folder (S206). The process is terminated.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of screen transition when operating the file transmission device according to the embodiment of the present invention. The processing executed by the file communication apparatus 111 described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 will be described with reference to a specific example of screen transition shown in FIG.

  This figure shows an example in which the user performs an operation on the file communication apparatus 111 installed in the residence C110 shown in FIG.

  First, a specific example of screen transition in file operation processing will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 7.

  First, when the reception unit 302 determines that the list display button 203 of the remote controller 113 has been pressed (Yes in S101), the file operation unit 310 acquires folder list information stored in the storage unit 306 and displays the display control unit 304. Then, the folder list screen 710 is displayed on the monitor 112 (S102).

  In the folder list screen 710 shown in this figure, a folder that is not a transmission folder from “July” to “December” and a transmission folder that is transmitted to the file communication apparatus 121 installed in the residence A “addressed to Mr. A” are displayed. And a transmission folder to be transmitted to the file communication apparatus 131 installed in the house B “addressed to Mr. B” and a file communication apparatus 114 that is not operated by the user installed in the address C “addressed to the device C”. In this example, a transmission folder to be transmitted is displayed.

  Subsequently, when the reception unit 302 determines that the user has selected a folder from the list of folders displayed on the monitor 112 (Yes in S103), the thumbnail list screen 720 of still image files included in the selected folder. Is displayed on the monitor 112 via the file operation control unit 310 (S104).

  The folder list screen 710 shown in this figure is an example in which the cursor is in the “November” folder with a shadow on the folder, and the file list screen 720 is an example in which the “November” folder is selected.

  The user can move the cursor by pressing the cursor movement button 208 of the remote controller 113, and can select the folder where the cursor is located by pressing the selection button 210. Furthermore, when all the folders stored in the storage unit 306 cannot be displayed on one screen, the screen is scrolled by pressing the cursor movement button 208, and an arbitrary folder stored in the storage unit 306 is selected. Can do.

  Subsequently, when the reception unit 302 determines that the selection of the still image file has been received (Yes in S105), the file operation control unit 310 acquires the image information of the selected still image file from the storage unit 306, and performs display control. The enlarged image screen 730 is displayed on the monitor 112 via the unit 304 (S106). The enlarged image screen 730 displays an image obtained by enlarging the thumbnail on which the cursor is located when the selection button 210 is pressed. The file is selected by moving the cursor by pressing the cursor movement button 208 in the same manner as selecting a folder.

  If the receiving unit 302 determines that an instruction to enlarge the still image file has not been received (No in S105), and if the receiving unit 302 determines that the file operation button 204 has been pressed (Yes in S107), the file The operation control unit 310 displays an operation selection menu 742 in the image list screen 740 on the monitor 112 via the display control unit 304.

  Subsequently, when the accepting unit 302 determines that copying is selected from the file operations displayed on the operation selection menu 742 (Yes in S108), the file operation control unit 310 displays the image on the monitor 112 via the display control unit 304. A copy destination list 752 is displayed in the list screen 740. The copy destination list 752 shows a list of folders that are copy destination candidates for the selected still image file. The copy destination list 752 in this figure shows an example in which three folders “December”, “To Mr. A”, and “To Mr. B” are displayed. By moving the cursor to other candidate folders, too. The screen can be scrolled and selected.

  Subsequently, the file operation unit 310 obtains from the reception unit 302 that “addressed to Mr. A” has been selected as the copy destination folder, and refers to the storage unit 306 so that the copy destination folder “addressed to Mr. A” is obtained. Get "setting information". As described above, since “addressed to Mr. A” is a transmission folder to the file communication apparatus 121 installed in the residence A120, the file operation control unit 310 determines that the selected copy destination folder is a transmission folder ( In step S <b> 110, a text reception instruction is output to the text reception unit 312. The text accepting unit 312 that has received the text accepting instruction displays the text input screen 760 on the monitor 112 via the display control unit 304, and subsequently accepts the content of the entered text via the accepting unit 302 (S111). ).

  The text input screen 760 illustrated in this figure includes a keyboard unit 762, a text display unit 764, and a mail transmission button 766.

  The keyboard unit 762 is a keyboard in which each button displayed on the screen corresponds to a kana or alphabet, and the user can input arbitrary characters using the cursor movement button 208 and the selection button 210 of the remote controller 113.

The text display unit 764 is a part that displays the contents of the text input by the user.
The email transmission button 766 is a button that is pressed when an email is transmitted. In the example shown in the figure, the mail attached with the still image file selected by placing the cursor on the mail transmission button 766 and pressing the selection button 210 is transmitted together with the text.

  Subsequently, the accepting unit 302 that has received the selection of the email transmission button 766 (Yes in S112) outputs an email transmission instruction to the communication I / F unit 314. Upon receiving the transmission instruction, the communication I / F unit 314 acquires the content of the text stored in the text input unit 132 and transmits an e-mail with the selected still image file attached together with the content of the text. (S113), the process ends.

  By pressing the return button 206 of the remote controller 113 between the screens exemplified in the above figure, it is possible to return to the previous screen.

  According to such a procedure, since a history of which file has been transmitted to the associated destination address remains in the transmission folder, the user can easily manage transmission of still image files.

  Next, a specific example of screen transition in the “setting information” setting process for the “Mr. A” folder will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

  First, when selection of the “addressed to Mr. A” folder is accepted from the folder list screen 710 displayed when the list display button 203 is pressed as described above, a thumbnail list screen 770 of the “addressed to Mr. A” folder is displayed. It is displayed on the monitor 112. This operation is the same as the transition from the folder list screen 710 to the thumbnail list screen 720 of the “November” folder.

  Here, “not yet” is displayed in the lower left and right thumbnails of the thumbnail list screen 770. This indicates transmission information stored in the storage unit 306, and the user can easily determine whether or not transmission has been performed by such display.

  Subsequently, when the folder setting button 772 displayed in the lower right of the thumbnail list screen 770 of the “addressed to Mr. A” folder is selected, the accepting unit 302 determines that a folder setting instruction has been accepted (Yes in S201). Here, the folder setting button 772 is selected by placing the cursor on the folder setting button 772 using the cursor movement button 208 of the remote controller 113 and then pressing the selection button 210.

  The folder setting unit 308 receives a folder setting instruction via the reception unit 302, acquires “setting information” of the “addressed to Mr. A” folder from the storage unit 306, and sets “setting information” via the display control unit 304. The screen 780 is displayed on the monitor 112 (S202).

  The setting screen 780 includes a folder name 782, a selection item 784 as to whether or not it is a transmission folder, a transmission method selection item 786, a destination address 788, and a setting end button 790.

  The content displayed in the folder name 782 corresponds to the information having the “folder name” of the “setting information” stored in the storage unit 306, and the content displayed in the selection item 784 indicating whether or not the folder is a transmission folder. Corresponds to information indicating whether or not it is a “transmission folder” of “setting information” stored in the storage unit 306.

  Further, the transmission method selection item 786 can select either mail or LAN, and the content displayed here corresponds to “transmission method” of “setting information” stored in the storage unit 306. To do. The content displayed at the destination address 786 corresponds to the “destination address” stored in the storage unit 306.

  The folder name 782 and the selection item 784 of whether or not it is a transmission folder are indispensable items in all folders. The transmission method selection item 785 and the destination address 786 are essential items only in the transmission folder.

  The accepting unit 302 accepts the content that the user inputs using the remote controller 113 while looking at the folder setting screen (S203). Further, the folder setting unit 308 acquires the content from the accepting unit 302, and via the display control unit 304. The contents are reflected on the setting screen displayed on the monitor 112.

  Subsequently, when the accepting unit 302 accepts a setting end instruction (S204), the accepting unit 302 acquires the content of “setting information” displayed on the monitor 112 and passes it to the folder setting unit 308. The folder setting unit 308 that has acquired the setting content determines whether information is set in a required item of the setting content (S205).

  Since the “addressed to Mr. A” folder is a transmission folder, as described above, the content displayed in the folder name 782, the content displayed in the selection item 784 indicating whether or not it is a transmission folder, the transmission method selection item 786, the destination All the contents displayed at the address 786 are indispensable items.

  If it is determined that information is set for all the essential items (Yes in S205), the folder setting unit 308 stores the acquired setting contents in the storage unit 306 as “setting information” of the corresponding folder (S206). The process is terminated.

  In the setting screen illustrated in this figure, the folder name 782 is set to “addressed to Mr. A”, the selection item 784 of whether or not it is a transmission folder is set as a transmission folder, and the transmission method setting item 785 is set. Is set to “mail”, and a mail address “a@b.com” is set to the destination address 786. The folder setting unit 308 stores these contents in items corresponding to the contents stored in the corresponding storage unit 306.

With the above procedure, the destination address is associated with the transmission folder.
Note that the procedure for copying and transmitting a still image file within the LAN is the same as the file operation processing in the above-described mail transmission, and only the contents of the folder “setting information” are different. It is preferable to check the transmission item selection item 784 on the setting screen 780 and select “LAN Copy” in the transmission method selection item 786. The still image file copied or moved to the folder having such “setting information” is copied via the LAN.

  The file communication apparatus according to the embodiment has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

  For example, the storage unit 306 stores the reception destination address as the “setting information” of the folder in addition to the transmission destination address, and refers to the “setting information” of the folder stored in the storage unit 306 when receiving the file. You may provide the classification | category part (not shown) which classify | categorizes into the folder with which the receiving address is associated.

  As a result, it is possible to store files transmitted / received to / from a specific file communication apparatus in the same folder. In addition, since the user can browse a list of files transmitted / received to / from a specific file communication device, file management becomes easy.

  Also, for example, the communication I / F unit 314 confirms with the transmission destination via the network whether or not the same still image file as the still image file stored in the transmission folder in the storage unit 306 exists. The communication I / F unit 314 may transmit the still image file only when each file does not exist at the transmission destination.

  As a result, it is possible to eliminate useless transmission and to realize a synchronization function for keeping the still image file included in the transmission folder and the still image file stored in the file communication device indicated by the destination address the same. .

  Further, for example, the communication I / F unit 314 may confirm whether or not the same file exists in the transmission destination by transmitting the hash value of the file to the transmission destination.

  As a result, the communication I / F unit 314 can confirm whether or not the same file exists at the transmission destination without transmitting the file body. Therefore, waste of communication can be eliminated.

  Further, for example, the electronic file handled by the file communication apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to a still image file, and may be a moving image file, a document file, or other electronic files.

  Further, for example, by making it possible to associate a plurality of destination addresses in the folder setting 106 and broadcasting to a plurality of destinations, it is possible to group the destinations and send a transmission instruction with a small number of procedures.

  Further, for example, the file communication apparatus is provided with an electronic file transmission / reception function. However, the file communication apparatus may be provided with only one of the electronic file transmission function and the reception function.

  Furthermore, for example, in the embodiment, when a still image file is attached to an e-mail and transmitted, the input of the text is accepted, and then the transmission is received in response to the transmission instruction. May receive the instruction to copy to the transmission folder and immediately transmit it to the destination address associated with the transmission folder.

  The present invention can be applied to a file communication apparatus that transmits and receives an electronic file via a network, and in particular, can be applied to a television, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) recorder, and the like, which are embedded devices having a limited user interface.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the system by which the file communication apparatus in one embodiment of this invention is mutually connected. It is a figure which shows the example of the external appearance of the remote control in one embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the example of a functional structure of the file communication apparatus in one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the information which the memory | storage part has memorize | stored. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the file operation process which the file communication apparatus in one embodiment of this invention performs. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the setting process of the "setting information" which the file communication apparatus in one embodiment of this invention performs. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen transition at the time of operating the file transmission apparatus in one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen transition at the time of operating the electronic file communication apparatus by a prior art.

Explanation of symbols

100 Internet 110, 120, 130 Residence 111, 114, 121, 131 File communication device 112, 115, 122, 132 Monitor 113, 116, 123, 133 Remote control 117, 127, 137 Router 118, 128, 138 LAN
140 Server 302 Reception Unit 304 Display Control Unit 306 Storage Unit 308 Folder Setting Unit 310 File Operation Control Unit 312 Text Reception Unit 314 Communication I / F Unit 316 Completion Confirmation Unit

Claims (9)

A file communication apparatus for communicating electronic files via a network,
Storage means for storing the electronic file and a transmission folder related to the destination address;
Receiving means for receiving an instruction from the outside of the file communication device;
A file communication apparatus comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit the electronic file to the destination address when the reception unit receives an instruction to copy or move the electronic file to the transmission folder. The storage means stores transmission information indicating whether transmission of the electronic file to the destination address is completed;
The file communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits the electronic file only when the transmission information indicates that transmission is not completed. The file communication apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising display control means for displaying the electronic file included in the transmission folder and the transmission information in association with each other. When the receiving unit receives an instruction to copy or move the electronic file to the transmission folder, the transmitting unit checks whether the file communication apparatus related to the destination address holds the electronic file. A confirmation section;
The file communication according to claim 1, further comprising: a file transmission unit that transmits the electronic file to the destination address only when it is confirmed that the file communication device related to the destination address does not hold the electronic file. apparatus. When the confirmation unit receives an instruction to copy or move the electronic file to the transmission folder, whether or not the communication device indicated by the destination address holds the electronic file using the hash value of the electronic file The file communication apparatus according to claim 4. The storage means further includes a reception folder related to the source address,
The file communication device further includes receiving means for receiving the electronic file;
6. The file communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit that stores the received electronic file in the reception folder related to a transmission source address of the electronic file received by the receiving unit. The transmission unit deletes, from the transmission folder, information other than identification information that is information for identifying the electronic file among information included in the electronic file that has been transmitted when the transmission of the electronic file is completed. The file communication apparatus according to any one of 1 to 6. A file communication method for communicating electronic files over a network,
A reception step for receiving instructions;
A file communication method including a transmission step of transmitting the electronic file to the destination address when an instruction to copy or move the electronic file to a transmission folder that is a folder related to a destination address is received in the reception step. A file communication program for communicating electronic files over a network,
A reception step for receiving instructions;
A file communication program for causing a computer to execute a transmission step of transmitting the electronic file to the destination address when an instruction to copy or move the electronic file to a transmission folder that is a folder related to a destination address is received in the reception step .

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