JP2008242822A - Information processor and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor capable of efficiently using a storage part by providing a virtual folder behaving apparently as a shared folder on a network, and providing various data processing or the like by using the virtual folder, and to provide a program. <P>SOLUTION: In the virtual folder generation part 11a of a control part 11, at least one virtual folder behaving like a shared installed is provided on a network 21 by using a work area achieved mainly by the main memory of a storage part 17. When the storage of a file in any virtual folder is requested through a network 21 from terminal equipment 31, a processing part 11b executes predetermined processing assigned to the virtual folder at the storage destination to the file, and accepts the storage of the file in the virtual folder. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a program.

As a conventional technique, there is an information processing system that monitors a shared folder provided on a network and executes a predetermined process on the image file when the image file is stored in the shared folder (Patent Document 1). .
JP 2003-280961 A

  However, in the configuration as in the above-described prior art, since it is necessary to actually create a shared folder on the network, even if no files are stored in the shared folder, a part of the storage unit is shared. This means that the folder is fixedly allocated and the use efficiency of the storage unit is poor.

  Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a virtual folder that behaves as a shared folder on the network and efficiently use the storage unit, and provide various data processing using the virtual folder. It is to provide an information processing apparatus and a program capable of performing the above.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, in the invention of claim 1, at least one virtual folder that is an information processing apparatus connected to a network and behaves as if it is a shared folder provided on the network. A work area realized by a predetermined storage unit is provided.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a virtual folder generation unit that provides at least one virtual folder that behaves as if it is a shared folder provided on a network by using a work area realized by a predetermined storage unit; When a storage of a file in any one of the virtual folders is requested via the network, a processing unit that executes a predetermined process assigned to the virtual folder is performed on the file.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the second aspect of the invention, the processing unit arranges definition data defining the content of the process assigned to the virtual folder in the virtual folder. To the public on the network.

  According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the third aspect of the invention, the processing unit publishes the definition data on the network in an editable manner.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, the processing unit requests the storage request source of the file to the virtual folder to store the file. The processing result of the processing for the file related to is notified.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to any one of the second to fifth aspects, a print process is assigned to any one of the at least one virtual folder, and the processing unit When the storage of a file in the virtual folder to which the printing process is assigned is requested via the network, the document data included in the file is printed on a predetermined printing unit.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to any of the second to sixth aspects, a facsimile transmission process is assigned to any one of the at least one virtual folder, and the process When requested to save a file in the virtual folder to which the facsimile transmission process is assigned via the network, the unit causes the document data included in the file to be transmitted by facsimile to a predetermined facsimile transmission unit.

  In the invention according to claim 8, in the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 7, a mail transmission process is assigned to any one of the at least one virtual folder, and the process When the saving of the file in the virtual folder to which the mail transmission process is assigned is requested via the network, the unit transmits an e-mail attached with the file.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to any of the second to eighth aspects, an addressed or addressed folder transmission process is assigned to any one of the at least one virtual folder. When the storage unit requests the storage of the file in the virtual folder to which the address or folder transmission process is assigned via the network, the processing unit sends the file to a predetermined address or folder. Send.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program that is read by a computer connected to a network, and at least one virtual folder that behaves as if it is a shared folder provided on the network. The procedure provided using the work area realized by the storage unit and when the storage of the file in one of the virtual folders is requested via the network, the file is assigned to the virtual folder And a procedure for executing a predetermined process.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, at least one virtual folder that behaves as if it is a shared folder provided on a network is provided using a work area realized by a predetermined storage unit. Therefore, a part of the storage unit is not fixedly used by the shared folder as in the case where the shared folder is actually provided. Therefore, various data processing and the like can be provided using the virtual folder while efficiently using the storage unit.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, at least one virtual folder that behaves as if it is a shared folder provided on a network is provided using a work area realized by a predetermined storage unit. Therefore, a part of the storage unit is not fixedly used by the shared folder as in the case where the shared folder is actually provided. Therefore, various data processes can be assigned to the virtual folder and used while efficiently using the storage unit.

  In addition, since a process from receiving a request to save a file to a virtual folder to executing a process assigned to the virtual folder for that file can be executed as a series of processes, a problem occurred in the execution process of the process assigned to the virtual folder. In some cases, a predetermined response to a request to save a file in a virtual folder (for example, rejecting a file save request, deleting a virtual folder, changing the display mode of a virtual folder, etc.) immediately It can be carried out. On the other hand, in a configuration using a normal shared folder as in the past, processing for accepting a request to save a file to be processed in the shared folder and processing assigned to the shared folder for the file are executed. Since the process is performed independently of the process, it is necessary to perform a special process in order to notify the user when a problem occurs in the process of executing the process assigned to the virtual folder.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, by referring to the definition data arranged in the virtual folder via the network, it is possible to easily grasp the contents of the process assigned by the user in the virtual folder, Convenience is improved.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, the contents of the process assigned to the virtual folder can be easily changed by editing the contents of the definition data via the network, which is highly convenient.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the processing result for the file related to the storage request is notified to the storage request source of the file in the virtual folder, the processing result is promptly and reliably received at the processing request source. It is convenient to know.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a virtual folder that behaves as a shared folder on the network and efficiently use the storage unit, and accept print data using the virtual folder.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a virtual folder that behaves as a shared folder on the network and efficiently use the storage unit, and accept the factory transmission process using the virtual folder. .

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the attached data that is sent as an attachment to an e-mail using the virtual folder while providing a virtual folder that acts as a shared folder on the network and efficiently using the storage unit Can be accepted.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, a virtual folder that behaves as a shared folder is provided on the network and the storage unit is efficiently used, and the virtual folder is used to transmit to a predetermined address or a folder. Transmission data can be accepted.

  According to the invention described in claim 10, at least one virtual folder that behaves as if it is a shared folder provided on the network is provided using a work area realized by a predetermined storage unit. Therefore, a part of the storage unit is not fixedly used by the shared folder as in the case where the shared folder is actually provided. Therefore, various data processes can be assigned to the virtual folder and used while efficiently using the storage unit.

  In addition, since the process from receiving a file storage request to the virtual folder through the execution of the process assigned to the virtual folder for the file can be executed as a series of processes, When a problem occurs, a predetermined response to a request to save a file in a virtual folder (for example, rejecting a file save request, deleting a virtual folder, changing the display form of a virtual folder, etc.) Etc.) immediately. On the other hand, in a configuration using a normal shared folder as in the past, processing for accepting a request to save a file to be processed in the shared folder and processing assigned to the shared folder for the file are executed. Since the process is performed independently of the process, it is necessary to perform a special process in order to notify the user when a problem occurs in the process of executing the process assigned to the virtual folder.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile composite apparatus (hereinafter simply referred to as “composite apparatus”) as an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the composite apparatus 10 can perform various data communications via a network 21 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) and a public telephone line network 22. The network 21 is connected to a wide area network such as the Internet via a gateway (not shown). Further, a terminal device 31 constituted by a personal computer or the like is connected to the composite apparatus 10 via the network 21.

  The functions of the composite apparatus 10 include a printer function, a facsimile function, an Internet facsimile function, a copy function, a scanner function, and the like. The scanner function reads document data from a document, reads and saves the read document data in a predetermined storage destination (so-called scan-to-folder, etc.), and receives the received file in a predetermined folder or address Includes a file transmission function to send to a destination.

  The printer function, the facsimile function, the Internet facsimile function, and the file transmission function can also be used from the external terminal device 31 via the network 21. In this case, transfer of processing target data (or files) between the terminal device 31 and the multifunction device 10 is performed using virtual folders VF1 to VF5 (see FIG. 2) described later provided in the multifunction device 10. It has come to be. In addition to the data transfer using the virtual folders VF1 to VF5, a normal transfer mode in which data is transmitted to the composite device 10 by a driver installed in the terminal device 31 may be additionally provided.

  The composite apparatus 10 includes a control unit 11, a printer 13 connected to the control unit 11 via a bus 12, a scanner 14, a display unit 15, an operation unit 16, a storage unit 17, a modem 18, and an NCU (Network Control Unit) 19. And a network communication unit 20. Note that the facsimile transmitter according to the present invention corresponds to the modem 18 and the NCU 19.

  The control unit 11 supervises the control of the multifunction apparatus 10 and is configured to include a CPU and the like, and includes a virtual folder generation unit 11a and a processing unit 11b as functional elements. Specific functions of the virtual folder generation unit 11a and the processing unit 11b will be described in detail later.

  The printer 13 is, for example, an electrophotographic printer device, and receives document data given from the terminal device 31 or the like via the network 21, document data read by the scanner 14, document data received by facsimile or Internet facsimile, and the like. Print on recording paper. The scanner 14 reads an original, and is used for reading an original when transmitting a facsimile, reading an original when using a copy function and a scanner function, and the like.

  The display unit 15 is configured by a liquid crystal display device or the like, and is used for displaying operation information and the like of the composite device 10. The operation unit 16 includes a plurality of operation buttons, a touch panel, and the like, and is used for operating the composite apparatus 10.

  The storage unit 17 includes a ROM, a main memory constituted by a RAM, and a storage device (for example, a semiconductor storage device, a hard disk, etc.) that can rewrite the stored contents. In the ROM, a control program executed by the control unit 11 is stored. The main memory is used as a work area for data processing of the control unit 11. The storage device for storage is used as a storage location for facsimile reception data, a storage location for data related to settings, maintenance management, telephone book data, etc. of the multifunction device 10. Although the work area is mainly given by the main memory, a part of the storage device for storage may be used as a part of the work area depending on the contents of processing.

  The modem 18 is a facsimile modem capable of facsimile communication. The modem 18 is directly connected to the NCU 19. The modem 18 and the NCU 19 constitute a facsimile transmission / reception unit that performs facsimile transmission / reception. The NCU 19 is hardware for closing and opening a line with an analog public telephone line network (PSTN) 22, and connects the modem 18 to the public telephone line network 22 as necessary. In addition, you may make it connect with a digital circuit network (ISDN) by providing the interface for ISDN.

  The network communication unit 20 is responsible for data communication via a network 21 such as a LAN. More specifically, the network communication unit 20 has a function for handling SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), POP (Post Office Protocol), SMB (Server Message Block), HTTP, and the like. Specific functions of the network communication unit 20 include transmission / reception of electronic mail, transmission / reception of an Internet facsimile that transmits / receives image data attached to the electronic mail, transmission / reception of data via a LAN or the Internet, and the like. .

  In the composite apparatus 10 having such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 2, virtual folders VF1 to VF5 that behave as if they are shared folders provided on the network 21 are provided as work areas realized by the storage unit 17. By using and providing various functions to the virtual folders VF1 to VF5, the virtual folders VF1 to VF5 are used for transferring data to be processed by each function.

  The virtual folder generation unit 11a of the control unit 11 cooperates with the network communication unit 20 and at least one (multiple in this embodiment) virtual folder VF1 that behaves as if it is a shared folder provided on the network 21. ... VF5 are provided using a work area realized mainly by the main memory of the storage unit 17. Each of the virtual folders VF1 to VF5 is assigned with a unique function (processing), and is used for file transfer or the like when using these functions from the terminal device 31. Note that a user who uses the terminal device 31 recognizes that these virtual folders VF1 to VF5 are the same as ordinary shared folders provided in the composite device 10.

  When the processing unit 11b of the control unit 11 cooperates with the network communication unit 20 and the storage of a file in any of the virtual folders VF1 to VF5 is requested from the terminal device 31 via the network 21, the processing unit 11b Then, a predetermined process assigned to the storage destination virtual folders VF1 to VF5 is executed, and the storage of the files in the virtual folders VF1 to VF5 is accepted.

  As a specific example of the processing assigned to the virtual folders VF1 to VF5, for example, the following processing is adopted. The virtual folder VF1 is assigned normal printing for printing data in the file on one side of the recording paper. The virtual folder VF2 is assigned double-sided printing for printing data in the file on both sides of the recording paper. The virtual folder VF3 is assigned mail transmission (or Internet facsimile transmission) in which a file is attached to an electronic mail and transmitted to a predetermined transmission destination. A file transmission for transmitting a file to a predetermined folder (or address) is assigned to the virtual folder VF4. To the virtual folder VF5, facsimile transmission for transmitting the data in the file to a predetermined transmission destination by facsimile is assigned.

  In response to a request to save a file in the virtual folder VF1, the processing unit 11b causes the printer 13 to perform normal printing of data in the file, and in response to a request to save a file in the virtual folder VF2. The printer 13 performs double-sided printing on the data in the file, and in response to a request to save the file in the virtual folder VF5, the modem 13 and the facsimile transmission of the data in the file to a predetermined destination are performed. Let the NCU19 do it. Further, the processing unit 11b cooperates with the network communication unit 20 in response to a request to save a file in the virtual folders VF3 and VF4, and attaches the file to an e-mail and transmits it to a predetermined destination, or The file is transmitted to a predetermined folder (or address).

  The processing unit 11b also manages the contents of the processing assigned to each of the virtual folders VF1 to VF5. That is, the processing unit 11b arranges definition files (definition data) that define the contents of the processing assigned to the virtual folders VF1 to VF5 in each virtual folder VF1 to VF5 and can be edited via the network 21. It is disclosed on the network 21 in a manner. Note that when authorizing editing of the contents of the definition file, input of predetermined authentication information (password or the like) may be requested.

  FIGS. 3A and 3B show examples of definition files. The definition file D1 in (a) prescribes the mail transmission process assigned to the virtual folder VF3, and “e-mail” is described as the function type item (FUNCTION), and the destination item (ADDRESS ) Is described as “abc@test.com”, and “Image” is described as the item (SUBJECT) regarding the subject of the email to be transmitted. The definition file D2 in (b) prescribes the file transmission process assigned to the virtual folder VF4, and “folder” is described as the function type item (FUNCTION), and the destination item (DESTINATION ) Is described as “ftp://200.xxx.xxx.xxx/doc”, items (USERID) relating to the storage authority of the destination and user identification, etc., and “test” and “xxx” are described as (PASSWORD) ing.

  In such functions (processing procedures) of the virtual folder generation unit 11a and the processing unit 11b, a program stored in a ROM or the like of the storage unit 17 is read into the control unit 11, and the control unit 11 executes processing based on the program. It is realized by doing.

  Next, the processing operation using the virtual folders VF1 to VF5 of the multifunction apparatus 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the composite apparatus 10 is activated and a predetermined program is read from the storage unit 17 by the control unit 11, the folder generation unit 11a cooperates with the network communication unit 20 in step S1 of FIG. VF1 to VF5 are provided using a work area realized mainly by the main memory of the storage unit 17. Along with this, the definition files D1 and D2 are arranged in the corresponding virtual folders VF1 to VF5 by the processing unit 11b.

  Then, an operation (for example, copy, paste, and drag) for saving a file (document, image, etc.) desired to be processed by the composite device 10 in the desired virtual folders VF1 to VF5 via the terminal device 31. If the file is dropped on the virtual folders VF1 to VF5, etc.), the processing unit 11b detects a request to save the file in the virtual folders VF1 to VF5 in step S2, and the process proceeds to step S3. In step S3, as described above, the processing unit 11b performs the processing assigned to the virtual folders VF1 to VF5 requested to be saved, and saves the files in the virtual folders VF1 to VF5. Is done.

  As described above, in the configuration according to the present embodiment, from the reception of a file save request to the virtual folders VF1 to VF5 to the execution of the processing assigned to the virtual folders VF1 to VF5 for the file can be executed as a series of processes. When a problem occurs in the process of executing the processing assigned to the virtual folders VF1 to VF5, a predetermined response (for example, rejecting the file saving request or the like to the file saving request to the virtual folders VF1 to VF5) The virtual folders VF1 to VF5 can be deleted, the display form of the virtual folders VF1 to VF5 can be changed, etc.) immediately. Thus, the user can recognize that the processing for the file has been executed without any problem by confirming that the saving of the processing target file to the virtual folders VF1 to VF5 is completed, for example.

  On the other hand, in a configuration using a normal shared folder as in the past, processing for accepting a request to save a file to be processed in the shared folder and processing assigned to the shared folder for the file are executed. Since the process is performed independently of the process, it is necessary to perform a special process in order to notify the user when a problem occurs in the process of executing the process assigned to the virtual folder.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, at least one (a plurality in this embodiment) virtual folders VF1 to VF5 that behave as if they are shared folders provided on the network 21 are stored in the storage unit 17. Since the configuration is mainly provided using a work area realized by the main memory, a part of the storage unit 17 may be fixedly used by the shared folder as in the case where the shared folder is actually provided. Absent. Therefore, while using the storage unit 17 efficiently, various functions (normal printing, double-sided printing, file transmission by e-mail, file transmission to a predetermined folder (or address), facsimile, can be performed on the virtual folders VF1 to VF5. Transmission etc.) and can be used as a file delivery location when using the function.

  Further, as described above, since the processing from the reception of the file saving request to the virtual folders VF1 to VF5 to the execution of the processes assigned to the virtual folders VF1 to VF5 for the files can be executed as a series of processes, the virtual folders VF1 to VF1 When a problem occurs in the process of executing the process assigned to VF5, a predetermined response can be immediately made to a file storage request in the virtual folders VF1 to VF5, and the user can be notified of the success or failure of the process. It can be recognized quickly and easily.

  Further, by referring to the definition files D1 and D2 arranged in the virtual folders VF1 to VF5 via the network 21, it is possible to easily grasp the contents of the processing assigned by the user in the virtual folders VF1 to VF5. , Improve convenience.

  Further, the contents of the processing assigned to the virtual folders VF1 to VF5 can be easily changed by editing the contents of the definition files D1 and D2 via the network 21, which is highly convenient.

  In the present embodiment, the example in which the technology according to the present invention is applied to the composite apparatus 10 has been described. However, the technology according to the present invention is applied to any information processing apparatus having an information processing function such as a personal computer. Can do.

  Further, as a modification of the above embodiment, when a file save request is made to the virtual folders VF1 to VF5, the processing unit 11b performs processing on the file related to the save request (assigned to the virtual folders VF1 to VF5). A processing function (for example, that processing has been completed successfully or processing could not be executed) is provided to the terminal device 31 that is the storage request source using a file transmission protocol such as SMB or FTP. You may make it notify using. In this case, the terminal device 31 that requested the processing can quickly and surely know the processing result, which is convenient.

1 is a block diagram of a facsimile complex apparatus as an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the function of the facsimile multifunction peripheral of FIG. (A) And (b) is a figure which shows an example of the definition file which prescribes | regulates the content of the process allocated to the virtual folder. 3 is a flowchart of processing using a virtual folder of the facsimile multifunction machine of FIG. 1.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Facsimile compound apparatus 11 Control part 11a Virtual folder production | generation part 11b Processing part 13 Printer 17 Memory | storage part 18 Modem 19 NCU
20 network communication unit 21 network 31 terminal device D1, D2 definition file VF1 to VF5 virtual folder

Claims (10)

An information processing apparatus connected to a network,
An information processing apparatus characterized in that at least one virtual folder that behaves as if it is a shared folder provided on the network is provided using a work area realized by a predetermined storage unit. A virtual folder generation unit that provides at least one virtual folder that behaves as if it is a shared folder provided on a network using a work area realized by a predetermined storage unit;
And a processing unit that executes a predetermined process assigned to the virtual folder when the storage of the file in any of the virtual folders is requested via the network. Information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2,
The information processing apparatus, wherein the processing unit arranges definition data defining contents of processing assigned to the virtual folder in the virtual folder and publishes the definition data on the network. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3.
The information processing apparatus, wherein the processing unit publishes the definition data on the network in an editable manner. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
The information processing apparatus, wherein the processing unit notifies a storage request source of the file to the virtual folder of a processing result of the process for the file related to the storage request. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5,
A printing process is assigned to one of the at least one virtual folder;
When the storage unit is requested to save a file in the virtual folder to which the printing process is assigned via the network, the processing unit causes the predetermined printing unit to print document data included in the file. Information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6,
Facsimile transmission processing is assigned to any of the at least one virtual folder,
The processing unit, when requested to save a file in the virtual folder to which the facsimile transmission processing is assigned via the network, causes the document data included in the file to be transmitted by facsimile to a predetermined facsimile transmission unit. An information processing apparatus characterized by that. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 7,
An email transmission process is assigned to one of the at least one virtual folder,
When the storage unit is requested to save a file in the virtual folder to which the mail transmission process is assigned via the network, the processing unit transmits an e-mail attached with the file. . The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 8,
Any one of the at least one virtual folder is assigned address or folder transmission processing,
The processing unit, when requested to save a file in the virtual folder to which the address or folder transmission process is assigned via the network, transmits the file to a predetermined address or folder. An information processing apparatus characterized by that. A program loaded on a computer connected to a network,
On the computer,
Providing at least one virtual folder that behaves as if it is a shared folder provided on the network using a work area realized by a predetermined storage unit;
When saving of a file in any one of the virtual folders is requested via the network, a procedure for executing a predetermined process assigned to the virtual folder is executed on the file. Program to do.

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