JP2009015373A - Server device and server device control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a server device and a server control program for managing circulation of a file without installing any exclusive application program in a client device. <P>SOLUTION: Whether or not a user who has requested transmission of a file is a circulation candidate stored in a management file 40a is decided (S41). When the user who has requested the transmission of the file is the circulation candidate stored in the management file 40a (S41: Yes), a requested circulation file 40b is transmitted (S42), and the user name stored in the management file 40a is retrieved (S44) by referring to the management file 40a (S43). The user name and a flag A corresponding to the transmitted circulation file 40b are set, and the transmission request from the user is recorded (S45). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a server device and a server device control program. In particular, the present invention relates to a server device and a server device control program that can circulate a file without installing a dedicated application program in a client device accessible to the server device and manage the browsing situation of the circulation file. .

  Various systems for circulating documents such as documents through a network have been proposed. In these systems, a dedicated application program for circulation is installed in the client device and the server device, and the document is circulated by executing these programs. Further, in the server device, management is performed such as who is browsing among the plurality of circulation target persons and who is not browsing.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-173656 (Patent Document 1) stores a plurality of circulation documents, a server device that performs unread and read management for each document, and a computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) used by an administrator and a user And an electronic circulation system connected to each other via a network. Specifically, when a circulation document is newly registered in the server device, a notification that the circulation document is registered is sent to the user's PC that circulates the document. When the user acquires a circulation document via the PC and gives a read instruction, the management table is set so that the circulation state for the user is in a read state.
JP 2005-173656 A

  However, in the conventional circulation system, a new dedicated application program is installed in the client device, and the circulation file is acquired from the server device by executing the installed program. Then, after the circulation target person browses the file, a special process is performed to notify the server device that the browsing is completed based on a predetermined operation by the circulation target person, and the circulation status in the management table is determined by the process. A command to change the “read” to “read” was transmitted from the client device to the server device. Therefore, in order to circulate a file from the server device to the client device via the network and manage the circulation, the client device has to install a dedicated application program.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and a server device and server device control capable of performing file circulation and circulation management without installing a dedicated application program in the client device. The purpose is to provide a program.

  In order to achieve this object, a server device according to claim 1 of the present invention connects a storage medium to a network device between a storage medium connection unit and a client device using a file sharing protocol or a file transfer protocol. A communication unit for performing transmission, a transmission unit for transmitting information related to the storage medium connected to the storage medium connection unit to a client device corresponding to a plurality of circulation target persons via the communication unit according to the protocol, and a transmission unit via the transmission unit. A circulation information providing means for providing information about the circulation file stored in the storage medium to the circulation target person, and a circulation status of the circulation file stored in the storage medium for each of the plurality of circulation target persons. Management file storage means and the client device via the communication means The receiving means for receiving a command defined in the Col, and the receiving means, on the condition that the command requesting transmission of the circulation file included in the information provided by the circulation information providing means is received by the receiving means, The circulation target person who transmitted the circulation file requested to be transmitted to the client device corresponding to the circulation target person who requested transmission of the circulation file through the communication means according to the protocol, and transmitted the circulation file by the transmission means. Corresponding to the above, an update means for recording in the management file storage means that the transmission request has been made as the circulation status.

  The server device according to claim 2 is the server device according to claim 1, wherein the management file storage means has unread or read a circulation file stored in the storage medium for each of a plurality of circulation target persons. Is stored as the circulation status, and a circulation file stored in the storage medium is circulated in the client device based on a command defined in the protocol received by the receiving means. Provided with a browsing detection means for detecting that the target person has browsed, and the update means is provided on the condition that the browsing detection means has detected that the circulation file stored in the storage medium has been browsed. The browsing information stored in the file storage means is updated to the read information corresponding to the browsed person who has browsed. It is intended.

  The server device according to claim 3 is the server device according to claim 2, wherein a sender who has transmitted a command defined by the protocol received by the receiving unit is stored in the management file storage unit. A sender detecting means for detecting whether the sender has transmitted a command by the sender detecting means is detected as a circulation target person stored in the management file storage means, and Corresponding to the circulation target person whose browsing is detected among the browsing information stored in the management file storage means, on condition that the browsing file stored in the storage medium is detected by the browsing detection means The browsing information to be updated is read.

  The server device according to claim 4 is the server device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the command specified in the protocol is provided with a command instructing to change an attribute of the file, and the browsing detection When the command specified in the protocol received by the receiving unit is a command instructing to change the attribute of the circulation file stored in the storage medium, the circulation file is viewed. Determining, the updating means, instead of the processing of changing the attribute of the circulation file instructed by the command defined in the protocol received by the receiving means, out of the browsing information stored in the management file storage means, Circulation file instructed to change the attribute With and is intended to update the browsing information corresponding to the circulation subject to read.

  The server device according to claim 5 is the server device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the browsing information of the circulation file stored in the management file storage means is read by the circulation target person as already read in the client device. An explanation file storage means for storing an explanation file for explaining an operation procedure to be set is provided, and the transmission means transmits the explanation file stored in the explanation file storage means by the protocol according to a request from a circulation target person. The message is transmitted to the client device corresponding to the circulation target person via the means.

  The server device according to claim 6 is the server device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the storage medium stores a plurality of circulation files, and the management file storage means is provided for each of the plurality of circulation files. In addition, the browsing information is stored for each circulation target person, and the circulation information providing means is a list of circulation files that are unread according to the circulation target person based on the browsing information of the management file storage means as information on the circulation file. And a list of circulation files that have already been read are generated and transmitted to the client device corresponding to the circulation target person via the communication means according to the protocol.

  A server device according to a seventh aspect is the server device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the management file storage unit is provided in a storage medium connected to the storage medium connection unit.

  The server device control program according to claim 8 is executed in a computer of a server device comprising storage medium connection means for connecting a storage medium and communication means for performing network communication using a file sharing protocol or a file transfer protocol. The server device includes a management file storage unit that stores a circulation status of a circulation file stored in the storage medium for each of the plurality of circulation target persons, and a storage connected to the storage medium connection unit A transmission step of transmitting information on the medium to the client device corresponding to a plurality of circulation target persons via the communication means according to the protocol, and the information on the circulation file stored in the storage medium by the transmission step. Provided to client devices A circulation information provision step, a reception step of receiving a command defined in the protocol from the client device via the communication means, and a circulation file included in the information provided by the circulation information provision step by the reception step On the condition that a command requesting transmission of the circulation file has been received, the transmission step sends the circulation file requested to be transmitted to the client device corresponding to the circulation target who has requested transmission of the circulation file by the protocol. Corresponding to the circulation target person who has transmitted the circulation file in the transmission step, an update step of recording in the management file storage means that the transmission request has been made.

  According to the server device of claim 1, a storage medium is connected to the storage medium connection unit, and information about the storage medium is transmitted through a communication unit that performs network communication using a file sharing type protocol or a file transfer type protocol. It is sent by the transmission means to the client device corresponding to the circulation target person. Through the transmission means, information on the circulation file stored in the storage medium is provided to the client device corresponding to the circulation target person by the circulation information providing means. Therefore, when the circulation target person accesses the server device, information that the circulation file is stored in the storage medium is provided. Further, the circulation status of the circulation file stored in the storage medium for each of a plurality of circulation target persons is stored in the management file storage means, and a command defined in the protocol is received by the reception means via the communication means. . When a command requesting transmission of a circulation file included in the information provided by the circulation information providing unit is received by the reception unit, the transmission unit sends a circulation request to the circulation target person who requested transmission of the circulation file. Send the file according to the protocol. Then, corresponding to the circulation target person who transmitted the circulation file, the fact that there was a transmission request is recorded in the management file storage means by the updating means as the circulation status. Therefore, by using a computer that can perform network communication using a commonly used file sharing protocol or file transfer protocol, it is possible to easily circulate files over the network. Further, since it is recorded as a circulation status when it is recognized that a circulation file transmission request has been received from a circulation target person (client apparatus), the circulation management can be performed without installing a special dedicated application on each client apparatus. There is an effect that can be performed.

  According to the server device according to claim 2, in addition to the effect achieved by the server device according to claim 1, the management file storage means determines whether the circulation file stored in the storage medium for each circulation target person is unread. Browsing information indicating whether it has been read is stored. The browsing detection unit detects that the circulation file stored in the storage medium has been browsed by the circulation target person based on the command defined in the protocol received by the reception unit. That is, it is detected that the browsing is performed by a command used in the protocol, not a specially created command. Then, on the condition that the circulation detection unit has detected that the circulation file has been browsed, the browsing information stored in the management file storage unit and corresponding to the browse target person has already been viewed by the update unit. Updated to read. Therefore, even if a special application program is not installed in the client device, it is possible to detect that the circulation file has been browsed by the command of the protocol, and to update the browse information stored in the management file to read. effective.

  According to the server device according to claim 3, in addition to the effect produced by the server device according to claim 2, the sender who has transmitted the command specified in the protocol received by the receiving means is stored in the management file storage means. Whether the person is a circulation target is detected by the sender detection means. The update means is managed file storage means on the condition that the sender who has transmitted the command by the sender detection means is detected as a circulation target person and that the circulation detection file is detected by the browsing detection means. The browsing information corresponding to the circulation target person whose browsing is detected among the browsing information stored in is updated to read. Therefore, there is an effect that the browsing situation can be surely recorded for each circulation target person and the situation can be grasped.

  According to the server device according to claim 4, in addition to the effect achieved by the server device according to claim 2 or 3, the command defined in the protocol is provided with a command for instructing to change the attribute of the file. The browsing detection means determines that the circulation file has been browsed when the command specified in the received protocol is an instruction to change the attribute of the circulation file. Then, the updating means receives an instruction to change the attribute of the browsing information stored in the management file storage means instead of the attribute file changing process specified by the received command specified in the protocol. For the circulation file, the browsing information corresponding to the circulation target person is updated to read. That is, a command for changing the attribute of a file normally provided in the file sharing type protocol or the file transfer type protocol is used as information indicating that the circulation file has been browsed. Therefore, even if a special application program is not installed in the client device, it is possible to detect that the circulation file has been browsed and to update the management file to read.

  According to the server device of the fifth aspect, in addition to the effect produced by the server device according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, when the circulation target person browses the circulation file, the browsing information is set to read. An explanation file for explaining the operation procedure is stored in the explanation file storage means. Therefore, since the explanation file is transmitted via the communication means according to the protocol in response to a request from the circulation target person, the user of the client device can easily know the operation procedure for updating the browsing information to read. There is an effect that can be.

  According to the server device of the sixth aspect, in addition to the effect produced by the server device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the storage medium stores a plurality of circulation files, and the management file storage means includes a plurality of circulation files. The browsing information is stored for each circulation file and for each circulation target person. Then, the circulation information providing means identifies, as information about the circulation file, a list of unread circulation files and a list of circulation files that have been read according to the circulation target person based on the browsing information of the management file storage means. Generated and transmitted via communication means by the protocol. Therefore, the client apparatus has an effect that it can request transmission by identifying an unread circulation file and an already-read circulation file.

  According to the server device of the seventh aspect, in addition to the effect produced by the server device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the management file storage unit is provided in a storage medium connected to the storage medium connection unit. Therefore, it is possible to store the circulation file for each storage medium, store the circulation target person who circulates the circulation file, and record the circulation status for each storage medium. Therefore, the circulation file and the circulation target person who should circulate it can be easily managed. Further, since the circulation file and the management file are stored in the storage medium, the memory of the server device can be reduced in size, and the server device can be reduced in size and provided at low cost.

  According to the server device control program of claim 8, the server device includes a storage medium connection unit that connects storage media, a communication unit that performs network communication using a file sharing protocol or a file transfer protocol, and a plurality of circulations. Management file storage means for storing the circulation status of the circulation file stored in the storage medium for each target person. In the transmission step, information related to the storage medium connected to the storage medium connection means is transmitted to the client device corresponding to a plurality of circulation target persons via the communication means by the protocol, and in the circulation information providing step, information related to the circulation file is circulated. Provided to the subject. Therefore, the circulation target person can store the circulation file in the storage medium, and can receive information related to the circulation file by network communication based on the protocol.

  When the circulation target person operates the client device, a command specified in the protocol is transmitted, and the command specified in the protocol is received through the communication unit in the receiving step. On the condition that the command for requesting the transmission of the circulation file included in the information provided by the circulation information providing step is received by the reception step, the transmission step sends the circulation target person who requested the transmission of the circulation file, Send the circulation file requested to be sent. Then, the fact that there was a transmission request corresponding to the circulation target person who transmitted the circulation file is recorded in the management file storage means as the circulation status by the update step. Therefore, by using a computer that can perform network communication using a commonly used file sharing protocol or file transfer protocol, it is possible to easily circulate files over the network. Further, since it is recorded as a circulation status when it is recognized that a circulation file transmission request has been received from a circulation target person (client apparatus), the circulation management can be performed without installing a special dedicated application on each client apparatus. There is an effect that can be performed.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows a multi-function peripheral device (hereinafter abbreviated as “MFP (Multi Function Peripheral)”) 1 according to an embodiment having a server device of the present invention connected via a LAN (Local Area Network) 50 to a client. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication system including a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as “PC”) 20 as a device.

  The MFP 1 includes various functions such as a printer function, a copy function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. As shown in FIG. 1, the MFP 1 is executed by a CPU 2 that controls the operation of the entire MFP 1, a RAM 3 that is a memory that temporarily stores data necessary for various processes executed by the CPU 2, and the CPU 2. The ROM 4 that stores various control programs and fixed value data, the communication interface (hereinafter referred to as “I / F”) 5, the printer unit 6, the scanner unit 7, the memory card unit 8, and the MFP 1 perform various functions. A facsimile unit 11 that transmits and receives image information via an operation unit 9 composed of a plurality of operation input keys (buttons, switches, etc.) and a display for execution, a flash memory 10, and a telephone line (not shown). And.

  The CPU 2 is a processor that executes various programs stored in the ROM 4, and the RAM 3 is a randomly accessible memory having a work area that temporarily stores variables and the like when the CPU 2 executes various programs.

  The operation unit 9 includes a plurality of switches and indicators on the operation panel, and the user can give instructions to the MFP 1 by operating the switches. The switch includes a mode selection key for selecting various functions such as a copy function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function, and a numeric keypad for inputting numerical values and characters. By operating the mode selection key, a copy mode for executing a copy function, a scanner mode for executing a scanner function, a facsimile mode for executing a facsimile function, and the like can be set. Further, by operating the numeric keypad, it is possible to input a facsimile transmission number or a user number for designating identification information. The display displays a setting screen showing various set values.

  The flash memory 10 is a non-volatile memory that can write and read various data. The communication interface I / F 5 is an interface of the LAN 50, and performs communication by converting communication data into a transmission signal.

  The memory card unit 8 detachably mounts a memory card 40 that is a storage medium, and reads and writes files stored in the memory card 40. Files stored in the memory card 40 can be read and written by the PC 20 connected to the LAN 50 via the communication interface I / F 5. The communication protocol used at this time is, for example, FTP (File Transfer Protocol), the PC 20 functions as an FTP client, and the MFP 1 functions as an FTP server. The FTP server program that is activated in order for the MFP 1 to function as an FTP server is an existing program that the MFP 1 normally has. FTP is a typical file sharing protocol, and the client can read the file provided by the server device, change the file, and change the attribute of the file. Can do.

  The memory card 40 is constituted by a flash memory that can be rewritten and retains memory even when the power is cut off, and various types (for example, an SD card and an xD card) are provided by various companies.

  The memory card 40 stores a management file 40a, a plurality of circulation files 40b, and an operation procedure explanation file 40c for instructions explaining the operation procedure to be read. The management file 40a stores a plurality of circulation target persons, a flag A that indicates whether or not a browsing request has been made for each circulation file 40b and for each circulation target person, and "unread" and "read" And the flag B, which is browsing information indicating "." Details will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The circulation file 40b is a file that stores a document that circulates to a circulation target person using the PC 20 connected via the LAN 50 and a document that describes an image. In addition, the operation procedure file 40d stores an instruction explaining an operation procedure in which the circulation target person browses the circulation file 40b and transmits a command indicating that the browsing is completed to the MFP 1. In this embodiment, the user (circulation target person) performs an operation so as to change the attribute of the circulation file. Details of this operation procedure will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The printer unit 6 performs printing on a predetermined recording sheet based on an instruction from the CPU 2, and includes a mechanism for conveying the recording sheet, a print head for ejecting ink onto the recording sheet, and the print head. And a mechanism for moving the carriage.

  The scanner unit 7 reads an image of a document set at a predetermined reading position and generates image data of the image based on an instruction from the CPU 2. The image data read by the scanner unit 7 is transmitted to the PC 20 via the LAN 50 or printed on recording paper by the printer unit 6.

  The facsimile unit 11 transmits image data read by the scanner unit 7 or data received via the LAN 50 via a telephone line, and the printer unit 6 prints the data received via the telephone line, It can be transmitted to the PC 20 via the LAN 50.

  Next, the PC 20 will be described. The PC 20 stores a CPU 21, a RAM 22 that is a memory for temporarily storing data and programs necessary for various processes executed by the CPU 21, and various control programs and fixed value data executed by the CPU 21. ROM 23, a hard disk 24 that is a rewritable and non-volatile memory that stores various programs and various settings, an operation unit 27 that includes a keyboard and a mouse having a plurality of operation input keys for setting various functions, The display unit 25 includes a liquid crystal display that displays various types of information, and a LAN I / F 26 that is a LAN interface for connecting to the LAN 50.

  The hard disk 24 is provided with an OS memory 24a for storing an OS (Operating System) and a browser memory 24b. As the OS stored in the OS memory 24a, Windows (registered trademark) is known, and as the browser stored in the browser memory, Internet Explorer is known. According to the present invention, a circulation target person browses the circulation file 40b stored in the memory card 40 by using the OS or browser provided in the normal PC 20 using the PC 20, and records of the browsing are recorded. It is recorded by the MFP 1 (server device). That is, a feature is that a dedicated application program for performing management such as acquisition of a circulation file or whether a circulation file has been browsed is not installed in the PC 20.

  Next, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, an outline of communication processing between MFP 1 and PC 20 when PC 20 accesses MFP 1 for the purpose of referring to a circulation file or the like stored in memory card 40. Will be described. 2 and 3 are screen views displayed on the display 25 provided in the PC 20. In this screen diagram, a list of folders that can be referred to on the PC 20 is displayed on the left half screen, and the contents of the folder selected by the user from the list of folders displayed on the left half screen are displayed on the right half screen. It shows how it is displayed.

  When the user activates the browser on the PC 20, a box for entering an address is displayed on a screen displayed by the browser, and an address for specifying the MFP 1 is written in this box. A URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is entered in the box for entering this address, but the communication protocol is designated as FTP. Here, in the MFP 1 of the present embodiment, when FTP is designated as the address of the MFP 1 and the communication protocol on the PC 20 side, the MFP 1 functions as an FTP server and the memory mounted in the memory card unit 8. It is internally set to transmit information related to the card 40 to the PC 20.

  In this embodiment, FTP, which is one of the file transfer protocols, is used as the communication protocol, but a file sharing protocol may be used. The file sharing type protocol includes protocols called SMB / CIFS type and Samba type used in Windows. Note that SMB is an abbreviation for Server Message Block, and is a protocol for realizing file sharing and printer sharing through a network.

  By specifying the communication protocol as FTP, the PC 20 functions as an FTP client. The function as the FTP client is realized by starting an FTP client program originally provided in the OS. As a result, a user name, a password, and the like are input, and a login is requested to the MFP 1 (FTP server). The MFP 1 authenticates the login if the user name and password are registered in advance, and sets up a connection for executing FTP communication with the PC 20.

  When the connection is set, the PC 20 transmits a command requesting a list of folders stored in the MFP 1 (memory card 40) to the MFP 1, and upon receiving the command, the MFP 1 transmits a list of folders to the PC 20. .

  The MFP 1 determines whether or not the user name is the circulation target person registered in the management file 40a. If the user name is the circulation target person, the MFP 1 transmits the root folder and the folder of the circulation file 40b as a list. If the user name is not a circulation target person, only the root folder is transmitted as a list. Here, the root folder to be transmitted relates to the folder stored in the memory card 40 for the memory card 40.

  Upon receiving this list, the browser of the PC 20 displays an icon indicating each folder based on the list. Specifically, FIG. 2A shows a screen displayed by the browser when the circulation target person logs in, and “CARD ROOT” as the root folder and “circulation read” indicating the circulation file 40b. An icon indicating a folder “circulation unread” is displayed. On the other hand, if the person is not the circulation target, the icons indicating the “circulation read” and “circulation unread” folders indicating the circulation file 40b are not displayed, and only the “CARD ROOT” icon is displayed. . A specific process for distinguishing and displaying the “circular read” and “circular unread” folders will be described later.

  In FIG. 2B, an icon indicating a folder “kairan” stored under “CARD ROOT” is clicked by the user, and icons of files in the folder are displayed. As shown in the screen on the right side of FIG. 2B, the “circulation file 1”, the “circulation file 2”, the “circulation file 3”, the “management file”, and the “Explanation of operation procedure” which are the circulation files 40b. Each file icon of “File” is displayed. When the user double-clicks any file on this screen, an FTP command requesting transmission of the file corresponding to the icon is transmitted to the MFP 1.

  FIG. 3A is a screen displayed by the browser when the circulation target person logs in, and is further displayed when the icon indicating the “circulation unread” folder displayed on the left screen is clicked. It is a screen. By the click operation, icons indicating the circulation file 1, the circulation file 2, and the operation procedure file are displayed on the right screen. When either of the icons indicating the circulation file 1 or the circulation file 2 is double-clicked on the display screen shown in FIG. 3A, the FTP command for requesting transmission of the circulation file 40b corresponding to the double-clicked icon from the PC 20 Is transmitted to the MFP 1.

  When the MFP 1 receives the command requesting transmission, the MFP 1 transmits the circulation file 40b requested to be transmitted to the PC 20, and sets a flag A indicating that there is a transmission request in the management file 40a. The flag A will be described later.

  FIG. 3B is a screen displayed when the icon indicating the “circulation read” folder displayed on the left screen is clicked, and the icon indicating the circulation file 3 is displayed on the right screen. The If the circulation file 3 is double-clicked in this state, a transmission request for the circulation file 3 is transmitted again from the PC 20 to the MFP 1 even though the circulation file 40b has already been read, and the MFP 1 transmits the circulation file 3 to the PC 20 again. Therefore, even if the circulation file 40b is set as read, the user can browse again.

  Next, the management file 40a described above will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a display example when screen display is performed based on the management contents of the table of the management file 40a. This management file 40a includes an A flag indicating whether or not a transmission request for the circulation file 40b has been received for each circulation file 40b and each circulation target person, and the circulation target person browses the circulation file 40b, and the circulation target person And a B flag indicating whether the MFP 1 has received a notification that browsing has been completed from the PC 20.

  In the display example of the management file 40a shown in FIG. 4, the user name (circulation target person) is displayed in the horizontal direction, and the file name of the circulation file 40b is displayed in the vertical direction. For each circulation file 40b, a flag A and a flag B are displayed corresponding to the user. In the initial state, the flag is cleared and nothing is displayed, and the flag is displayed when a predetermined operation is performed by the user. Is set and “X” is displayed.

  The flag A is set when a transmission request for the circulation file 40b is received from the user, and the flag B is set when a command for instructing attribute change is received. The attribute change will be described later with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, for example, for the circulation file 20070201 and the circulation file 20070215, X is displayed for both the flags A and B. Therefore, the user 0001 makes a transmission request for these circulation files 40b. In addition, an operation for notifying that browsing has been completed has been executed. Regarding the circulation file 20070415 and the circulation file 20070715, blanks are displayed for both the flags A and B, indicating that the user 0001 has not yet made a transmission request for the circulation file. In addition, regarding the circulation file 20070515 and the circulation file 20070601, since the flag A is displayed as X and the flag B is displayed as blank, the user 0001 has made a request to send the circulation file, but has notified that the browsing has been completed. It is indicated that the operation is not performed.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 5, an operation procedure for setting the browsing information indicating “unread” and “read” stored in the management file 40a to “read” will be described. As described above, when one of the icons indicating the circulation file 40b is double-clicked on the right screen shown in FIG. 3A, transmission of the circulation file 40b corresponding to the icon is requested. Similarly, when the icon corresponding to the sent circulation file 40b is right-clicked, a list of functions for manipulating the file is displayed (not shown), and when changing the attribute is selected from the list, the PC 20 displays the list of the file. A command requesting transmission of attribute setting information is transmitted to MFP 1. In response to the request, the MFP 1 transmits attribute setting information of the file to the PC 20, and the browser of the PC 20 displays the attribute change screen 71 shown in FIG. 5 on the display unit 25 according to the information. The attribute change screen 71 can set whether or not to permit access to this file, along with information such as the type of file and the stored location.

  Here, it is possible to set whether to allow reading, writing, and execution for the owner of the PC 20, a specific group, and all users connected to the net. The owner will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, check boxes 71a, 71b, and 71c are displayed for reading, writing, and execution, respectively, and a check is displayed for 71a and 71b, and a check is displayed for execution. This indicates that the owner is allowed to read and write but not to execute. In this embodiment, if the user (circulation target person) checks the execution check box of the owner among these check boxes, it is assumed that the user has finished browsing the circulation file 40b. It is.

  Note that this arrangement may be difficult to understand for a circulation target person who is not familiar with the functions related to the circulation file in the present embodiment. For example, the “operation procedure file” displayed in FIG. By clicking “”, a text file in which a specific operation for changing an unread circulation file to read can be acquired by the PC 20 and displayed on the screen.

  Therefore, when the MFP 1 transmits to the user an unread circulation file 40b, the permission / non-permission of the owner of the attribute of the circulation file 40b is set (cleared) to non-permission, and the circulation file 40b. To the user. Then, the user browses the circulation file 40b, and on this attribute change screen 71, the check box of the owner's execution is checked, and when the OK button 71d is clicked, a command for instructing the owner's execution is displayed on the PC 20 To the MFP 1. When the MFP 1 receives the command, the user sets the flag B of the user corresponding to the corresponding circulation file name in the management file 40a as read, assuming that the user has finished browsing the circulation file 40b. When the cancel button 71e in the attribute change screen 71 is clicked by the user, the attribute change screen 71 is closed and no command is transmitted from the PC 20 to the MFP 1.

  Accordingly, when the circulation target person performs a predetermined operation (check the execution check box of the owner) on the above-mentioned agreement, that is, the attribute change screen 71, the circulation target person can select the circulation target person. The management content of the management file 40a can be updated by assuming that the circulation file 40b has been browsed. The process of displaying this attribute display screen 71 on the PC 20 or the process of detecting any input on the attribute display screen 71 by the MFP 1 is the function of the FTP client of the PC 20 and the FTP server of the MFP 1. This can be realized by using the function. Therefore, the browsing status of the circulation file can be managed in the MFP 1 without installing in the PC 20 a dedicated application for notifying the MFP 1 that the circulation file 40b has been browsed.

  Next, processing executed by the CPU 2 of the MFP 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the main process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing main processing executed by the MFP 1. This main process is based on the FTP server program, and is started when the MFP 1 is turned on and repeatedly performed until the power is turned off.

  In this main process, first, after performing various initial settings for functioning as an FTP server, the CPU 2 determines whether or not there is a login request from the client device via the LAN 50 (S1). If there is a login request (S1: Yes), a login process is performed (S2). In this login process, the CPU 2 acquires user name information transmitted from the PC 20 and sets up a network communication connection with the PC 20 by FTP. At this time, the authentication of the password transmitted from the PC 20 is normally performed in the same manner, but the details are omitted.

  When there is no login request (S1: No) or when the process of S2 is completed, the CPU 2 next determines whether or not a command requesting transmission of a folder list has been received (S3). If it is determined that a command requesting transmission of a folder list has been received (S3: Yes), folder information transmission processing for transmitting folder information which is the requested folder list is performed (S4). This folder information transmission processing will be described later with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When it is determined that a command requesting transmission of a folder list has not been received (S3: No), or when the processing of S4 is terminated, a transmission of a file list to the previously transmitted folder list is requested. It is determined whether a command has been received (S5). If it is determined that a command requesting transmission of a file list has been received (S5: Yes), a file information transmission process for transmitting file information that is the requested file list is performed (S6). This file information transmission process will be described later with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  If it is determined that a command requesting transmission of a list of files has not been received (S5: No), or if the processing of S6 is completed, the circulation file 40b has been copied to the root folder, that is, the circulation. It is determined whether or not the file has been registered (S7).

  If there is a file to be circulated, for example, when the user operates the PC 20 with the memory card 40 inserted in the card slot, the circulation file 40b is stored in a predetermined folder in the memory card 40 (FIG. 2B). In this example, the circulation file 40b can be registered as a new circulation file by performing an operation of writing (copying) to the “kairan” folder). When registering the circulation file 40b, user authentication may be performed at the time of login in order to specify a user who can be registered. Conversely, in order to allow an unspecified user to register the circulation file 40b, The configuration may be such that a list of folders including the “CARD ROOT” folder is transmitted to the logged-in PC 20 without performing user authentication.

  If it is determined that the circulation file 40b has been copied to the root folder (S7: Yes), a circulation file registration process is performed (S8). The circulation file registration process will be described later with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When it is determined that the circulation file 40b has not been copied to the root folder (S7: No), or when the process of S8 is completed, the CPU 2 transmits one of the files stored in the memory card 40 next. It is determined whether or not a command requesting the user has been received from the PC 20 (S9). If it is determined that a command requesting file transmission has been received (S9: Yes), file transmission processing is performed (S10). This file transmission process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  If it is determined that a command for requesting file transmission has not been received (S9: No), or if the processing of S10 has been completed, the CPU 2 has received a command for requesting attribute information of the circulation file. (S11). If it is determined that a command requesting attribute information has been received (S11: Yes), attribute information corresponding to the circulation file is transmitted to the PC 20 (S12). When receiving the attribute information, the PC 20 displays an attribute change screen 71 shown in FIG.

  When it is determined that a command requesting attribute information has not been received (S11: No), or when the processing of S12 is terminated, it is determined whether a command requesting attribute change has been received ( S13). If it is determined that a command requesting attribute change has been received (S13: Yes), attribute change processing is performed (S14). This attribute changing process will be described later with reference to FIG. When it is determined that a command requesting attribute change has not been received (S13: No), or when the process of S14 is terminated, the CPU 2 performs other processes (S15) and returns to the process of S1. As other processing, for example, when an operation of the operation unit 9 is detected and the operation is performed, processing according to the operation is performed, or a command other than the above is received from another client device via the LAN 50. If it is detected whether or not a command has been received, processing corresponding to the command is performed.

  Next, the folder information transmission process which is the process of S4 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing folder information transmission processing. First, it is determined whether or not the acquired user name is a circulation target person stored in the management file 40a (S16). When it is determined that the user name is the circulation target person stored in the management file 40a (S16: Yes), the circulation read folder storing the circulation file 40b registered as read in the management file 40a Then, the circulation unread folder for storing the unread circulation file 40b not registered as read is created. These circulation read folders and circulation unread folders are so-called virtual folders, and it is possible to request transmission of a list of files and the like belonging to the folders by specifying these folders. Cannot be deleted or moved. Next, a list of these folders and the root folder is transmitted to the PC 20 (S17).

  On the other hand, when the acquired user name is not the circulation target person stored in the management file 40a (S16: No), the normal root folder is transmitted to the PC 20 as a list (S18). When the process of S17 or S18 is completed, this folder information transmission process is terminated and the process returns to the main process.

  Next, the file information transmission process which is the process of S6 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the file information transmission process. In the file information transmission process, it is first determined whether or not the requested file information folder is a circulation read folder (S20). When the requested file information folder is the circulation read folder (S20: Yes), the management file 40a is referred to (S21), and the file registered as read corresponding to the circulation target person (S22), and the list of the read files is transmitted to the PC 20 (S23).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S20 that the requested file information folder is not the circulation read folder (S20: No), it is determined whether or not the requested file information folder is the circulation unread folder. (S24). If the requested file information folder is a circulation unread folder (S24: Yes), the management file 40a is referred to (S25), and a list of files registered as unread corresponding to the circulation target person Is created (S26). Next, the attribute of the unread circulation file 40b is cleared (S27).

  As described above, clearing this attribute is a setting in which the owner is not permitted to execute among the attributes of the circulation file 40b. When information regarding attributes is transmitted to the PC 20 in this way, the attribute change screen 71 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the PC 20, and a check box 71c indicating whether or not to permit the owner to execute is displayed in the check box 71c. Displayed with no check entered. Next, the CPU 2 transmits to the PC 20 a list in which the file name of the operation procedure explanation file 40c is added to the list of the unread circulation file 40b (S28).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S24 that the requested file information folder is not a circular unread folder (S24: No), a list of files belonging to the requested folder is created (S29). It transmits to PC20 (S30). When the process of S23, S28, or S30 is completed, the file information transmission process is terminated and the process returns to the main process.

  Next, the circulation file registration process which is the process of S8 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing circulation file registration processing. In the circulation file registration process, first, the CPU 2 opens the management file 40a stored in the root folder (S31). Next, the file name of the copied circulation file 40b is registered in the file name field of the management file 40a (S32), and the flags A and B of all circulation target persons corresponding to the registered file name are cleared (S33). The management file 40a is closed (S34), the circulation file registration process is terminated, and the process returns to the main process.

  Next, the file transmission process which is the process of S10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the file transmission process. When the file list is transmitted to the PC 20 in the previous file information transmission process, for example, a screen as shown in FIG. 3A is displayed on the display screen of the PC based on the file list. Here, for example, when the user of the PC 20 designates “circulation file 1” and performs an operation such as a double click, an FTP command requesting the file “circulation file 1” is transmitted from the PC 20 to the MFP 1. By receiving this command, the file transmission process is started. In the file transmission process, first, it is determined whether or not the user who requested the file transmission is a circulation target person stored in the management file 40a (S41).

  Even when connected to a plurality of PCs 20 via a network, since an independent connection is set up with each PC 20, which command is transmitted by which user when a command is received Can be determined. If the user who has requested the file transmission is the circulation target person stored in the management file 40a (S41: Yes), the requested circulation file 40b is transmitted (S42), and the management file 40a is referenced (S43). ), The user name stored in the management file 40a is searched (S44). The flag A corresponding to the user name and the transmitted circulation file 40b is set, and the fact that there is a transmission request from the user is recorded (S45). On the other hand, in the determination process of S41, when the user name is not the circulation target person (S41: No), the requested file is transmitted (S46). When the process of S45 or S46 is completed, the file transmission process is terminated and the process returns to the main process.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 11, the attribute change process which is the process of S14 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing attribute change processing.

  When the user changes the attribute displayed on the screen of the PC 20 on the screen 71 and enters a check in the check box or clears the check box and clicks the OK button 71d, the changed attribute information is converted to the MFP1 as an FTP command. Sent to. When this command is received by the MFP 1, the attribute changing process is started. In the attribute changing process, first, it is determined whether or not the user name of the user who transmitted the command is the circulation target person stored in the management file 40a (S51).

  If the user who transmitted the command is a circulation target person (S51: Yes), it is further determined whether or not the command is an instruction to permit the owner to execute (S52). If the command is an instruction to permit the owner to execute (S52: Yes), the management file 40a is referred to (S53), and the user name of the user who sent the command is searched (S54). Then, the flag B of the circulation file 40b corresponding to the user name is set (S55). As a result, this user has set the circulation file 40b to read.

  On the other hand, when the user name of the user who transmitted the command is not the circulation target person stored in the management file 40a in the determination process of S51 (S51: No), or the command permits the owner to execute. If not instructed (S52: No), the attribute of the designated file is changed according to the command (S56). When the process of S55 or S56 is terminated, the attribute change process is terminated and the process returns to the main process. In the present embodiment, a command for changing the attribute of a file defined in the FTP protocol is used to notify the MFP 1 that the user has viewed the circulation file 40b, and the MFP 1 determines that the attribute is based on the notification. In place of the change process, the flag stored in the management file 40a is changed to a flag indicating read.

  Next, processing performed by the browser of the PC 20 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing processing performed by the browser and the FTP client program. This process is started when the browser is activated by the user. First, when a login name is input by a user, a login request is made to the MFP 1 serving as a server device (S61). When a network connection is set up with the MFP 1 in response to the login request, the CPU 21 requests folder information from the MFP 1, which is an FTP server (S62). In response to the request, folder information such as a list of folders transmitted from the MFP 1 is received, a folder list is displayed on the left screen as shown in FIG. 2A, and a folder icon is displayed on the right (S63). ).

  Next, it is monitored whether or not any folder icon is double-clicked (S64). If the folder icon is double-clicked (S64: Yes), a list of files stored in the folder is displayed. A command requesting transmission of file information is transmitted to the MFP 1 (S65). When the file information is received from the MFP 1 in response to the request, an icon corresponding to the file is displayed on the right screen as shown in FIG. 3A or 3B according to the file information (S66).

  Next, it is monitored whether or not any of the icons corresponding to the displayed file is double-clicked (S67). If the file icon is double-clicked (S67: Yes), the file is transmitted. Is sent to the MFP 1 (S68). When the file is received from the MFP 1, the file is opened and displayed (S69).

  Next, the CPU 21 determines whether or not an instruction is input through the user's operation so as to display the attribute change screen (S70). In the attribute change screen, when the user right-clicks on the icon of the circulation file 40b, a list of operations is displayed, and when changing the attribute is selected from the list, a command requesting information indicating attribute setting is sent to the MFP 1. Sent. When information indicating the attribute setting is received from the MFP 1 (S70: Yes), an attribute change screen 71 is displayed as shown in FIG. 5 (S71). In this screen, when the user inputs a check into the check box, the CPU 21 sets information for instructing attribute change based on the check (S72). Further, it is determined whether or not the OK button 71d is clicked (S73).

  When the OK button 71d is clicked (S73: Yes), information instructing to change the attribute set in S72 is transmitted to the MFP 1 as a command (S74). If the OK button 71d is not clicked (S73: No), it is determined whether or not the cancel button 71e is clicked (S75). If the cancel button 71e is clicked (S75: Yes), the attribute change screen 71 is closed (S76), and if the cancel button 71e is not clicked (S75: No), the process returns to S73. In the determination process of S70, when the operation for displaying the attribute change screen is not performed (S70: No), or when the process of S74 or the process of S76 is terminated, the process of this browser is terminated.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a browser capable of performing FTP communication and an FTP client program are installed, the circulation file 40b is browsed, and the server device is notified that the browsing has been completed. Even if a dedicated application program having a notification function or the like is not installed in the PC 20, the server device can be notified of the completion of the browsing of the circulation file 40b by using a command defined in the FTP protocol. it can.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be easily made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It can be done.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the server apparatus is provided in the MFP 1 which is a multi-functional peripheral apparatus, but may be provided in a card reader provided with an FTP communication function.

  In the above embodiment, the command for instructing the attribute change is substituted. However, the present invention is not limited to this command. For example, a command for instructing to delete the file, a command for instructing to overwrite the file, A command for instructing to change the file name may be used instead.

  In the above embodiment, the memory card unit 8 is built in the MFP 1. However, the card reader is connected to a computer via an interface such as a USB, and the computer serves as a server device and another computer. The client apparatus such as FTP may be connected via the LAN 50 using a protocol. Further, the circulation file 40b is stored in the memory card 40 in advance, and the memory card 40 is inserted into the card slot provided in the memory card unit 8 of the MFP 1, so that the circulation file registration process is started. It may be configured.

1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a communication system including a PC and an MFP in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a screen figure which shows the folder list displayed by a browser, and the icon of a folder or a file, (a) is a screen on which the icon of the folder memorize | stored in the memory card is displayed, (b) is " This is a screen on which icons of files stored in a folder “kairan” are displayed. (A) is a screen displayed when an unread folder is designated, and (b) is a screen diagram displayed when an already-read folder is designated. It is a table which shows a management file. This is an attribute change screen for changing attributes of a circulation file. 6 is a flowchart illustrating main processing executed by the MFP. 10 is a flowchart showing folder information transmission processing executed by the MFP. 6 is a flowchart illustrating file information transmission processing executed by the MFP. 6 is a flowchart showing circulation file registration processing executed by the MFP. 6 is a flowchart illustrating file transmission processing executed by the MFP. 6 is a flowchart illustrating attribute change processing executed by the MFP. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed by PC.

Explanation of symbols

1 Multifunctional peripheral device 2 CPU
3 RAM
4 ROM
5 Communication Interface 8 Memory Card 20 Personal Computer 21 CPU
25 Display 40 Memory card 40a Management file 40b Circulation file 40c Operating procedure explanation file 50 LAN

Claims (8)

A storage media connection for connecting the storage media;
A communication means for performing network communication with a client device by a file sharing protocol or a file transfer protocol;
Transmitting means for transmitting information relating to the storage medium connected to the storage medium connection unit to the client device corresponding to a plurality of circulation target persons via the communication means according to the protocol;
Circulation information providing means for providing information related to the circulation file stored in the storage medium to the circulation target person via the transmission means;
Management file storage means for storing the circulation status of the circulation file stored in the storage medium for each of the plurality of circulation subjects;
Receiving means for receiving commands defined in the protocol from the client device via the communication means;
On the condition that the receiving means receives a command requesting transmission of a circulation file included in the information provided by the circulation information providing means, the transmission means corresponds to the circulation target person who requested transmission of the circulation file. To the client device to send the circulation file requested to be transmitted through the communication means by the protocol,
In correspondence with the circulation target person who has sent the circulation file by the transmission means, the server apparatus comprises an update means for recording in the management file storage means that the transmission request has been made as the circulation status . The management file storage means stores, as the circulation status, browsing information indicating whether a circulation file stored in the storage medium is unread or already read for each circulation target person,
Based on a command defined in the protocol received by the receiving means, comprising a browsing detection means for detecting that a circulation file stored in the storage medium has been browsed by a circulation target person in the client device,
The updating means is the browsing information stored in the management file storage means and browsed on condition that the browsing detection means detects that the circulation file stored in the storage medium has been browsed. The server apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the browsing information corresponding to the person is updated to read. Comprising a sender detection means for detecting whether a sender who has transmitted a command defined in the protocol received by the reception means is a circulation target person stored in the management file storage means;
The update means detects that the sender who sent the command by the sender detection means is the circulation target person stored in the management file storage means, and the circulation file stored in the storage medium by the browsing detection means Of the browsing information stored in the management file storage means, the browsing information corresponding to the circulation target person who has been browsed is updated to read as long as it has been detected that The server device according to claim 2. The command defined in the protocol is provided with a command for instructing to change the attribute of the file,
The browsing detection means, when the command specified in the protocol received by the receiving means is a command for instructing to change the attribute of the circulation file stored in the storage medium, the circulation file is Judge that it was viewed,
The updating unit replaces the attribute of the circulation file indicated by the command specified in the protocol received by the receiving unit, and instead of the browsing information stored in the management file storage unit, 4. The server apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the browsing information corresponding to the circulation target person is updated to already read for the circulation file instructed to be changed. An explanation file storage means for storing an explanation file for explaining an operation procedure for setting the reading information of the circulation file stored in the management file storage means to be read by the circulation target person in the client device;
The transmission means transmits the explanation file stored in the explanation file storage means to the client device corresponding to the circulation target person via the communication means according to the protocol in response to a request from the circulation target person. The server device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein: The storage medium stores a plurality of circulation files, and the management file storage means stores browsing information for each of the plurality of circulation files and for each circulation target person,
The circulation information providing unit identifies, as information about the circulation file, a list of circulation files that are unread and a list of circulation files that are already read according to the circulation target person based on the browsing information of the management file storage unit. 6. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the server device is generated and transmitted to the client device corresponding to the circulation target person via the communication unit according to the protocol.   7. The server apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the management file storage unit is provided in a storage medium connected to the storage medium connection unit. In a server device control program executed on a computer of a server device comprising a storage medium connection means for connecting a storage medium, and a communication means for performing network communication using a file sharing protocol or a file transfer protocol,
The server device includes management file storage means for storing a circulation status of a circulation file stored in the storage medium for each of the plurality of circulation target persons,
A transmission step of transmitting information related to the storage medium connected to the storage medium connection means to the client device corresponding to a plurality of circulation target persons via the communication means by the protocol;
Circulation information providing step of providing information related to the circulation file stored in the storage medium to the client device corresponding to the circulation target person by the transmission step;
A receiving step of receiving a command defined in the protocol from the client device via the communication unit;
The reception step corresponds to the circulation target person who requested transmission of the circulation file on the condition that the command requesting transmission of the circulation file included in the information provided by the circulation information provision step is received by the reception step. To the client device to send the circulation file requested to be transmitted through the communication means by the protocol,
In response to the circulation target person who transmitted the circulation file in the transmission step, an update step is recorded in the management file storage means that the transmission request has been made as the circulation status, and is executed by the computer of the server device. Server device control program.

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