JP2010250552A - Relay server device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To equivalently use a plurality of storage devices each having different kind in a view from a user apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: A user interface part 31 receives a processing request from the user apparatus, makes a processing part execute processing thereof, and transmits processing results to the user apparatus. A device adapter part 41 acquires data including an image from the user apparatus. A plurality of storage-classified adapters 52A-52C are provided correspondingly to the storage devices, respectively, and each perform data communication with the corresponding storage device. When access processing occurs to one storage device of the plurality of storage devices by the processing of the processing part 32, a common interface part 51 delivers data of a common format including a file name, a storage destination path name, and metadata to the storage-classified adapter corresponding to the storage device wherein the access processing occurs as an argument, and makes the access processing be executed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a relay server device that allows a user device such as a digital multi-function peripheral (hereinafter referred to as MFP) equipped with a Web browser to use a plurality of storage devices equivalently.

  Patent Literature 1 is transmitted and received between a channel adapter that performs data communication with a host device, a plurality of storage adapters that respectively perform data communication with a plurality of storage devices that store data, and the channel adapter and each storage adapter. A storage system comprising a main cache memory for temporarily storing data to be stored, and a connection network for connecting the channel adapter and each storage adapter to the main cache memory is disclosed.

  The storage system described in Patent Document 1 does not assume a case where a plurality of storage apparatuses are of the same type and different types. For example, when the communication protocols used in the respective storage apparatuses are different, the configuration of Patent Document 1 cannot cope with it.

  The present invention has been made based on such circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to be able to use a plurality of different types of storage devices equivalently from the viewpoint of user equipment, and to easily expand the functions of user equipment. It is an object of the present invention to provide a relay server device that can be realized.

  According to the present invention, a relay is formed by connecting, via a network, a user device equipped with a Web browser, such as an MFP, and a plurality of storage devices that store data generated by the user device, such as scanned image data. The server device receives a processing request from the user device, causes the processing unit to execute the processing, and transmits the processing result to the user device as a Web screen that can be browsed by the Web browser, and accesses the user device. The device adapter unit that performs data generation request and acquisition, and a plurality of storage adapters that are provided corresponding to a plurality of storage devices and perform data communication with the corresponding storage devices, respectively, and processing by the processing unit For any one of the multiple storage devices When the access process occurs, pass the common format data including the file name, storage destination path name, and metadata as arguments to the storage-specific adapter corresponding to the storage device where the access process has occurred. And a common interface unit.

  According to the present invention in which such means is taken, a plurality of different types of storage apparatuses can be used equivalently from the viewpoint of the user equipment, and the function of the user equipment can be easily expanded.

1 is a schematic diagram of a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The schematic diagram which shows the program structure mounted in the relay server apparatus in the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a correspondence relationship between each access process in the common interface unit and an argument for executing the access process in the embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of transition of screens displayed on the display of the MFP in the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating processing procedures of the MFP, the relay server device, and each storage device corresponding to the screen from the login screen to the registration destination selection screen in the screen shift example of FIG. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing processing procedures of the MFP, the relay server device, and each storage device corresponding to the registration destination selection screen to the scan setting screen in the screen shift example of FIG. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating processing procedures of the MFP, the relay server device, and each storage device corresponding to the scan setting screen to the preview screen in the screen shift example of FIG. 4, including user operations. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating processing procedures of the MFP, the relay server device, and each storage device corresponding to the screen from the preview screen to the registration completion screen in the screen shift example of FIG. The figure which shows an example of the web screen for registration destination selection in the embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the web screen for metadata setting by the selection method in the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating processing procedures of an MFP, a relay server device, and each storage device corresponding to a scan setting screen to a preview screen in the second embodiment, including user operations.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
In each of the following embodiments, a user device equipped with a Web browser is assumed to be an MFP which is an aspect of the image forming apparatus, and image data read by the scanner function of the MFP is a plurality of types having different communication protocols. This is a case where the present invention is applied to a relay server device of a network system that can be stored in one storage device selected by the MFP user among the storage devices.

(First embodiment)
A schematic diagram of a network system according to the present embodiment is shown in FIG. This system includes an MFP 1 that is a user device, a plurality (three in the figure) of storage apparatuses 2A, 2B, and 2C, and a relay server apparatus 3 according to the present invention. The MFP 1 and the relay server device 3 are connected via a network 4 capable of data communication using HTTP as a communication protocol. Each storage apparatus 2A, 2B, 2C and the relay server apparatus 3 are connected by a network 5 capable of data communication using a communication protocol used by each storage apparatus 2A, 2B, 2C.

  In addition to the function as a digital copying machine, the MFP 1 scans and reads an object such as a document or an image with a specified resolution and paper size, an image transmission / reception function by FAX, a print image reception function by LAN, etc. Has multiple functions. The MFP 1 includes a web browser 12 and can browse a web screen provided from a web application server on the display 14 of the operation panel 13.

  The storage devices 2A, 2B, and 2C are storage devices that store various data in a storage medium. A hard disk, a magneto-optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like can be a storage medium. Each of the storage apparatuses 2A, 2B, and 2C discloses an interface for transmitting and receiving information through the relay server apparatus 3 and the network 5 by using different communication protocols or different interfaces.

  The relay server device 3 is a computer having a data relay function between the MFP 1 as a user device and the storage devices 2A, 2B, and 2C. Further, when the relay server device 3 receives a processing request from the MFP 1 via the Web browser 12 of the MFP 1, the relay server device 3 executes the processing, generates a Web screen indicating the processing result, and returns it to the MFP 1. As described above, the relay server device 3 also has a function as a Web application server.

  The program structure implemented in the relay server device 3 is shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. The program 20 includes an operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) 21 that is a basic program, middleware 22 for realizing a Web application server function, and a framework 23 that operates as a server application.

  The framework 23 formed on the OS 21 and the middleware 22 is divided into three layers: a user interface unit 31, a logic unit 32 as a processing unit, and an adapter unit 33.

  The user interface unit 31 receives access from the MFP 1, and when there is a processing request access, requests the logic unit 32 to execute the processing and returns the result to the MFP 1.

  The logic unit 32 executes internal processing requested by the user interface unit 31. The logic unit 32 bundles up processes that can be shared by a plurality of user devices and makes them available from each user device. For example, when there are a plurality of user devices having a scanner function, a program for realizing the scanner function is not mounted for each user device, but the scanner function program mounted in the logic unit 32 is called. Like that. By doing so, it is possible to save the trouble of redundantly mounting the same program on each user device.

  The adapter unit 33 includes a device adapter unit 41 and a unified storage adapter unit 42. When an access process occurs in the MFP 1 that is the user device due to the process of the logic unit 32, the device adapter unit 41 accesses the MFP 1 in response to a request from the logic unit 32 and requests the start and transmission of image generation.

  The unified storage adapter unit 42 includes a common interface unit 51 and a plurality (three in the figure) of storage-specific adapters 52A, 52B, and 52C. The storage-specific adapters 52A, 52B, and 52C are provided corresponding to the plurality of storage apparatuses 2A, 2B, and 2C, respectively, and access the corresponding storage apparatuses using a communication protocol used by the storage apparatus to perform data communication. Do.

  When an access process occurs in any one of the plurality of storage apparatuses 2A, 2B, and 2C by the process of the logic unit 32, the common interface unit 51 stores the storage corresponding to the storage apparatus in which the access process has occurred. The data of the common format including the file name, the storage destination path name, and the metadata is passed as an argument to the other adapters 52A, 52B, and 52C, and the access process is executed.

  Access processing includes file acquisition, transmission, update, and deletion. A correspondence relationship between each access process and an argument for executing the access process is indicated by reference numeral 61 in FIG. As shown in the figure, for the access process of file acquisition, information on the file desired to be acquired from the storage apparatuses 2A, 2B, 2C and information on the file on the relay server 3 after acquisition are set as arguments. For the access process of file transmission, file information on the relay server 3 to be transmitted and file information after transmission to the storage apparatuses 2A, 2B, 2C are set as arguments. For the access process of updating a file, information on the file to be updated in the storage apparatuses 2A, 2B, and 2C and information on the file after the update are set as arguments. For the access process of deleting a file, information on the file to be deleted from the storage apparatuses 2A, 2B, and 2C is set as an argument.

  The structure of data set as an argument is indicated by reference numeral 62 in FIG. As shown in the drawing, the data set as an argument has at least a file name, a storage destination path name, and metadata.

  The file name is the name of the file to be processed. For example, in the argument for the access process of acquiring a file, the name of the file to be acquired is the file name. Similarly, for an access process for file transmission, the name of the file to be transmitted is for an access process for file update. For an access process for file deletion, the name of the file to be updated is The name of the file you want to delete becomes the file name.

  The storage path name differs depending on the meaning of the argument. For example, in the argument that is the information of the file that you want to acquire from the storage device, the name of the folder that is the storage destination of the storage device on the storage device becomes the storage path name, In the argument that is the file information, the folder name that is the storage destination of the file in the relay server device 3 is the storage path name. Similarly, of the two arguments for the access process of file transmission, in the argument that is the information of the file to be transmitted to the storage device, the folder name that is the storage destination in the relay server device 3 is the storage destination path name. In the argument that is the file information after transmission, the folder name that is the storage destination of the file in the storage becomes the storage destination path name. In addition, regarding the two arguments for the access process of updating the file, the folder that is the storage destination of the file in both the argument that is the information of the file to be updated and the argument that is the information of the file after the update The name becomes the storage path name. Regarding the argument for the access process of deleting a file, the folder name that is the storage destination of the file to be deleted from the storage apparatus is the storage destination path name.

  The metadata includes data related to the file such as the data size, creator, and update date of the file corresponding to the argument, and keyword data (keyword name and its value) used by the user for identification. It is preferable to use an array at the time of implementation so that the user can add any number of keyword data later.

  In this way, the structure of data serving as arguments is all common. Therefore, handling in the relay server device 3 can be performed smoothly.

  By the way, the folder used as the argument storage destination path name is specified by the information of the folder name, the path name, and the parent folder, as indicated by reference numeral 63 in FIG. Therefore, the common interface unit 51 uses the folder name, path name, and folder name of each folder formed in each storage device 2A, 2B, 2C as an argument for acquiring a folder configuration list in each storage device 2A, 2B, 2C. Stores parent folder information.

  In addition, the common interface unit 51 includes storage confirmation means for confirming whether or not the storage apparatuses 2A, 2B, and 2C corresponding to the respective storage-specific adapters 52A, 52B, and 52C are normal. The unit 31 has a function of transmitting to the MFP 1 a Web screen that can be selected by the user device with the storage device confirmed to be normal by the storage confirmation unit as the data storage destination.

  The user interface unit 31 includes a metadata setting screen transmission unit that transmits a metadata setting screen on which metadata can be input as a Web screen to the user device. The common interface unit 51 includes the metadata in the MFP 1. It has a function of acquiring metadata from data input on the setting screen.

  Further, when the user interface unit 31 acquires screen size information from the processing request received from the MFP 1, the user interface unit 31 controls on the screen (text display area described on the Web screen) to suit the acquired screen size according to the information. , Buttons, frame lines, text input areas, list boxes, etc.) and the function of changing the size of the Web screen.

  The device adapter unit 41 has a function of accessing the data generation start and transmission interface disclosed by the user device MFP1 using a protocol specified by the MFP1, and when there is a data acquisition request from the logic unit 32, the device adapter unit 41 responds to the request. Therefore, the MFP 1 has a function of accessing the MFP 1 to acquire data and returning the result to the logic unit 32.

  Next, the operation of the present system including the relay server device 3 having such a configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a transition example of screens displayed on the display 14 of the MFP 1. 5 to 8 are sequence diagrams showing processing procedures of the MFP 1, the relay server device 3, and the storage devices 2A, 2B, and 2C corresponding to the screen shift example of FIG. 4, including user operations.

  First, the user activates the Web browser 12 of the MFP 1 from the operation panel 13 (No. 1 in FIG. 5). Then, the Web browser 12 accesses the relay server device 3. At this time, the Web browser 12 includes the screen size information of the display 14 in the MFP 1 in the HTTP header for access (FIG. 5, No. 2).

  When the user interface unit 31 of the relay server device 3 accepts an access from the MFP 1, the user interface unit 31 acquires screen size information from the received HTTP header. Then, CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) having a screen size most suitable for the size information is selected. When the CSS is selected, the user interface unit 31 applies the CSS to a login Web screen prepared in advance, and changes the screen size to a size suitable for the size of the display 14 of the MFP 1 (FIG. 5, FIG. No. 3). Then, the login Web screen whose screen size has been changed is transmitted to the MFP 1 (No. 4 in FIG. 5).

  Therefore, when the user activates the Web browser 12 of the MFP 1, a login Web screen is displayed on the display 14 (FIG. 4, step S1). On this login Web screen, when the user operates the operation panel 13 to input information necessary for login (for example, user ID and password) (FIG. 5, No. 5) and executes login (FIG. 5, No. .6), the Web browser 12 transmits the login information input to the relay server device 3 (No. 7 in FIG. 5).

  When receiving the login information from the MFP 1, the user interface unit 31 of the relay server device 3 causes the logic unit 32 to execute the login authentication process (No. 8 in FIG. 5). If login is approved as a result of the authentication process, the user interface unit 31 transmits a Web screen for a menu prepared in advance to the MFP 1 (No. 9 in FIG. 5). The selected CSS is applied to the menu Web screen in the same manner as the login screen. Hereinafter, CSS is similarly applied to the size of each screen described later, and the description thereof is omitted.

  If there is an error in the login information and the login is not approved, an error screen is sent instead of the menu screen to prompt the user to re-enter the login information.

  As described above, when the login is approved, the menu Web screen is displayed on the display 14 (FIG. 4, step S2). When the user selects the menu item [Scan] (FIG. 5, No. 10), the Web browser 12 transmits a scan activation command to the relay server device 3 (FIG. 5, No. 11).

  When receiving the scan activation command from the MFP 1, the user interface unit 31 of the relay server device 3 causes the logic unit 32 to execute a scan activation process (No. 12 in FIG. 5). In this activation process, the logic unit 32 makes a registration destination confirmation request to the unified storage adapter unit 42. In response to this request, the common interface unit 51 of the unified storage adapter unit 42 communicates with the storage apparatuses 2A, 2B, and 2C via the storage-specific adapters 52A, 52B, and 52C, and the storage apparatuses 2A, 2B, and 52C. It is confirmed whether 2C is operating normally (FIG. 5, No. 13: storage confirmation means). Then, the confirmation result is passed to the logic unit 32. The logic unit 32 passes the information on the storage device that has been confirmed to be operating normally to the user interface unit 31. The user interface unit 31 creates a registration destination selection Web screen that allows selection of a storage device that has been confirmed to be operating normally as a data storage destination, and transmits it to the MFP 1 (FIG. 5, No. 5). 14).

  Therefore, when the user selects and operates [Scan] from the menu items, a registration destination selection Web screen is displayed on the display 14 (FIG. 4, step S3). When the user selects a storage device folder as a registration destination from the registration destination selection Web screen (FIG. 6, No. 1), the Web browser 12 transmits the selected folder information to the relay server device 3 (FIG. 6). 6, No. 2).

  When the user interface unit 31 of the relay server device 3 receives the selected folder information from the MFP 1, it passes the received data to the logic unit 32. The logic unit 32 acquires the selected folder information from the received data (No. 3 in FIG. 6). Then, the storage unified adapter unit 42 is requested to perform the item acquisition processing in the selected folder. In response to this request, the common interface unit 51 of the unified storage adapter unit 42 communicates with the storage device 2n via the storage-specific adapter 52n corresponding to the storage device 2n (n is A, B, or C) having the selected folder. To inquire about folders and files that are items in the start folder in the storage (FIG. 6, No. 4). When the in-folder item list information is acquired from the storage device 2n in response to this inquiry (FIG. 6, No. 5), the unified storage adapter unit 42 passes this information to the logic unit 32. The logic unit 32 passes the acquired item list information in the folder to the user interface unit 31, and the user interface unit 31 shapes the display for displaying the registration destination selection Web screen (No. 6 in FIG. 6). The user interface unit 31 transmits this registration destination selection Web screen to the MFP 1 (FIG. 6, NO. 7).

  Therefore, when the user selects a desired registration destination, a list of items stored in the registration destination is displayed on the registration destination selection Web screen of the display 14. An example of a registration destination selection Web screen when the selected folder is the folder A1 (Folder A1) of the storage device 2A (Storage A) is shown in FIG.

  The user selects and operates the [Next (Next)] button 71 when determining the selected folder as a registration destination, and selects the [Previous (Prev)] button 72 when selecting another folder. When the [Previous] button 72 is operated, the screen returns to No. 14 in FIG.

  Further, when moving to another folder in this folder, the folder 73 or 74 of FIG. 9 is selected, and when moving to the upper layer of this folder, the Up Folder 75 of FIG. 9 is selected and operated. In this manner, the procedures of No. 1 to No. 7 in FIG. 6 are repeated to select a data storage folder.

  When the [Next] button 71 is operated (FIG. 6, No. 8), the Web browser 12 transmits registration destination confirmation information to the relay server device 3 (FIG. 6, No. 9).

  When receiving the registration destination confirmation information from the MFP 1, the user interface unit 31 of the relay server device 3 instructs the logic unit 32 to perform registration destination confirmation processing. In response to this instruction, the logic unit 32 stores the selected folder information acquired immediately before as registration destination information (No. 10 in FIG. 6). In addition, the user interface unit 31 transmits a web screen for metadata setting prepared in advance to the MFP 1 (FIG. 6, No. 11: metadata setting screen transmission unit).

  Therefore, when the user selects a registration destination folder from the registration destination selection Web screen and operates the [Next] button 71, the metadata setting Web screen is displayed on the display 14 (step S4 in FIG. 4). . Therefore, the user sets metadata to be added to the document data to be scanned. Here, the metadata includes both information for constructing scanned data (size, creator, update date, etc.) and information added to the scanned data for convenience (keyword and its value). . The setting method includes a free description method that the user inputs and sets on the spot, a selection method that the user selects and sets from items given in advance, and the MFP 1 and the relay server device 3 in advance. There is a forced method to set specified information. In the present embodiment, the setting method is not particularly limited. Further, the number of metadata may be set as long as it is within the range allowed by the system. An example of the metadata setting Web screen by the selection method is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, pull-down menus are prepared for each of the three metadata items (Source, Category, Importance), and the user can select an appropriate menu for each desired item (Normal / Shared / Immediately for Importance). After selecting one of them, the [Next] button 81 is operated. In order to start over from the selection of the registration destination, the [Previous] button 82 may be operated.

  When the necessary metadata is set (No. 12 in FIG. 6) and the [Next] button 81 is operated (No. 13 in FIG. 6), the Web browser 12 sets the metadata information set in the relay server device 3. Is transmitted (FIG. 6, No. 14).

  When the user interface unit 31 of the relay server device 3 receives the metadata information from the MFP 1, it passes the received data to the logic unit 32. The logic unit 32 acquires the metadata set by the MFP 1 from the received data and stores it (No. 15 in FIG. 6). Further, the user interface unit 31 transmits a scan setting Web screen to the MFP 1 (FIG. 6, No. 16 or FIG. 7, No. 1).

  Therefore, when the user inputs necessary metadata from the metadata setting Web screen and operates the Next button 71, the scan setting Web screen is displayed on the display 14 (step S5 in FIG. 4). Therefore, when the user sets a document on the reading unit (FIG. 7, No. 2) and designates information necessary for scanning, for example, color mode, resolution, document size, and the like as needed (FIG. 7, No. 3), the “scan” button is selected and operated from the operation panel 13 (No. 4 in FIG. 7). Then, the Web browser 12 transmits scan setting information to the relay server device 3 (No. 5 in FIG. 7).

  When the user interface unit 31 of the relay server device 3 receives the scan setting information from the MFP 1, it passes the received data to the logic unit 32. The logic unit 32 acquires the scan setting information set by the MFP 1 from the received data and stores it (No. 6 in FIG. 7). In addition, the user interface unit 31 transmits a Web screen indicating that scanning is being prepared in advance to the MFP 1 (No. 7 in FIG. 7). As a result, a screen indicating that scanning is in progress is displayed on the display 14 of the MFP 1 (FIG. 4, step S6).

  Thereafter, the user interface unit 31 passes the scan setting information stored in the logic unit 32 to the data adapter unit 41 and instructs the MFP 1 to acquire scan data (No. 8 in FIG. 7). The data adapter unit 41 accesses the MFP 1 based on the received scan setting information, and gives an instruction to start and transmit scan data (No. 8 in FIG. 7). Upon receiving this instruction, the scanner function 11 of the MFP 1 scans and reads the document (No. 9 in FIG. 7). Then, the image data of the read document is transmitted to the relay server device 3 (No. 10 in FIG. 7).

  At this time, the Web browser 12 of the MFP 1 periodically reloads (FIG. 7, No. 7-1) to access the relay server device 3 and confirm the progress of the scan. If scanning is not completed, the screen display during scanning is repeated. The reloading interval varies depending on the amount of documents to be scanned, the performance of the MFP 1, and the performance of the relay server device 3, but may be set to approximately 1 to 5 seconds.

  When the scanning is completed (No. 11 in FIG. 7), the logic unit 32 returns the information of the scanned image data to the user interface unit 31. The user interface unit 31 creates a preview Web screen based on the returned scan image data, and transmits the preview Web screen to the MFP 1 at the reload timing (No. 12 in FIG. 7).

  Therefore, when the scanning is completed, the screen of the display 14 is switched from the scanning state to the preview screen (FIG. 4, step S7). On this preview screen, the user confirms the orientation and color mode of the image.

  If the preview is not satisfactory, the user selects and operates [Rescan] from the operation panel 13. When [Rescan] is operated (FIG. 7, No. 13-1), the Web browser 12 transmits rescan information to the relay server device 3 (FIG. 7, No. 14). Upon receiving the rescan information, the relay server device 3 repeats the processing from No. 1 in FIG.

  When the user is satisfied with the preview, the user selects and operates [Register] from the operation panel. When [Registration] is operated (FIG. 7, No. 13-2), the Web browser 12 transmits a registration instruction command to the relay server device 3 (FIG. 7, No. 15).

  The user interface unit 31 of the relay server device 3 that has received this registration instruction command instructs the logic unit 32 to register. In response to this instruction, the logic unit 32 confirms the stored registration destination information (No. 1 in FIG. 8). Similarly, the stored metadata is confirmed (FIG. 8, No. 2). Further, the scanned image data is confirmed (FIG. 8, No. 3).

  At this time, the user interface unit 31 transmits to the MFP 1 a Web screen indicating that registration is being made in advance (FIG. 8, No. 4). As a result, a screen indicating that registration is in progress is displayed on the display 14 of the MFP 1 (step S8 in FIG. 4).

  When the logic unit 32 completes the confirmation of the registration destination information, metadata, and image data, it instructs the unified storage adapter unit 42 to perform registration processing. Upon receiving this command, the common interface unit 51 of the unified storage adapter unit 42 acquires registration destination information and metadata from the logic unit 32, and creates two argument data for the access process of file transmission. Then, these argument data are transferred to the storage-specific adapter 52n corresponding to the storage device 2n (n is A, B or C) specified by the registration destination information. Based on the argument data received from the common interface unit 51, the storage-specific adapter 52n communicates with the corresponding storage device 2n to register image data and metadata (No. 5 in FIG. 8).

  At this time, the Web browser 12 of the MFP 1 periodically reloads (FIG. 8, No. 4-1) to access the relay server device 3 and confirm the registration progress state. If registration has not been completed, the screen display during registration is repeated. The reloading interval has an appropriate value depending on the performance of the storage device and the performance of the relay server device 3, but it may be set to about 1 to 5 seconds.

  When the response data of the registration result is received from the storage device 2n (FIG. 8, No. 6) and the registration is completed (FIG. 8, No. 7), the user interface unit 31 provides a Web screen for registration completion prepared in advance. Is sent to the MFP 1 at the reload timing (No. 8 in FIG. 8).

  Therefore, when the registration is completed, the screen of the display 14 is switched from the registration state to the registration completion screen (FIG. 4, step S9). After confirming the registration completion screen, the user operates by selecting [End] from the operation panel. When [END] is operated (FIG. 8, No. 9), the Web browser 12 transmits an end instruction command to the relay server device 3 (FIG. 8, No. 10). Upon receiving this command, the user interface unit 31 transmits a screen set as a top screen, for example, a Web screen for selecting a registration destination, to the MFP 1 (No. 11 in FIG. 8).

As described above, when the user operates [END] upon completion of registration, the screen of the display 14 becomes the registration destination selection Web screen. Therefore, the user can continue the registration operation of the image data.
The top screen is not limited to the registration destination selection screen, and may be a menu screen or a login screen.

  In the present embodiment, a relay formed by connecting an MFP 1 equipped with a Web browser and a plurality of storage apparatuses 2A, 2B, and 2C that store scanning image data generated by the MFP 1 via networks 4 and 5. The server device 3 receives a processing request from the MFP 1, causes the logic unit 32 to execute the processing and returns a result to the MFP 1, and a device adapter unit that accesses the MFP 1 and instructs the generation start and transmission of data 41 and a plurality of storage-specific adapters 52A, 52B, and 52C that are provided corresponding to the plurality of storage apparatuses 2A, 2B, and 2C and perform data communication with the corresponding storage apparatuses 2A, 2B, and 2C, respectively, and logic Any of the plurality of storage apparatuses 2A, 2B, 2C by the processing of the unit 32 When an access process occurs for one storage apparatus 2n, data in a common format including a file name, a storage destination path name, and metadata is supplied as an argument to the storage-specific adapter 53n corresponding to the storage apparatus 2n in which the access process has occurred. And a common interface unit 51 for executing access processing.

  Here, each of the storage apparatuses 2A, 2B, 2C discloses an interface and / or a communication protocol for transmitting / receiving information through the relay server apparatus 3 and the network 5 in different formats. Then, each of the storage-specific adapters 52A, 52B, and 52C performs data communication with the corresponding storage apparatuses 2A, 2B, and 2C using the disclosed interfaces and communication protocols based on the passed arguments. be able to.

  Accordingly, since the plurality of storage apparatuses 2A, 2B, and 2C having different types of interfaces and / or communication protocols can be used equivalently from the viewpoint of the MFP 1, the function of the MFP 1 can be easily expanded.

  In the present embodiment, the common interface unit 51 has storage confirmation means for confirming whether or not the storage apparatuses 2A, 2B, and 2C corresponding to the respective storage-specific adapters 52A, 52B, and 52C are normal. Yes. Therefore, the storage apparatuses 2A, 2B, and 2C that are not operating normally can be disconnected from the system.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, the user interface unit 31 transmits to the MFP 1 a Web screen that can be selected by the MFP 1 with the storage device confirmed to be normal by the storage confirmation unit as a data storage destination. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a problem in the MFP 1 that a storage measure that is not operating normally is selected as a registration destination.

  In the present embodiment, the user interface unit 31 includes a metadata setting screen transmission unit that transmits a metadata setting screen on which metadata can be input to the MFP 1 as a Web screen. The common interface unit 51 includes: The MFP 1 acquires the metadata from the data input on the metadata setting screen and edits the argument data. Therefore, not only the data body but also the metadata input by the user can be registered, and the metadata can be used effectively.

  In the present embodiment, when the user interface unit 31 acquires screen size information from the processing request received from the MFP 1, the user interface unit 31 controls the on-screen controls (described on the Web screen) to suit the acquired screen size according to the information. Adjusting the arrangement of the text notation area, buttons, frame lines, text input area, list box, etc.) and changing the size of the Web screen. Therefore, even if the display mounted on the MFP 1 has a different size, it is possible to display an appropriately sized Web screen.

  Further, the data adapter unit 41 can instruct the MFP 1 to start and transmit scan data based on the information passed from the logic unit 32. Therefore, it is possible to realize data acquisition at a timing convenient for the relay server and to easily access the MFP 1.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, synchronization processing is performed by processing (No. 8 in FIG. 8) for registering scanned image data of originals in the storage apparatuses 2A, 2B, and 2C. For this reason, if the data size is large or the data size that can be transmitted at one time on the network 5 is small, it takes time to complete the registration. Alternatively, some users do not have to wait for the completion of registration, and may want to finish it early. Therefore, in the second embodiment, this registration process is performed asynchronously.

FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram at the time of registration in the second embodiment.
The user interface unit 31 of the relay server device 3 that has received the registration instruction command instructs the logic unit 32 to register. In response to this instruction, the logic unit 32 confirms the stored registration destination information (No. 1 in FIG. 11). Also, the stored metadata is confirmed (No. 2 in FIG. 11). Further, the scanned image data is confirmed (FIG. 11, No. 3).

  At this time, the user interface unit 31 does not request transmission of the registration screen.

When the logic unit 32 completes the confirmation of the registration destination information, metadata, and image data, it instructs the unified storage adapter unit 42 to perform registration processing (No. 4 in FIG. 11). Upon receiving this command, the common interface unit 51 of the unified storage adapter unit 42 acquires registration destination information and metadata from the logic unit 32, and creates two argument data for the access process of file transmission. Then, these argument data are transferred to the storage-specific adapter 52n corresponding to the storage device 2n (n is A, B or C) specified by the registration destination information. Based on the argument data received from the common interface unit 51, the storage-specific adapter 52n communicates with the corresponding storage device 2n to register image data (No. 4-1 in FIG. 11). When the registration is completed, the storage-specific adapter 52n receives the registration result response data from the storage device 2n (FIG. 11, No. 4-2).
On the other hand, the user interface unit 31 transmits a Web screen for registration completion prepared in advance to the MFP 1 (No. 5 in FIG. 11). The subsequent procedure (FIG. 11, Nos. 6 to 8) is the same as the procedure (FIG. 8, Nos. 9 to 11) of the first embodiment.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the registration process to the storage apparatuses 2A, 2B, and 2C can be performed in the background. Therefore, it is effective without causing the user to feel a processing delay.

  In this case, it is necessary to take measures when the registration process fails. Possible countermeasures include, for example, a method of trying registration processing again at a later time, a method of notifying the user by means such as e-mail, and the like.

(Third embodiment)
Many of the MFPs 1 have a box function. This function temporarily stores not only scanned images but also FAX received images and print image data received via a LAN in a storage device inside the MFP called a box.

  In the third embodiment, the image data stored in this box is selectively registered in a plurality of storage apparatuses 2A, 2B, 2C via the relay server apparatus 3. In this case, the user selects [Box data transmission] in the procedure 10 of FIG. 5 and the item of the box to be registered from the operation panel 13 of the MFP 1 in the procedures of Nos. 2 to 4 in FIG. Then, the Web browser 12 of the MFP 1 transmits a registration instruction command to the relay server device 3 (No. 15 in FIG. 7).

  The user interface unit 31 of the relay server device 3 that has received this registration instruction command instructs the logic unit 32 to register so as to acquire and register data from the designated box. In response to this instruction, the logic unit 32 performs the processes 8 and 10 in FIG. 7 and Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8 in FIG. 8 through the data adapter unit 41 and the storage-specific adapter 52n. Run sequentially.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, the user interface unit 31 has means for acquiring data stored by the box function of the MFP 1 from the MFP 1, and each of the storage-specific adapters 52 A, 52 B, and 52 C respectively corresponds. The storage devices 2A, 2B, 2C have means for storing box data. Accordingly, even in cooperation with the box function of the MFP 1, a plurality of different storage apparatuses 2A, 2B, 2C can be used equivalently.

(Fourth embodiment)
In the fourth embodiment, the cooperation between the MFP 1 and the relay server device 3 is applied to an email instead of a browser. In this case, an SMTP service program is prepared in the middleware 22 of the relay server device 3 and a mail address is assigned. In addition, the user interface unit 31 prepares a program for processing mail.

  As a processing flow, first, the user selects the [scan-to-email] function on the MFP 1 and designates the mail address of the relay server device 3 as the mail transmission destination. Then, since the e-mail attached with the scanned image data as an attached file is transmitted to the relay server device 3, the relay server device 3 analyzes the received e-mail by the program processing of the user interface unit 31 and attaches it. Get the file. Then, the acquired attached file is registered in the storage device designated as the registration destination.

  As described above, when the MFP 1 and the relay server device 3 cooperate with each other using electronic mail, it is not necessary to develop dedicated client software.

  In addition, when applying an electronic mail, efficiency can be improved by the user interface part 31 polling a mail reception condition regularly. In this case, an event corresponding to the reception status may be issued by the SMTP service program so that the user interface unit 31 is notified of mail reception.

  It is also necessary to decide how to decide the registration destination and how to send metadata. For example, there are a method of automatically determining a registration destination according to a mail address of a transmission source, and a method of determining metadata and a registration destination based on contents described in the title and text of the mail. Alternatively, it may be possible to determine metadata and a registration destination from the contents of an attached file having a specific file name or extension.

(Fifth embodiment)
The fifth embodiment is a case of registering metadata in a storage device that is not supposed to register metadata, for example, a simple file server. In this case, metadata is registered as a set in one file. Specifically, metadata is written in a file with the same file name and different extension as the scan data file, or a folder is created each time the file is stored, and the corresponding scan data file For example, a method of registering only a file describing metadata can be considered.

(Sixth embodiment)
The sixth embodiment is another embodiment of user equipment. The user device 1 is not limited to the MFP 1. That is, in the first embodiment, the cooperation between the MFP 1 and the relay server device 3 uses a Web browser. Therefore, even an electronic device equipped with a Web browser, such as a personal computer, a mobile phone, or electronic paper, can be applied as a user device. In this case, electronic data is used instead of scan data.

  Note that these electronic devices do not necessarily have a function of transmitting the screen size of the display mounted on each of the electronic devices to the relay server device 3. Therefore, the user interface unit 31 prepares a program for calculating the screen size in the first called program or a script described in the screen information as a size checking means for checking the screen size of the user device. . Then, the user interface unit 31 sets the size of the Web screen transmitted to the user device to the size obtained by the size checking unit. By doing so, it is possible to display an appropriately sized Web screen on the display of the user device.

  In addition, in each embodiment, the description has been given in the case where the function for carrying out the invention is recorded in advance in the apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the same function may be downloaded from the network to the apparatus. May be installed in the apparatus. The recording medium may be in any form as long as it can store a program such as a CD-ROM and can be read by the apparatus. In addition, the function obtained by installing or downloading in advance may be realized in cooperation with an OS (operating system) inside the apparatus.

  Various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, the constituent elements over different embodiments may be combined.

  1 ... MFP, 2A. 2B. 2 ... Storage device, 3 ... Relay server device, 21 ... Operating system, 22 ... Middleware, 23 ... Framework, 31 ... User interface unit, 32 ... Logic unit (processing unit), 33 ... Storage unified adapter unit, 41 ... Device Adapter unit, 51... Common interface unit, 52A, 52B, 52C.

JP 2005-157815 A

Claims (10)

In a relay server device formed by connecting a user device equipped with a Web browser and a plurality of storage devices that store data generated by the user device via a network,
A user interface unit that receives a processing request from the user device, causes the processing unit to execute the processing, and transmits a processing result to the user device as a Web screen that can be browsed by the Web browser;
A device adapter unit that accesses the user equipment to request and generate data; and
A plurality of storage-specific adapters that are provided corresponding to the plurality of storage devices and perform data communication with the corresponding storage devices;
When an access process occurs in any one of the plurality of storage devices by the processing of the processing unit, a file name and a storage destination path are connected to the storage-specific adapter corresponding to the storage device in which the access process has occurred. A common interface unit that executes access processing by passing common format data including name and metadata as arguments;
A relay server device comprising:   The said common interface part has a means to make the adapter according to storage perform the process which confirms whether the said storage apparatus corresponding to each said adapter according to each storage is normal, The adapter according to Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. Relay server device.   The user interface unit transmits to the user device a Web screen that can be selected by the user device by using the storage device confirmed to be normal by the storage checking unit as a data storage destination. 2. The relay server device according to 2. The user interface unit includes a metadata setting screen transmission unit that transmits a metadata setting screen capable of inputting metadata to the user device as a Web screen;
The relay server apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the common interface unit acquires metadata from data input to the metadata setting screen by the user device.   When the screen size information is acquired from the processing request received from the user device, the user interface unit adjusts the arrangement of controls on the screen and changes the size of the Web screen so as to be suitable for the acquired screen size. The relay server device according to claim 1, wherein the relay server device is any one of claims 1 to 4. The user interface unit has a size checking means for checking a screen size of the user device,
5. The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement of the controls on the screen is adjusted so as to be suitable for the acquired screen size and set to the size obtained by the size checking means. The relay server device according to any one of the above. The user equipment is equipped with a scan function for reading an image,
The device adapter unit has means for acquiring image data read by the scan function from the user equipment,
The relay server device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each of the storage-specific adapters includes means for storing the image data in a corresponding storage device. The user equipment has a box function for storing data,
The device adapter unit has means for acquiring data stored by the box function from the user equipment,
The relay server device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each of the storage-specific adapters has means for storing the data in a corresponding storage device. The user device has a mail function for sending data attached,
The user interface unit includes means for acquiring data from the mail transmitted by the mail function;
7. The relay server device according to claim 1, wherein each of the storage-specific adapters has means for storing data acquired from the mail in a corresponding storage device. A computer in which a user device equipped with a web browser and a plurality of storage devices that store data generated by the user device are connected via a network.
A user interface function that receives a processing request from the user device, causes the processing unit to execute the processing, and transmits a processing result to the user device as a Web screen that can be browsed by the Web browser;
A device adapter function for accessing the user device and requesting and generating data; and
A plurality of storage adapter functions which are provided corresponding to the plurality of storage devices and perform data communication with the corresponding storage devices;
When an access process occurs for any one of the plurality of storage devices by the processing of the processing unit, a file name and a storage destination path name are added to the storage adapter function corresponding to the storage device in which the access process has occurred. And a common interface function for executing access processing by passing a file in a common format including metadata as an argument,
A program to realize

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