JP2011070421A - Data communication device and information communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data communication device and an information communication system that can provide appropriate character information. <P>SOLUTION: A composite machine 1, after completion of the process of printing a print history, creates a log file made of character codes "A", "B" and "C" and transmits the file to a personal computer 2. The transmitted log file is stored in the storage part 22 of the personal computer 2. When a user 7 uses the log file, the file name of the used log file is written in a use database as use log information. Then, the personal computer 2 transmits the use database to the composite machine 1. The use log file written in the transmitted use database is written in a management database in the storage part 12 of the composite machine 1. After that, the composite machine 1 determines the character code based on the use log information of the personal computer 2 written in the management database and creates a log file with the character code. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention is accessible to a history creation device comprising a storage area for storing a conversion file obtained by converting character information into a character code, and a use history creation means for creating a use history of the conversion file stored in the storage area. The present invention relates to a data communication device and an information communication system including the data communication device and a history creation device.

  Conventionally, when character information is transmitted / received between information processing devices, the character information is created in a language that can be used by the information processing device of the destination in order to handle the character information correctly in the information processing device of the destination of the character information. There is a technology that transmits data.

  For example, when the capability information related to the character code type and language type that can be processed by the information processing device of the e-mail destination is acquired from the information processing device of the destination in advance and the e-mail is transmitted, the acquired capability Based on the information, a technique related to an electronic mail communication device that generates transmission data by performing a conversion process in which character string data attached to an electronic mail corresponds to a character code type that can be processed by a destination information processing device has been proposed. (See Patent Document 1).

JP 2003-125001 A

  However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, it is unclear whether the character string data attached to the transmitted e-mail corresponds to the character code type desired by the user who uses the destination information processing apparatus. Met.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a data communication apparatus and an information communication system capable of providing appropriate character information.

  The invention according to claim 1, which has been made in order to solve the above-described problem, includes a storage area for storing a conversion file in which character information is converted by a character code, and a use history of the conversion file stored in the storage area. A data communication device that is accessible to a history creating device comprising the following:

  The data communication device includes a conversion file creation unit that creates the conversion file, a storage control unit that stores the conversion file created by the conversion file creation unit in a storage area of the history creation device, and the history creation History acquisition means for acquiring the usage history of the conversion file created by the apparatus from the history creation apparatus, and character code determination means for determining the character code to be converted based on the usage history acquired by the history acquisition means And.

  When the character code is determined by the character code determination unit, the conversion file generation unit generates the conversion file with the determined character code, while the character code determination unit determines the character code. If not, for each of a plurality of predetermined character codes, the conversion file converted with the character code is created.

  The data communication apparatus configured as described above first creates a plurality of conversion files having different character codes, and stores them in the storage area of the history creation apparatus when creating a conversion file in which character information is converted by a character code. Let Next, a character code to be used when creating the conversion file is determined based on the use history of the plurality of conversion files. After the character code is determined, a conversion file is created with the character code.

  Therefore, in the above data communication device, the character code is determined according to the actual usage status of the conversion file. Therefore, by storing the conversion file converted with the character code in the storage area of the history creation device, appropriate character information can be obtained. Can be provided.

  The history acquisition unit described above may be a unit that receives a use history transmitted from the history creation device, or accesses a storage device of the history creation device to obtain a use history created by the history creation device. It may be a means for obtaining.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the data communication device according to the first aspect, the history creation device is accessible to one or more information processing devices that can use the conversion file stored in the storage area. Connected, and the history acquisition means acquires a use history of the conversion file by the one or more information processing apparatuses.

  In the data communication apparatus configured as described above, the character code is determined based on the use history of the conversion file by the one or more information processing apparatuses, and thus appropriate character information is provided to the one or more information processing apparatuses. Can do.

  In addition, the structure which determines a separate character code with respect to each information processing apparatus connected to the log | history production apparatus may be sufficient, and the structure which determines a common character code in several information processing apparatus may be sufficient.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the data communication device according to the first or second aspect, the data communication device is configured integrally with the history creating device.
In the data communication device configured as described above, processing necessary for transmission / reception of a conversion file created by the data communication device and a usage history created by the history creation device is reduced, so the processing burden on each device is reduced. be able to.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the data communication device according to the first aspect, the history creation device is configured integrally with an information processing device that can use the conversion file stored in the storage area. The history acquisition unit acquires a use history of the conversion file by the information processing apparatus.

In the data communication device configured as described above, the character code can be determined based on the usage history of the conversion file used by the user of the history creation device.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the data communication device according to the fourth aspect, the data communication device is connected to one or more of the history creating devices so that the character code determining means is A character code to be converted is determined for each of the one or more history creation devices based on the use history acquired from the one or more history creation devices.

  In the data communication device configured as described above, even when there are a plurality of history creation devices connected to the data communication device, an appropriate character code is determined for each history creation device and appropriate character information is provided. can do.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the data communication device according to the fourth or fifth aspect, the data communication device is connected to one or more history creating devices so as to be accessible, and the character code determining means However, one or more character codes to be converted that are common to all the one or more history creation devices are determined based on the use history acquired from the one or more history creation devices.

  In the data communication apparatus configured as described above, a character code common to one or more history creating apparatuses is determined. That is, since the conversion file creation means does not need to create a large number of conversion files, the processing load can be reduced.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the data communication device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the usage history is the number of times the conversion file is used or the conversion file is used. The character code determining means is a character code for converting the character code of the conversion file based on the number of times the conversion file is used or the frequency at which the conversion file is used. It is determined as follows.

  In the data communication device configured as described above, the character code is determined based on the number of times the conversion file is used or the frequency with which the conversion file is used, so the conversion file is created with a highly reliable character code. Can do.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the data communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the data communication device can set a language type of character information used by the data communication device. And the file conversion means uses one or more character codes corresponding to the language type set by the setting means as the predetermined character code.

  In the data communication apparatus configured as described above, when the character code is not determined by the character code determination unit, the predetermined character code used for conversion by the conversion file creation unit is limited to a plurality of character codes corresponding to the language type. can do. In general, since a character code used in a certain region is strongly related to the language of that region, in the data communication apparatus configured in this way, character code options are limited to appropriate character codes in advance. This eliminates the need to create unnecessary conversion files.

  The invention according to claim 9 includes a storage area for storing a conversion file obtained by converting character information by a character code, and a use history creation means for creating a use history of the conversion file stored in the storage area. An information communication system comprising a history creation device provided and a data communication device accessible to the history creation device.

  In the information communication system, the data communication device includes a conversion file creation unit that creates the conversion file, and a storage control that stores the conversion file created by the conversion file creation unit in a storage area of the history creation device. Means, history acquisition means for acquiring the use history of the conversion file created by the history creation apparatus from the history creation apparatus, and character codes to be converted based on the use history acquired by the history acquisition means. Character code determining means for determining.

  When the character code is determined by the character code determination unit, the conversion file generation unit generates the conversion file with the determined character code, while the character code determination unit determines the character code. If not, for each of a plurality of predetermined character codes, the conversion file converted with the character code is created.

  With the information communication system configured as described above, appropriate character information can be provided in the same manner as the data communication apparatus according to the first aspect.

The figure which shows schematic structure of the whole information communication system The figure which shows the image of Log file creation of Example 1. 3 (a) shows a usage history database, and 3 (b) shows a management database. Flowchart illustrating the processing procedure of the log file creation processing according to the first embodiment. The flowchart which shows the process sequence of the log | history transmission process of Example 1. FIG. The figure which shows the usage history database of Example 2. Flowchart illustrating the processing procedure of log file creation processing according to the second embodiment. Flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of history transmission processing according to the second embodiment. The figure which shows the image of Log file creation of Example 3 Flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of log file creation processing according to the third embodiment. Flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of history creation processing according to the third embodiment. The flowchart which shows the process sequence of the log file creation process of a modification The figure which shows the image of Log file creation of Example 4 Flowchart showing the log file creation process according to the fourth embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited to the following Examples at all, and it cannot be overemphasized that various forms may be taken as long as it belongs to the technical scope of this invention.
[Example 1]
(1) Configuration of Information Communication System FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the entire information communication system of the present embodiment.

  This information communication system is a system including a multi-function device 1 and a plurality of PCs (Personal Computers) 2 to 4 (PC names are PC-A, PC-B, and PC-C, respectively). The MFP 1 and the PCs 2 to 4 are connected to each other via a LAN (Local Area Network) 5. In the present embodiment, a configuration in which three PCs are connected is illustrated, but any number may be used as long as the number is one or more.

The multi-function device 1 in this embodiment corresponds to the data communication device in the present invention. The PCs 2 to 4 in this embodiment correspond to the history creation device in the present invention.
The multifunction device 1 is a device having a scanner function, a printer function, a copy function, a facsimile function, a network communication function, and the like, and includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a printer unit 13, a scanner unit 14, a fax unit 15, and an operation unit. 16, a display unit 17, and a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as a communication I / F) 18 for performing communication via the LAN 5.

  The control unit 11 is configured mainly with a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The control unit 11 performs overall control of each unit configuring the multi-function device 1 based on various control programs stored in the ROM or the storage unit 12, and will be described later. A process such as a log file creation process is executed. The control unit 11 includes a known real-time clock (not shown) and can know the current time.

The storage unit 12 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive, stores various control programs and various data, and reads and writes information according to control from the control unit 11.
The printer unit 13 executes print processing in accordance with a print instruction from the control unit 11.

The printing process is started when a printing process request is received from the PCs 2 to 4 connected via the LAN 5.
The scanner unit 14 includes an image sensor capable of optically reading an image from a reading target such as a document, and the read image is appropriately processed mainly by the control unit 11.

The FAX unit 15 transmits / receives facsimile data to / from the external public line 6.
The operation unit 16 is provided with various switches and the like that allow the user to perform input operations on the multifunction device 1. The language type of the characters displayed on the display unit 17 can be set by the operation unit 16.

The display unit 17 includes, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an LED, and the like, and displays various information such as the operation state of the multifunction device 1 according to the output of the control unit 11.
The I / F 18 is a well-known interface device for allowing the multifunction device 1 to perform data communication with the PC 2 or the like via the LAN 5.

  When the printer unit 13 executes a printing process, the multifunction machine 1 according to the present embodiment stores the execution content as a printing history. In addition, the multifunction device 1 receives a print history print request from the PCs 2 to 4 and executes a print history print process in the printer unit 13, and then creates a “Log file” (conversion file in the present invention) indicating the print history. Then, the data is transmitted to the PCs 2 to 4 that are the transmission source of the print request.

  When creating a log file for the print history, the multifunction device 1 first creates character string data indicating a print log in a language unique to the multifunction device 1 that is not used for data to be transmitted to the outside. Thereafter, the character string data is converted by a character code to create a Log file. If there are a plurality of character codes to be converted, a plurality of Log files corresponding to each character code are created.

  In addition, the multifunction machine 1 according to the present embodiment has a storage area for storing a management database (hereinafter also simply referred to as a management DB) in the storage unit 12. In this management DB, “use log information”, which will be described later, regarding the use history of the log file is written for each PC.

Next, the configuration of the PCs 2 to 4 will be described. In this embodiment, since the PCs 2 to 4 have the same configuration, only the configuration of the PC 2 will be described.
The PC 2 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, an input unit 23, a display unit 24, a communication I / F 25, and the like, which are connected by a bus 26.

The storage unit 22 and the communication I / F 25 have the same configuration as the control unit 11, the storage unit 12, and the I / F 15 of the multifunction machine 1 described above.
The control unit 21 is configured mainly with a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like. The control unit 21 performs overall control of each unit constituting the PC 2 on the basis of various control programs stored in the ROM or the storage unit 22 and also transmits a history to be described later. Process such as processing is executed. The control unit 21 includes a known real-time clock (not shown), and can know the current time.

The input unit 23 includes input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse, and obtains operation information from the user via these devices and inputs the operation information to the control unit 21.
The display unit 24 is a display device having a display surface configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays information according to the output of the control unit 11.

  Application software such as document creation software and image editing software is installed in the PC 2. The user of the PC 2 can transmit an image created / edited by these application software to the multifunction device 1 and cause the multifunction device 1 as a transmission destination to print on the paper (make a print request). Separately from this, the PC 2 can make a print request for the print history stored in the multifunction device 1.

Further, the PC 2 receives the log file transmitted from the multifunction device 1 and stores it in a predetermined storage area in the storage unit 22.
Further, the PC 2 is configured to be able to create a usage history of the Log file used by the user. When the Log file is used in the PC 2, use Log information (the file name of the used Log file) is created. The PC 2 has a storage area for storing a use history database (hereinafter also simply referred to as a use DB) in the storage unit 22, and use log information created in the use DB is written therein. Details of creation of the usage log file will be described later.

Since the server 8 is not necessary in this embodiment, the server 8 will be described in another embodiment.
(2) Log File Creation by Multifunction Device An image of Log file creation by the multifunction device 1 of the information communication system will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 illustrates a process when a print history print process is executed in response to a print request from the PC 2.
(Step 1) Log file transmission 1
After the print history printing process is executed and printing is completed, the multifunction device 1 creates a Log file and sends it to the PC 2. The Log file transmitted at this time is created for each of a plurality of (three in this embodiment) character codes determined in advance according to the language setting of the multifunction device 1 set by operating the operation unit 16.

  Each log file of Log A-1, Log B-1, and Log C-1 shown in FIG. 2 has different character codes “Character Set A”, “Character Set B”, “Character Set C” (hereinafter simply referred to as character code “A”). ”,“ B ”, and“ C ”), but the same print history is described.

Regarding the Log file name “LogX-Y”, X means a character code type, and Y means a serial number of a Log file created with the character code. The same applies to the following embodiments.
(Step 2) Use of Log File by User The Log file transmitted from the multifunction device 1 is stored in the storage unit 22 of the PC 2. Those log files can be used on the PC 2, and the user 7 can use any log file.

In the example of FIG. 2, the user 7 uses a log file with the file name “LogA-1” for log confirmation and the like. The use of the Log file here means opening the Log file.
(Step 3) Writing to Usage DB and Sending to Multifunction Device When user 7 uses a Log file, PC 2 writes the file name of the used Log file to the usage DB as usage Log information. An example of the usage DB is shown in FIG. The usage DB stores a PC name (PCname) and usage Log information (file). In the example of FIG. 2, since the user 7 uses Log A-1, “Log A-1” is written as usage log information in the usage DB.

Thereafter, the usage DB is transmitted to the multifunction device 1. Specifically, data in which the PC name is associated with the usage log information is transmitted to the multifunction device 1.
The transmitted usage log information is written in the management DB in the storage unit 12 of the multifunction machine 1. An example of the management DB is shown in FIG. The usage log information for each PC is written in the management DB. “−” Is stored in the information that has not been written yet.
(Step 4) Log file transmission 2
When the printing process of the print history is executed in the multifunction device 1 after step 3, the multifunction device 1 determines the character code based on the usage log information of the PC 2 written in the management DB, and uses the character code as the log. Create a file and send it to PC2. In the example of FIG. 2, the usage log information written in the management DB is “LogA-1”. Therefore, a new Log file “LogA-2” is created with the character code “A” corresponding to the Log file. It is created and sent to PC2.

The transmitted log file is stored in the storage unit 22 of the PC 2. The PC 2 stores a new Log file in addition to the Log file transmitted in Step 1.
(3) Various control processes executed in the information communication system Various control processes executed in the information communication system of the present embodiment will be described.
(3-1) Log File Creation Processing First, the processing procedure of the log file creation processing executed by the multifunction machine 1 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. This process is repeatedly executed while the multifunction device 1 is activated.

In this log file creation process, first, it is determined whether or not the usage DB is transmitted from any of the PCs 2 to 4 (S1).
If the usage DB is not transmitted in S1 (S1: NO), the process proceeds to S3. On the other hand, if the usage DB has been transmitted (S1: YES), the usage log information written in the received usage DB is stored in the column corresponding to the transmission source PC in the management DB of the MFP 1 (S2). ).

  Next, it is determined whether or not there is a print request from the PCs 2 to 4 (S3). If there is no print request (S3: NO), this process ends. If there is a print request (S3: YES), a print history printing process corresponding to the print request is executed (S4).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the usage log information of the PC that requested the printing in S3 is written in the management DB of the multifunction device 1 (S5). If the usage log information is not written (S5: NO), that is, if the usage DB has not yet been received from the PC, a plurality of character codes determined in advance according to the language type setting of the multifunction device 1 are displayed. A selection is made (S6), and a Log file is created with the selected character code (S7). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S13.

  Further, if the usage log information of the PC that has requested printing in S3 is written in the management DB (S5: YES), whether or not the usage Log information is LogA Type (in character code “A”). Whether the file name is the created Log file is determined (S8). If the use Log information is LogA Type (S8: YES), the character code to be used is determined as the LogA Type character code (character code “A”), and the print history printed in S4 with the character code is used. Log file is created (S9). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S13.

  On the other hand, if it is not LogA Type (S8: NO), it is determined whether or not the log information used is LogB Type (whether or not it is a Log file name created with character code “B”) (S10). ). If the use Log information is LogB Type (S10: YES), the character code to be used is determined as the character code of the LogB Type (character code “B”), and a Log file is created with the character code (S11). . If it is not LogB Type (S10: NO), the character code to be used is determined as the remaining LogC Type, and a Log file is created with the LogC Type character code (character code “C”) (S12).

Subsequently, the created log file is transmitted to the PC which has requested printing in S3 (S13). Thereafter, this process is terminated.
(3-2) History Transmission Process Next, the history transmission process executed by the PC 2 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. This process is repeatedly executed while the PC 2 is activated.

  In this history transmission process, first, it is determined whether or not the Log file stored in the storage unit 22 has been used (S21). If the Log file is not used (S21: NO), this process ends.

  If the Log file is used (S21: YES), the PC using the Log file is specified (S22). In this process, only the Log file stored in the storage unit 22 of the PC 2 is monitored for use, and thus is specified as PC 2 (PC-A). That is, the PC that executes this process is specified as the PC that uses the Log file.

  Next, the type of the used Log file is specified (S23). Specifically, the file name of the used Log file is specified. The type of Log file here is the type of character code. Since the type of the character code is described in the Log file name, the type of the Log file can be specified by specifying the Log file name.

  Next, the PC name and Log file name specified in S22 and S23 are written in the use DB (S24). As a result, the PC name and the log file name (use log information) are written in the use DB as shown in FIG.

Next, the usage DB is transmitted to the multifunction machine 1 (S25). Thereafter, this process is terminated.
(4) Effects of the Invention In the information communication system configured as described above, first, three types of log files are created with three types of character codes determined according to the language type setting of the multifunction device 1, Based on the usage history (use log information) of the log file, the character code of the log file to be created thereafter is determined.

That is, since the character code is determined according to the actual usage status of the Log file, an appropriate Log file can be created and provided.
Further, in the information communication system, even when there are a plurality of PCs connected to the multifunction device 1, an appropriate log file can be determined for each PC and an appropriate log file can be provided.

In the information communication system, since the character codes are limited to three types corresponding to the language type, the character codes that are highly likely to be selected can be limited in advance, and it is necessary to create an unnecessary log file. Disappear.
[Example 2]
(1) Configuration of Information Communication System The information communication system according to the second embodiment has basically the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, and therefore only the differences will be described, and the description of the same points will be omitted.

  In the information communication system of the present embodiment, after a log file has been used a predetermined number of times (for example, 10 times), a character code is determined based on the log file usage history, and the determined character code is used to determine the character code. The subsequent log file is created.

  Also, in the usage DB stored in the storage unit 22 of the PC 2 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of usage log information is associated with a number (no.), A PC name, and a time (time). It is configured to be writable. The usage DB is transmitted to the multifunction device 1 every time a predetermined time elapses.

Further, the received usage log information is written in the management DB stored in the storage unit 12 of the multifunction device 1 separately for each PC in association with the number and time.
(2) Various control processes executed in the information communication system Various control processes executed in the information communication system of the present embodiment will be described.
(2-1) Log File Creation Processing First, the processing procedure of the log file creation processing executed by the multifunction machine 1 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. This process is repeatedly executed while the multifunction device 1 is activated.

  In this log file creation process, first, it is determined whether or not the usage DB is transmitted from any of the PCs 2 to 4 (S31). If the usage DB information is not transmitted (S31: NO), the process proceeds to S33.

  On the other hand, if the usage DB has been transmitted (S31: YES), the usage log information written in the received usage DB is written in the column corresponding to the transmission source PC in the management DB of the multifunction device 1 (S32). . A plurality of usage log information can be written in the management DB, and the newly transmitted usage log information is written in the column of the largest number.

  In S32, the received time information written in the usage DB is also written in the management DB together with the usage Log information. When a plurality of usage log information is written in the received usage DB, all the usage log information is written in the management DB.

The subsequent processes of S33 and S34 are the same as the processes of S3 and S4 in FIG.
Next, out of the usage log information written in the management DB of the multifunction device 1, there is a predetermined number of usage log information of the PC that made the print request in S33 (hereinafter also referred to as the PC in the description of this processing). It is judged whether or not (S35). If it does not exceed the predetermined number (S35: NO), the process proceeds to S36. The processes of S36 and S37 are the same as the processes of S6 and S7 in FIG.

  If the usage log information exceeds the predetermined number (S35: YES), it is determined whether or not the most frequently written log information of the PC written in the management DB is LogA Type. (S38). If the most frequently written data is LogA Type (S38: YES), the character code to be used is determined as the character code of LogA Type (character code “A”), and the character code is printed in S34. A log file of the print history is created (S39). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S43.

  On the other hand, if the most frequently written data is not the LogA Type (S38: NO), it is determined whether the most frequently written data is the LogB Type (S40).

  If the most frequently written data is LogB Type (S40: YES), the character code to be used is determined as the character code of LogB Type (character code “B”), and a Log file is created with that character code. (S41). If it is not LogB Type (S41: NO), the most written data is LogC Type. Therefore, the character code to be used is determined as the character code of LogC Type (character code “C”), and the character code is used. A Log file is created (S42). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S43.

Subsequently, the created log file is transmitted to the PC that has requested printing in S33 (S43). Thereafter, this process is terminated.
(2-2) History Transmission Processing Next, the history transmission processing procedure executed by the PC 2 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. This process is repeatedly executed while the PC 2 is activated.

  Since S51 to S53 of this process are the same as S21 to S23 of FIG. 5, detailed description is omitted. If NO is determined in S51, that is, if the Log file is not used, the process proceeds to S55.

  After S53, the PC name and Log file name specified in S52 and S53 are written in the usage DB together with the time (S54). As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the number, PC name, time, and log file name (use log information) are written in the use DB in association with each other.

  Next, it is determined whether or not it is time to transmit the usage DB (S55). Here, it is determined whether or not a predetermined period (for example, one day) has elapsed since it was finally determined that the use DB is transmitted in the process of S55. When the process of S55 is performed for the first time, it is determined that it is a transmission timing.

  If it is not time to transmit the usage DB in S55 (S55: NO), this process ends. On the other hand, if it is the timing to transmit the usage DB (S55: YES), it is determined whether usage Log information is written in the usage DB (S56).

If the usage log information is not written (S56: NO), this process is terminated. On the other hand, if the usage log information is written (S56: YES), the usage DB is transmitted to the multi function device 1 (S57). After the transmission, the transmitted usage log information is deleted from the usage DB.
(3) Effects of the Invention With the information communication system configured as described above, the same effects as those of the information communication system of the first embodiment can be obtained.

Furthermore, the character code to be converted is not determined until the Log file is used a predetermined number of times, and the character code is determined based on the number of times it is used when the Log file is used more than a predetermined number of times. A Log file can be created with a high character code.
(4) Modification In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the character code is determined based on the usage count of the Log file (the number of usage Log information written in the management DB) is exemplified. However, the Log file is used. The structure which determines a character code based on frequency may be sufficient. For example, a configuration is conceivable in which the character code having the largest number of times the Log file is used during a predetermined period (for example, one month) from the current time is determined as the character code to be converted.
[Example 3]
(1) Configuration of Information Communication System Since the information communication system of the third embodiment is basically the same as the configuration of the first embodiment, only the differences will be described, and the description of the same points will be omitted. In the present embodiment, the multifunction device 1 corresponds to the data communication device and the history creation device in the present invention.

  In the MFP 1 of this embodiment, the log file created after the print request is received from the PCs 2 to 4 and the printer unit 13 executes the print history printing process is not transmitted to the PCs 2 to 4 but stored in the storage unit 12. To do. The Log file stored in the storage unit 12 can be used using the PCs 2 to 4.

The multi-function device 1 is configured to be able to create a log of log files used in the PCs 2 to 4. Specifically, when a Log file is used, usage Log information and the like are written in the management DB. Then, a log file is created with the character code determined based on the written usage log information.
(2) Log File Creation by Multifunction Device An image of creating a Log file by the multifunction device 1 of the information communication system will be described with reference to FIG.
(Step 1) Log file storage 1
The multifunction device 1 creates a log file and stores it in the storage unit 12 after print history printing processing is executed and printing is completed. The Log file created at this time is created for each of a plurality (three in this embodiment) of character codes that are determined in advance according to the language setting of the multifunction device 1.
(Step 2) Use of Log File by User The Log file stored in the storage unit 12 can be used using the PCs 2 to 4, and the user 7 can use any Log file. The use of the Log file here means opening the Log file or downloading the Log file to the PC.
(Step 3) Write to Management DB When the user 7 uses a Log file, the multi-function device 1 writes the file name of the used Log file as use Log information in the management DB. The management DB of this embodiment is the same as that shown in the second embodiment.
(Step 4) Log file storage 2
When printing processing of a print history is executed in the multifunction device 1, the multifunction device 1 determines a character code based on the usage log information written in the management DB, creates a log file with the character code, and stores it. Store in unit 12. Specifically, based on the usage log information, the most frequently used character code is selected for each PC, and a log file is created with the character code.
(3) Various control processes executed in the information communication system Various control processes executed in the information communication system of the present embodiment will be described.
(3-1) Log File Creation Processing First, the processing procedure of the log file creation processing executed by the multifunction machine 1 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. This process is repeatedly executed while the multifunction device 1 is activated.

  In this log file creation process, it is first determined whether or not there is a print request from any of the PCs 2 to 4 (S61). If there is no print request (S61: NO), this process ends. If there is a print request (S61: YES), a print history printing process corresponding to the print request is executed (S62).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the usage log information of PCs 2 to 4 (PC-A, PC-B, PC-C) is written in the management DB of the multifunction machine 1 (S63). Here, if the usage log information of any PC is written in the management DB, it is determined that the usage log information is written.

  If the usage log information has not been written (S63: NO), a plurality of character codes determined in advance according to the language type setting of the multifunction device 1 are selected (S64), and a log file is selected with the selected character codes. Is created (S65). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S69. On the other hand, if the usage log information is written in the management DB (S63: YES), the process proceeds to S66.

  Next, the PC-A determines that the character code that is used most frequently is the character code to be used, and creates a Log file with the character code (S66). For example, when the log information used in LogA Type is the most, the character code to be used is determined as the character code “A”, and the log file of the print history printed in S62 is created with the character code.

If there is no use log information corresponding to PC-A, a log file is created with the character code selected in S64. The same applies to S67 and S68 described later.
Next, the PC-B determines that the most frequently used character code is the character code to be used, and creates a Log file with the character code (S67). For example, when the log information used in LogB Type is the largest, the character code to be used is determined as the character code “B”, and a Log file is created with the character code.

Note that a log file having the same character code as the log file already created in S66 is not created. The same applies to S68 described later.
Next, the PC-C determines that the most frequently used character code is to be used, and creates a Log file with the character code (S68). For example, when the log information used in LogA Type is the most, the character code to be used is determined as the character code “A”, and a Log file is created with the character code. However, the LogA Type has already been created in S66. Since a log file with the character code of is created, a new log file is not created.

Subsequently, the created log file is stored in a predetermined storage area in the storage unit 12 of the multifunction machine 1 (S69). Thereafter, this process is terminated.
(3-2) History Creation Processing Next, the history creation processing procedure executed by the multifunction machine 1 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. This process is repeatedly executed while the multifunction device 1 is activated.

  In this history transmission process, first, it is determined whether or not the Log file stored in the storage unit 12 has been used (S71). If the Log file is not used (S71: NO), this process ends. If the Log file is used (S71: YES), the PC using the Log file is specified (S72).

Next, the type of the used Log file is specified (S73). Here, the file name of the used Log file is specified as in S23 of FIG.
Next, the PC name and Log file name specified in S72 and S73 are written in the management DB together with the current time (S74). Thereafter, this process is terminated.
(4) Effects of the Invention With the information communication system configured as described above, an appropriate log file can be created and provided in the same manner as the information communication system of the first embodiment.

  Further, in the information communication system described above, it is not necessary to perform processing for transmitting and storing the log file created by the multifunction device 1 to an external device such as a PC, and processing for acquiring the log file history from the external device. The processing burden on the entire system can be reduced.

Further, the PCs 2 to 4 do not need to perform special processing when using the Log file. Accordingly, it is possible to eliminate the need to install a special program for creating the usage log information for the PCs 2 to 4, and to reduce the processing load on the PCs 2 to 4.
(5) Modification In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the character code is determined based on the number of times of use of the Log file (the number of used log information written in the management DB) in the processes of S66 to S68 is illustrated. The character code may be determined based on the frequency with which the Log file is used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the character code having the highest number of uses is determined for each of the PCs 2 to 4, and the log file is created with the character code. The code may be determined. For this purpose, the processing procedure of the log file creation processing described in FIG. 10 may be changed as shown in FIG.

In the log file creation processing shown in FIG. 12, the processing of S61, S62, S64, S65, and S69 is the same as the processing of FIG.
In this process, after S62, it is determined whether or not the number of used log information (total number of used log information of each PC) written in the management DB of the multifunction machine 1 exceeds a predetermined number (for example, 20). (S81). If the predetermined number is not exceeded (S81: NO), the process proceeds to S64.

  On the other hand, if the number of used log information exceeds the predetermined number (S81: YES), whether or not the most frequently used log information among the used log information written in the management DB is LogA Type. Is determined (S82).

  If the most frequently used log information is LogA Type (S82: YES), the character code to be used is determined as the character code “A”, and a Log file is created with the character code (S83). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S69. On the other hand, if it is not LogA Type (S82: NO), it is determined whether or not the most frequently written Log information stored in the management DB is LogB Type (S84).

  If the most frequently used log information is LogB Type (S84: YES), the character code to be used is determined as the character code “B”, and a Log file is created with the character code (S85). On the other hand, if it is not LogB Type (S84: NO), a Log file is created with the character code “C” (S86). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S69.

With an information communication system that performs such a log file creation process, a log file is created with a single character code for a plurality of PCs, so the process of creating a log file for the multifunction device 1 is reduced. be able to.
[Example 4]
(1) Configuration of Information Communication System A schematic configuration of the entire information communication system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

This information communication system is a system including a multifunction machine 1, a plurality of PCs 2 to 4, and a server 8. These are connected via a LAN 5 so as to be accessible to each other.
In this information communication system, the hardware configuration of the multifunction machine 1 and the PC is the same as that of the first embodiment.

The multifunction device 1 according to the present embodiment receives a print request from the PCs 2 to 4 and executes a print history print process in the printer unit 13, then creates a Log file and transmits it to the server 8.
The server 8 is a general server computer system that includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, a communication I / F 33, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like (not shown).

  The control unit 31 is configured mainly with a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The control unit 31 performs overall control of each unit configuring the server 8 based on various control programs stored in the ROM or the storage unit 32, and a history to be described later. Perform processing such as transmission processing. The control unit 31 includes a known real-time clock (not shown) and can know the current time.

The configurations of the storage unit 32 and the communication I / F 33 are the same as those of the storage unit 12 and the communication I / F 18.
The server 8 receives the log file transmitted from the multifunction device 1 and stores it in a predetermined storage area in the storage unit 32. The stored Log file can be used by PCs 2-4.

  The server 8 is configured to be able to create a usage history of the Log file used by the user. When the Log file is used on the PCs 2 to 4, usage Log information is created. Further, the server 8 has a storage area for storing the usage DB in the storage unit 32, and the created usage log information is written in the usage DB.

Note that the multifunction machine 1 in this embodiment corresponds to the data communication apparatus in the present invention. The server 8 in this embodiment corresponds to the history creation device in the present invention.
(2) Log File Creation by Multifunction Device An image of creating a Log file by the multifunction device 1 of the information communication system will be described with reference to FIG.
(Step 1) Log file transmission 1
After the print history printing process is executed and printing is completed, the multifunction device 1 creates a Log file and transmits it to the server 8. The Log file transmitted at this time is created for each of a plurality of (three in the present embodiment) character codes determined in advance according to the language setting of the multifunction device 1.
(Step 2) Use of Log File by User The log file received by the server 8 is stored in the storage unit 32. The stored Log file can be used using the PCs 2 to 4, and the user 7 can use any Log file. The use of the Log file here means opening the Log file or downloading the Log file to the PC.
(Step 3) Writing to Usage DB and Sending to Multifunction Device When user 7 uses a log file, server 8 writes the file name of the used log file to usage DB as usage log information. The usage DB of this embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG.

Thereafter, the server 8 transmits the usage DB to the multifunction device 1. The usage log information and the like written in the transmitted usage DB are written in the management DB in the storage unit 12 of the multifunction machine 1. The management DB of this embodiment is the same as that shown in the second embodiment.
(Step 4) Log file transmission 2
When printing processing of a print history is executed in the multifunction device 1, the multifunction device 1 determines a character code based on the usage log information written in the management DB, creates a log file with the character code, and stores it. Store in unit 12. Specifically, based on the usage log information, the most frequently used character code is selected for each PC, and a log file is created with the character code.
(3-1) Log File Creation Processing First, the processing procedure of the log file creation processing executed by the multifunction machine 1 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. This process is repeatedly executed while the multifunction device 1 is activated.

  In this log file creation process, first, it is determined whether or not the usage DB is transmitted from the server 8 (S91). If the usage DB has not been transmitted (S91: NO), the process proceeds to S93.

  On the other hand, if the usage DB has been transmitted (S91: YES), the usage log information written in the received usage DB is written in the column corresponding to the transmission source PC in the management DB of the multifunction device 1 (S92). . This S92 is the same processing as S32 in FIG.

  Next, it is determined whether or not there is a print request from any of the PCs 2 to 4 (S93). If there is no print request (S93: NO), this process ends. If there is a print request (S93: YES), a print history printing process corresponding to the print request is executed (S94).

The subsequent processes of S95 to S100 are the same as the processes of S63 to S68 in FIG.
Subsequently, the created log file is transmitted to the server 8 (S101). Thereafter, this process is terminated.
(3-2) History Transmission Process Next, the history transmission process executed by the server 8 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. This process is repeatedly executed while the server 8 is activated.

  In this history transmission process, the following processes of S111 to 114 are executed instead of S51 to 54 of FIG. First, it is determined whether or not the Log file stored in the storage unit 32 has been used (S111). If the Log file is not used (S111: NO), the process proceeds to S55. If the Log file is used (S111: YES), the PC using the Log file is specified (S112).

Next, the type of the used Log file is specified (S113). Here, the file name of the used Log file is specified as in S23 of FIG.
Next, the PC name and Log file name specified in S112 and S113 are written in the management DB together with the current time (S114). As a result, the use DB stores the PC name and the Log file name as shown in FIG.

The subsequent processing after S114 is the same as the processing of S55 to S57 in FIG.
(4) Effects of the Invention With the information communication system configured as described above, an appropriate log file can be created and provided in the same manner as the information communication system of the first embodiment.

Further, in the information communication system, since the server 8 creates the usage log information, it is not necessary to create the usage log information (execute the above-described history transmission process) in the multi-function device 1 or the PCs 2 to 4. Therefore, it is not necessary to install a program for causing the multifunction device 1 or the PCs 2 to 4 to execute the history transmission process, and the processing load on the multifunction device 1 or the PCs 2 to 4 can be reduced.
(5) Modified Example In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the character code is determined based on the number of times of use of the Log file (the number of used log information written in the management DB) in the processing of S98 to S100 is illustrated. The character code may be determined based on the frequency with which the Log file is used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the character code having the highest number of uses is determined for each of the PCs 2 to 4, and the log file is created with the character code. The code may be determined. For this purpose, a part of the processing procedure of the log file creation processing described in FIG. 14 may be changed as shown in FIG.

That is, in the Log file creation process shown in FIG. 14, the processes of S91, S92, S93, S94, S96, S97, and S101 are the same.
Further, in FIG. 14, processing similar to S81 to S86 in FIG. 12 is executed instead of the processing of S95 and S98 to 100 following S94. Specifically, after S94 (FIG. 14), the same processing as S81 (FIG. 12) is performed. If NO in S81, S96 and S97 (FIG. 14) are executed. On the other hand, if YES in S81, the process proceeds to S82 (FIG. 12). And after performing the process of S82-S86 (FIG. 12), the process of S101 (FIG. 14) is performed and it complete | finishes.

With an information communication system that performs such a log file creation process, a log file is created with a single character code for a plurality of PCs, so the process of creating a log file for the multifunction device 1 is reduced. be able to.
[Other Embodiments]
As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was described, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention can take a various form, as long as it belongs to the technical scope of this invention, without being limited to the said Example at all.

  For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, when a log file indicating the print history of the multifunction device 1 is output to an external device, a configuration in which an appropriate character code is selected and the log file is created is illustrated. However, the present invention may be configured to be used when character information other than the print history is output to an external device.

  For example, it is conceivable to use for transmission / reception of electronic mail instead of the Log file. In this case, the multifunction device 1 in the above embodiment is the information processing device that is the source of the e-mail, and the devices that perform the history transmission process (PCs 2 to 4 and the server 8) are the information processing devices that are the transmission destinations. Specifically, the usage history that indicates which character string data was used in the information processing device of the transmission destination by sending the character string data created with a plurality of character codes to the e-mail at the time of mail transmission Is transmitted to the source information processing apparatus, and the source information processing apparatus determines the character code for generating the character string data based on the usage history.

  In the first and second embodiments, the PC 2 exemplifies a configuration in which the history transmission process is executed based on a program stored in the ROM included in the control unit 21 or the storage unit 22. The program data may also be transmitted when transmitting the message, and the history transmission process may be activated in accordance with an instruction from the user of the PC 2.

  In each of the first, second, and fourth embodiments described above, in the log file creation process, the multifunction device 1 exemplifies a configuration that waits for the use DB to be transmitted from the PCs 2 to 4 or the server 8. The configuration may be such that the usage DB is acquired by accessing the PCs 2 to 4 or the server 8.

  In each of the above embodiments, in the log file creation process, a configuration in which the management DB is checked every time a log file is created is exemplified (S5, S35, S63, S81, S95, S121). In such a case, the Log file may be created with the determined character code without checking the management DB.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... MFP, 2-4 ... PC, 5 ... LAN, 6 ... Public line, 7 ... User, 8 ... Server, 11 ... Control part, 12 ... Storage part, 13 ... Printer part, 14 ... Scanner part, 15 ... FAX unit, 16 ... operation unit, 17 ... display unit, 18 ... communication I / F 19 ... bus, 21 ... control unit, 22 ... storage unit, 23 ... input unit, 24 ... display unit, 25 ... communication I / F 26 ... bus , 31 ... control unit, 32 ... storage unit, 33 ... communication I / F

Claims (9)

Data accessible to a history creation device comprising: a storage area for storing a conversion file obtained by converting character information into a character code; and a use history creation means for creating a use history of the conversion file stored in the storage area A communication device,
Conversion file creation means for creating the conversion file;
Storage control means for storing the conversion file created by the conversion file creation means in a storage area of the history creation device;
History acquisition means for acquiring the use history of the conversion file created by the history creation device from the history creation device;
Character code determination means for determining a character code to be converted based on the use history acquired by the history acquisition means,
When the character code is determined by the character code determination unit, the conversion file generation unit generates the conversion file with the determined character code, while the character code is determined by the character code determination unit. If not, the data communication device is characterized in that for each of a plurality of predetermined character codes, the conversion file converted with the character code is created. The history creation device is connected to be accessible to one or more information processing devices that can use the conversion file stored in the storage area,
The data communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the history acquisition unit acquires a use history of the conversion file by the one or more information processing apparatuses. The data communication device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the data communication device is configured integrally with the history creation device. The history creation device is configured integrally with an information processing device that can use the conversion file stored in the storage area,
The data communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the history acquisition unit acquires a use history of the conversion file by the information processing apparatus. The data communication device is connected to one or more of the history creation devices in an accessible manner;
The character code determination means determines a character code to be converted for each of the one or more history creation devices based on the usage history acquired from the one or more history creation devices. The data communication device described. The data communication device is connected to one or more of the history creation devices in an accessible manner;
The character code determining means determines one or more character codes to be converted that are common to all the one or more history creation devices, based on the usage history acquired from the one or more history creation devices. The data communication device according to claim 4 or 5. The usage history is information indicating the number of times the conversion file has been used or the frequency with which the conversion file is used,
The character code determination means determines the character code of the conversion file as a character code to be converted based on the number of times the conversion file is used or the frequency of use of the conversion file. The data communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The data communication device includes setting means capable of setting a language type of character information used by the data communication device,
8. The file conversion unit according to claim 1, wherein the file conversion unit sets one or more character codes corresponding to the language type set by the setting unit as the predetermined character code. 9. The data communication device described. A history creation device comprising: a storage area for storing a conversion file obtained by converting character information into a character code; and a use history creation means for creating a use history of the conversion file stored in the storage area;
A data communication device accessible to the history creating device;
An information communication system comprising:
The data communication device includes:
Conversion file creation means for creating the conversion file;
Storage control means for storing the conversion file created by the conversion file creation means in a storage area of the history creation device;
A history acquisition means for acquiring a use history of the conversion file created by the history creation device from the history creation device;
Character code determination means for determining a character code to be converted based on the use history acquired by the history acquisition means,
When the character code is determined by the character code determination unit, the conversion file generation unit generates the conversion file with the determined character code, while the character code is determined by the character code determination unit. If not, the information communication system is characterized in that for each of a plurality of predetermined character codes, the conversion file converted with the character code is created.