JP2011129051A - File distribution apparatus and system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress deterioration in security even if the distribution of a file in a shared folder fails, and also suppress complexity in file distribution processing. <P>SOLUTION: When the distribution of an image file 101 in a shared folder 100 fails, a distribution section 108 moves the file to a distribution failure folder 110 which is a non-shared folder, and writes distribution destination information in a DRAM 14. A redistribution section 111 redistributes the image file 101 stored in the folder 110 at predetermined timing. A redistribution assistance section 113 may return a set of the image file 101 and an information file 102 stored in the non-shared folder 110 to the shared folder 100 at predetermined timing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a file delivery apparatus and system, and more particularly to a file delivery apparatus and system using a file sharing service protocol.

  According to a file sharing service using a file sharing service protocol, for example, an SMB (Server Message Block) protocol, a file transfer system between computers can be constructed (Patent Document 1 below). For example, a predetermined folder in a personal computer is set as a shared folder, the folder can be operated by the image forming apparatus, and an image file scanned by the image forming apparatus is input to the shared folder, whereby the file is stored in the personal computer. It can be sent into the shared folder. Since the file sharing service is provided in the OS (operating system), a file transmission system can be easily constructed without adding a dedicated application.

JP 2002-297467 A

  The file distribution device and the image forming device are connected to the LAN, create a shared folder with the image forming device in the file distribution device, store the image file scanned by the image forming device in the shared folder, When this is distributed by the file distribution apparatus, the distribution may fail for some reason. In this case, if the image file is left in the shared folder in preparation for later redistribution, a security problem arises. In addition, since normal distribution processing and redistribution processing must be performed, the processing becomes complicated.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a file distribution apparatus and system that can suppress a decrease in security even if distribution of a file in a shared folder fails and that can suppress the complexity of file distribution processing. Is to provide.

In a first aspect of the present invention, in a file delivery apparatus having a network interface coupled to a network,
Storage means for creating a shared folder storing a set of a data file received via the network interface and an information file related to the data file, and a non-shared folder;
In response to storing the combination of the data file and the information file in the shared folder, the distribution destination is determined based on the combination, and the data file is transmitted to the distribution destination via the network interface. If the delivery to the delivery destination fails, the data file is moved to the non-shared folder and the delivery destination information is stored in the storage means, the delivery destination address, the delivery time, and the name of the data file Distribution means for storing in the storage means a log including

  In a second aspect of the file distribution apparatus according to the present invention, in the first aspect, the file distribution apparatus further comprises redistribution means for redistributing the data file stored in the non-shared folder to the distribution destination at a predetermined timing.

In a third aspect of the file distribution apparatus according to the present invention, in the first aspect, when the distribution means fails to distribute to the distribution destination, the information file that forms a pair with the data file is also transferred to the non-shared folder. Move
The redistribution unit returns a set of the data file and the information file stored in the non-shared folder to the shared folder at a predetermined timing.

  According to the configuration of the first aspect, when the data file distribution in the shared folder fails, the data file is moved to the non-shared folder and the distribution destination information is stored in the storage unit, so that a decrease in security can be suppressed, In addition, since the distribution target file and the redistribution target file are distinguished from each other, it is possible to suppress the processing complexity as a whole.

  According to the configuration of the second aspect, since the redistribution unit that redistributes the data file stored in the non-shared folder at a predetermined timing is provided separately from the distribution unit, the processing is complicated as a whole. There is an effect that it can be further suppressed.

  According to the configuration of the third aspect, when the distribution to the distribution destination fails, the redistribution unit sets the combination of the data file and the information file stored in the non-shared folder at a predetermined timing. It is only necessary to return to the shared folder. This prevents the processing by the distribution unit from becoming complicated, so that the processing is further simplified as a whole.

  Other objects, configurations and effects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.

It is a functional block diagram of the structure regarding the file delivery from the file delivery apparatus to a personal computer based on Example 1 of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the structure of the analysis part in FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the process by the analysis part in FIG. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of processing in which a user operates an image forming apparatus to scan a document image to generate a scanned image and automatically distribute the file to a personal computer via the file distribution apparatus. (A) And (B) is a schematic flowchart which shows the process by the re-distribution part in FIG. It is a hardware schematic block diagram of the system of the file delivery apparatus and personal computer which concern on Example 1 of this invention. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of the file delivery system which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the structure regarding the file delivery from the file delivery apparatus to a personal computer based on Example 2 of this invention. (A) And (B) is a schematic flowchart which shows the process by the redistribution assistance part in FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the file distribution system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  A file distribution apparatus 10 that mediates file transmission is coupled to a network 40 together with a transmission source image forming apparatus 20 and distribution destination PCs (personal computers) PCs 31 to 3N. File transmission from the image forming apparatus 20 to the file distribution apparatus 10 and file distribution from the file distribution apparatus 10 to one or more of the PCs 31 to 3N are performed using a file sharing service provided in these OSs. Do. That is, a shared folder is created in the auxiliary storage device for file distribution, the file can be operated at the distribution source, and the file is distributed to the shared folder by distributing the file.

  FIG. 6 is a hardware schematic block diagram relating to file distribution between the file distribution apparatus 10 and the PC 3i. The PC 3i is one of PCs 31 to 3N in FIG.

  In the file distribution apparatus 10, a CPU 11 is coupled to a PROM 13, a DRAM 14, a hard disk drive 15, a network interface 16, and an interactive input / output device 17 via an interface 12. In FIG. 7, a plurality of types of interfaces are represented by one block 12 for simplification.

  The PROM 13 is a flash memory, for example, and stores a BIOS. The DRAM 14 is used as a main storage device. The hard disk drive 15 stores data including a virtual storage system OS, various drivers, a file distribution application, and distribution condition / allocation destination correspondence information Info. Network interface 16 is coupled to network 40. The interactive input / output device 17 includes, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device, and a display device.

  The constituent elements 31 to 37 of the PC 3i correspond to the constituent elements 11 to 17 of the file delivery apparatus 10, respectively. The hard disk drive 35 stores an application for generating print data and a printer driver.

  FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram relating to file distribution between the file distribution apparatus 10 and the PC 3i.

  Each functional block operates in cooperation with computer hardware and software.

  FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of a process in which the user U operates the image forming apparatus 20 to scan a document image to generate a scanned image and automatically distribute the file to the PC 3 i via the file distribution apparatus 10. . In the following, the step identification codes in the sequence in FIG. 4 are shown in parentheses.

  (S1) The user operates the operation panel of the image forming apparatus 20 or inputs a user ID and password to the image forming apparatus 20 using an IC card, logs in, selects a scan function on the operation panel, and reads an image. Select conditions such as color / monochrome mode, resolution, and image file format, and press the scan start button.

  (S2) In response to this, the image forming apparatus 20 scans the document image under the selected condition, and generates the file scan image file G on the memory of the image forming apparatus 20 or in the auxiliary storage device.

  (S3) Next, the image forming apparatus 20 uses, as attribute information of the image, a user identifier input at the time of login and an identifier (source identifier) of the image forming apparatus 20, for example, a set of a model and a serial number. The attribute information file AT including is generated.

  (S4) Next, the image forming apparatus 20 transfers (injects) the scanned image file G and the attribute information file AT into the shared folder 100 in the file distribution apparatus 10 using the file sharing service of the OS. As a result, the scan image file 101 and the attribute information file 102 are stored in the shared folder 100.

  (S5) The in-folder monitoring unit 103 monitors whether or not a file has been input into the shared folder 100 via the event notification function included in the service software operating in the background of the OS. If it is detected, it is determined from these extensions whether or not it is a set of the scanned image file G and the attribute information file AT. If an affirmative determination is made, control is transferred to the analysis unit 104. The intra-folder monitoring unit 103 may be configured to determine whether a file has been input into the shared folder 100 in response to a time-up event of the interval timer.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the analysis unit 104 includes a scan image analysis unit 105, an information analysis unit 106, and a distribution destination analysis unit 107.

  (S6) The scanned image analysis unit 105 detects a file name and an image format (file name extension) from the scanned image file 101.

  (S7) The information analysis unit 106 detects a user identifier and a transmission source identifier from the contents of the attribute information file 102.

  (S8) The analysis unit 104 determines the distribution destination from the distribution condition including the file name, image format, user identifier, and transmission source identifier and the distribution condition / distribution destination correspondence information Info as shown in FIG. The URI is determined and control is transferred to the distribution unit 108. Since this distribution condition / distribution destination correspondence information Info has a hierarchical structure, it can be composed of, for example, an XML file.

  FIG. 3 shows that a distribution destination is determined by a combination of a user identifier (user ID), a transmission source identifier, a character string included in a file, and a file format name (file extension). Blank indicates that it is optional, and in the case of the same user identifier, the priority is higher in the upper row, the sorting conditions are checked in order from the upper row, and the first matching row is applied. The Each of the distribution destination attribute information files A to I in FIG. 3 is a URI of the folder 109A or 109B shown in FIG. 1 in the file distribution apparatus 10 or a shared folder URI outside the file distribution apparatus 10, for example, A = “SMB: //192.168.126.162/SCAN/Deliberation.jpeg/”, E = “c: / Design”.

  (S9) The distribution unit 108 moves (distributes) the scanned image file 101 into the determined distribution destination folder URI via the OS file system, or distributes it using the SMB protocol.

  (S10) When the distribution is successful, the distribution unit 108 transmits information indicating that the scanned image file 101 has been distributed into the shared folder 301 to the status monitor 303 provided in the printer driver 302 of the distribution destination PC 3i. To do. This information transmission is performed by a protocol used by the existing status monitor 303, for example, SOAP, SNMP, or a unique protocol.

  For example, when SNMP is used, the image forming apparatus 20 includes an SNMP agent that transmits the status information to a selected one of the PCs 31 to 34, and the status monitor 303 of the PCs 31 to 34 indicates the status of the image forming apparatus 20. And an SNMP manager for displaying the message on the screen of its own device. The distribution unit 108 also includes an SNMP manager that generates an InformRequest message and transmits it to the status monitor 303 using the SNMP protocol.

  (S11) In response to receiving this notification, the status monitor 303 pops up the content of the message on the screen of the PC 3i in the same manner as the status display related to the image forming apparatus on the PC 3i.

  (S12) If the distribution unit 108 fails to deliver the file to the delivery destination, for example, if the file delivery destination PC 31 is in a sleep state or a power-off state and cannot establish a connection with the PC 31, or If the communication interface 36 fails during distribution or the program of the PC 31 runs out of control and the entire contents of the file cannot be distributed, the following processing is performed.

  That is, the distribution unit 108 moves the scanned image file 101 to the distribution failure folder 110 that is a non-shared folder, and also stores the file name and distribution destination URL of the scanned image file 101 in the redistribution buffer area in the DRAM 14. The redistribution information is notified to the redistribution unit 111 by writing.

  Next, the distribution unit 108 describes a log indicating that file distribution has failed in a log file (not shown). This log includes the file name of the scanned image file 101, the distribution destination URL, the distribution time, the file size, and the number of bytes distributed halfway.

  Next, the distribution unit 108 activates the thread of the redistribution unit 111.

  5A and 5B are schematic flowcharts showing processing by the redistribution unit 111. FIG.

  (S20) An instance of the interpal timer 112 is generated and activated. This instance name is associated with the file name of the scanned image file 101. When the interval timer expires, the event occurs and the process shown in FIG. 5B is started.

  (S30) The redistribution unit 111 redistributes the scanned image file 101 corresponding to the interval timer instance that generated the event, in the same manner as the processing in step S9.

  (S31) If re-distribution fails, the process proceeds to step S32. If successful, the process proceeds to step S33.

  (S32) Similar to the log description in step S12, a log indicating that the file delivery has failed is described in the log file.

  (S33) The counter indicating the number of times of redistribution is incremented, and if the value exceeds the set value, the process proceeds to step S35, and if not, the process of this event handler is terminated.

  (S34) As in step S10, information indicating that the scanned image file 101 has been distributed into the shared folder 301 is transmitted to the status monitor 303.

  (S45) This interval timer instance is cleared (disappears from the memory), and the processing of the event handler is terminated.

  According to the first embodiment, when the distribution of the image file 101 in the shared folder 100 fails, the file is moved to the non-shared folder 110 and the distribution destination information is written in the DRAM 14, so that a reduction in security can be suppressed, and Since the distribution target file and the redistribution target file are distinguished from each other, there is an effect that the processing complexity can be suppressed as a whole.

  In addition, since the redistribution unit 111 that redistributes the image file 101 stored in the non-shared folder 110 at a predetermined timing is separated from the distribution unit 108, the overall processing complexity can be further suppressed. There is an effect that can be done.

  Further, since the fact that the file has been distributed from the file distribution apparatus 10 is displayed on the display apparatus of the distribution destination via the status monitor 303 provided in the printer driver 302 of the file distribution destination, the file distribution to the user at the file distribution destination There is an effect that this notification can be performed using an existing configuration without providing a dedicated application for the notification.

  Further, since the file distribution destination is determined by using the file distribution condition and the distribution condition / allocation destination correspondence information Info in the file distribution apparatus 10, the file distribution destination is directly transferred from the image forming apparatus 20 to the file distribution apparatus 10. There is an effect that a file can be distributed to a desired PC without giving an instruction.

  FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of a configuration related to file distribution from the file distribution apparatus to the personal computer according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In the second embodiment, a timer 112A is used in place of the interpal timer 112 in FIG. 1, and a redistribution assisting unit 113 is used in place of the redistributing unit 111 in FIG. When the file distribution fails, the distribution unit 108 moves not only the scanned image file 101 but also the attribute information file 102 paired therewith to the distribution failure folder 110.

  FIGS. 9A and 9B are schematic flowcharts showing processing by the redistribution assisting unit 113.

  (S33) The counter indicating the number of redistributions is incremented, and if the value exceeds the set value, the process proceeds to step S35A, and if not, the process proceeds to step S20A.

  (S35A) This timer instance is cleared (disappears from the memory), and the processing of the event handler ends.

  (S20A) An instance of the timer 112A is generated and activated. This instance name is associated with the file name of the scanned image file 101.

  When this timer expires, the event occurs and the processing shown in FIG. 9B is started.

  (S40) The redistribution assisting unit 113 returns the set of the scan image file 101 and the attribute information file 102 corresponding to the timer instance that generated the event to the shared folder 100, and ends the processing of this event handler.

  As a result, the same processing as when a set of the scanned image file 101 and the attribute information file 102 is stored from the image forming apparatus 20 to the shared folder 100 of the file distribution apparatus 10 is performed.

  The other points are the same as in the first embodiment.

  According to the second embodiment, when the distribution to the distribution destination fails, the redistribution auxiliary unit 113 shares the set of the image file 101 and the information file 102 stored in the non-shared folder 110 at a predetermined timing. It is only necessary to return to the folder 100, and the processing in the distribution unit 108 does not become complicated. Thus, the processing is further simplified as a whole.

  In the above, preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, the present invention includes various modifications, and other combinations of the components described in the above-described embodiments, and functions of the components. Those using other configurations for realizing the above, and other configurations that would be conceived by those skilled in the art from these configurations or functions are also included in the present invention.

  For example, the determination of the delivery destination folder URI by the file delivery apparatus 10 may be configured to use other information or use only a part of the above information.

  The present invention can also be applied to the case where the function of the file distribution apparatus 10 is provided in the image forming apparatus 20 and a file is directly distributed from the image forming apparatus 20 to the PC 3i.

  The file to be distributed is not limited to the image file read by the scanner, but may be a FAX reception file.

  Further, the file delivery destination may be determined by the user selecting or inputting from the delivery destination list via the input means without using the analysis result as described above.

10 File distribution device 11, 31 CPU
12, 32 interface 13, 33 PROM
14, 34 DRAM
15, 35 Hard disk drive 16, 36 Network interface 17 Interactive input / output device 20 Image forming device 31, 3i PC
40 Network 100, 301 Shared folder 101, G scan image file 102, A attribute information file 103 In-folder monitoring unit 104 Analysis unit 105 Scan image analysis unit 106 Information analysis unit 107 Distribution destination analysis unit 108 Distribution unit 109A, 109B Folder 110 Distribution Failure folder 111 Redistribution unit 112 Interpal timer 113 Redistribution auxiliary unit 302 Printer driver 303 Status monitor Info Distribution condition / distribution destination correspondence information U user

Claims (5)

In a file distribution device having a network interface coupled to a network,
Storage means for creating a shared folder storing a set of a data file received via the network interface and an information file related to the data file, and a non-shared folder;
In response to storing the combination of the data file and the information file in the shared folder, the distribution destination is determined based on the combination, and the data file is transmitted to the distribution destination via the network interface. If the delivery to the delivery destination fails, the data file is moved to the non-shared folder and the delivery destination information is stored in the storage means, the delivery destination address, the delivery time, and the name of the data file Distribution means for storing in the storage means a log including:
A file delivery apparatus comprising: Redistribution means for redistributing the data file stored in the non-shared folder to the distribution destination at a predetermined timing;
The file delivery apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The redistribution means performs the distribution again at a predetermined redistribution time interval when the redistribution fails.
The file delivery apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: The delivery means moves the information file paired with the data file to the unshared folder when delivery to the delivery destination fails.
The redistribution unit returns a set of the data file and the information file stored in the non-shared folder to the shared folder at a predetermined timing.
The file delivery apparatus according to claim 1. A file distribution system in which an image forming apparatus, the file distribution apparatus according to claim 1, and a plurality of information processing apparatuses are coupled to a network,
The file delivery device receives a set of the data file and the information file from the image forming device, stores the set in the shared folder,
The distribution destination is in at least one shared folder in the plurality of information processing apparatuses or in a folder in the file distribution apparatus.
A file distribution system characterized by that.

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