JP2014179118A - Information processing device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing device for storing processing to be executed, the processing which is included in a transmission processing rule, and processing to be executed corresponding to the processing which is included in a reply processing rule in association with each other, and a program for the device.SOLUTION: An information processing device comprises: rule storage means for storing a first rule in which a plurality of series of processing are defined; associated processing storage means for storing processing defined in the first rule in such a way that at least one piece of the processing is stored in association with processing corresponding thereto; and rule generation means for generating a second rule in which a plurality of series of processing for data is defined according to the first rule stored in the rule storing means and the processing corresponding to the processing defined in the first rule which is stored in the associated processing storage means.

Description

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

  There is an information processing apparatus that accepts data input from a sender, performs predetermined data processing on the input data, and outputs the obtained data. Patent Document 1 discloses a processing procedure information providing system that receives input of order data related to an ordered printed matter and outputs processing procedure information corresponding to the ordered printed matter. Patent Document 2 discloses a control device that creates a new processing procedure program based on acquired processing condition information, attribute information, and a processing procedure program.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-63720 JP 2008-257335 A

  When data processing to be performed on input data is determined, a rule defining a combination of a plurality of processes selected from a plurality of processes stored in advance is created. Here, when creating a rule relating to a process in which the receiver returns data to the sender, the process for returning the transmitted data is the data process executed when transmitting data from the sender to the receiver. Corresponding processing may be included.

  When creating a rule that defines a series of processes for returning this data, it has been complicated to create a rule that does not consider the correspondence between the processes as described above and to manage both rules after the rule is created.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides a rule storage unit that stores a first rule that defines a series of processes for data, and at least one of the processes defined in the first rule. Are defined in a related process storage unit that stores a process having a corresponding relationship in association with each other, a first rule stored in the rule storage unit, and the first rule stored in the related process storage unit. And a rule generation means for generating a second rule that defines a plurality of series of processes for the data based on the processes corresponding to the processes.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that in the above information processing apparatus, the first rule and the second rule generated from the first rule are stored in the rule storage means in association with each other. To do.

  Further, in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, when a process included in one of the first rule and the second rule is changed, the first rule and the second rule The related processing storage means included in the other further includes a changing means for changing a process stored in association with the process.

  Further, according to the present invention, in the information processing apparatus, when a process included in one of the first rule and the second rule is deleted, the first rule and the second rule The information processing apparatus further includes deletion means for deleting a process indicated by information stored in association with information indicating the process in the storage means included in the other.

  According to the present invention, the computer corresponds to at least one process among the processes defined in the first rule, rule storage means for storing a first rule that defines a plurality of series of processes for data. Related process storage means for storing related processes in association with each other, a first rule stored in the rule storage means, and a process defined in the first rule stored in the related process storage means This is a program for functioning as rule generation means for generating a second rule that defines a plurality of series of processes for data based on processes having a corresponding relationship.

  According to the present invention, a second rule can be generated based on a first rule that defines a series of processes for data and information on a process corresponding to a certain process.

  According to the present invention, the first rule and the generated second rule can be stored and managed in association with each other.

  According to the present invention, when a process included in one of the first rule and the second rule is changed, the process indicated by the information stored in association with the information indicating the process is changed.

  According to the present invention, when a process included in one of the first rule and the second rule is deleted, the process indicated by the information stored in association with the information indicating the process is deleted.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the communication system containing the information processing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a series of processes of a data transmission, and a series of processes of a reply of data. It is a flowchart which shows the production | generation process of the rule for transmission processes performed in the communication system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the correspondence of the instruction | indication of the process specified. It is a flowchart which shows the production | generation process of the rule for reply processing performed in the communication system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the execution process of the rule for transmission processes performed in the communication system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the execution process of the rule for reply processes performed in the communication system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the change process of the rule for transmission processes performed in the communication system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the change process of the rule for transmission processes and the rule for reply processes performed in the communication system which concerns on this embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) for carrying out the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system 600 including the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. The information processing apparatus 100 is an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer, and communicates with the first terminal apparatus 200 and the second terminal apparatus 300 connected via the network 500. In addition, the information processing apparatus 100 is connected to the data storage unit 400 and writes data to and reads data from the data storage unit 400. The data storage unit 400 includes an information storage device such as a hard disk. The first terminal device 200 and the second terminal device 300 are information processing devices such as a personal computer including an operation unit and a display unit (not shown). Hereinafter, the user of the first terminal device 200 is referred to as a data sender (sender), and the user of the second terminal device 300 is referred to as a data responder (receiver).

  The information processing apparatus 100 includes a network I / F unit 101, a rule editing unit 102, an instruction storage unit 103, a rule generation unit 104, a rule storage unit 105, a rule execution unit 106, a data management unit 107, and a memory I / F unit 108. Have The network I / F unit 101 is configured by a network interface card or the like. The rule editing unit 102, the instruction storage unit 103, the rule generation unit 104, the rule storage unit 105, the rule execution unit 106, the data management unit 107, and the memory I / F unit 108 are realized as functions of the CPU.

  The network I / F unit 101 performs processing for performing communication with the first terminal device 200 and the second terminal device 300 via the network 500, specifically, the first terminal device 200 and the second terminal device 200. The information transmitted from the terminal device 300 and received via the network 500 is analyzed, and the information is output to each unit in the information processing device 100 based on the analysis result. Also, the network I / F unit 101 converts information input from each unit in the information processing apparatus 100 into a format transmitted via the network 500 and outputs the converted information to the network 500.

  The rule editing unit 102 includes a user interface that performs input / output instructions such as a display, a keyboard, and a mouse (not shown) included in the information processing apparatus 100, and the first terminal device 200 and the second terminal device that are connected via the network 500. Based on the rule editing instruction from 300, a signal for selecting one of the instructions stored in the instruction storage unit 103 and a signal indicating the editing content of the information related to the selected instruction are output to the instruction storage unit 103.

  The instruction storage unit 103 stores instructions constituting the rules and information related to these instructions. Here, the rule refers to information defining a series of processes for data composed of a plurality of instructions, and is executed in the information processing apparatus 100. The instruction storage unit 103 stores these instructions in association with the instruction IDs. Such information may be stored when the information processing apparatus 100 is manufactured, or may be stored by downloading via the network 500 or the like. These commands include, for example, “input folder monitoring processing” and “FAX reception processing” as data input processing, “auto erecting processing” and “data format conversion processing” “OCR (Optical Character Reader) as data processing processing. ) Processing ”,“ data transfer processing ”,“ mail transmission ”,“ FAX transmission processing ”,“ print output processing ”, and the like as data output processing. Further, the instruction storage unit 103 also stores information related to these instructions input from the rule editing unit 102.

  The rule generation unit 104 generates and changes a rule that defines a series of processes executed on data stored in the data storage unit 400. Information indicating the rules generated and changed in the rule generation unit 104 is stored in the rule storage unit 105. Details of processing executed by the rule generation unit 104 will be described later.

  The rule storage unit 105 stores information indicating rules generated and changed by the rule generation unit 104.

  The rule execution unit 106 reads information indicating the rule stored in the rule storage unit 105 and data stored in the data storage unit 400, and sequentially executes a series of processes defined in the rule for the data, The obtained data is written into the data storage unit 400. Reading data from and writing data to the data storage unit 400 is performed via the data management unit 107 and the memory I / F unit 108 described later.

  The data management unit 107 manages data stored in the data storage unit 400. The data stored in the data storage unit 400 may be conceptually stored in one of one or a plurality of folders. The data management unit 107 allocates a part of the storage area of the data storage unit 400 to one folder, and when writing data in which a folder is specified, the data is written to the area allocated to the folder. The control signal and data are output to the memory I / F unit 108. In addition, these folders include folders that can be read and written from the first terminal device 200 or the second terminal device 300, and such folders by the first terminal device 200 or the second terminal device 300 are included. Regarding the reading of the designated data, a control signal is output to the memory I / F unit 108 so that the data in the area allocated to the folder is read, and the data input from the memory I / F unit 108 is used as the rule execution unit. 106, or the first terminal apparatus 200 or the second terminal apparatus 300 via the network I / F unit 101. When data mail transmission or transfer processing is instructed, the data management unit 107 performs mail transmission processing or data transmission processing.

  The memory I / F unit 108 writes and reads data to and from the data storage unit 400 based on control signals and data input from the data management unit 107.

  The data storage unit 400 stores data input via the memory I / F unit 108 and the like, and when a read request is made for the data stored via the memory I / F unit 108 or the like, the data storage unit 400 stores the corresponding data. The data is output via the memory I / F unit 108 or the like.

  Processing executed in the communication system 600 including the information processing apparatus 100 will be described in detail below. Here, the form data input from the first terminal device 200 is transmitted to a predetermined folder in the data storage unit 400, and the information processing device 100 uses the folder as one of the rules stored in the rule storage unit 105. The rule corresponding to the input to is selected, the process defined in the selected rule is performed on the data input to the folder, and the form data is secondly processed by the distribution process defined in the rule. An example in which a series of processing of data transmission to be output to the terminal device 300 is executed, and after the work related to the form such as data input of the transmitted form data is performed in the second terminal apparatus 300, the second Terminal device 300 returns the form data to a predetermined folder in the data storage unit 400, and the information processing device 100 stores the route data stored in the rule storage unit 105. The rule corresponding to the input to the folder, which is one of the above, is selected, and the processing defined in the selected rule is performed on the processed data related to the form input to the folder, and the rule An example is shown in which a series of data return processing is executed in which data is output to the first terminal device 200 by a defined distribution process.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a series of processes for transmitting data and a series of processes for returning the transmitted data. Here, an example is shown in which form data is exchanged as data. A series of processing of data transmission triggers that image data in TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) format is transmitted from the first terminal apparatus 200 to the folder A of the information processing apparatus 100 via the network 500 by the sender. Started as. When the rule execution unit 106 detects that the sender (first terminal device 200) has input the folder A, the rule execution unit 106 selects “folder A” as “input” from the rules stored in the rule storage unit 105. A defined rule is selected, and a series of processes defined in the selected rule is executed on the data input to the folder A. First, as the processing of the input data, automatic erecting processing that adjusts the orientation (up and down, left and right) of the image data is performed, and the data format obtained is converted from TIFF format to PDF (Portable Document Format) format Format conversion processing is performed. The obtained data is output to the folder B defined as output processing. The second terminal apparatus 300 periodically monitors the folder B of the information processing apparatus 100. When data is written to the folder B, the second terminal apparatus 300 reads the written data. In the second terminal device 300, the returner refers to the PDF format form data transmitted from the sender, registers the content data described in the form in the returner's processing system, and performs an approval stamp or process. Edit processing such as adding data indicating completion is performed, and the completed form data is returned to the sender. The responder transfers the data from the second terminal device 300 to the folder C of the information processing device 100 via the network 500. In the information processing apparatus 100, the rule execution unit 106 selects a rule in which “folder C” is defined as “input”, which is one of the rules stored in the rule storage unit 105, and stores the data in the folder C A series of processes defined in the rule selected for the data is started with the writing as a trigger. The data input to the folder C by the responder (second terminal device 300) is in the PDF format, and the data format conversion is performed to convert the file format defined as the data processing process in the selected rule from the PDF format to the TIFF format. Processing is performed. In the selected rule, output to the folder D and mail transmission to the sender are defined as output processing. The processed data is output to the folder D, and then the data is stored in the folder D. Mail transmission for notifying the sender (first terminal apparatus 200) of the output is performed. After the reply data processing is completed, the sender (first terminal device 200) reads the data written in the folder D. Here, as the output process, the processed data may be attached to a mail and sent to the sender, or may be faxed to the sender.

  The series of processes executed here is the process in which the sender sends data to the person in charge of work on the data, and after the person in charge of work performs the work on the data, Is returned to the sender. As an example of such processing, the sender sends the contract data to the worker, and the worker sends the contract after replying to the sender as a reply. Sends the purchase order data, the worker sets the delivery date for this order, and sends the delivery date report to the sender as the responder, the sender sends the invoice data, For example, there is a process of performing a billing operation on the bill and transmitting a transfer confirmation document as a replyer. As described above, with respect to predetermined data, a process in which a sender transmits data to a worker in charge and makes a work request, and a person in charge of work returns a data related to this data to the sender. In the flow of working on data, the rules for both processes are often related. In this embodiment, the rule that defines the transmission process and the rule that defines the corresponding reply process are defined. , Create and store in association. Hereinafter, generation and association of a rule that defines a data transmission process and a rule that defines a reply process will be described.

  First, generation and execution of rules defining a series of data transmission processes (hereinafter referred to as transmission processing rules) will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a generation process of a transmission process rule executed in the communication system 600 according to the present embodiment. First, a data transmission processing rule is generated (S301). Here, first, the sender operates the first terminal device 200 to specify the ID of an instruction to be executed in the data transmission process among the instructions stored in the instruction storage unit 103. The rule generation unit 104 generates a data transmission processing rule by combining the IDs of instructions specified by the first terminal device 200. Next, the sender operates the rule storage unit 105 to store data transmission processing rules (information describing a series of processes) of the data generated by the rule generation unit 104 in the rule storage unit 105. The rule defining the transmission process is saved (S302). This completes the generation of the rule defining the data transmission process.

  Here, when generating a rule that defines a process for returning data, corresponding to the rule that defines the process for transmitting data, the sender operates the first terminal device 200 to perform transmission data processing. For each of the instructions included in the command, a corresponding instruction (an instruction to be executed corresponding to each process in the process of returning data corresponding to the process of transmitting data) is designated.

  Here, the corresponding instruction is, for example, the format Y in the data return processing rule for the conversion process from the data format X to the format Y when the data in the format X is input in the data transmission processing rule. In the data transmission processing rule and the data return processing rule, such as conversion processing to the format X when the data is input, the instructions in the reverse direction of the processing content, and the use in the data transmission processing rule This refers to a process conceptually corresponding to the data transmission process and the data return process, such as notifying the user of the data output in the data reply process rule for the data input operation by the user. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a correspondence relationship between designated instructions. FIG. 4 corresponds to the example shown in FIG. That is, in response to detection of writing to the folder A by the first terminal device 200 in the data transmission processing rule, writing to the folder A by the rule execution unit 106 in the data reply processing rule is performed on the first terminal device 200. The transmission of mail to be notified to the (sender) and the conversion from the TIFF format to the PDF format in the data transmission processing rule correspond to the conversion from the PDF format to the TIFF format in the data return processing rule. Based on this designation operation, the rule editing unit 102 defines, in the instruction storage unit 103, information (ID) indicating each process included in the transmission processing rule and a process for returning data corresponding to the process. Are stored in association with information (ID) indicating each process included in the.

  In addition, when editing a rule that has already been created and stored due to a change in the content of a certain process, each process of a series of processes defined in a rule that needs to be changed along with the change It also specifies instructions. For example, in the data transmission processing rule, when the data format handled in a certain process is changed, and there is a process in which the data format handled in the data return processing rule is changed accordingly, these processes are performed. Is specified. In addition, when the output format of a certain process in the data transmission processing rule is changed, there is a process that is performed after the process and the data format to be handled in accordance with this change is changed. These processes are also specified. Further, when a process in the data transmission processing rule is deleted, if it is necessary to delete the process corresponding to the deleted process in the data reply processing rule in association with the deletion, these Also specify the process. Based on this designation operation, the rule editing unit 102 changes the information (ID) indicating the processing included in one of the transmission processing rule and the reply processing rule in the instruction storage unit 103 and changes when the processing is changed. Information (ID) indicating processing included in the other of the transmission processing rule and the reply processing rule is stored in association with each other.

  In a series of operations of transmitting predetermined data and returning this data after processing, the processing instruction included in the transmission processing rule and the processing instruction included in the reply processing rule returning this data are: Correspondence relationships are stored in the instruction storage unit 103 as instructions corresponding to each other.

  Next, generation of a reply process rule that is a rule defining a series of data reply processes will be described. This data return processing is a rule that defines a transmission processing rule and information and data return processing included in the transmission processing rule stored in association with each other in the instruction storage unit 103 and data. And information indicating processing (command) included in the processing rule. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a reply process rule generation process executed in the communication system 600 according to the present embodiment. A sender who is a user of the first terminal device 200 controls the rule generation unit 104 via the first terminal device 200 to generate a reply processing rule. Here, first, the sender operates the first terminal device 200 to specify one of the rules stored in the rule storage unit 105 to the rule generation unit 104, and to the specified transmission processing rule. A corresponding reply processing rule generation command is input (S501).

  When a reply processing rule generation command is input, the rule generation unit 104 automatically generates a reply processing rule (S502). Here, the rule generation unit 104 checks for each instruction included in the specified rule whether there is an instruction associated with the instruction and having an ID stored in the instruction storage unit 103 as having a corresponding relationship, For those having such an instruction, the ID of the instruction having a correspondence relationship is acquired. Then, the rule generation unit 104 generates a reply processing rule by combining the acquired command ID in the reverse order of the processing (command) in the transmission processing rule.

  When there is a display request by the sender, the generated information indicating the reply processing rule is displayed on the display unit of the first terminal device 200. For the reply processing rule, the sender may Adjustment such as change of information indicating the processing content defined in the processing is performed (S503). When the adjustment is completed, the generated reply processing rule is stored in the rule storage unit 105 (S504). Information (hereinafter referred to as inter-rule correspondence information) that associates the reply processing rule generated here with the transmission processing rule specified in S501 is also stored in the rule storage unit 105. This completes the generation of the reply processing rule.

  Next, execution of processing for transmitting data will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an execution process of a transmission process rule executed in the communication system 600 according to the present embodiment. The sender operates the first terminal device 200 to input data to be transmitted to the second terminal device 300 to the folder A of the data storage unit 400 (S601). Here, the rule execution unit 106 monitors the folder A at a predetermined cycle, and detects that data has been written to the folder A. The data writing to the folder A by the sender may be reception as facsimile data using the folder A as a confidential box or reception as mail data.

  When data is input to the folder A, the rule execution unit 106 reads the input data, and sequentially executes a series of processes defined in the transmission processing rule for the obtained data (S602). Specifically, first, when the rule execution unit 106 detects the input of data to the folder A, the rule execution unit 106 stores information indicating a rule in the rule storage unit 105 indicating that the input detection to the folder A is an instruction of the first process. The presence or absence is confirmed, and if it exists, the rule is read and executed. In the data transmission process in the present embodiment, the generated data is finally output (written) to the folder B of the data storage unit 400. When all the processing instructions defined in the transmission processing rules are executed, the execution of the processing for transmitting data ends.

  With the above process, the process defined in the transmission process rule is executed on the data input from the first terminal device 200. The data generated as a result of this transmission processing and outputted and written to the folder B is read by the second terminal device 300.

  Next, execution of a process for returning data based on a reply process rule will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the execution process of the reply process rule executed in the communication system 600 according to the present embodiment. The responder operates the second terminal device 300 to write the data to be transmitted to the sender for input to the folder C of the data storage unit 400 (S701). Here, the writing to the folder C is a start trigger of a series of processes defined in the reply process rule.

  When data is written to the folder C, the rule execution unit 106 reads the input data, and sequentially executes a series of processes defined in the reply process rule for the obtained data (S702). Specifically, first, when the rule execution unit 106 detects an input of data to the folder C, the rule storage unit 105 stores information indicating a rule indicating that the input detection to the folder C is an instruction of the first process. The presence or absence is confirmed, and if it exists, the rule is read and executed. In the data return process in the present embodiment, the data to be generated is finally output (written) to the folder D of the data storage unit 400 and is sent to the first terminal device 200 or the original sender of the data. Is also sent. When all the processing instructions defined in the reply processing rule are executed, the execution of the processing for returning the data ends.

  Through the above processing, a series of processing defined in the reply processing rule is executed on the data input from the second terminal device 300. The data generated by the reply data process and written in the folder D of the data storage unit 400 is read by the first terminal device 200.

  Next, a change of a rule (information indicating a rule stored in the rule storage unit 105) will be described.

  First, the transmission process rule changing process will be described. When the process (command) included in the transmission processing rule is changed or deleted, the rule generation unit 104 is associated with the process (command) in the command storage unit 103 included in the reply processing rule by a correspondence relationship. The process (command) in which the ID is stored is changed or deleted. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a transmission processing rule change process executed in the communication system 600 according to the present embodiment. The sender operates the first terminal device 200 and designates a transmission processing rule to be changed (S801). The rule generation unit 104 reads the transmission processing rule designated in S801 from the rule storage unit 105, and the content of the read transmission processing rule is displayed on the display unit of the first terminal device 200. Next, the sender operates the first terminal device 200 to make a desired change and deletion to the transmission processing rule displayed on the display unit of the first terminal device 200 (S802). When the change and deletion are completed, for example, by clicking a rule automatic edit button displayed on the display unit, an instruction to start automatic editing of the transmission processing rule is input (S803). In the automatic editing of the transmission processing rule, the rule generation unit 104 refers to the instruction storage unit 103, and the instruction whose ID is stored in association with the instruction changed or deleted in S802 is stored in the transmission process. It is confirmed whether it is not included in the rules for use (S804). If such an instruction does not exist, the process proceeds to S806, and if such an instruction exists, the rule generation unit 104 changes and deletes the instruction corresponding to the change and deletion in S802 (S805). When the change and deletion in S805 are completed, the transmission processing rule is displayed on the display unit of the first terminal device 200 as an editing result, and the sender adjusts the change or the like as necessary for the transmission processing rule. This is performed (S806). When the adjustment is completed, the generated information indicating the transmission processing rule is stored in the rule storage unit 105 (S807). This completes the transmission processing rule changing process.

  Next, a description will be given of the change of the transmission processing rule and the processing of changing the reply processing rule based on the change (hereinafter, the processing of changing the transmission processing rule and the reply processing rule). When a command (processing) included in the transmission processing rule is changed, the rule generation unit 104 stores an ID in association with the processing in the command storage unit 103 included in the reply processing rule. Change the instruction (processing). FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing change processing of the transmission processing rule and the reply processing rule executed in the communication system 600 according to the present embodiment. The sender operates the first terminal device 200 and designates a transmission processing rule to be changed (S901). The rule generation unit 104 reads the transmission processing rule designated in S901 from the rule storage unit 105, and the content of the read transmission processing rule is displayed on the display unit of the first terminal device 200. Next, the sender operates the first terminal device 200 to make a desired change and deletion to the transmission processing rule displayed in S901 (S902). Here, the automatic processing shown in the transmission processing rule change processing shown in FIG. 8 may be performed. When the change and the deletion are completed, for example, by clicking an opposing rule automatic editing button displayed on the display unit, an instruction to start automatic editing of the reply processing rule is input (S903). In the automatic editing of reply data processing, the rule generation unit 104 refers to the rule storage unit 105, and the presence or absence of a rule (corresponding reply processing rule) associated with the reply processing rule specified in S901 by the rule correspondence information Is confirmed (S904). If there is no corresponding rule, a message to that effect is displayed on the display unit of the first terminal device 200 and the process ends. If there is a corresponding reply processing rule, the reply is sent. Information indicating the processing rule is read (S905). Then, the rule generation unit 104 refers to the instruction storage unit 103 and checks whether or not an instruction having a correspondence relationship with the instruction changed or deleted in S902 is included in the reply processing rule (S906). If such an instruction does not exist, the process proceeds to S908, and if such an instruction exists, the rule generation unit 104 changes and deletes the instruction corresponding to the change and deletion in S902 (S907). When the change and deletion in S907 are completed, the reply processing rule is displayed on the display unit of the first terminal device 200 as an editing result, and the sender adjusts the change or the like as necessary with respect to the reply processing rule. This is performed (S908). When the adjustment is completed, the generated information indicating the reply data process is stored in the rule storage unit 105 (S909). This completes the transmission processing rule and reply processing rule change processing.

  With the configuration described above, the process executed included in the transmission process rule and the process corresponding to the process executed included in the reply process rule are stored in association with each other.

  A reply processing rule corresponding to the transmission processing rule that has already been generated is generated based on this association. Further, when a part of the transmission processing rule is changed, a necessary change is automatically executed with the change to the transmission processing rule and the reply processing rule corresponding to the transmission data processing. .

  The information processing apparatus 100 is an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer, and is realized by operating a program stored in the memory of the information processing apparatus. This program may be provided by communication, or may be provided by being stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM that can be read by a computer.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the configuration in which the sender who is the user of the first terminal device 200 generates and changes the transmission processing rule and the reply processing rule is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, these generations and changes may be performed by a third party such as a replyer or an administrator who is different from the sender and the replyer.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the configuration in which the reply processing rule is changed and deleted based on the change and deletion of the transmission processing rule is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the reply processing rule is changed. The transmission processing rule may be changed and deleted based on the change and deletion. Further, the process that is a reference for the change and the process to be changed (for the transmission processing rule and the reply process in the above embodiment) The present invention can be applied if the rules are not in the opposite directions such as transmission and reply, but have some correspondence.

  In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the information processing apparatus 100 has all the functions and information related to rule editing is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the function for executing the processing shown in the above embodiment is a communication. Other configurations may be used as long as they are provided in the system 600. For example, the first terminal device 200 and the second terminal device 300 may have some or all of these functions and configurations.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Information processing apparatus, 101 Network I / F part, 102 Rule edit part, 103 Instruction storage part, 104 Rule generation part, 105 Rule storage part, 106 Rule execution part, 107 Data management part, 108 Memory I / F part, 200 1st terminal device, 300 2nd terminal device, 400 data storage part, 500 network, 600 communication system.

Claims (3)

A related process storage means for storing a process having a corresponding relationship in association with at least one process defined in the rule;
A plurality of series of data for data including a first rule defining a plurality of series of processes for data and a process corresponding to the process defined in the first rule stored in the related process storage means Rule storage means for storing a second rule defining the process;
With
When the process included in the first rule is changed or deleted, the process stored in association with the process corresponding to the process is changed or deleted in the related process storage unit included in the second rule. ,
An information processing apparatus characterized by that. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
An information processing apparatus, wherein the first rule and the second rule are stored in the rule storage unit in association with each other. Computer
Related process storage means for storing a process having a corresponding relationship in association with at least one process defined in the rule;
A plurality of series of data for data including a first rule defining a plurality of series of processes for data and a process corresponding to the process defined in the first rule stored in the related process storage means Rule storage means for storing a second rule defining the process;
When the process included in the first rule is changed or deleted, the process stored in association with the process corresponding to the process is changed or deleted in the related process storage unit included in the second rule Processing means,
Program to function as.

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