JP2016153970A - Storage place notification system, notification server, storage place notification method and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a storage place notification system for delivering data capable of allowing a user positioned in a first area to know a storage place of a data while preventing the information from being leaked to a third party via display of the storage place of the data in a second area.SOLUTION: A terminal apparatus 1 for receiving delivery data 60A, 60B acquires an identifier 5a of the delivery data 60A, 60B and transmits the same to a notification server 2 to inquire a storage place of the delivery data 60A, 60B corresponding to the identifier 5a. When the terminal apparatus 1 is located in a first area, the notification server 2 replies to the terminal apparatus 1 a first storage place which is identified by a first character string 7a understandable for a person; and when the terminal apparatus 1 is located in a second area other than the first place, the notification server 2 replies to the terminal apparatus 1 a second storage place which is identified by a second character string 7b not understandable for a person. Receiving a response indicating the first storage place, the terminal apparatus displays first character string 7a; and receiving a response indicating the first storage place, the terminal apparatus displays second character string 7b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for distributing distribution data via a communication line.

  Downloading and browsing a document stored in a document server to a portable terminal device such as a tablet or a smartphone is widely performed.

  When browsing, the user of the terminal device needs to input character information specifying the document such as a URL in order to specify the document to be browsed.

  Conventionally, a function of reading a two-dimensional code from a printed material, which is a general function provided in a terminal device, is used for inputting character information. The user prints in advance a two-dimensional code representing a URL necessary for downloading a document. When browsing, the user captures a two-dimensional code of the printed matter with the camera of the terminal device. Then, the URL represented by the two-dimensional code is recognized by the terminal device, and the recognized URL is displayed on the display of the terminal device. As a result, the user can confirm the URL. When the user issues a download instruction, the terminal device accesses the document server and downloads the document.

  According to the technique described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to prevent unauthorized viewing of a document by using information on the unevenness of the surface of the paper on which the two-dimensional code is printed as authentication information for login to the server. .

JP 2007-34745 A

  The URL that specifies the storage location of the document contains information that the outsider wants to know, such as the name of the company where the creator of the document works, the name of the group to which the creator belongs, or the name of the document that reminds the contents of the document. Often included.

  Displaying the URL read by the terminal device from the two-dimensional code itself is useful from the viewpoint that the user can confirm where the terminal device accesses.

  However, there is a problem that when a user tries to browse a document using a terminal device, an outsider sees the displayed URL from the side, and may capture some information from the URL. It was.

  In view of such a problem, the present invention prevents the outsider from knowing the information even if the character string indicating the storage location such as URL contains information that the outsider would like to know. That is the purpose.

  A storage location notification system according to an aspect of the present invention includes a terminal device that receives distribution data distributed via a communication line, and a notification server that notifies the terminal device of a storage location where the distribution data is stored. A storage location notification system comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring an identifier for identifying the distribution data in the notification server, and transmitting the acquired identifier to the notification server; Inquiry means for inquiring the storage location of the distribution data corresponding to the identifier is provided, and when the identifier is transmitted from the terminal device to the notification server, the terminal device returns to the first area. If present, the first data specified by the first character string in which the distribution data corresponding to the identifier is stored and the person can understand the meaning If the location is returned to the terminal device as the storage location and is present in a second location that is not the first location, the distribution data is stored and a second character string that cannot be understood by a person An answering means for answering the specified second storage location to the terminal device is provided, and if the first storage location is answered to the terminal device from the notification server, the first storage location is provided. Display means for displaying the first character string of the second storage location and displaying the second character string of the second storage location when the second storage location is answered .

  Preferably, the acquisition unit acquires the identifier by photographing and analyzing a two-dimensional barcode representing the identifier.

  Alternatively, an image forming apparatus that prints an image, and a printing unit that prints the two-dimensional barcode on a sheet in response to a request from the terminal device, and the two-dimensional barcode are printed on the image forming apparatus. In response to the above, a deadline for accessing the distribution data and a deadline notification means for notifying the notification server of a user who uses the terminal device that has made the request are provided, and the reply means If the time limit is notified from the image forming apparatus, if the identifier is transmitted from the terminal device before the time limit to the terminal device used by the user who is notified together with the time limit. Answer the second storage location.

  According to the present invention, even if information desired to be known to outsiders is included in a character string indicating a storage location such as a URL, the information can be prevented from being known to outsiders.

It is a figure which shows the example of the whole structure of a document browsing system. It is a figure which shows the example of the hardware constitutions of a terminal device. It is a figure which shows the example of the hardware constitutions of a management server. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a functional structure of a terminal device. It is a figure which shows the example of a functional structure of a management server. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a document storage location memory | storage part. It is a figure which shows the example of a user information storage part. It is a figure which shows the example of a mode selection screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a QR code printing instruction | indication screen. It is a figure which shows the example of an expiration date memory | storage part and its transition. It is a figure which shows the example of a document browsing instruction | indication screen. It is a figure which shows the example of the document browsing instruction | indication screen of the state where the original URL was displayed. It is a figure which shows the example of the document browsing instruction | indication screen of the state by which alternative URL was displayed. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of the whole process of a terminal device. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of the whole process of a management server. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the overall processing flow of the image forming apparatus.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of the document browsing system 100. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the management server 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 3.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a document browsing system 100 includes a terminal device 1, a management server 2, an image forming device 3, document servers 8A and 8B, a local area network line (hereinafter referred to as “LAN line”) 4A, and a communication line. 4N or the like.

  The LAN line 4A is provided in a company site 9. Access to the site 9 is limited to corporate employees and non-employees who have been granted access. The LAN line 4A includes a hub, a twisted pair cable, a radio base station, a router, and the like, and is connected to the communication line 4N via the router.

  The communication line 4N is a line provided outside the site 9. As the communication line 4N, a wired LAN line, a wireless LAN line, the Internet, a public line, a mobile phone network, a dedicated line, or the like is used.

  The terminal device 1, the management server 2, and the image forming apparatus 3 can communicate with each other via the LAN line 4A or the communication line 4N. Each of the terminal device 1 and the management server 2 can communicate with the document servers 8A and 8B via the LAN line 4A and the communication line 4N.

  The terminal device 1 is a device that can be used for browsing the document 60. The document 60 is stored in the document server 8A as an electronic file such as PDF. In some cases, the data is stored in both the document server 8A and the document server 8B. When browsing the document 60, the terminal device 1 inquires the management server 2 about the storage location of the document 60, downloads the document 60 from the folder in the document servers 8 A and 8 B notified from the management server 2 as the storage location, and displays the document 60. . As the terminal device 1, a personal computer, a tablet computer, a smartphone, or the like is used.

  Hereinafter, a case where a tablet computer is used as the terminal device 1 will be described as an example. The terminal device 1 is used inside or outside the site 9. Hereinafter, the inside of the site 9 may be described as “internal” and the outside of the site 9 may be described as “external”.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal device 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10a, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 10b, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 10c, a flash memory 10d, a touch panel display 10e, an operation button group 10f, a digital The camera 10g and the wireless communication device 10h are configured.

  The touch panel display 10e is configured by a flat display (for example, a liquid crystal display) and a touch panel. The flat display displays various images. The touch panel detects the position touched by the user and notifies the CPU 10a of the position.

  The operation button group 10f includes a button for returning to the home screen, a button for confirming the input content, a button for adjusting the volume, a button for switching on / off the power, and the like.

  The digital camera 10g photographs various subjects. In particular, it is used for photographing a two-dimensional code printed by the image processing apparatus 3. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the two-dimensional code is a QR code (registered trademark) conforming to the BMLinkS standard.

  The wireless communication device 10h communicates with devices such as the management server 2 and the image forming device 3 using a protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) via a wireless base station.

  The ROM 10c or flash memory 10d stores a client program 10P that downloads and displays the document 60 from the document servers 8A and 8B. The client program 10P is loaded into the RAM 10b and executed by the CPU 10a.

  The management server 2 manages the storage location of the document 60 and notifies the terminal device 1 of the storage location in response to an inquiry from the terminal device 1.

  As the management server 2, for example, a so-called server machine is used. The management server 2 is installed in the company, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the management server 2 includes a CPU 20a, a RAM 20b, a ROM 20c, a mass storage device 20d, and a communication interface card (NIC) 20e.

  The communication interface card 20e communicates with other devices using TCP / IP and higher protocols.

  The ROM 20c or the mass storage device 20d stores a document management program 20P. The document management program 20P is loaded into the RAM 20b and executed by the CPU 20a. A hard disk, SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like is used as the mass storage device 20d.

  The image forming apparatus 3 is an image processing apparatus generally called a multifunction peripheral or MFP (Multi Function Peripherals), and is an apparatus that integrates functions such as copying, PC printing, fax, scanner, and web server. The PC print function is a function for printing an image on a sheet based on image data received from another apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 3 includes a CPU 30a, a RAM 30b, a ROM 30c, an auxiliary storage device 30d, a touch panel display 30e, an operation key panel 30f, a communication interface card 30g, a modem 30h, a scan unit 30j, and a print unit 30k. Composed.

  The touch panel display 30e displays a screen showing a message for the user, a screen for the user to input a command or information, a screen showing a result of processing executed by the CPU 30a and the like. The touch panel display 30e sends a signal indicating the touched position to the CPU 30a.

  The operation key panel 30f is a so-called hardware keyboard, and includes a numeric keypad, a start key, a stop key, a function key, and the like.

  The communication interface card 30g communicates with devices such as the terminal device 1 and the management server 2 using a protocol such as TCP / IP.

  The modem 30h exchanges image data with a facsimile terminal using a protocol such as G3.

  The scan unit 30j reads an image written on a sheet set on the platen glass and generates image data.

  The print unit 30k prints an image received from another device via the LAN line 4A or an image read by the scan unit 30j on a sheet. In particular, an image including a two-dimensional code received from the terminal device 1 is printed.

  The ROM 30c or the auxiliary storage device 30d stores software for realizing the above-described plurality of functions. This software includes a PC print program 30P that realizes a PC print function. Programs or modules constituting the software are loaded into the RAM 30b as necessary and executed by the CPU 30a. A hard disk, SSD, or the like is used as the auxiliary storage device 30d.

  The document servers 8A and 8B are file servers that provide the file of the document 60 to the client. In the present embodiment, the document server 8A is used as a server that stores all documents 60 to be stored, and the document server 8B is a case where the user wants to browse the document 60 stored in the document server 8A outside the company. Used as a server for storing a copy of the document 60.

  The hardware configuration of the document servers 8A and 8B may be the same as the hardware configuration of the management server 2. That is, each of the document servers 8A and 8B has a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and a mass storage device having the same roles as the CPU 20a, RAM 20b, ROM 20c, mass storage device 20d, and communication interface card 20e of the management server 2, respectively. And a communication interface card.

  By the way, the document browsing system 100 is a system for the user to download and browse the document 60 stored in a storage location accessible by the terminal device 1 to the terminal device 1. The user can specify the document 60 to be browsed by causing the terminal device 1 to read the QR code 80 (see FIG. 5) that has been printed on a sheet in advance.

  When the user instructs the terminal device 1 to download the document 60 outside the document, the document browsing system 100 uses a URL (hereinafter referred to as “URL”) that specifies a normal storage location of the document 60 as information indicating the source of the document 60. Instead of “original URL”, “alternative URL” can be displayed on the terminal device 1. The “alternative URL” is a URL that specifies a storage location of the copy of the document 60 (hereinafter referred to as “alternative storage location”), and is created by combining characters or symbols randomly (at random). This is a character string that humans cannot understand. Hereinafter, the original document 60 of the copy stored in the normal storage location is referred to as “document 60A”, and the copied document 60 stored in the alternative storage location is referred to as “document 60B”. There is a distinction.

  The reason why the alternative URL is displayed instead of the original URL is that the original URL may include a character string (character string that can be understood by a person) suggesting the name of a department in the company or the contents of the document 60. It is. That is, even if a third party other than the user looks at the screen of the terminal device 1, it is possible to provide a secure browsing environment that prevents searching for the name of the department or the contents of the document 60. An alternative URL is displayed when browsing with. Hereinafter, this mechanism will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the terminal device 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the management server 2. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus.

  According to the client program 10P, the QR code generation unit 101, the print request unit 102, the storage location inquiry unit 103, the storage location display unit 104, the document download unit 105, the document display unit 106, the screen display processing unit 107, and the like illustrated in FIG. The function is realized.

  According to the document management program 20P, the terminal device position determination unit 201, the normal storage location notification unit 202, the user authentication unit 203, the browsing availability determination unit 204, the alternative storage location determination unit 205, the alternative storage location notification unit 206 illustrated in FIG. Functions such as a document storage location storage unit 207, a user information storage unit 208, an expiration date storage unit 209, an expiration date registration unit 210, and a document upload unit 211 are realized.

  According to the PC print program 30P, functions such as the printed matter generation unit 301 and the expiration date registration request unit 302 shown in FIG. 7 are realized.

[Preparation for providing documents]
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the document storage location storage unit 207.

  One or more documents 60A are stored in the document server 8A in advance. The document storage location storage unit 207 stores, for each document 60A, a management number 5d assigned to the document 60A and an original URL 7a for specifying a normal storage location. Hereinafter, a case where the document 60 to which the management number “1001” is assigned is browsed will be described as an example.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the user information storage unit 208.

  When the user browses the document 60 using the terminal device 1 outside the company, the user needs to be authenticated by the user authentication unit 203 of the management server 2. As authentication information for user authentication, a user code 5a, a password 5b, and a device identifier 5c are stored in advance by the user information storage unit 208 for each user. As the device identifier 5c, information unique to the terminal device 1 such as a MAC (Media Access Control) address is used. When the user uses a plurality of terminal devices 1, the device identifier 5 c of each of the plurality of terminal devices 1 is stored in the user information storage unit 208.

  The user information storage unit 208 stores a user code, a password, and a device identifier registered in advance. In the following description, it is assumed that the user identified by the user code “201” browses the document 60.

[Print QR code]
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the mode selection screen 61. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the QR code print instruction screen 61. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the expiration date storage unit 209 and its transition.

  The screen display processing unit 107 of the terminal device 1 displays each screen to be sequentially described on the touch panel display 10e according to an event such as a user operation.

  After starting the client program 10P, the screen display processing unit 107 displays the mode selection screen 61 shown in FIG. 10 on the touch panel display 10e.

  The mode selection screen 61 includes a button 611 for the user to select a print mode for printing the QR code, a button 612 for selecting a viewing mode for displaying the document 60, and an end for instructing the client program 10P to end. A button 613 is provided.

  When the user touches the button 612, the screen display processing unit 107 displays a QR code print instruction screen 62 shown in FIG. 11 on the touch panel display 10e instead of the mode selection screen 61.

  The QR code print instruction screen 62 is used to input an input field 621 for a user to input his / her user code 5a, an input field 622 for inputting a management number 5d of a document 60 to be browsed, and an QR code expiration date 5e. And an execution button 624 for instructing execution of printing.

  The input of the user code 5a and the management number 5d is essential. The input of the expiration date 5e is not essential, and may be performed when the user wants to set the expiration date 5e. In this embodiment, the expiration date is applied when browsing outside the company, but not when browsing inside the company.

  The user inputs the user code 5a and the management number 5d, inputs the expiration date 5e as necessary, and then touches the execution button 624.

  Then, in the terminal device 1, the two-dimensional code generation unit 101 generates a QR code 80 representing the management number 5 d input in the input field 622, and delivers the generated image data 6 a of the QR code 80 to the print request unit 102. .

  Upon receiving the image data 6a, the print request unit 102 sends a PC print command including the image data 6a to the image forming apparatus 3, thereby requesting the image forming apparatus 3 to print the QR code 80.

  In addition, when the user inputs the expiration date 5e in the input field 623 of the QR code print instruction screen 62, the print request unit 102 receives the input expiration date 5e and the user code 5a input in the input field 621. And the image forming apparatus 3 is requested to register the expiration date 5e by notifying the image forming apparatus 3 of the management number 5d input in the input field 622.

  When receiving the PC print command from the terminal device 1, the printed material generation unit 301 of the image forming apparatus 3 generates the printed material 8 on which the QR code 80 is printed by printing the image represented by the image data 6 a on a sheet.

  The expiration date registration request unit 302 of the image forming apparatus 3 receives a request for registration of the expiration date 5 e from the terminal device 1. Upon receiving the request, the expiration date registration requesting unit 302 transfers the information notified from the terminal device 1 (the expiration date 5e, the user code 5a, and the management number 5d) to the management server 2, thereby registering the expiration date 5e. Is requested to the management server 2.

  Each time the expiration date 5e, the user code 5a, and the management number 5d are transferred from the image forming apparatus 3, the expiration date registration unit 210 of the management server 2 generates expiration date data 5E indicating these, and the expiration date storage unit 209 is stored.

  Therefore, the expiration date data 5E is accumulated in the expiration date storage unit 209 as shown in FIG.

[Browse Documents]
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the document browsing instruction screen 63.

  The user can browse the document 60 inside or outside the company.

  The user obtains the printed matter 8 on which the QR code 80 is printed by the above-described procedure. The user displays the mode selection screen 61 shown in FIG. 10 on the terminal device 1 and selects the viewing mode by touching the button 612 and the end button 613 in order.

  When the browsing mode is selected, the screen display processing unit 107 displays the document browsing instruction screen 63 shown in FIG. 13 on the touch panel display 10e instead of the mode selection screen 61.

  The document browsing instruction screen 63 has an input field 631 for a user to input his / her user code 5a, an input field 622 for inputting a password 5b, and a monitor area 633 for displaying a photographed image.

  The user inputs the user code 5a and the password 5b, and points the digital camera 10g of the terminal device 1 toward the printed surface of the printed matter 8. Then, an image of the printing surface is taken by the digital camera 10g. The user adjusts the relative position between the digital camera 10 g and the sheet 8 so that the entire QR code 80 of the printed matter 8 is displayed in the monitor area 633. FIG. 13 shows a state where the entire QR code 80 is displayed in the monitor area 633 with an appropriate size.

  The storage location inquiry unit 103 of the terminal device 1 acquires the image data 6b of the captured image of the QR code 80 from the digital camera 10g, and recognizes the management number 5d represented by the QR code 80 by a known method of analyzing the image data 6b. To do.

  When the management number 5d is recognized, the storage location inquiry unit 103 notifies the recognized management number 5d to the screen display unit 107, thereby displaying the management number 5d in the monitor area 633 instead of the QR code 80. Then, the storage location inquiry unit 103 notifies the management server 2 of the storage location of the document 60 by notifying the management server 2 of the recognized management number 5d. In this inquiry, in addition to the management number 5d, the storage location inquiry unit 103 includes the user code 5a input in the input field 631, the password 5b input in the input field 632, the device identifier 5c of the terminal device 1, and Position data 5 f indicating the current location of the terminal device 1 is transmitted to the management server 2.

  As the position data 5f, coordinate data of the circumstances measured by GPS (Global Positioning System) can be used. Or the data of the position specified by detecting the location of the base station to which the terminal device 1 is currently connected can be used.

  The terminal device position determination unit 201 of the management server 2 accepts an inquiry about the storage location from the terminal device 1. The terminal device position determination unit 201 has in-house position information 5h indicating the range of the site 9 in advance. Based on the in-house position information 5h, the terminal device 1 determines whether the current position of the terminal device 1 is in-house or outside. Determine. That is, the terminal device position determination unit 201 determines that the current position of the terminal device 1 is in-house when the position indicated by the position data 5f from the terminal device 1 is a position inside the range indicated by the in-house position information 5h. When the position indicated by the position data 5f is outside the range indicated by the in-house position information 5h, it is determined that the current position of the terminal device 1 is outside the company.

  When the terminal device position determination unit 201 determines that the current position of the terminal device 1 is in-house, the terminal device position determination unit 201 notifies the normal storage location notification unit 202 of the determination result “in-house”, and the current position of the terminal device 1 is outside the company. If it is determined that there is, the user authentication unit 203 is notified of the determination result of “external”.

  When receiving the notification of the determination result from the terminal device position determination unit 201, the normal storage location notification unit 202 associates the management number 5d notified from the terminal device 1 with the original URL 7a stored in the document storage location storage unit 207. Is transmitted to the terminal device 1.

  On the other hand, when receiving the notification of the determination result from the terminal device position determination unit 201, the user authentication unit 203 uses the user code 5a, password 5b, and device identifier 5c notified from the terminal device 1 as data in the user information storage unit 208. It is confirmed that the user of the terminal device 1 is a legitimate user registered in advance by performing user authentication for checking. The user authentication unit 203 includes a user code 5a and a password 5b in which a set of the user code 5a, password 5b, and device identifier 5c notified from the terminal device 1 is stored for each user by the user information storage unit 208. And the device identifier 5c, the user is determined to be a legitimate user, and the browsing permission / inhibition determining unit 204 is notified that the user authentication has been successful.

  Note that the user authentication unit 203 sets a plurality of sets of device identifiers 5c among the sets of the user code 5a, password 5b, and device identifier 5c stored in the user information storage unit 208. When one of the device identifiers 5c matches the device identifier 5c from the terminal device 1, it is determined that the plurality of device identifiers 5c and the device identifier 5c from the terminal device 1 match.

  Upon receiving a notification from the user authentication unit 203, the browsing permission / inhibition determination unit 204 uses the expiration date storage unit 209 to store the expiration date 5e stored in association with the combination of the management number 5d and the user code 5a notified from the terminal device 1. Read from. The browsing permission / non-permission determining unit 204 determines whether or not the document 60 can be browsed by comparing the current date and time with the read expiration date 5e. “Browsing is possible” means that the document 60 may be provided to the terminal device 1. The browsing possibility determination unit 204 determines that the document 60 can be browsed (that is, the document 60 may be provided) when the current date and time is before the expiration date 5e.

  Further, the browsing permission determination unit 204 determines that the document 60 can be browsed even when the expiration date 5e is not stored in association with the management number 5d and the user code 5a notified from the terminal device 1. To do.

  When it is determined that the document 60 can be browsed, the browsing availability determination unit 204 notifies the alternative storage location determination unit 205 of the determination result.

  When receiving the notification from the browsing permission determination unit 204, the alternative storage location determination unit 205 generates a random alternative URL 7b for storing the document 60B browsed outside the company. The alternative URL 7b includes a folder name and a file name of the document 60B.

  The alternative storage location determination unit 205 determines the number of layers at random within a range not exceeding a predetermined number by a known method such as a method using a random number, and randomly determines the name of each layer by randomly determining the name of each layer. Generate a folder name. An alternative URL 7b is generated by adding the generated folder name and a character string in which characters are arranged at random as the file name after the domain name of the document server 8B.

  The alternative storage location determination unit 205 notifies the generated alternative URL 7 b to the document upload unit 211 and the alternative storage location notification unit 206.

  When the document upload unit 211 receives the notification of the alternative URL 7b from the alternative storage location determination unit 205, the document upload unit 211 reads out the original URL 7a associated with the management number 5d notified from the terminal device 1 from the document storage location storage unit 207. The document 60B is downloaded from the document server 8A by accessing the storage location indicated by the URL 7a.

  When the document upload unit 211 downloads the document 60B, the folder 8Bf indicated by the alternative URL 7b notified from the alternative storage location determination unit 205 is designated as a storage destination and uploaded to the document server 8B. At this time, the document server 8B creates the designated folder 8Bf and stores the document 60B in the folder 8Bf.

  That is, the document upload unit 211 copies the document 60 of the document server 8A to the document server 8B.

  When uploading of the document 60B is completed, the document upload unit 211 notifies the alternative storage location notification unit 206 of the completion.

  When receiving the notification from the document upload unit 211, the alternative storage location notification unit 206 notifies the terminal device 1 of the alternative URL 7 b notified from the alternative storage location determination unit 205.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the document browsing instruction screen 64 in a state where the original URL 7a is displayed. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of the document browsing instruction screen 64 in a state where the alternative URL 7b is displayed.

  When the management server 2 receives the original URL 7a or the alternative URL 7b, the storage location display unit 104 of the terminal device 1 replaces the document browsing instruction screen 63 (see FIG. 13) with the document browsing instructions shown in FIGS. The screen 64 is displayed on the touch panel display 10e.

  When the original URL 7a is notified, the storage location display unit 104 notifies the original URL 7a to the screen display processing unit 107, thereby displaying the original in the URL display area 641 of the document browsing instruction screen 64 as shown in FIG. The URL 7a is displayed. In addition, when the alternative URL 7b is notified, the storage location display unit 104 notifies the alternative URL 7b to the screen display processing unit 107, whereby the URL display area 641 of the document browsing instruction screen 64 is shown in FIG. To display the alternative URL 7b. That is, the state in FIG. 14 is a state in which the terminal device 1 is used in-house, and the state in FIG. 15 is a state in which the terminal device 1 is used outside the company.

  The user can instruct the terminal device 1 to download the document 60 after confirming the source of the document 60 by viewing the original URL 7a or the alternative URL 7b displayed in the URL display area 641.

  When the user touches the browse button 642 on the document browsing instruction screen 64, the screen display processing unit 107 gives a download command to the document download unit 105. The download command includes the original URL 7a or the alternative URL 7b displayed in the URL display area 641.

  When the user touches the cancel button 643 on the document browsing instruction screen 64, the screen display processing unit 107 displays, for example, the document browsing instruction screen 63 on the touch panel display 10e instead of the document browsing instruction screen 64.

  When receiving the download command, the document download unit 105 downloads the document 60 stored in the storage location indicated by the original URL 7 a or the alternative URL 7 b and delivers it to the document display unit 106.

  The document display unit 106 displays the document 60 received from the document download unit 105 on the touch panel display 10e.

  The document display unit 106 displays the document 60 received from the document download unit 105 on the touch panel display 10e.

  With the above processing and operation, the user can browse the document 60 using the terminal device 1. In particular, when browsing outside the company, the alternative URL 7b is displayed instead of the original URL 7a. Therefore, unlike the case where the original URL 7a is displayed, care is taken that the URL displayed in the URL display area 641 cannot be seen by others. There is no need.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the overall processing flow of the terminal device 1. FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the overall processing flow of the management server 2. FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the overall processing flow of the image forming apparatus 3.

  Next, the flow of processing in the document browsing system 100 will be summarized with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 16, 17, and 18.

  The terminal device 1 performs processing according to the mode selected from the print mode and the browsing mode.

  When the print mode is selected (YES in # 101 of FIG. 16), the terminal device 1 displays the QR code print instruction screen 62 (see FIG. 11) (# 102), and the user code 5a and the management number 5d by the user are displayed. Are received (# 103). Then, a QR code 80 representing the management number 5d is generated (# 104), and the image forming apparatus 3 is requested to print the QR code 80 (# 105).

  When the browsing mode is selected (YES in # 106), the terminal device 1 displays the document browsing instruction screen 63 and accepts input of authentication information such as the user code 5a (# 107).

  The terminal device 1 captures the QR code 80 of the printed matter 8 to obtain the document management number 5d (# 108), and notifies the management server 2 of the document storage location by notifying the management number 5d (# 109). .

  The original URL 7a or the alternative URL 7b which is the answer to the inquiry is received from the management server 2 (# 110), and the received original URL 7a or alternative URL 7b is displayed (# 111).

  When receiving a download instruction from the user, the terminal device 1 downloads and displays the document 60 from the storage location indicated by the received original URL 7a or alternative URL 7b (# 112, # 113).

  While the power is on, the management server 2 performs the processing shown in FIG. 17 in response to an inquiry or request every time there is an inquiry from the terminal device 1 or a request from the image forming apparatus 3.

  When the image forming apparatus 3 requests registration of the expiration date 5e (YES in # 201), the management server 2 validates the expiration date data 5E including the expiration date 5e notified from the image forming device 3 as shown in FIG. It is added to the term storage unit 209 (# 202).

  When there is an inquiry about the storage location of the document 60 from the terminal device 1 (YES in # 203), the management server 2 determines whether the current position of the terminal device 1 is in-house or outside based on the received position data 5f. Is discriminated (# 204).

  If it is determined that the current position of the terminal device 1 is in-house (YES in # 205), the management server 2 notifies the terminal device 1 of an original URL 7a that specifies a normal storage location (# 206).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the current position of the terminal device 1 is outside the company (NO in # 205), the management server 2 performs user authentication based on the user code 5a, the password 5b, and the device identifier 5c ( # 207).

  If it is confirmed that the user is a regular user (YES in # 208), the management server 2 is stored by the expiration date storage unit 209 in association with the user code 5a of the user and the management number 5d of the document 60. Based on the valid expiration date 5e, it is determined whether the confirmed user can view the document 60 (# 209). When the current expiration date 5e has not passed, it is determined that browsing is possible.

  If it is determined that browsing is possible (YES in # 210), the management server 2 generates an alternative URL 7b including a folder name of a random hierarchy (# 211), and the document 60B is stored in the document 60B from the storage location indicated by the original URL 7a. (# 212). The creation of the folder 8Bf at the hierarchy indicated by the alternative URL 7b is requested by notifying the document server 8B, which is the storage destination of the document 60B, of the alternative URL 7b generated in step # 211 (# 213). The document 60B is uploaded to the document server 8B so as to be stored in the folder 8Bf created in the document server 8B (# 214). Then, the alternative URL 7b for specifying the storage location of the document 60B is notified to the terminal device 1 (# 215).

  When the image forming apparatus 3 receives the request for generating the printed material 8 from the terminal device 1 (# 301 in FIG. 18), the image forming apparatus 3 prints the QR code 80 (# 302).

  When the expiration date 5e is notified from the terminal device 1 (YES in # 303), the image forming apparatus 3 requests the management server 2 to register the expiration date 5e (# 304).

  According to the present embodiment, the user can instruct the download of the document 60 after knowing the source of the document 60, and can realize a browsing environment that does not cause the leakage of information by displaying the original URL 7a. it can.

  According to the present embodiment, the user can know the storage location of the document 60 inside the company, and can browse the document without worrying about the display of the storage location of the document 60 from outside the company. .

  According to the present embodiment, the expiration date 5e can be registered almost simultaneously with the creation of the printed matter 8 having the QR code 80.

  There are the following modifications of this embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the terminal device 1 generates a QR code 80 representing the management number 5d. As a modification of this, when the terminal device 1 generates the QR code 80, the QR code 80 having the expiration date 5e as information along with the management number 5d can be generated. In this modification, the image forming apparatus 3 determines the management number 5d and the expiration date 5e from the image data 6a of the QR code 80 included in the print request from the terminal device 1, and registers the expiration date 5e in the management server 2. Request.

  In the present embodiment, the terminal device 1 generates the QR code 80. As a modification of this, a function for generating the QR code 80 is provided in the image forming apparatus 3, and the terminal apparatus 1 notifies the image forming apparatus 3 of the management number 5 d without generating the QR code 80. The QR code 80 representing the management number 5d notified by the image forming apparatus 3 may be generated and printed.

  In the present embodiment, the terminal device 1 requests the management server 2 to register the expiration date 5e via the image forming device 3. As a modification of this, the terminal device 1 may request the management server 2 to register the expiration date 5e without going through the image forming device 3, and the management server 2 may register the expiration date 5e in response to the request. .

  In the present embodiment, it is not essential to input the expiration date 5d on the QR code print instruction screen 62, and the browsing availability determination unit 204 of the management server 2 determines that browsing is possible when the expiration date 5d is not registered. As a modification of this, input of the expiration date 5d on the QR code printing instruction screen 62 may be required, and the touch of the execution button 624 when the expiration date 5d is not input may be disabled.

  In this embodiment, an arbitrary date can be set as the expiration date 5a. As a modification of this, for example, a period of a certain length from the date when the QR code 80 is printed can be a valid period of the QR code 80, and the date and time when this valid period expires can be the validity period 5a.

  In the present embodiment, user authentication is performed only when the terminal device 1 is used outside the company. As a modification of this, user authentication may be performed even when the terminal device 1 is used in-house.

  In this embodiment, the alternative storage location determination unit 205 of the management server 2 generates the alternative URL 7b. As a modification of this, the alternative storage location determination unit 205 requests the document server 8B to generate an alternative URL 7b, and the document server 8B generates an alternative URL 7b including a random folder name and notifies the management server 2 of the alternative URL 7b. It may be. In this case, the document upload unit 211 uploads the document 60B so as to be stored in the folder indicated by the alternative URL 7b notified from the document server 8B.

  In the present embodiment, the case where there is one company site 9 has been described as an example, but there may be a plurality of sites 9 such as a Tokyo branch and an Osaka branch. In this case, one VPN (Virtual Private Network) configured by connecting LANs provided in the respective sites 9 corresponds to the LAN line 4A shown in FIG. Then, the management server 2 determines that the user is in the company if the position of the user's terminal device 1 is within one of the plurality of sites 9.

  The in-house position information 5h can indicate one position (for example, the center) in the site 9. In this case, the terminal device position determination unit 201 determines that the position of the terminal device 1 is in-house when the position of the terminal device 1 is within the range of a predetermined value or less from the position indicated by the in-house position information 5h. You may make it discriminate | determine.

  The management server 2 may be installed outside the company.

  The functions of the document servers 8A and 8B may be integrated into one information processing apparatus. One or both functions of the document servers 8A and 8B can be realized in the management server 2.

  In addition, the entire document browsing system 100 or the configuration of each unit, the contents of processing performed by each of the terminal device 1 and the management server 2, the order of processing, the configuration of the storage unit, and the like are appropriately changed in accordance with the spirit of the present invention. Can do.

100 Document browsing system (storage location notification system)
1 Terminal device 2 Management server (notification server)
3 Image forming apparatus 4A, 4N Communication line 5d Management number (identifier)
5e Expiration date (expiration date)
7a Original URL (first character string)
7b Alternative URL (second character string)
8Bf folder 60A, 60B Document (distributed data)
80 QR code (two-dimensional barcode)
103 Storage location inquiry section (acquisition means, inquiry means)
104 Storage location display section (display means)
201 terminal device position determination unit (position determination means, reception means)
202 Normal storage location notification section (response means)
203 User authentication unit (confirmation means)
205 Alternative storage location determination unit (folder generation means)
206 Alternative storage location notification section (response means)
211 Document upload section (replication means)
301 Print generation unit (printing means)
302 Expiration date registration request section (notification means such as expiration date)

Claims (9)

A storage location notification system comprising: a terminal device that receives distribution data distributed via a communication line; and a notification server that notifies the terminal device of a storage location where the distribution data is stored,
In the terminal device,
Obtaining means for obtaining an identifier for identifying the distribution data in the notification server;
Inquiring means for querying the storage location of the distribution data corresponding to the identifier by transmitting the acquired identifier to the notification server;
Is provided,
In the notification server,
When the identifier is transmitted from the terminal device, if the terminal device exists in the first region, the first character in which the distribution data corresponding to the identifier is stored and a person can understand the meaning If the first storage location specified by the column is returned to the terminal device as the storage location and is present in a second location that is not the first location, the distribution data is stored and the person understands the meaning. A reply means for replying to the terminal device the second storage location specified by the second character string not obtained;
Is provided,
In addition to the terminal device,
When the first storage location is answered from the notification server, the first character string of the first storage location is displayed, and when the second storage location is answered, the second storage location is displayed. Display means for displaying the second character string of the storage location of
Is provided,
A storage location notification system characterized by that. The acquisition means acquires the identifier by photographing and analyzing a two-dimensional barcode representing the identifier.
The storage location notification system according to claim 1. An image forming apparatus for printing an image;
In the image forming apparatus,
Printing means for printing the two-dimensional barcode on paper in response to a request from the terminal device;
Corresponding to the printing of the two-dimensional barcode, a deadline for accessing the distribution data and a deadline notification means for notifying the notification server of a user who uses the terminal device that has made the request ,
Is provided,
When the time limit is notified from the image forming apparatus, the answering unit transmits the identifier from the terminal device before the time limit to the terminal device used by the user notified with the time limit. If yes, answer the second storage location,
The storage location notification system according to claim 2. In the notification server,
Confirmation means for confirming that the terminal device is a registered device registered in advance, and that a user using the terminal device is a registered user registered in advance;
Is provided,
If the confirmation means confirms that the terminal device is the registered device and the user is the registered user, the reply means answers the second storage location to the terminal device.
The storage location notification system according to claim 1 or 2. The delivery data is stored in advance in the first storage location,
In the notification server,
A folder generating means for generating, as the second storage location, a folder in which a random character string is used as the second character string when the identifier is transmitted from the terminal device;
Replication means for obtaining the delivery data from the first storage location and storing it in the second storage location;
Is provided,
The storage location notification system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. In the notification server,
A position determination that determines that the terminal device exists in the first region when the terminal device exists in a predetermined facility, and determines that the terminal device exists in the second region otherwise. means,
Is provided,
The answering means answers the storage location based on the result of the determination by the position determining means;
The storage location notification system according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A notification server for notifying a storage location where the distribution data is stored to a terminal device that receives distribution data distributed via a communication line,
Accepting means for accepting an identifier for identifying the distribution data from the terminal device in the notification server;
If the terminal device is present in the first region, the distribution data corresponding to the received identifier is stored, and the first storage location specified by the first character string that can be understood by the person is the first storage location If the terminal device responds to the terminal device as a storage location and exists in a second location that is not the first location, the distribution data is stored and the first character string specified by the second character string that cannot be understood by the person A reply means for replying the second storage location to the terminal device;
A notification server characterized by comprising: A storage location notification method using a terminal device that receives distribution data distributed via a communication line and a notification server that notifies the storage location where the distribution data is stored,
In the terminal device,
Causing the notification server to execute processing for obtaining an identifier for identifying the distribution data;
By transmitting the acquired identifier to the notification server, a process for querying the storage location of the distribution data corresponding to the identifier is executed,
In the notification server,
When the identifier is transmitted from the terminal device, if the terminal device exists in the first region, the first character in which the distribution data corresponding to the identifier is stored and a person can understand the meaning If the first storage location specified by the column is returned to the terminal device as the storage location and is present in a second location that is not the first location, the distribution data is stored and the person understands the meaning. Causing the terminal device to respond to the second storage location specified by the second character string not obtained,
In the terminal device,
When the first storage location is answered from the notification server, the first character string of the first storage location is displayed, and when the second storage location is answered, the second storage location is displayed. To display the second character string in the storage location of
A storage location notification method characterized by that. A computer program used in a computer for notifying a storage location where the distribution data is stored to a terminal device that receives distribution data distributed via a communication line,
In the computer,
Causing the notification server to execute an accepting process for receiving an identifier for identifying the distribution data from the terminal device;
If the terminal device is present in the first region, the distribution data corresponding to the received identifier is stored, and the first storage location specified by the first character string that can be understood by the person is the first storage location If the terminal device responds to the terminal device as a storage location and exists in a second location that is not the first location, the distribution data is stored and the first character string specified by the second character string that cannot be understood by the person To execute a reply process for replying the second storage location to the terminal device;
A computer program characterized by the above.

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