JP3845064B2 - Image forming apparatus, thumbnail output method, and thumbnail output system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, it relates to a thumbnail output method and thumbnail output system, particularly an image forming apparatus for output the thumbnail stored document in response to a request from an external network device, the thumbnail output method and thumbnail output system About.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, there has been known an image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a multifunction peripheral) in which the functions of each apparatus such as a printer, a copy, a facsimile, and a scanner are housed in one casing. This multi-function apparatus is provided with a display unit, a printing unit, an imaging unit, and the like in one casing, and four types of software corresponding to a printer, a copy, a facsimile, and a scanner, respectively. Operates as a copy, facsimile and scanner. Patent Document 1 describes an example of a fusion machine as described above.
[0003]
Such a multifunction peripheral stores document files as stored documents in a document management database (hereinafter referred to as a document management DB), for example. Further, the multifunction peripheral stores thumbnails (Thumbnail) in the document management DB as sample images of stored documents. Thumbnails facilitate the selection of stored documents by, for example, displaying an image sample of the stored document in a small size.
[0004]
The multi-function peripheral is connected to a network device or other multi-function peripheral via a network, and distributes, for example, stored documents and thumbnails stored in the document management DB using a distribution function. Further, the multi-function device uses an output function (printing function or the like) to output, for example, stored documents and thumbnails stored in the document management DB. In order to cope with security problems, the multi-function peripheral often sets passwords for stored documents and thumbnails stored in the document management DB.
[0005]
For example, when a stored document or thumbnail is downloaded from the multifunction peripheral, the network device transmits a document ID for identifying the desired stored document or thumbnail and a password that proves the right to use the stored document or thumbnail to the multifunction peripheral. When outputting the stored document or thumbnail stored in the document management DB of the multi-function peripheral, the network device proves the document ID for identifying the desired stored document or thumbnail and the authority to use the stored document or thumbnail. Send the password to the fusion machine.
[0006]
After performing password authentication, the multi-function peripheral reads the stored document or thumbnail corresponding to the document ID from the document management DB, and supplies the read stored document or thumbnail to the network device. Further, after performing password authentication, the multi-function peripheral reads the stored document or thumbnail corresponding to the document ID from the document management DB, and outputs the stored document.
[0007]
For example, a network device makes a download request or output request for stored documents or thumbnails to a multi-function peripheral by using a browser.
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-84383
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional multi-function peripheral receives various processing requests regarding stored documents and thumbnails from network devices and other multi-function peripherals in addition to the transfer request of stored documents and thumbnails. For this reason, the multi-function peripheral is provided with a user service process corresponding to various processing requests related to stored documents and thumbnails.
[0010]
Therefore, when passwords are set for stored documents and thumbnails, it is necessary to provide a password authentication function for each user service process that responds to various processing requests related to stored documents or thumbnails. there were.
[0011]
Further, when the multi-function apparatus handles the stored document or thumbnail read from the document management DB in a plurality of user service processes, the multi-function peripheral transfers the read stored document or thumbnail as it is. Therefore, there is a problem that the resources of the fusion machine are wasted.
[0012]
Furthermore, when there are requests for transfer of stored documents or thumbnails from many network devices at once, there is a problem that the load of the document management DB storing the stored documents and thumbnails increases.
[0013]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and can share an authentication function for thumbnails of stored documents, distribute the burden on the document management DB, and output thumbnails of stored documents without wasting resources. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus, a thumbnail output method, and a thumbnail output system capable of performing power .
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Therefore, in order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides an output unit that outputs a document input from a scan unit or a network communication unit, and a document storage that can be stored as a stored document with usage restrictions on the input document. A thumbnail output request management means for receiving and managing thumbnail output requests for thumbnails of stored documents stored in the document storage unit from an external network device, and the thumbnail output request management Based on the request from the means, the verification information generating means for generating the verification information according to the thumbnail output request and the certification information for specifying the verification information, and the holding that holds the verification information and the certification information in association with each other Means, proof information transmitting means for transmitting the proof information to the thumbnail output request managing means, and the thumbnail A thumbnail output request receiving unit that receives a thumbnail output request using the certification information from the input request management unit, and an output thumbnail that duplicates the thumbnail of the stored document collated with the collation information according to the certification information Output thumbnail identification information acquisition means for acquiring the thumbnail identification information for output, and thumbnail output means for acquiring an output thumbnail corresponding to the output thumbnail identification information from the document storage section and outputting it at the output section. It is characterized by.
[0015]
The present invention also provides an image forming apparatus including an output unit that outputs a document input from a scan unit or a network communication unit, and a document storage unit that can store the input document as a stored document with usage restrictions. Thumbnail output request management means for managing thumbnail output requests for thumbnails of stored documents stored in the document storage unit, receiving thumbnail output requests from an external network device; and the thumbnails Based on the request from the output request management means, the proof information creating means creates collation information corresponding to the thumbnail output request and proof information for specifying the collation information, and a holding means includes the collation information and A step of associating and holding the certification information, and certification information transmitting means, Transmitting to the thumbnail output request managing means; a thumbnail output request receiving means receiving a thumbnail output request using the certification information from the thumbnail output request managing means; and an output thumbnail identification information acquiring means, Obtaining output thumbnail identification information of an output thumbnail obtained by duplicating a thumbnail of the stored document collated with the collation information according to certification information; and a thumbnail output means for outputting according to the output thumbnail identification information Obtaining a thumbnail for use from the document storage unit and outputting the thumbnail from the output unit.
[0016]
In addition, the present invention uses one or more external network devices and an image forming apparatus connected to the external network devices via a network to store data stored in a document storage unit of the image forming apparatus. A thumbnail output system for outputting a thumbnail for printing a document, wherein the image forming apparatus receives a thumbnail output request for a thumbnail of a stored document stored in the document storage unit from an external network device and manages the thumbnail output Based on a request from the request management means, the thumbnail output request management means, verification information according to the thumbnail output request and certification information creation means for creating certification information for specifying the verification information, the verification information, Holding means for holding the certification information in association with each other, and the thumbnail output request management for the certification information Proof information transmitting means for transmitting to the means, thumbnail output request receiving means for receiving a thumbnail output request using the proof information from the thumbnail output request managing means, and the collation with the collation information according to the proof information An output thumbnail identification information acquisition unit that acquires output thumbnail identification information of an output thumbnail obtained by duplicating a thumbnail of an accumulated document, and an output thumbnail corresponding to the output thumbnail identification information is acquired from the document storage unit and the output thumbnail identification information is acquired. And a thumbnail output means for outputting at the output unit.
[0018]
The present invention transfers the certification information or the thumbnail identification information corresponding to the thumbnail print request or the output request between the Web page service, the document management service, the print service, or the output service, so that the thumbnail is not transferred unnecessarily. Can be printed or output. Therefore, it is possible to print or output thumbnails without wasting resources of the image forming apparatus.
[0019]
According to the present invention, it is possible to share the authentication function for the thumbnails of the stored documents, can distribute the load of the document management DB, it is possible the output of the thumbnails of the stored documents without wasting resources.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0021]
FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of a compound machine according to the present invention. The multi-function machine 1 is configured to include a software group 2, a multi-function machine starting unit 3, and hardware resources 4.
[0022]
The compound machine starting unit 3 is executed first when the power of the compound machine 1 is turned on, and activates the application layer 5 and the platform 6. For example, the multi-function apparatus activation unit 3 reads the programs of the application layer 5 and the platform 6 from a hard disk device (hereinafter referred to as HDD) and transfers each read program to a memory area and activates it. The hardware resources 4 include a monochrome laser printer (B & W LP) 11, a color laser printer (Color LP) 12, and hardware resources 13 such as a scanner and a facsimile.
[0023]
The software group 2 includes an application layer 5 and a platform 6 activated on an operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) such as UNIX (registered trademark). The application layer 5 includes programs that perform processing unique to user services related to image formation such as printers, copies, faxes, and scanners.
[0024]
The application layer 5 includes a printer application 21 that is a printer application, a copy application 22 that is a copy application, a fax application 23 that is a fax application, a scanner application 24 that is a scanner application, and a web page application. WEB page application 25, a SOAP communication application 26 that is a simple object access protocol (hereinafter referred to as “SOAP”) communication application, and one or more shared functions (hereinafter referred to as “SF”) 28. 7 and a wrapping layer 8 comprising a WEB service function (hereinafter referred to as WSF) 27 provided between the WEB page application 25 and the SOAP communication application 26 and the SF 28. Including.
[0025]
The WSF 27 has an application program interface (hereinafter referred to as API) 51 that can receive processing requests from the WEB page application 25 and the SOAP communication application 26 by a predefined function. In addition, the SF 28 has an API 52 that makes it possible to receive a processing request from the WSF 27 using a predefined function.
[0026]
When the WSF 27 receives processing requests from the WEB page application 25 and the SOAP communication application 26 via the API 51, the WSF 27 selects the SF 28 according to the processing request. The WSF 27 transmits the processing request received via the API 51 to the SF 28 selected according to the processing request via the API 52. When the SF 28 receives a processing request via the API 52, the SF 28 performs processing according to the processing request.
[0027]
For example, although the MFP 1 of FIG. 1 includes two SFs 28, one SF 28 performs processing of a document management service 143 described later, and the other SF 28 performs processing of a document output service 144 described later.
[0028]
Further, the platform 6 interprets a processing request from the application layer 5 and generates a hardware resource 4 acquisition request, and manages one or more hardware resources 4 to control the control service layer 9. A system resource manager (hereinafter referred to as SRM) 39 that arbitrates acquisition requests from the SRM 39 and a handler layer 10 that manages hardware resources 4 in response to the acquisition requests from the SRM 39.
[0029]
The control service layer 9 includes a network control service (hereinafter referred to as NCS) 31, a delivery control service (hereinafter referred to as DCS) 32, an operation panel control service (hereinafter referred to as OCS) 33, a fax control service (hereinafter referred to as FCS) 34. , Engine control service (hereinafter referred to as ECS) 35, memory control service (hereinafter referred to as MCS) 36, user information control service (hereinafter referred to as UCS) 37, system control service (hereinafter referred to as SCS) 38, etc. The service module is configured to be included.
[0030]
The platform 6 is configured to have an API 53 that can receive a processing request from the application layer 5 using a predefined function. The OS executes the software of the application layer 5 and the platform 6 in parallel as processes.
[0031]
The process of the NCS 31 provides a service that can be commonly used for applications that require network I / O. Data received from the network side according to each protocol is distributed to each application, or data from each application. Mediation when sending to the network side.
[0032]
For example, the NCS 31 controls data communication with a network device connected via a network by HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol Daemon) by HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol).
[0033]
The process of the DCS 32 performs control such as distribution of stored documents. The process of the OCS 33 controls an operation panel serving as information transmission means between the operator and the main body control. The FCS34 process provides APIs to perform fax transmission / reception using the PSTN or ISDN network from the application layer 5, registration / quotation of various fax data managed in the backup memory, fax reading, fax reception printing, etc. To do.
[0034]
The process of the ECS 35 controls engine units such as the monochrome laser printer 11, the color laser printer 12, and the hardware resource 13. The process of the MCS 36 performs memory control such as acquisition and release of memory, use of the HDD, and compression and expansion of image data. The UCS 37 manages user information.
[0035]
The process of the SCS 38 performs processing such as application management, operation unit control, system screen display, LED display, hardware resource management, interrupt application control.
[0036]
The SRM 39 process controls the system and manages the hardware resources 4 together with the SCS 38. For example, the process of the SRM 39 performs arbitration in accordance with an acquisition request from an upper layer using the hardware resource 4 such as the black and white laser printer 11 and the color laser printer 12 and controls execution.
[0037]
Specifically, the process of the SRM 39 determines whether or not the requested hardware resource 4 is available (whether it is not used by another acquisition request). The higher layer is notified that the resource 4 is available. Further, the process of the SRM 39 performs scheduling for using the hardware resource 4 in response to an acquisition request from an upper layer, and the request contents (for example, paper conveyance and image forming operation by the printer engine, memory allocation, file generation, etc.) Has been implemented directly.
[0038]
The handler layer 10 has a fax control unit handler (hereinafter referred to as FCUH) 40 for managing a fax control unit (hereinafter referred to as FCU), which will be described later, and an image for allocating memory to the process and managing the memory allocated to the process. A memory handler (hereinafter referred to as IMH) 41. The SRM 39 and the FCUH 40 make a processing request for the hardware resource 4 by using the engine I / F 54 that can transmit the processing request for the hardware resource 4 by a predefined function.
[0039]
The multi-function apparatus 1 can process the processing commonly required for each application by the platform 6. Next, a hardware configuration of the multifunction machine 1 will be described.
[0040]
FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an embodiment of the compound machine according to the present invention. The compound machine 1 includes a controller 60, an operation panel 80, an FCU 81, an engine unit 82, and a plotter 83.
[0041]
The controller 60 includes a CPU 61, a system memory 62, a north bridge (hereinafter referred to as NB) 63, a south bridge (hereinafter referred to as SB) 64, an ASIC 66, a local memory 67, an HDD 68, and a network interface controller. (Hereinafter referred to as NIC) 69, USB device 70, IEEE 1394 device 71, and Centronics 72.
[0042]
The operation panel 80 is connected to the ASIC 66 of the controller 60. In addition, the FCU 81, the engine unit 82, and the plotter 83 are connected to the ASIC 66 of the controller 60 through the PCI bus 84.
[0043]
In the controller 60, the local memory 67, the HDD 68, and the like are connected to the ASIC 66, and the CPU 61 and the ASIC 66 are connected via the NB 63 of the CPU chip set. In this way, if the CPU 61 and the ASIC 66 are connected via the NB 63, it is possible to cope with a case where the interface of the CPU 61 is not disclosed.
[0044]
The ASIC 66 and the NB 63 are not connected via a PCI bus, but are connected via an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) 65. As described above, in order to control execution of one or more processes forming the application layer 5 and the platform 6 in FIG. 1, the ASIC 66 and the NB 63 are connected via the AGP 65 instead of the low-speed PCI bus to prevent performance degradation. It is out.
[0045]
The CPU 61 performs overall control of the compound machine 1. The CPU 61 starts and executes NCS31, DCS32, OCS33, FCS34, ECS35, MCS36, UCS37, SCS38, SRM39, FCUH40, and IMH41 as processes on the OS, and also executes a printer application 21 and a copy application that form the application layer 5 22, the fax application 23, the scanner application 24, the WEB page application 25, the SOAP communication application 26, the WSF 27, and the SF 28 are activated and executed.
[0046]
The NB 63 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 61, system memory 62, SB 64, ASIC 66, NIC 69, USB device 70, IEEE 1394 device 71, and Centronics 72. The SB 64, NIC 69, USB device 70, IEEE 1394 device 71, and Centronics 72 are connected to the NB 63 via the PCI bus 73. The SB 64 is a bridge for connecting the NB 63 to the ROM, PCI bus, and peripheral device.
[0047]
The system memory 62 is a memory used as a drawing memory or the like of the multifunction machine 1. The local memory 67 is a memory used as a copy image buffer and a code buffer.
[0048]
The ASIC 66 is an IC for use in image processing having hardware elements for image processing. The HDD 68 is a storage for storing image data, document data, programs, font data, forms, and the like. The operation panel 80 is an operation unit that accepts an input operation from an operator and performs display for the operator.
[0049]
The NIC 69 is an interface device for connecting the compound machine 1 to a network. The USB device 70, the IEEE 1394 device 71, and the Centronics 72 are interfaces conforming to the respective standards. The FCU 81 has a memory. The memory of the FCU 81 is used for temporarily storing facsimile data received when the power of the multi-function apparatus 1 is OFF, for example.
[0050]
Hereinafter, a thumbnail printing method and a thumbnail output method realized by the MFP 1 will be sequentially described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a functional configuration diagram of the multifunction peripheral for explaining the thumbnail printing method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the functional configuration diagram of FIG. 3, functional configurations that are not necessary for explanation are omitted.
[0051]
As shown in FIG. 3, in the thumbnail printing method of the present invention, a network device 100 connected to the MFP 1 via a network 200 such as the Internet is connected to a document file stored in the MFP 1 (hereinafter referred to as storage). This is for causing the MFP 1 to print thumbnails of documents).
[0052]
First, it is assumed that the browser 120 of the network device 100 obtains a list of stored documents and a document ID stored in the MFP 1 from the MFP 1 using, for example, an HTTP request and an HTTP response. The user who operates the network device 100 inputs a password if it is necessary to input a thumbnail, and clicks a button for printing a thumbnail provided on the screen of the browser 120 with a mouse or the like. Note that the user may select all or a part of the stored documents from the list of stored documents displayed on the screen of the browser 120 and print thumbnails of the selected stored documents.
[0053]
In step S10, the browser 120 of the network device 100 creates an HTTP request including the document ID and password of the stored document selected by the user, and transmits the HTTP request to the MFP 1 via the network 200 such as the Internet. The HTTP request transmitted from the network device 100 is supplied to the web page service 122 via the httpd 121 of the NCS 31.
[0054]
Progressing to step S11 following step S10, the Web page service 122 transmits the document ID and password of the stored document to the document management service 123, and makes a request to obtain a ticket 124 described later. The ticket acquisition request is made using, for example, a ticket acquisition function “base64Binary getDocTicket (unsigned int [] docId, string [] password)” with the document ID and password of the stored document as arguments.
[0055]
Progressing to step S12 following step S11, the document management service 123 transmits the received document ID and password of the stored document to the MCS 36, and requests password authentication. The password authentication request is made using, for example, a password authentication request function “int mcsCheckPassword (unsignedInt DocId, string password)” that uses the document ID and password of the stored document as arguments.
[0056]
The MCS 36 performs password authentication of the password received from the document management service 123. Proceeding to step S13 following step S12, the MCS 36 transmits the password authentication result to the document management service 123. The password authentication result is transmitted from the MCS 36 to the document management service 123 as a return value of the password authentication request function, for example.
[0057]
When the password is authenticated, the document management service 123 generates a ticket as shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the ticket. FIG. 4A shows a structure of a ticket 124 transferred between the Web page service 122 and the document management service 123. The ticket 124 stores a ticket ID and a data size of the ticket.
[0058]
FIG. 4B is a table 126 for collating the tickets 124. The table 126 is held by the document management service 123. Table 126 includes ticket content information and ticket management information. The ticket content information includes, as information, an array of structures in which a file ID and password as a ticket ID, a ticket expiration date, the number of files, and a document ID are paired. The ticket management information includes the current ticket number and the number of issued tickets as information. Note that the ticket 124 and the table 126 are associated by a ticket ID.
[0059]
In step S <b> 14, the document management service 123 transmits the generated ticket 124 to the web page service 122. The ticket 124 is transmitted from the document management service 123 to the Web page service 122 as a return value of a ticket acquisition function, for example.
[0060]
In step S15, the Web page service 122 transmits the ticket 124 received in step S14 to the print service 130, and makes a thumbnail print request. The thumbnail print request is made using, for example, a thumbnail print function “void printThumbnailByTicket (base64Binary ticket)” using the ticket 124 as an argument. Note that the print service 130 is included in the WSF 27, for example. The print service 130 may be provided in the printer application 21 and the control service layer 9.
[0061]
In step S <b> 16, the print service 130 transmits the ticket 124 received in step S <b> 15 to the document management service 123, and makes a print thumbnail generation request for use in print processing. In step S16, a document ID corresponding to the ticket may be requested, and a thumbnail ID corresponding to the document ID may be acquired later. The print thumbnail generation request is made using, for example, a print thumbnail generation function “anyURL createThumbnail (base64Binary ticket)” using the ticket 124 as an argument.
[0062]
In step S17, the document management service 123 confirms the validity of the received ticket 124 using the table 126. If the ticket 124 is valid, the document management service 123 transmits the document ID included in the ticket 124 to the MCS 36, and sets the document ID. Request opening of thumbnail file of corresponding stored document. A thumbnail file open request is made using, for example, a thumbnail open function “boolean mcsOpenPage (unsigndInt DocId)” with a document ID as an argument.
[0063]
After the thumbnail file is opened, the document management service 123 generates a thumbnail for printing that duplicates the thumbnail of the stored document corresponding to the document ID. The print thumbnail is stored in, for example, the system memory 62, the local memory 67, or the HDD 68. If the thumbnails for printing are stored outside the document management DB, the load on the document management DB is reduced. The document management service 123 sets a thumbnail ID corresponding to the print thumbnail.
[0064]
The document management service 123 transmits the set thumbnail ID to the print service 130. For example, the thumbnail ID is transmitted from the document management service 123 to the print service 130 as a return value of the print thumbnail generation function.
[0065]
In step S18, the print service 130 transmits the thumbnail ID received in step S17 to the ECS 35, and prints a printing thumbnail corresponding to the thumbnail ID. For example, the ECS 35 reads a print thumbnail from the HDD 68 or the like using the thumbnail ID and performs print processing.
[0066]
Here, the thumbnail print processing performed by the print service 130 and the ECS 35 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 shows an event flow diagram of an example of a thumbnail print process performed by the print service and ECS.
[0067]
In step S100, the print service 130 requests the ECS 35 to open a job using a function. Progressing to step S101 following step S100, the ECS 35 transmits a job ID to the print service 130 as a return value of the function.
[0068]
Progressing to step S102 following step S101, the print service 130 requests the ECS 35 to set the job operation mode using a function. Progressing to step S103 following step S102, the ECS 35 transmits success or failure of setting the job operation mode to the print service 130 as a return value of the function.
[0069]
Proceeding to step S104 following step S103, the ECS 35 transmits an executability notification to the print service 130 as an event. In step S105 following step S104, the print service 130 requests a job entry from the ECS 35 using a function. Progressing to step S106 following step S105, the ECS 35 transmits success or failure of the job entry to the print service 130 as a return value of the function.
[0070]
Proceeding to step S107 following step S106, the ECS 35 transmits an executability notification to the print service 130 by an event. In step S108 following step S107, the print service 130 requests the ECS 35 to start a job using a function.
[0071]
Proceeding to step S109 following step S108, the ECS 35 transmits a job end notification and job ID of the completed job to the print service 130 as an event. In step S110 following step S109, the print service 130 requests the ECS 35 to close the job using a function.
[0072]
With the event flow as shown in FIG. 5, the print service 130 can perform print processing of the print thumbnail corresponding to the thumbnail ID received in step S17. In step S 19 following step S 18, the print service 130 transmits the result of the print process to the web page service 122.
[0073]
In step S20, the Web page service 122 transmits the result of the printing process received in step S19 to the network device 100 via the httpd 121 of the NCS 31. The network device 100 displays the result of the printing process received from the MFP 1 on the browser 120 screen.
[0074]
The document management service 123 deletes the generated print thumbnail after the expiration date of the ticket 124 has expired. For example, the print thumbnail deletion function “void mcsDeleteThumbnail (unsignedInt thumbnailId)” with the thumbnail ID as an argument is used to delete the print thumbnail.
[0075]
Therefore, the user can easily print thumbnails for printing of the stored documents stored in the multifunction peripheral 1 by operating the browser 120 of the network device 100. Further, in the MFP 1, by using the ticket 124, the printing thumbnail data itself is not transferred unnecessarily, and waste of resources can be prevented. The MFP 1 uses the ticket 124 to print an authenticated print thumbnail without notifying the print service 130 of a password.
[0076]
FIG. 6 is a functional configuration diagram of the multi-function peripheral for explaining the thumbnail printing method according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the functional configuration diagram of FIG. 6, functional configurations that are not necessary for explanation are omitted. Moreover, since the process of step S10-S18 of FIG. 6 is the same as that of step S10-S18 of FIG. 3, description is abbreviate | omitted.
[0077]
Progressing to step S21 following step S18, the print service 130 transmits the result of the printing process to the network device 100 via the httpd 121 of the NCS 31. The network device 100 displays the result of the printing process received from the MFP 1 on the browser 120 screen. The document management service 123 deletes the generated print thumbnail after the expiration date of the ticket 124 has expired.
[0078]
Therefore, the user can easily print thumbnails for printing of the stored documents stored in the multifunction peripheral 1 by operating the browser 120 of the network device 100. Further, in the MFP 1, by using the ticket 124, the printing thumbnail data itself is not transferred unnecessarily, and waste of resources can be prevented. The MFP 1 uses the ticket 124 to print an authenticated print thumbnail without notifying the print service 130 of a password.
[0079]
FIG. 7 shows a functional block diagram of the multi-functional apparatus for explaining the thumbnail output method of the third embodiment according to the present invention. In the functional configuration diagram of FIG. 7, functional configurations that are not necessary for explanation are omitted. Moreover, since the process of step S10-S14 of FIG. 7 is the same as that of step S10-S14 of FIG. 3, description is abbreviate | omitted.
[0080]
As shown in FIG. 7, in the thumbnail output method of the present invention, the network device 100 connected to the MFP 1 via the network 200 such as the Internet fuses the thumbnails of the stored documents stored in the MFP 1. This is for outputting to the machine 1 (for example, printing).
[0081]
Proceeding to step S22 following step S14, the network service 122 transmits the ticket 124 received from the document management service 123 to the document management service 123 and makes a request to generate an output thumbnail for use in output processing. The output thumbnail generation request is made using, for example, an output thumbnail generation function “anyURL createThumbnail (base64Binary ticket)” using the ticket 124 as an argument.
[0082]
In step S23 following step S22, the document management service 123 checks the validity of the received ticket 124 using the table 126. If the ticket 124 is valid, the document management service 123 transmits the document ID included in the ticket 124 to the MCS 36. , Request to open the thumbnail file of the stored document corresponding to the document ID.
[0083]
After the thumbnail file is opened, the document management service 123 generates an output thumbnail that duplicates the thumbnail of the stored document corresponding to the document ID. The output thumbnail is stored in, for example, the system memory 62, the local memory 67, or the HDD 68. When the output thumbnail is stored in a document management DB other than the document management DB, the load on the document management DB is reduced. Then, the document management service 123 sets a thumbnail ID corresponding to the output thumbnail, and transmits the thumbnail ID to the network service 122. For example, the thumbnail ID is transmitted from the document management service 123 to the network service 122 as a return value of the output thumbnail generation function.
[0084]
Progressing to step S24 following step S23, the network service 122 transmits the thumbnail ID received from the document management service 123 to the document output service 140, and makes a thumbnail output request.
[0085]
Progressing to step S25 following step S24, the document output service 140 transmits the thumbnail ID received from the network service 122 to the DCS 32, FCS 34, or ECS 35, and performs an output thumbnail output process corresponding to the thumbnail ID. For example, the DCS 32, FCS 34, or ECS 35 reads the output thumbnail from the HDD 68 or the like using the thumbnail ID and performs output processing.
[0086]
For example, the document output service 140 transmits the thumbnail ID received from the network service 122 to the ECS 35, and performs output thumbnail print processing corresponding to the thumbnail ID based on the thumbnail print processing of FIG.
[0087]
Progressing to step S26 following step S25, the document output service 140 transmits the result of the output process to the network service 122. In step S27, the network service 122 transmits the result of the output process received from the document output service 140 to the network device 100 via the httpd 121 of the NCS 31. The network device 100 displays the output processing result received from the MFP 1 on the screen of the browser 120.
[0088]
The document management service 123 deletes the generated output thumbnail after the expiration date of the ticket 124 has expired. For example, the output thumbnail deletion function “void mcsDeleteThumbnail (unsignedInt thumbnailId)” with the thumbnail ID as an argument is used to delete the output thumbnail.
[0089]
Therefore, the user can easily output thumbnails for output of the stored documents stored in the multifunction peripheral 1 by operating the browser 120 of the network device 100. Further, in the multi-function apparatus 1, by using the ticket 124, the output thumbnail data itself is not transferred unnecessarily, and waste of resources can be prevented.
[0090]
Further, since the MFP 1 in FIG. 7 does not communicate with the document management service 123 and the document output service 140, complicated processing due to the document output service 140 becoming a client of the document management service 123 is not necessary.
[0091]
FIG. 8 is a functional configuration diagram of the multi-function apparatus for explaining a thumbnail output method according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the functional configuration diagram of FIG. 8, functional configurations that are not necessary for explanation are omitted.
[0092]
In step S 31, the browser 120 of the network device 100 creates an HTTP request including the document ID and password of the stored document selected by the user, and transmits the HTTP request to the MFP 1 via the network 200. The HTTP request transmitted from the network device 100 is supplied to the network service 122 via the httpd 121 of the NCS 31.
[0093]
In step S32 following step S31, the network service 122 establishes a session with the document management service 123. The document management service 123 acquires the session ID 151 of the document management service associated with the session object 150 of the document management service.
[0094]
Further, the network service 122 acquires the document ID and password included in the HTTP request supplied from the network device 100, transmits the document ID and password to the document management service 123, and issues a ticket 124 acquisition request.
[0095]
Progressing to step S33 following step S32, the document management service 123 transmits the document ID and password received from the network service 122 to the MCS 36, and makes a password authentication request. The MCS 36 performs password authentication using the document ID and password received from the document management service 123.
[0096]
Proceeding to step S34 following step S33, the MCS 36 transmits the result of password authentication to the document management service 123. When the password authentication for the document ID is normally completed, the document management service 123 generates a table 126 including a ticket 124, ticket contents information, and ticket management information.
[0097]
In step S <b> 35, the document management service 123 transmits the generated ticket 124 and the session ID 151 of the document management service to the network service 122.
[0098]
In step S 36, the network service 122 stores the received ticket 124 and document management service session ID 151 in the HTTP session object 152 in association with the HTTP session ID 153. Progressing to step S37 following step S36, the network service 122 transmits the HTTP session ID 153 associated with the HTTP session object 152 to the network device 100 via the httpd 121 of the NCS 31 and the network 200.
[0099]
In step S <b> 38, the browser 120 of the network device 100 creates an HTTP request including a thumbnail output request and an HTTP session ID 153, and transmits the HTTP request to the MFP 1 via the network 200. The HTTP request transmitted from the network device 100 is supplied to the network service 122 via the httpd 121 of the NCS 31.
[0100]
Proceeding to step S39 following step S38, the network service 122 obtains an HTTP session ID 153 included in the HTTP request supplied from the network device 100. The network service 122 refers to the HTTP session object 152, and acquires the ticket 124 and the document management service session ID 151 from the HTTP session object 152 corresponding to the HTTP session ID 153 received in step S38.
[0101]
At this time, the network service 122 confirms that the network device 100 that has received the HTTP session ID 153 in step S37 is the same as the network device 100 that has transmitted the HTTP session ID 153 in step S38. The thumbnail output request may not be permitted.
[0102]
In step S40, the network service 122 transmits the ticket 124 acquired in step S39 and the session ID 151 of the document management service to the document management service 123, and requests generation of an output thumbnail for use in output processing.
[0103]
Progressing to step S41 following step S40, the document management service 123 checks the validity of the received ticket 124 using the table 126, and if the ticket 124 is valid, transmits the document ID included in the ticket 124 to the MCS 36. , Request to open the thumbnail file of the stored document corresponding to the document ID.
[0104]
After the thumbnail file is opened, the document management service 123 generates an output thumbnail that duplicates the thumbnail of the stored document corresponding to the document ID. The output thumbnail is stored in, for example, the system memory 62, the local memory 67, or the HDD 68. Then, the document management service 123 sets a thumbnail ID corresponding to the output thumbnail, and transmits the thumbnail ID to the network service 122.
[0105]
At this time, if it is unconfirmed that the session is correct in the network service, the document management service 123 uses the session ID 151 of the document management service to receive the HTTP session ID 153 in step S37, and the HTTP session ID 153 in step S38. It may be confirmed that the network device 100 that has transmitted is the same, and a request for outputting thumbnails from a different network device 100 may not be permitted.
[0106]
The processing in steps S42 to S45 after the network service 122 acquires the thumbnail ID from the document management service 123 is the same as the processing in steps S24 to S27 in FIG.
[0107]
Therefore, the user can easily output thumbnails for output of the stored documents stored in the multifunction peripheral 1 by operating the browser 120 of the network device 100. Further, in the multi-function apparatus 1, by using the ticket 124, the output thumbnail data itself is not transferred unnecessarily, and waste of resources can be prevented.
[0108]
Further, in the MFP 1 of FIG. 8, since there is no communication between the document management service 123 and the document output service 140, complicated processing due to the document output service 140 becoming a client of the document management service 123 becomes unnecessary.
[0109]
FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of the multi-functional apparatus for explaining a thumbnail output method according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the functional configuration diagram of FIG. 9, functional configurations that are not necessary for explanation are omitted. Moreover, since the process of step S31-S39 of FIG. 9 is the same as the process of step S31-S39 of FIG. 8, description is abbreviate | omitted.
[0110]
In step S46, the network service 122 transmits the ticket 124 acquired in step S39 and the session ID 151 of the document management service to the document output service 140.
[0111]
In step S47 following step S46, the document output service 140 transmits the ticket 124 received from the network service 122 and the session ID 151 of the document management service to the document management service 123, and outputs an output thumbnail for use in output processing. Make a generation request.
[0112]
Progressing to step S48 following step S47, the document management service 123 confirms the validity of the received ticket 124 using the table 126. If the ticket 124 is valid, the document ID included in the ticket 124 is transmitted to the MCS 36. , Request to open the thumbnail file of the stored document corresponding to the document ID.
[0113]
After the thumbnail file is opened, the document management service 123 generates an output thumbnail that duplicates the thumbnail of the stored document corresponding to the document ID. The output thumbnail is stored in, for example, the system memory 62, the local memory 67, or the HDD 68. Then, the document management service 123 sets a thumbnail ID corresponding to the output thumbnail, and transmits the thumbnail ID to the document output service 130.
[0114]
Note that the processing in steps S49 to S51 after the document output service 140 acquires the thumbnail ID from the document management service 123 is the same as the processing in steps S43 to S45 in FIG.
[0115]
Therefore, the user can easily output thumbnails for output of the stored documents stored in the multifunction peripheral 1 by operating the browser 120 of the network device 100. Further, in the multi-function apparatus 1, by using the ticket 124, the output thumbnail data itself is not transferred unnecessarily, and waste of resources can be prevented. Note that the MFP 1 can output an authenticated output thumbnail without notifying the document output service 140 of a password by transferring the ticket 124 to the document output service 140.
[0116]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the present invention.
[0117]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to share the authentication function for the thumbnails of the stored documents, can distribute the load of the document management DB, can output the thumbnail stored document without wasting resources is there.
[0118]
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of a compound machine according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an embodiment of a compound machine according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a functional configuration diagram of the multifunction peripheral for explaining a thumbnail printing method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a ticket.
FIG. 5 is an event flow diagram illustrating an example of a thumbnail print process performed by a print service and ECS.
FIG. 6 is a functional configuration diagram of the multifunction peripheral for explaining a thumbnail printing method according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a functional configuration diagram of a multi-function peripheral for explaining a thumbnail output method according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a functional configuration diagram of a multi-function peripheral for explaining a thumbnail output method according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a functional configuration diagram of a multi-function peripheral for explaining a thumbnail output method according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fusion machine 2 Software group 3 Fusion machine starting part 4 Hardware resource 5 Application layer 6 Platform 7 Shared function layer 8 Wrapping layer 9 Control service layer 10 Handler layer 31 Network control service (NCS)
32 Delivery Control Service (DCS)
34 Fax Control Service (FCS)
35 Engine Control Service (ECS)
36 Memory control service 60 Controller 68 Hard disk drive (HDD)
80 Operation panel 81 Fax control unit (FCU)
82 Engine unit 83 Plotter 100 Network device 120 Browser 121 httpd (HyperText Transfer Protocol Daemon)
122 Web page service 123 Document management service 124 Ticket 126 Table 130 Print service 140 Document output service 150 Document management service session object 151 Document management service session ID
152 HTTP session object 153 HTTP session ID

Claims (24)

  An image forming apparatus comprising: an output unit that outputs a document input from a scanning unit or a network communication unit; and a document storage unit that can store the input document as a stored document with usage restrictions.
  Thumbnail output request management means for receiving and managing thumbnail output requests for thumbnails of stored documents stored in the document storage unit from an external network device;
  Based on a request from the thumbnail output request management means, verification information creation means for creating verification information according to the thumbnail output request and certification information for specifying the verification information;
  Holding means for holding the verification information and the certification information in association with each other;
  Proof information transmitting means for transmitting the proof information to the thumbnail output request managing means;
  A thumbnail output request receiving means for receiving a thumbnail output request using the certification information from the thumbnail output request managing means;
  Output thumbnail identification information acquisition means for acquiring output thumbnail identification information of an output thumbnail obtained by duplicating the thumbnail of the stored document verified by the verification information according to the certification information;
  Thumbnail output means for obtaining an output thumbnail corresponding to the output thumbnail identification information from the document storage unit and outputting the thumbnail at the output unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The output thumbnail identification information acquisition unit generates an output thumbnail by duplicating the thumbnail of the stored document collated by the collation information, and transmits the output thumbnail identification information of the output thumbnail to the thumbnail output unit The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The output thumbnail identification information acquisition means stores the generated output thumbnail in a storage unit other than the document storage unit,
  The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the thumbnail output unit acquires an output thumbnail corresponding to the output thumbnail identification information from the storage unit and outputs the thumbnail from the storage unit.   4. The thumbnail output request management unit receives the output processing result information from the thumbnail output unit, and transmits the output processing result information to the external network device. Image forming apparatus.   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thumbnail output request includes at least identification information for identifying a stored document and password information for certifying authority to use the stored document.   6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the collation information includes identification information for identifying the authenticated accumulated document.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the verification information includes an expiration date of the verification information and the certification information.   8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a deletion unit that deletes the collation information and the certification information held in the holding unit after the expiration date has expired.   A thumbnail output method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: an output unit that outputs a document input from a scan unit or a network communication unit; and a document storage unit that can store the input document as a stored document with usage restrictions. And
  A thumbnail output request management means for managing thumbnail output requests for thumbnails of stored documents stored in the document storage unit, receiving thumbnail output requests from an external network device;
  Based on the request from the thumbnail output request management means, the proof information creating means creates collation information according to the thumbnail output request and proof information for specifying the collation information;
  A holding unit holding the collation information and the certification information in association with each other;
  Proof information transmitting means transmits the proof information to the thumbnail output request managing means;
  A thumbnail output request receiving unit receiving a thumbnail output request using the certification information from the thumbnail output request managing unit;
  An output thumbnail identification information obtaining unit obtaining output thumbnail identification information of an output thumbnail obtained by duplicating a thumbnail of the stored document collated with the collation information according to the certification information;
  A thumbnail output unit that obtains an output thumbnail corresponding to the output thumbnail identification information from the document storage unit and outputs the thumbnail at the output unit;
A thumbnail output method characterized by comprising:   The step of acquiring the output thumbnail identification information obtaining means outputs thumbnail identification information of an output thumbnail obtained by duplicating a thumbnail of the stored document collated with the collation information according to the certification information. 10. The thumbnail output method according to claim 9, wherein an output thumbnail is generated by copying the collated thumbnail of the stored document, and output thumbnail identification information of the output thumbnail is transmitted to the thumbnail output means. .   The step of the output thumbnail identification information obtaining means obtaining the output thumbnail identification information of the output thumbnail obtained by duplicating the thumbnail of the stored document collated with the collation information according to the certification information includes the generated output thumbnail The thumbnail is stored in a storage unit other than the document storage unit,
  The step of the thumbnail output means obtaining the output thumbnail corresponding to the output thumbnail identification information from the document storage unit and outputting the thumbnail in the output unit includes storing the output thumbnail corresponding to the output thumbnail identification information. The thumbnail output method according to claim 10, wherein the thumbnail output method obtains the output from the output unit and outputs the output from the output unit.   12. The thumbnail output request management unit further includes a step of receiving output processing result information from the thumbnail output unit and transmitting the output processing result information to the external network device. The thumbnail output method according to claim 1.   13. The thumbnail output method according to claim 9, wherein the thumbnail output request includes at least identification information for identifying a stored document and password information for proving use authority of the stored document.   14. The thumbnail output method according to claim 9, wherein the collation information includes identification information for identifying the authenticated accumulated document.   15. The thumbnail output method according to claim 9, wherein the verification information includes an expiration date of the verification information and the certification information.   16. The thumbnail output method according to claim 15, further comprising a step of deleting the collation information and the certification information held in the holding means after an expiration date has expired. Using one or more external network devices and an image forming apparatus connected to the external network device via a network, print thumbnails of stored documents stored in document storage means of the image forming apparatus are displayed. A thumbnail output system for outputting,
The image forming apparatus includes a thumbnail output request management unit that receives and manages thumbnail output requests for thumbnails of stored documents stored in the document storage unit from an external network device;
  Based on a request from the thumbnail output request management means, verification information creation means for creating verification information according to the thumbnail output request and certification information for specifying the verification information;
  Holding means for holding the verification information and the certification information in association with each other;
  Proof information transmitting means for transmitting the proof information to the thumbnail output request managing means;
  A thumbnail output request using the certification information is received from the thumbnail output request management means. A thumbnail output request receiving means for transmitting,
  Output thumbnail identification information acquisition means for acquiring output thumbnail identification information of an output thumbnail obtained by duplicating the thumbnail of the stored document verified by the verification information according to the certification information;
  Thumbnail output means for obtaining an output thumbnail corresponding to the output thumbnail identification information from the document storage unit and outputting the thumbnail at the output unit;
A thumbnail output system comprising:   The output thumbnail identification information acquisition unit generates an output thumbnail by duplicating the thumbnail of the stored document collated by the collation information, and transmits the output thumbnail identification information of the output thumbnail to the thumbnail output unit The thumbnail output system according to claim 17, wherein:   The output thumbnail identification information acquisition means stores the generated output thumbnail in a storage unit other than the document storage unit,
  19. The thumbnail output system according to claim 18, wherein the thumbnail output means acquires an output thumbnail corresponding to the output thumbnail identification information from the storage unit and outputs the thumbnail from the storage unit.   20. The thumbnail output request management means receives output processing result information from the thumbnail output means, and transmits the output processing result information to the external network device. Thumbnail output system.   21. The thumbnail output system according to claim 17, wherein the thumbnail output request includes at least identification information for identifying the stored document and password information for certifying the authority to use the stored document.   The thumbnail output system according to any one of claims 17 to 21, wherein the collation information includes identification information for identifying the authenticated accumulated document.   The thumbnail output system according to any one of claims 17 to 22, wherein the verification information includes an expiration date of the verification information and the certification information.   24. The thumbnail output system according to claim 23, further comprising a deletion unit that deletes the collation information and the certification information held in the holding unit after an expiration date has expired.

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