JP4241873B2 - File management apparatus and control program for file management apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a file management apparatus and a control program for the file management apparatus, and more particularly to a file management apparatus that accepts a file operation from a user via an operation panel and an external file operation through communication, and a control program for the file management apparatus. .

  In recent years, image processing apparatuses such as multifunction peripherals (equipment that has both a scanner function, a facsimile (FAX) function, and a network function, also referred to as MFP (Multi Function Peripherals)) have become highly functional, multifunctional, and high-quality. Progressing. For example, a single MFP is widely used to copy a document, fax a document, read a document, store it as a file, send an image to the outside, and output and save it. It is coming.

  By mounting such a plurality of processing functions on a single device, it is not necessary to prepare a dedicated device for each processing, so that there are advantages in terms of space saving and cost and simplification of the system. It is possible.

  Some MFPs include a storage device for storing files such as image data and documents, for example, a hard disk. The storage area of the hard disk is divided into a plurality of BOX (boxes). When access from the operation panel of the MFP and access via the network compete for the same stored file, the right to operate the file was given to the user who accessed earlier . The user who accesses later is not given the right to operate the file until the user who accesses earlier stops accessing the file.

There are the following access control techniques in MFPs and copiers.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-151620 discloses a technique in which priority is set in advance for each user who accesses the digital copying machine, and arbitration control is performed according to the priority of the user when there is a competition for use requests.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a technique in which priority is determined in advance for each job type / for each host / for each line, and arbitration control is performed in accordance with the priorities.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses a technique for notifying the other side of decision input when there is an input as a result of decision making by a client when a plurality of users are accessing the same document at the same time.

Patent Document 4 discloses a technique in which when a plurality of application programs access the same file, if one of the application programs does not lock correctly, the lock mechanism becomes incomplete, and the file system manager locks the file. .
JP-A-9-214645 JP-A-8-84213 JP 2003-85345 A JP-A-9-185540

  When access from the main unit and access from the network compete for the same document stored in the BOX of the MFP, the user accessing from the main unit is operating in front of the main unit, and the document It is often accessed for the purpose of printing and sending rather than the purpose of checking and editing the contents.

  However, the file operation of the user accessing from the MFP main body may be prohibited due to the file operation of the user accessing from the network, and the user accessing from the MFP main body may be inadvertently waiting. There was a problem that there was.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a file management apparatus and a file management apparatus control program capable of performing appropriate access control.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, a file management device provides a user with storage means for storing files, an operation panel for accepting operations from a user, and function restriction information for restricting the functions of the device. A first setting unit that receives access via the operation panel to the file stored in the storage unit, and a first unit that receives external access through communication with the file stored in the storage unit. The receiving unit, the identifying unit for identifying the user of the operation panel, and the function restricting information corresponding to the user by identifying the user of the operating panel by the identifying unit when the file is accessed by the first receiving unit. Reading means from the setting means, and restricting access by the second accepting means based on the function restriction information read by the reading means And a restriction means that.

  Preferably, when the function restriction information read by the reading unit permits the user to transfer and print a file, the file management device edits by external access via the second receiving unit. If the function restriction information that is prohibited and read by the reading means permits the user to view and move the file, editing by external access via the second receiving means is permitted.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, the file management device has a plurality of boxes, accumulates in a plurality of boxes, accumulates the files, an operation panel that accepts operations from the user, and accumulates in the accumulation means. The first accepting means for accepting access to the file via the operation panel, the second accepting means for accepting external access by communication with the file stored in the accumulating means, and the first accepting means Identification means for identifying a box in which the file to be stored is stored, and restriction means for restricting access by the second reception means based on the identification by the identification means.

  Preferably, the file management apparatus prohibits editing of the file by external access via the second accepting means when the box identified by the identifying means is a personal box of the user operating the operation panel. To do.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, the file management device is stored in the storage means for storing the file, the operation panel for accepting the operation from the user, the recording means for recording the operation history of the user's file, and the storage means. A first accepting unit that accepts access to the file through the operation panel, a second accepting unit that accepts external access by communication to the file stored in the accumulating unit, and a file by the first accepting unit Reading means for reading the operation history of the file recorded by the recording means when access is made, and a restricting means for restricting access by the second accepting means based on the operation history read by the reading means Is provided.

  Preferably, the restricting means restricts access by the second accepting means to a file having a high operation frequency from the operation history of the user's past file.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a control program for a file management apparatus provides, for each user, storage means for accumulating files, an operation panel that accepts an operation from a user, and function restriction information for restricting the function of the apparatus. A control program for a file management apparatus comprising setting means for setting, a first receiving step for accepting access via a control panel to a file stored in the storage means, and a file stored in the storage means A second receiving step for accepting external access by communication, an identifying step for identifying a user of the operation panel, and a user of the operating panel is identified by the identifying step when the file is accessed by the first receiving step A reading step for reading out the function restriction information corresponding to the user from the setting means, and a reading step Based on the more the read out function restriction information, to execute a restriction step of restricting access by the second reception step to the computer.
Preferably, the control program of the file management device prohibits editing by external access when the function restriction information read in the reading step permits file transfer and printing to the user, and reads the file. If the function restriction information read in the step permits the user to view and move the file, the computer is further caused to execute a step of permitting editing by external access.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a control program for a file management apparatus includes a plurality of boxes, storage means for storing files divided into a plurality of boxes, and an operation panel for receiving operations from a user. A control program for the file management apparatus, wherein a first receiving step for accepting access via the operation panel to a file stored in the storage means, and access from outside by communication to the file stored in the storage means A second accepting step to accept, an identifying step for identifying a box in which a file accessed by the first accepting step is stored, and a restriction for restricting access by the second accepting step based on the identification by the identifying step Causing the computer to execute the steps.
Preferably, the control program of the file management apparatus causes the computer to perform a step of prohibiting file editing by external access when the box identified by the identifying step is a personal box of a user operating the operation panel. Let it run further.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a control program for a file management apparatus includes a storage unit that stores a file, an operation panel that receives an operation from a user, and a recording unit that records an operation history of the user's file. A control program for the file management apparatus, wherein a first receiving step for accepting access via the operation panel to a file stored in the storage means, and access from outside by communication to the file stored in the storage means A second receiving step to be received; a reading step for reading an operation history of the file recorded by the recording means when the file is accessed by the first receiving step; and an operation history read by the reading step. And executing a restricting step for restricting access in the second accepting step on the computer. That.
Preferably, the restricting step includes a step of restricting external access to a file having a high operation frequency based on a user's past file operation history.

  According to these inventions, it is possible to provide a file management apparatus and a file management apparatus control program capable of performing appropriate access control when access from an operation panel to a file conflicts with access from the outside. It becomes possible.

  Hereinafter, a file management system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a file management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  This file management system is a system connected to a network. The file management system includes an MFP 101 as a file management apparatus and terminal devices 102a and 102b such as personal computers (PCs). Each device is connected to each other via a network 103.

  In this system, it is possible to edit data such as files stored in the BOX in the MFP 101 from the personal computers 102a and 102b.

  When a document is stored and used in a BOX provided in the main body of the MFP 101, there are a case where it is accessed by operating from the operation panel of the main body, and a case where it is accessed by operating from the PCs 102a and 102b via a network.

  In the case of a file in a personal BOX (BOX set for personal use), it is unlikely that access conflicts, but in a shared BOX (BOX set for the purpose of sharing among multiple users) In the case of this file, there may be cases where access conflicts.

  When access conflicts, a user who accesses from the MFP main body operates in front of the main body, and accesses for the purpose of printing or sending rather than for the purpose of checking or editing the document contents. Many. Therefore, it is better to give priority to the user who accesses from the main body after taking some protective measures for the user who accesses from the network than to wait for the user who accesses from the MFP main body.

  Therefore, in the file management system according to the present embodiment, access control of files stored in a BOX in the MFP main body is performed to prioritize access from the MFP main body.

  Also, in the access control for files stored in the BOX of the MFP, when access from the MFP main unit and access from the network compete for the same file, the access from the main unit is prioritized and the You can also edit from. That is, at this time, the access from the main body is prioritized after taking protective measures against the access from the network.

  For this reason, the MFP according to the present embodiment is used for access via the network when the access to the file stored in the BOX of the MFP main unit competes with the access via the network. A copy file is created, and when access cancellation from the main body panel is detected, the edited copy file is replaced with a master file.

  Thereby, it becomes possible to adjust the competition between the main body user and the PC user for the same file in consideration of the difference in operating environment between the main body operator and the PC operator.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a basic configuration of the MFP 101.
Referring to the figure, an MFP 101 includes a CPU 201 that controls each component in the MFP, an operation panel 202 on which a user inputs various settings and performs login / logout operations, and a NIC (network interface card) 203 for connecting to a network. An HD (hard disk) 204 that stores data in the MFP (including a BOX), a login detection unit 205 that detects that the user logs in and out of the MFP, and a user that identifies the logged-in user An identification unit 206, a function restriction information reading unit 207 that reads information corresponding to the logged-in user, a copy file creation unit 208 that creates a copy file for a file in the BOX of the HD 204, and the created copy file and master file File replacement part that replaces 09, an edit prohibition setting unit 210 that performs an edit prohibition setting on a file or a BOX in the HD 204, and a notification unit that notifies the user who has accessed the edit prohibition file that the file is set to prohibit editing. 211.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing one configuration of the PCs 102a and 102b in FIG.
Referring to the figure, a PC includes a CPU 601 for controlling the entire apparatus, a display 605, a LAN (local area network) card 607 (or a modem card) for connecting to a network or communicating with the outside, and a keyboard. And an input device 609 including a mouse, a flexible disk drive 611, a CD-ROM drive 613, a hard disk drive 615, a RAM 617, and a ROM 619.

  Data such as a program recorded on the flexible disk F can be read by the flexible disk drive 611, and data such as a program recorded on the CD-ROM 613a can be read by the CD-ROM drive 613. .

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when the main body user of the MFP 101 logs in.
According to this flowchart, a copy file is created when access conflicts.

  More specifically, when the user logs in to the MFP to access a document stored in the BOX from the operation panel 202 of the MFP main body (S301), the following processing is executed. A user who logs in from the MFP panel and accesses the BOX is also called a main body user.

  When the file accessed by the main body user and the file accessed by the user accessing the MFP from the PC 102a, 102b via the network (hereinafter also referred to as “NW user”) conflict (YES in S302), the copy file creation unit 208 Creates a copy file of the conflicting file for editing by the NW user (S303).

  The NW user can edit the copy file while the main body user is accessing the same file. This can prevent file conflicts.

  After the login detection unit 205 determines that the main body user has logged out (S304), if the copy file has been edited (modified) by the NW user (YES in S305), the file replacement unit 209 converts the copy file into a master file. Replace (S306).

  On the other hand, after the main body user logs out (S304), if it is determined that the copy file has not been edited (NO in S305), the copy file is deleted (S307).

  With the above processing, it is not necessary to restrict access by the user of the MFP main body while accepting editing or the like by external access via the network, so that the convenience of the MFP is improved.

[Second Embodiment]
Since the configuration of the file management system in the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as that in the first embodiment, description thereof will not be repeated here.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation when the main body user of the MFP of the file management system according to the present embodiment logs in.

  In this embodiment, when access conflicts, the NW user's access is prohibited, and the NW user is notified accordingly.

  In order to access a document stored in the BOX from the MFP body panel 202, the body user logs in to the MFP (S401). When the file accessed by the main body user and the file accessed by the NW user conflict (YES in S402), the edit prohibition setting unit 210 sets the NW user edit prohibition for the conflicting file (S403). The notification unit 211 notifies the NW user to that effect (S404).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, in the access control for the BOX stored document of the MFP, when the access from the MFP main body and the access from the network conflict with the same document, the access from the main body is performed. Priority is given to editing operations from the network. Thereby, the convenience of the user of the MFP main body can be improved.

[Third Embodiment]
Since the configuration of the file management system in the third embodiment of the present invention is the same as that in the first embodiment, the description thereof will not be repeated here.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation when the main body user of the MFP of the file management system according to the present embodiment logs in.

  In this embodiment, when the main body user and the NW user have a file access conflict and the main body user is permitted to transfer and print the file, the NW user is prohibited from editing the file. When the main body user is permitted only to view the file and move the BOX, the NW user is permitted to edit the file.

  The case where the main body user handles the file includes the case where the file is transmitted to a third party and the case where the main body user confirms the file. When transferring or printing, it is assumed that the user of the main unit transfers information to a third party by transferring or printing the file to the outside on the assumption that the contents of the file have not changed. It is often aimed. Accordingly, if the NW user's editing is accepted when such transfer or printing is performed, there is a possibility that a third party who receives the transmission may be disadvantaged.

  On the other hand, when the main body user browses or moves the BOX, the file is handled only by the main body user. In this case, in order to improve the operability for the NW user, editing by the NW user is permitted. is there.

  Referring to the figure, when the main body user logs in to the MFP to access a document stored in the BOX from panel 202 of the MFP main body (S501), the user who has logged in to MFP is identified (S502). The MFP reads out the function restriction information corresponding to the identified user (S503). If it is determined in step S504 that transfer and printing by the main body user are permitted, the MFP sets prohibition of editing for the NW user (S505). When there is an actual access from the NW user (YES in S506), the NW user is notified of this (S507).

  If it is determined in step S504 that only file browsing of the main body user and BOX movement are permitted, the NW user is not set to prohibit editing (S508).

  Thereby, in this embodiment, there is an effect that appropriate file access control can be performed based on the restrictions imposed on the user.

  The function restriction information may be set for each user and each file. In this case, in step S503, the function restriction information of the file to be accessed is read.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Since the configuration of the file management system in the fourth embodiment of the present invention is the same as that in the first embodiment, description thereof will not be repeated here.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation when the main body user of the MFP of the file management system according to the present embodiment logs in.

  In this embodiment, when the BOX accessed by the main body user is the personal BOX of the main body user, editing of the NW user whose access conflicts is prohibited, and in other cases, editing of the NW user whose access conflicts is prohibited. Is going to be allowed.

  Referring to the figure, in order to access a document stored in a BOX from panel 202 of the MFP main body, when the main body user logs in to MFP (S601), the user who has logged in MFP is identified (S602).

  Next, when the main body user selects his / her own personal BOX in step S603, the NW user is prohibited from editing the personal BOX (S604), and when there is an actual access from the NW user (YES in S605). The NW user is notified of this (S606).

  If the main body user does not select his / her personal BOX in step S603, the NW user is not set to prohibit editing (S607).

  In the present embodiment, when the user of the MFP main body is operating a personal BOX file, the NW user is prohibited from accessing the file. Since the importance of using a personal BOX is higher for users who are the target of the personal BOX, there is an effect that appropriate file access control can be performed by performing the processing as described above.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Since the configuration of the file management system in the fifth embodiment of the present invention is the same as that in the first embodiment, the description thereof will not be repeated here.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation when the main body user of the MFP of the file management system in the present embodiment logs in.

  In this embodiment, when the main body user logs in, the access of the NW user is restricted at the time of access contention for a file that is frequently used from the past file operation history of the main body user.

  Referring to the figure, when the main body user logs in to the MFP in order to access the file stored in the BOX from the panel 202 of the MFP main body (S701), the file operation history of the user who has logged in the MFP is read (S702). ). As a result of reading the file operation history, if it is determined in step S703 that there is an operation file having an operation history (usage history) equal to or greater than the set value (threshold value), the NW user edits that file Prohibition is set (S704), and when there is an actual access from the NW user (YES in S705), the NW user is notified of this (S706). If it is determined in step S703 that there is no operation file that is equal to or greater than the set value, the NW user is not set to prohibit editing (S707).

  In the present embodiment, when the user of the MFP main body operates an operation file (a frequently used file) having an operation history equal to or greater than a set value, access to the NW user is prohibited. Since a frequently used file has a high importance level, an appropriate file access control can be performed by performing the processing as described above.

[Sixth Embodiment]
Since the configuration of the file management system in the sixth embodiment of the present invention is the same as that in the first embodiment, description thereof will not be repeated here.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation when the main body user of the MFP of the file management system according to the present embodiment logs in.

  Referring to the figure, when the user logs in to the MFP to access a document stored in the BOX from the panel of the MFP main body (S801), the MFP reads the file operation history of the main body user (S802). If it is determined in step S803 that there is an operation file whose usage frequency is greater than or equal to the set value (YES in S803), the file is prohibited from editing from the network (S804), and the file is deleted from the network. Is accessed (YES in S805), it is notified that the file is set to be prohibited from editing (S806).

  If it is determined in step S803 that there is no operation file equal to or greater than the set value, and the login (main body) user accesses the personal BOX (YES in S807), the NW user edits the file in the personal BOX. If the access is prohibited from the network (YES in S805), the NW user is notified that the file is set to be prohibited from editing (S806).

  If it is determined in step S803 that there is no operation file equal to or greater than the set value (NO in S803), and the logged-in user accesses a file other than the personal BOX (NO in S807), the operation file is not received from the network. If there is an access (YES in S809 and S810), a copy file is created for the network user (S811). The network user can edit the copy file. When the user accessing the main unit logs out (YES in S812), the edited copy file is changed to the master file (YES in S813). It is replaced (S814).

  If the copy file is not edited (NO in S813), the copy file is deleted (S815).

  According to the present embodiment, when the access from the main body and the access from the network compete for the same document stored in the BOX, the access from the main body is prioritized, and the PC access person also determines the predetermined document. Under certain conditions, the file can be edited while the main body is being accessed.

[Others]
In the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 to 9, editing by NW users is prohibited under predetermined conditions. However, not only editing by NW users but also access such as browsing, file copying, printing, file transfer, BOX movement, etc. You may make it prohibit itself, or you may make it prohibit only a part (single, plural are included) in the access.

  In the above embodiment, file transfer, printing, browsing, and BOX movement are given as examples of access to the file of the user of the MFP main body. However, the apparatus is arranged so that the user of the MFP main body can edit the file. It may be configured.

  A program for executing the processing of the flowchart in the above-described embodiment can be provided, or the program can be recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, or a memory card. You may decide to provide it. Further, the program may be downloaded to the apparatus via a communication line such as the Internet.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

It is the figure which showed schematic structure of the file management system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 2 is a diagram illustrating a basic configuration of an MFP 101. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows one structure of PC102a, 102b of FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when a main body user of the MFP 101 logs in. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation when a main body user of an MFP of the file management system in the second embodiment logs in. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when a main body user of an MFP of a file management system according to a third embodiment logs in. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when a main body user of an MFP of a file management system according to a fourth exemplary embodiment logs in. 20 is a flowchart showing an operation when a main body user of an MFP of a file management system in a fifth embodiment logs in. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of the login of the main body user of MFP of the file management system in 6th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  101 MFP, 102a, 102b PC, 103 network, 201 CPU, 202 operation panel, 203 NIC, 204 HD, 205 login detection unit, 206 user identification unit, 207 function restriction information reading unit, 208 copy file creation unit, 209 file replacement Section 210 editing prohibition setting section 211 notification section.

Claims (12)

Storage means for storing files;
An operation panel that accepts operations from the user;
Setting means for setting function restriction information for restricting the function of the device for each user;
First accepting means for accepting access via the operation panel to the file stored in the storing means;
Second accepting means for accepting external access by communication to the file accumulated in the accumulating means;
Identification means for identifying a user of the operation panel;
A reading means for identifying a user of the operation panel by the identification means when the file is accessed by the first accepting means, and reading out function restriction information corresponding to the user from the setting means;
A file management apparatus comprising: restriction means for restricting access by the second receiving means based on the function restriction information read by the reading means. When the function restriction information read by the reading means permits the user to transfer and print a file, editing by external access via the second receiving means is prohibited, and the reading function restriction information read by means, if one intends to allow the viewing and moving files to the user, allowing editing by access from outside via the second reception means, to claim 1 The file management device described. A storage unit having a plurality of boxes and storing the files in a plurality of boxes;
An operation panel that accepts operations from the user;
First accepting means for accepting access via the operation panel to the file stored in the storing means;
Second accepting means for accepting external access by communication to the file accumulated in the accumulating means;
Identification means for identifying a box in which a file accessed by the first reception means is stored;
A file management apparatus comprising: restriction means for restricting access by the second reception means based on identification by the identification means. When the box identified by the identification means is a personal box of a user who is operating the operation panel, file editing by external access via the second reception means is prohibited. 4. The file management apparatus according to 3 . Storage means for storing files;
An operation panel that accepts operations from the user;
A recording means for recording a user's file operation history;
First accepting means for accepting access via the operation panel to the file stored in the storing means;
Second accepting means for accepting external access by communication to the file accumulated in the accumulating means;
Reading means for reading the operation history of the file recorded by the recording means when the file is accessed by the first accepting means;
A file management apparatus comprising: a restricting unit that restricts access by the second accepting unit based on the operation history read by the reading unit. The file management apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the restricting unit restricts access by the second accepting unit to a file having a high operation frequency based on an operation history of a user's past file. A file management apparatus control program comprising storage means for storing files, an operation panel for accepting operations from a user, and setting means for setting function restriction information for restricting functions of the apparatus for each user,
A first accepting step of accepting access via the operation panel to the file stored in the storing means;
A second accepting step of accepting external access by communication to the file stored in the storing means;
An identification step for identifying a user of the operation panel;
A reading step of identifying a user of the operation panel by the identification step and reading function restriction information corresponding to the user from the setting means when the file is accessed by the first reception step;
A control program for a file management apparatus that causes a computer that controls the file management apparatus to execute a restriction step for restricting access by the second reception step based on the function restriction information read by the reading step. When the function restriction information read in the reading step is information that allows a user to transfer and print a file, editing by external access is prohibited, and the function restriction read in the reading step 8. The control of the file management apparatus according to claim 7, wherein if the information allows a user to view and move a file, the computer further executes a step of permitting editing by access from the outside. program. A control program for a file management device having a plurality of boxes, comprising storage means for storing files divided into a plurality of boxes, and an operation panel for receiving operations from a user,
A first accepting step of accepting access via the operation panel to the file stored in the storing means;
A second accepting step of accepting external access by communication to the file stored in the storing means;
An identification step for identifying a box in which a file accessed by the first reception step is stored;
A control program for a file management apparatus that causes a computer that controls the file management apparatus to execute a restriction step for restricting access by the second reception step based on the identification in the identification step. When the box identified by the identification step is a personal box of a user who is operating the operation panel, the computer is further caused to execute a step of prohibiting file editing by the external access. 9. A control program for the file management apparatus according to 9. A control program for a file management apparatus comprising storage means for storing a file, an operation panel for accepting an operation from a user, and a recording means for recording an operation history of the user's file,
A first accepting step of accepting access via the operation panel to the file stored in the storing means;
A second accepting step of accepting external access by communication to the file stored in the storing means;
A reading step of reading an operation history of the file recorded by the recording means when the file is accessed by the first receiving step;
A control program for a file management apparatus that causes a computer that controls the file management apparatus to execute a restriction step for restricting access by the second reception step based on the operation history read by the reading step. 12. The control program for a file management apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the restricting step includes a step of restricting access from the outside to a file having a high operation frequency based on an operation history of a user's past file. .

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