JP4333314B2 - Information processing apparatus and information processing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an information processing method, and more particularly, to an information processing apparatus and an information processing method that execute an operation using a recording medium as a trigger.

  Electronic data created by a computer is printed on a recording medium such as paper by a printer. The information printed on the paper indicates the content of the information itself, and the information can be transmitted to the person viewing the paper. However, after electronic data is once printed on a sheet, the information printed on the sheet is not related to the electronic data that is the basis of the information.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-91391 (Patent Document 1) discloses a file means that stores information related to a specific word, sentence, symbol, or graphic in advance as a related information file, and one of a word, sentence, symbol, or graphic. Medium on which is recorded at least one piece of description information, connection information for connecting the description information and the related information file of the file means, and selection information for selecting specific description information from the description information A paper, a reading means for reading the selection information and the connection information from the medium paper, a search means for searching for a relevant information file from the file means based on the selection information and the connection information read by the reading means, An output means for outputting a related information file searched by the search means; Information management system is described.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-91301

  In the document information management system described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-91301, the connection information recorded on the medium sheet can be associated with the related information file stored in the file means by the connection information recorded on the medium sheet. . However, since the related information files are related by the link information, different related information files cannot be related to the same link information. Further, the connection information and the related information file recorded on the medium sheet are not changed after the connection information is recorded on the medium sheet. For this reason, it is not possible to cope with a change in circumstances that occurs after the connection information is recorded on the medium sheet.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one of the objects of the present invention is an information processing apparatus capable of executing an operation corresponding to a change in circumstances using a recording medium as a trigger, and It is to provide an information processing method.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and an information processing method capable of executing different operations by using a recording medium on which the same electronic data is imaged as a trigger.

In order to achieve the above-described object, according to one aspect of the present invention, the information processing apparatus acquires identification information for identifying a recording medium on which printing based on electronic data is made from the recording medium. an acquisition unit, correspond to events that are instructed to record medium, the electronic data is electronic data itself or the original is the original of prints is the source of the print to the recording medium via the recording medium The additional information describing information for controlling the operation related to the electronic data itself, which is performed using the electronic data itself obtained by being updated, is used as the electronic data and the acquired identification information. Storage means for storing the information in association with each other and changing means for changing the additional information are provided.

  According to the present invention, the additional information describing the operation corresponding to the event is stored in association with the identification information for identifying the recording medium, so that an operation different for each recording medium can be associated with the event. Further, since the additional information can be changed, it is possible to cope with the conversion of circumstances after storing the additional information in association with the identification information. As a result, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus capable of executing an operation corresponding to a change in circumstances using a recording medium as a trigger.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the information processing apparatus acquires the print instruction means for outputting an instruction to print the electronic data, the identification information for identifying the recording medium from a recording medium on which printing has been performed an identification information acquiring unit, the electronic data in response to the identification information of the printed recording medium is acquired, corresponding to events that are instructed to record medium, is the source of the print to the recording medium Controls the operation related to the electronic data itself, which is performed using the electronic data itself which is the original of the print or the electronic data itself which is obtained by updating the original electronic data without going through the recording medium. Storage means for storing additional information describing information to be performed in association with the electronic data and the acquired identification information .

  According to the present invention, when the identification information of the recording medium on which the electronic data is printed is acquired, the additional information describing the operation corresponding to the event is stored in association with the identification information. For this reason, even in a recording medium printed with the same electronic data, a different operation for each recording medium can be associated with an event. As a result, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus capable of executing different operations using a recording medium on which the same electronic data is imaged as a trigger.

  Preferably, the information processing apparatus further includes changing means for changing the additional information.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus capable of executing an operation corresponding to a change in circumstances.

Preferably, the additional information is information describing the operation corresponding to each of the plurality of events, the plurality of events, depending on the position on the recording medium when an event is instructed to the recording medium It includes an event that the type is Ru are identified, and an event that the type is not dependent on the position on the recording medium is identified when the event is indicated.

  According to the present invention, the operation is described corresponding to each of a plurality of events, so that a plurality of operations can be executed using one recording medium as a trigger. In addition, since an event that depends on the position of the recording medium and an event that does not depend on the position are included, a desired event can be easily specified from a plurality of events.

  Preferably, the identification information is stored in a semiconductor device attached to the recording medium.

  According to the present invention, since the identification information is stored in the semiconductor device attached to the recording medium, the recording medium can be reliably identified.

Preferably, event detection means for detecting the occurrence of an instructed event on the recording medium, and stored in association with the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means in response to detection of the event by the event detection means A reading means for reading the additional information, and a control means for executing an operation corresponding to the detected event among the events described in the read additional information.

  According to the present invention, in response to the detection of the event, the additional information stored in association with the identification information of the recording medium is read, and the operation corresponding to the event is executed among the events described in the additional information. Is done.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, an information processing method includes the step of acquiring identification information for identifying the recording medium the print has been performed on the basis of the electronic data from the recording medium, relative record medium Corresponding to the designated event , the electronic data itself that is the original of the print that has been printed on the recording medium or the electronic data obtained by updating the original electronic data without going through the recording medium Storing additional information describing information for controlling operations related to the electronic data itself, which is performed using the data itself, in association with the electronic data and the acquired identification information; Changing.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing method capable of executing an operation corresponding to a change in circumstances using a recording medium as a trigger.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, an information processing method includes a step of outputting an instruction to print given electronic data on a recording medium, and an identification for identifying the recording medium from the printed recording medium acquiring information, in response to the electronic data identification information of the printed recording medium is obtained, corresponding to events that are instructed to record medium, is the source of the print to the recording medium Controls the operation related to the electronic data itself, which is performed using the electronic data itself which is the original of the print or the electronic data itself which is obtained by updating the original electronic data without going through the recording medium. additional information describing the information to, and storing in association with the corresponding electronic data and the identification information acquired

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing method capable of executing different operations using a recording medium printed with the same electronic data as a trigger.
Preferably, the information processing method further includes a step of changing the additional information.
Preferably, the additional information is information describing an operation corresponding to each of the plurality of events, and the plurality of events depend on a position on the recording medium when the event is instructed to the recording medium. An event whose type is specified and an event whose type is specified without depending on the position on the recording medium when the event is indicated are included.
Preferably, the identification information is stored in a semiconductor device attached to the recording medium.
Preferably, the information processing method uses the identification information acquired in the step of detecting the occurrence of the event instructed to the recording medium and the step of acquiring the identification information in response to the detection in the step of detecting the event. The method further includes a step of reading the associated additional information stored and a step of executing an operation corresponding to the detected event among the events described in the read additional information.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall outline of a document management system according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a document management system 1 includes a computer 400 connected to a network 30, a printer 100 that prints print data output from the computer 400 on paper 10, and an image formed by the printer 100. The tablet 300 for instructing the occurrence of an event from the sheet 10A.

  Although the figure shows a case where there is one computer 400, one printer 100, and one tablet 300, these may be singular or plural.

  The computer 400 is a general personal computer. Since the hardware configuration is well known, description thereof will not be repeated here. A CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) 401 is mounted on the computer 400. The document management program recorded on the CD-ROM 401 is read by a CD-ROM drive or the like and temporarily stored in the hard disk. Further, it is read from the hard disk to a random access memory (RAM) and executed by a CPU (Central Processing Unit). In the computer 400, various application programs for generating print data such as a document creation program, a drawing program, a spreadsheet program, an image editing program, and a drawing program are executed. The user operates the computer 400 to cause the computer 400 to execute these application programs and generate print data that is electronic data. When an instruction to output print data generated by the computer 400 is given, a document management program (information management program) described later is executed.

  The paper 10 is a recording medium on which an image is formed by the printer 100. The sheet 10 includes an IC (Integrated Circuit) tag 11. The IC tag 11 includes a storage device that stores unique identification information for identifying a sheet on which the IC tag is attached and another sheet, and a communication device that can wirelessly communicate with an IC tag reader described later. For example, a semiconductor device such as a muchip can be used. Since the paper 10 is attached with an IC tag, the identification information is not copied at the same time when the image formed on the paper 10 is optically read and copied by a copying machine or the like. Therefore, the paper 10 can be specified from the identification information.

  The printer 100 is an image forming apparatus, and forms an image on the paper 10 in accordance with print data output from the computer 400. The sheet 10 </ b> A shows a state where the image 20 is formed on the sheet 10. The printer 100 includes an IC tag reader 101. The IC tag reader 101 communicates wirelessly with the IC tag 11 attached to the fed paper 10 and acquires identification information stored in the storage device of the IC tag 11. Therefore, it is possible to associate the identification information of the sheet 10 with the print data used to form an image on the sheet 10. This association is performed by the computer 400. Specifically, after the computer 400 transmits the print data, the identification number of the paper 10 on which the image is formed is received from the printer 100 according to the print data, and the received identification number is associated with the electronic data corresponding to the print data. This will be described in detail later.

  The tablet 300 is a user interface for generating an event using the paper 10. The tablet 300 includes a coordinate input device 303 and an IC tag reader 310. When the user places the paper 10 on the coordinate input device 303 and designates an arbitrary position on the paper 10 with the pen 304, the position information on the designated paper 10 is input. Similar to the IC tag reader 101 provided in the printer 100, the IC tag reader 310 communicates wirelessly with the IC tag 11 attached to the paper 10 mounted on the coordinate input device 303 and stores it in the storage device of the IC tag 11. Obtained identification information. The tablet 300 has a common event generation button. The tablet 300 transmits the acquired identification information, common event, or position information on the paper 10 to the computer 400. As a result, an event occurs, and the computer 400 executes processing corresponding to the generated event. This will be described in detail later.

  The network 30 is a local area network (LAN), the Internet, or a general public line, and may be wired or wireless. Further, here, an example is shown in which the computer 400, the printer 100, and the tablet 300 are connected via the network 30, but these may be connected using a serial line or a parallel line.

  The document management program executed by the computer 400 has been shown as an example of being stored in the CD-ROM 401 and distributed, but other recording media such as a flexible disk, a cassette tape, a hard disk, an optical disk (MO (Magnetic Optical Disc) ) / MD (Mini Disc) / DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)), IC card (including memory card), optical card, mask ROM, EPROM (Erasable and Programmable ROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM) and other semiconductors It may be a medium that carries a fixed program such as a memory.

  Further, the document management program may be provided from another computer via the network 30 instead of via the recording medium.

  The program here is a concept including not only a program directly executable by the CPU but also a program in a source program format, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the like.

  In the document management system 1 in the present embodiment, the computer 400 functions as an information processing apparatus. The computer 400 stores the electronic data in association with the identification information attached to the paper 10 on which the electronic data is printed. The computer stores additional information in association with the identification information and the electronic data. This additional information defines an operation corresponding to the event. The operation corresponding to the event is a process related to the electronic data printed on the paper 10, such as a copying process for printing the electronic data on another paper, a transfer process for transmitting the electronic data to another computer, and an electronic data update. Update processing for printing the updated electronic data on another sheet in the case of being performed. These duplication, transfer, and update processes are associated with common events that are not related to the position of the sheet 10. The occurrence of the event is input from the above-described tablet.

  In addition, the process corresponding to the event can include a process different from copying, transferring, and updating of electronic data. For example, it includes processing executable on the computer 400, such as displaying or printing other electronic data. These processes are associated with position events related to the position of the paper 10.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a tablet and an instruction of a position event by the tablet. FIG. 2A shows a plan view of the tablet. As described above, the tablet 300 is a user interface for generating an event. 2A, tablet 300 includes a coordinate input device 303, common event generation buttons 302A, 302B, and 302C, a display unit 301, and an IC tag reader 310 on the upper surface thereof.

  In order to generate an event using the tablet 300, first, the paper 10A on which the electronic data is printed and the image 20 is formed is mounted on the coordinate input device 303. Thereby, the IC tag reader 310 provided on the back surface of the coordinate input device 303 communicates with the IC tag reader 11 attached to the paper 10A, and the identification number given to the paper 10A by the IC tag reader 310 is acquired.

  Next, the user presses the common event generation buttons 302A, 302B, and 302C, or designates an arbitrary position on the paper 10A with the pen 304. The common event generation button 302A is a button for generating a duplicate event. The common event generation button 302B is a button for generating a transfer event. The common event generation button 302C is a button for generating an update event. Depending on the occurrence of the common event, one of the three predetermined operations of duplication, transfer, or update is executed by the computer 400. This operation is defined in advance by additional information stored in the computer 400.

  An instruction of an arbitrary position on the paper 10A using the pen 304 generates a position event. This position event is a predetermined operation of the computer 400 corresponding to a predetermined position of the sheet 10A. The position of the sheet 10 </ b> A and the operation corresponding to the position are defined in advance by additional information stored in the computer 400.

  The display unit 301 is a liquid crystal display device, for example, and displays an event execution result.

  FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating an example of the position of the sheet 10 </ b> A defined in advance by additional information. With reference to FIG. 2B, an example in which five regions 21A to 21E are defined on the sheet 10A is shown. Different position events can be defined in each of the five regions 21A to 21E. For example, when an arbitrary position in the area 21A is designated by the pen 304, the operation associated with the area 21A is executed by the computer 400. Therefore, it is desirable that the areas 21A to 21E and the electronic data have a predetermined association. The designation of the position on the paper 10A on the tablet 300 is performed by the user looking at the image 20 printed on the paper 10A. For this reason, it is preferable that the user can know the event from the image 20. Therefore, it is preferable that the image 20 is an image different in each of the five regions 21A to 21E. Thereby, since the user can select any one of the five images in the image 20, the user can recognize a position event generated from the image 20.

  The tablet 300 gives the computer 400 the identification information acquired by the IC tag reader 310 and the pressed position of the common event generation buttons 302A, 302B, 302C or the indicated position (coordinates) of the pen 304 detected by the coordinate input device 303. Send.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between electronic data and additional information. In FIG. 3, only common events are shown for explanation. Since the position event is similar to the common event, description thereof will not be repeated here.

  In FIG. 3 (A), in order to distribute the specification A version to the person in charge in the department in charge and the person in charge in the related department, the electronic file with the name “file A.aaa” storing the contents of the specification A version is stored. An example is shown in which data is printed and two sheets 10A are output. The specification version A is officially issued from the department in charge to the related department, but is a version that is scheduled to be updated several times before the final version is issued. Therefore, for the paper 10A distributed to the person in charge in the department in charge, the additional information is associated with the identification information of the paper 10A and the electronic data, and execution of all common events of copying, transfer and update is permitted. It is assumed that the operation to be performed is described. For the paper 10A distributed to the person in charge in the related department, the additional information is associated with the identification information of the paper 10A and the electronic data, and the copy and transfer operation is prohibited and the update is permitted only once. The operation to be performed is described.

  Thereby, the person in charge in the department in charge can cause the computer 400 to perform operations corresponding to all the events of duplication, transfer, and update from the tablet 300 using the paper 10A. On the other hand, the person in charge in the related department cannot cause the computer 400 to execute an operation corresponding to the duplication and transfer event from the tablet 300 using the paper 10A, and performs an operation corresponding to the update event. The computer 400 can be executed only once. Further, when the person in charge in the related department causes the computer 400 to execute an operation corresponding to the update event using the paper 10A, the additional information is changed so that the update is not permitted. For this reason, even if the second update event is generated, since the update event is not permitted, the operation corresponding to the update event is not executed in the computer 400.

  In this way, by associating additional information for each piece of identification information of the sheet 10A, even if two sheets 10A on which the same image is formed based on the same electronic data are printed, depending on the person who distributes the sheet 10A, The content (operation) of the process corresponding to the event can be varied. As the event occurs, the additional information is changed after the operation corresponding to the event is executed. For this reason, additional information can be changed according to the change of the situation that the operation | movement corresponding to an event is performed.

  In FIG. 3B, in order to distribute the specification A ′ version to the person in charge in the department in charge, the electronic data with the file name “File B.aaa” storing the contents of the specification A ′ version is printed. An example of outputting paper 10A is shown. The specification A 'version is issued to the person in charge in the department in charge, and is a version that is scheduled to be updated several times before the final version is issued. For this reason, for the paper 10A distributed to the person in charge in the department in charge, the additional information is associated with the identification information of the paper 10A and the electronic data. Is defined as a description of the action to be performed. The additional information includes the updated file name as an operation corresponding to the update event. The updated file name defined by this additional information is changed every time the electronic data with the file name “File B.aaa” is updated. For this reason, additional information can be changed according to the change of the situation of file update.

  FIG. 3C shows a file name storing the contents of the specification B version for distributing the specification B version to the person in charge in the department in charge, the person in charge in the related department, and the person in charge of the sales company. In the example, three sheets of paper 10A printed with electronic data of “file C.aaa” are output. The specification B version is issued as the final version from the department in charge. For this reason, it is not updated after it is issued. Issuing corresponds to printing and distributing electronic data of “file C.aaa” first. For this reason, for the paper 10A distributed to the person in charge in the department in charge, the additional information is associated with the identification information of the paper 10A and the electronic data, and the operation of permitting the execution of a common event for copying and forwarding; It is assumed that the operation in which the update common event is not permitted is described. Further, for the paper 10A distributed to the person in charge of the related department, the additional information is associated with the identification information of the paper 10A and the electronic data, and the operation for permitting the execution of the common event of copying, transfer and update It is assumed that the operation in which the common event is not permitted is described. Further, for the paper 10A distributed to the person in charge of the sales company, the additional information is associated with the identification information of the paper 10A and the electronic data, and the execution of all common events of duplication, transfer and update is prohibited. It is assumed that the operation is described.

  As a result, the person in charge in the department in charge can cause the computer 400 to execute an operation corresponding to the duplication / transfer event from the tablet 300 using the paper 10A. Cannot be executed. The person in charge of the related department can cause the computer 400 to execute an operation corresponding to the duplication event from the tablet 300 using the paper 10A, but the computer 400 can perform an operation corresponding to the transfer and update event. It cannot be executed. Furthermore, the person in charge of the sales company cannot cause the computer 400 to perform operations corresponding to all the events of copying, transferring, and updating from the tablet 300 using the paper 10A.

  In this way, by associating additional information for each piece of identification information of the sheet 10A, even if three sheets 10A on which the same image is formed based on the same electronic data are printed, depending on the person who distributes the sheet 10A, The content (operation) of the process corresponding to the event can be varied.

  FIG. 4 shows additional information generated in the example shown in FIG. FIG. 4A shows additional information stored when the paper 10A distributed to the person in charge in the department in charge is printed, and when the paper 10A distributed to the person in charge in the related department is printed. Additional information. Referring to FIG. 4A, the additional information stored when the paper 10A distributed to the person in charge in the department in charge is printed includes the identification information “1001” of the paper 10A and the contents of the specification A version. The file name “File A.aaa” indicating the stored electronic data is associated with the “department in charge” indicating the distribution destination, and is information describing the operation of the common event and the operation of the position event.

  For details on the operation of the common event, “permission” is defined for the replication event, “destination address” is defined for the transfer event, and “update file name” is defined for the update event. Has been. Since “permission” is defined in the duplication event, when the duplication event occurs, the electronic data of “file A.aaa” is printed out from the printer 100. Since the “destination address” is defined in the transfer event, when the transfer event occurs, the electronic data of “file A.aaa” is transmitted to the “destination address” by communication means such as e-mail. The Since an “update file name” is defined in the update event, electronic data of “update file name” is printed out from the printer 100 when the update event occurs. The updated file name is not stored at the beginning when this additional information is stored, and the updated file name is stored as the updated file name when the electronic data of “file A.aaa” is updated. Therefore, the additional information is changed when the update file is generated. If the electronic data of “File A.aaa” has not yet been updated and the update file name is not stored, even if an update event occurs, the file to be printed does not exist, so it corresponds to the update event. No action is performed.

  For the details of the operation of the position event, a plurality of positions and operations are defined. The position defines a rectangular area in the paper 10A by the coordinates of the upper left vertex and the lower right vertex of the area. The operation corresponding to the positions of the upper left vertex coordinates (100, 300) and the lower right vertex coordinates (300, 500) is “output file X”, and outputs electronic data with the file name “file X”. The action to be defined is defined. The other position event is “count value addition of item A” corresponding to the positions of the upper left vertex coordinates (600, 200) and the lower right vertex coordinates (900, 500). If the count value indicating the number of times is item A, an operation for incrementing the count value is defined.

  Although the additional information defining two position events is shown here, the number of position events is not limited to this, and one or a plurality of position events can be defined.

  The additional information stored when the paper 10A distributed to the person in charge of the related department is printed includes the identification information “1002” of the paper 10A and the file name “electronic data storing the contents of the specification A version”. The file A.aaa ”is associated with the“ related department ”indicating the distribution destination, and is information describing the operation of the common event and the operation of the position event. For details on the operation of the common event, “non-permission” is defined for the replication event, “non-permission” is defined for the transfer event, and “update file name (once Only) ”is defined. Since “non-permitted” is defined for the duplication event, the electronic data of “file A.aaa” is not printed out from the printer 100 even if the duplication event occurs. Since “not permitted” is defined in the transfer event, the electronic data of “file A.aaa” is not transmitted even if the transfer event occurs. Since “update file name (only once)” is defined in the update event, the electronic data of “update file name” is printed out from the printer 100 only once when the update event occurs. When an update event occurs and an operation corresponding to the update event, that is, electronic data of “update file name” is printed out from the printer 100, “not permitted” is defined for the update event. The additional information is changed. FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating the additional information after the additional information is changed. As described above, the additional information is changed in response to the execution of the operation corresponding to the event due to the occurrence of the event. Here, the case has been described where the additional information is changed after the update event occurs and the operation is executed, but the additional information is changed after the operation associated with the occurrence of another event is executed. You may do it. Further, after an operation associated with the occurrence of a certain event, for example, a replication event, is executed, the additional information may be changed so as to change the operation corresponding to another event, for example, an update event.

  If the update file name is not stored, as described above, even if an update event occurs, the file corresponding to the update event is not executed because there is no file to be printed out.

  The additional information position event stored when the paper 10A distributed to the person in charge in the related department is printed is the additional information stored when the paper 10A distributed to the person in charge in the department in charge is printed. Same as location event. The image formed on the sheet 10A is the same for the image distributed to the department in charge and the image distributed to the related department. Therefore, the position of the position event is the same for both sheets 10A. Here, the operations corresponding to the position event are the same as those distributed to the department in charge and those distributed to the related department, but different operations may be defined.

  FIG. 5 shows additional information generated in the example shown in FIG. This is additional information stored when the sheet 10A distributed to the person in charge in the department in charge is printed. This additional information is associated with the identification information “1011” of the sheet 10A, the file name indicating the electronic data storing the contents of the specification A ′ version, “File B.aaa”, and the “department in charge” indicating the distribution destination. The information describes the operation of the common event and the operation of the position event.

  For details on the operation of the common event, “not permitted” is defined for the replication event, “not permitted” is defined for the transfer event, and “latest update file name” is defined for the update event. Is defined. Since “not permitted” is defined in the duplication event, the electronic data of “file B.aaa” is not printed out from the printer 100 when the duplication event occurs. Since “not permitted” is defined in the transfer event, the electronic data of “file B.aaa” is not transmitted when the transfer event occurs. Since “latest update file name” is defined in the update event, electronic data of “latest update file name” is printed out from the printer 100 when the update event occurs. The updated file name is not stored at the beginning when this additional information is stored, and the updated file name is stored as the updated file name when the electronic data of “file A.aaa” is updated. Further, since this update may be performed not only once but also a plurality of times, the file name of the latest update file is defined. Therefore, the additional information is changed every time the latest update file is generated.

  For details of the operation of the position event, the position and the operation are defined. The operation corresponding to the positions of the upper left vertex coordinates (200, 500) and the lower right vertex coordinates (500, 800) is “output file X”, and outputs electronic data with the file name “file X”. The action to be defined is defined.

  FIG. 6 shows additional information generated in the example shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 6, additional information stored when paper 10A distributed to the person in charge in the department in charge is printed and stored when paper 10A distributed to persons in charge in the related department is printed. And additional information stored when the sheet 10A distributed to the person in charge of the sales company is printed.

  The additional information stored when the paper 10A distributed to the person in charge in the department in charge is printed includes the identification information “1021” of the paper 10A and the electronic data storing the contents of the final specification B version. The file name “file C.aaa” shown is associated with the “department in charge” showing the distribution destination, and is information describing the operation of the common event and the operation of the position event.

  For details on the operation of the common event, “permitted” is defined for the replication event, “destination address” is defined for the forwarding event, and “not permitted” is defined for the update event. ing. Since “permission” is defined in the duplication event, when the duplication event occurs, the electronic data of “file C.aaa” is printed out from the printer 100. Since the “destination address” is defined in the transfer event, when the transfer event occurs, the electronic data of “file C.aaa” is transmitted to the “destination address” by communication means such as e-mail. The Since “not permitted” is defined in the update event, nothing is executed when the update event occurs. The details of the operation of the position event are the same as those described with reference to FIG. 4, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated here.

  The additional information stored when the paper 10A distributed to the person in charge of the related department is printed is electronic data in which the contents of the final version of the specification B version are stored in association with the identification information “1022” of the paper 10A. Is a file name indicating “file C.aaa”, a “related department” indicating a distribution destination, information defining a common event operation, and a position event operation. As for the details of the operation of the common event, “permit until 2003/12/31” is defined for the replication event, “non-permission” is defined for the transfer event, and “non-permission” is defined for the update event. "Allow" is defined. Although “permission” is defined in the duplication event, the expiration date of the permission is set to 2003/12/31. Therefore, when a duplication event occurs, if the occurrence date is until December 31, 2003, the electronic data of “file C.aaa” is printed out from the printer 100. No printout after the day. When the additional information is January 1, 2004, the operation of the duplication event whose identification information is stored in association with “1022” is changed to “non-permitted”. Since “not permitted” is defined in the transfer event, the electronic data of “file C.aaa” is not transmitted even if the transfer event occurs. Since “not permitted” is defined in the update event, nothing is executed when the update event occurs. The details of the operation of the position event are the same as those described with reference to FIG. 4, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated here.

  The additional information stored when the paper 10A distributed to the person in charge of the sales company is printed indicates electronic data storing the identification information “1023” of the paper 10A and the contents of the final version of the specification B version. The file name “file C.aaa” is associated with the “sales company” indicating the distribution destination, and is information defining the operation of the common event and the operation of the position event. Regarding the details of the operation of the common event, “non-permission” is defined for all of the duplication event, the transfer event, and the update event. Since “not permitted” is defined in the duplication event, the electronic data of “file C.aaa” is not printed out from the printer 100. Since “not permitted” is defined in the transfer event, the electronic data of “file C.aaa” is not transmitted even if the transfer event occurs. Since “not permitted” is defined in the update event, nothing is executed when the update event occurs. The details of the operation of the position event are the same as those described with reference to FIG. 4, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated here.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of additional information generation processing of processing executed in the document management system in the present embodiment. In FIG. 7, the flow of additional information generation processing executed by the computer 400 is shown on the right side, and the flow of print processing executed by the printer 100 is shown on the left side. Referring to the figure, it is detected in computer 400 that the user has opened a file in order to create, change, or update the file (step S01). The file opened here is electronic data. Then, a print instruction is detected (step S02). When a print instruction is detected, an event instruction input is accepted (step S03). The input of an event instruction refers to the input of additional information described with reference to FIGS. As described above, the additional information is information defining an event and an operation corresponding to the event, and the event includes a common event and a position event. Therefore, the event instruction includes an operation for each event of duplication, transfer, and update for a common event, and includes a position and an operation corresponding to the position for a position event. A screen for inputting these event instructions is displayed on the display of the computer 400, and the user's input is accepted. Note that, when a predetermined event is used for an event and an operation corresponding to the event, this event instruction can be omitted.

  Then, the electronic data opened in step S01 is converted into print data and transmitted to the printer 100 (step S04).

  The printer 100 receives print data from the computer 400 (step S11). Before printing on the paper according to the print data, the identification information of the paper 10 on which an image is to be formed is read from the IC tag 11 (step S12). Then, the print data received in step S11 is printed on the paper 10 (step S13). When printing is completed, the identification information read in step S12 is returned to the computer 400 (step S14).

  The computer 400 is in a standby state until the identification information is received from the printer 100, and receives the identification information (step S05). Then, additional information is generated from the event instruction input in step S03, and stored in a storage device such as a hard disk in association with the identification information received in step S05 and the electronic data opened in step S01 (step S06). Thereafter, the file opened in step S01 is closed and the process is terminated (step S07).

  As described above, the additional information is generated and stored every time a print is generated by the printer 100. Further, since the additional information is information associated with the identification information of the paper 10, different additional information can be generated and stored for each paper.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of event processing executed in the document management system in this embodiment. In the figure, the flow of processing executed by the tablet 300 is shown on the right side, and the flow of processing executed by the computer 400 is shown on the left side. Referring to FIG. 8, when the user places paper 10A on the coordinate input device of tablet 300, identification information is read from IC tag 11 of paper 10A by IC tag reader 310 of tablet 300 (step S31). Then, the read identification information is transmitted to the computer 400 (step S32).

  The computer 400 receives the identification information (step S21). In the additional information generation process described above, the additional information generated and stored is searched, and additional information associated with the received identification information is extracted (step S22).

  On the other hand, the tablet receives an event instruction (step S33). The event instruction is a user instruction for pressing the common event generation buttons 302A, 302B, and 302C or instructing an arbitrary position on the paper 10A with the pen 304. If pressing of the common event generation buttons 302A, 302B, and 302C is detected (YES in step S34), it is determined that any one of the common events of duplication, transfer, or update is instructed, and the process proceeds to step S36. If not (NO in step S34), an instruction of an arbitrary position on the paper 10A by the pen 304 is detected (step S35). When a common event is instructed, the fact is transmitted to the computer 400, and when a position event is instructed, the instructed position information is transmitted to the computer 400 (step S36).

  The computer 400 receives the event instruction transmitted from the tablet and analyzes the event (step S23). Event analysis is processing for determining an operation corresponding to a received event instruction from the additional information extracted in step S22. Then, an operation corresponding to the event instruction is executed by executing the determined operation (event execution process: step S24).

  If necessary, the additional information is changed according to the event execution process in step S24 (step S25).

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of additional information change processing executed in step S25 of FIG. Here, for the sake of explanation, the case where the additional information shown in FIG. 4A is stored and an update event occurs on the sheet having the identification number “1002” will be described as an example. Referring to FIG. 9, this additional information change process is executed in response to the end of the event execution process. It is determined whether or not the operation corresponding to the event executed in step S24 of FIG. 8 has a limit on the number of times (step S41). If there is a limit on the number of times, the process proceeds to step S42, and if not, the process ends. Here, since an update event has occurred on the sheet having the identification number “1002”, “update file name (only once)” is described as an operation corresponding to this update event. Therefore, it is determined that the number of times is limited, and the process proceeds to step S42. In step S42, the operation corresponding to the executed event is changed to “not permitted”.

  As described above, in the document management system 1 according to the present embodiment, an event occurs after electronic data is printed on the paper 10 in order to change the additional information in response to the operation corresponding to the event being executed. It is possible to cope with circumstances such as.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the second additional information change process. Here, the case where the additional information shown in FIG. 5 is stored, the electronic data with the file name “File B.aaa” is updated, and the file name is “File B′.aaa” will be described as an example. To do. The second additional information changing process is a process of changing the additional information regardless of the occurrence of the event. Referring to FIG. 10, it is detected that the user of computer 400 has opened a file (step S51). When it is detected that the file has been modified (step S52), it is determined that the file has been updated, and the additional information generated and stored in step S06 in FIG. Additional information including these files is extracted. Here, additional information associated with the identification number “1011” is extracted. The updated file name “file B′.aaa” is stored in the extracted update file name of the additional information. Thereby, additional information is changed (step S53). Then, the opened file is closed (step S54), and the process is terminated.

  For this reason, according to the change of the file, the additional information related to the file is changed.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of the third additional information changing process. The third additional information change process is also a process executed regardless of the operation corresponding to the event. Here, it is assumed that the additional information shown in FIG. 6 is stored and the current date is January 1, 2004. Referring to the figure, the additional information generated and stored in step S06 of FIG. 7 is read in order (step S61). Then, it is determined whether or not there is an operation that is limited in time among the operations defined in the read additional information (step S62). If there is, the process proceeds to step S63, and if not, the process ends. Here, additional information associated with the identification number “1022” is extracted, and the process proceeds to step S63.

  In step S63, it is determined whether or not the period has expired. If it has expired, the process proceeds to step S64, and if not, the process ends. Here, since the time limit described in the additional information is “2003/12/31” and the current date is January 1, 2004, it is determined that the period has expired, and step S64 is performed. Proceed to

  In step S64, the operation whose period has expired is changed to “not permitted” (step S64). The additional information that is limited in period as described above is changed as time passes.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of the fourth additional information change process. The fourth additional information change process is also a process that is executed regardless of the operation corresponding to the event. Referring to FIG. 12, in the fourth additional information changing process, it is determined whether or not an input including contents for changing the additional information has been detected (step S71). If an input has been input, the process proceeds to step S72. Otherwise, the process is terminated. In step S72, it is determined whether or not the user owns the file related to the additional information to be changed (step S72). The user may have the authority to manage the file instead of owning the file. If it is determined that the file is the owner, the process proceeds to step S73. If not, the process ends.

  In step S73, the change in step S71 is accepted, and the additional information is changed according to the change content.

  As described above, in the document management system 1 according to the present embodiment, additional information describing an operation corresponding to an event is stored in the computer 400 in association with identification information for identifying the sheet 10A. Different operations can be associated with events for each 10A.

  Further, in response to the detection of the event, the additional information stored in association with the identification information of the sheet 10A is read, and the operation corresponding to the event is executed among the events described in the additional information. A desired operation can be executed by the computer 400 using the paper 10 as a trigger. .

  Further, since the additional information can be changed, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus capable of causing the computer 400 to execute an operation corresponding to a change in the situation using the sheet 10A as a trigger.

  Further, since the additional information defines operations corresponding to three common events and a plurality of position events, it is possible to cause the computer 400 to execute a plurality of operations using one sheet 10A as a trigger. Further, if the tablet 300 is used, a desired event can be easily specified from among the three common events and a plurality of position events.

  Furthermore, since the identification information is stored in the IC tag 11 attached to the paper 10A, the paper 10A can be reliably identified.

  In the present embodiment, the computer 400 and the printer 100 are described as separate units. However, a printer in which these are integrated may be used. In addition, although the printer 100 and the tablet 300 have been described as separate units, a printer in which these are integrated may be used. Furthermore, a printer in which the computer 400, the printer 100, and the tablet 300 are integrated may be used.

  In the present embodiment, the additional information shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 is associated with identification information, electronic data, and a distribution destination. However, the additional information only needs to be associated with at least identification information. . The electronic data is used in response to a duplication event and a transfer event, but this electronic data may be included in an operation corresponding to the event.

  Further, the identification information of the paper 10 is recorded on the IC tag 11 attached to the paper 10. However, instead of the IC tag 11, the identification information is an image formed with an ink that does not reflect visible light. It is good. This is because if the visible light is not reflected, the image representing the identification information is not duplicated even if the paper 10A is copied by the copying machine. In this case, a function for forming an image with ink that does not reflect visible light may be added to the printer, and an image representing identification information may be identified by a scanner instead of an ID tag reader. In this case, it is not necessary to attach the IC tag 11 to the paper 10, and an ID tag reader is unnecessary.

  The document management system in the embodiment described above includes the following inventions.

  (1) The additional information is information describing an operation different from an operation corresponding to the same event described in the additional information associated with another identification information different from the identification information. 2. The information processing apparatus according to 2.

(2) further comprising detection means for detecting the occurrence of an event;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the changing unit changes the additional information according to detection of an event by the detecting unit.

(3) further comprising a change detection means for detecting a change in the electronic data;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the change unit changes the additional information in response to detection by the change detection unit.

(4) a timer for measuring the elapsed time from image formation by the image forming apparatus;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the changing unit changes the additional information in response to a predetermined elapsed time measured by the timer.

  (5) The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the changing unit receives a change of the additional information by a person having authority to manage the electronic data.

  (6) The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein there are a plurality of events depending on the position.

  (7) The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein there are a plurality of events that do not depend on the position.

  (8) The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the identification information acquisition unit includes a communication unit capable of wirelessly communicating with the semiconductor device.

  (9) The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the identification information is image-formed with ink that does not reflect visible light on the recording medium.

(10) In the information processing apparatus according to (9),
The identification information acquisition unit includes a scanner that optically reads an image formed on the recording medium.

  (11) The information processing apparatus according to (2), further comprising an image forming apparatus that forms an image on the recording medium in response to a print instruction by the print instruction unit.

(12) obtaining identification information for identifying the recording medium;
Storing additional information describing an operation corresponding to an event in association with the acquired identification information;
An information management program for causing a computer to execute the step of changing the additional information.

(13) outputting an instruction to form an image on the recording medium according to the given electronic data;
Obtaining identification information for identifying the recording medium;
Causing the computer to execute a step of storing additional information describing an operation corresponding to the event in association with the identification information in response to the acquisition of the identification information of the recording medium on which the image is formed according to the electronic data. Information management program.

  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.

1 is a diagram showing an overall outline of a document management system in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the instruction | indication of a tablet and the position event by it. It is a figure for demonstrating the relationship between electronic data and additional information. It is a figure which shows the additional information produced | generated in the example shown to FIG. 3 (A). It is a figure which shows the additional information produced | generated in the example shown to FIG. 3 (B). It is a figure which shows the additional information produced | generated in the example shown in FIG.3 (C). It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the additional information generation process performed with the document management system in this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the event process performed with the document management system in this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the additional information change process performed by step S25 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a 2nd additional information change process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a 3rd additional information change process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a 4th additional information change process.

Explanation of symbols

  1 Document management system, 11 IC tag, 30 network, 100 printer, 101, 310 IC tag reader, 101 printer, 300 tablet, 301 display unit, 303 coordinate input device, 304 pen, 400 computer, 302A, 302B, 302C Common event occurrence button.

Claims (12)

Identification information acquisition means for acquiring identification information for identifying a recording medium printed based on electronic data from the recording medium;
Corresponding to events that are instructed to pre-type recording medium, without electronic data that is the electronic data itself or the original is the original of prints is the source of the print to the recording medium through said recording medium Additional information describing information for controlling operations related to the electronic data itself, which is performed using the electronic data itself obtained by updating, is included in the electronic data and the acquired identification information. Storage means for storing in association ;
An information processing apparatus comprising: changing means for changing the additional information. A print instruction means for outputting an instruction to print the electronic data on a recording medium,
Identification information acquisition means for acquiring identification information for identifying the recording medium from the printed recording medium;
Depending on the identification information of the recording medium in which the electronic data is printed is obtained, corresponding to an event that is instructed to pre-type recording medium, original print of the original and is printed on the recording medium In order to control operations related to the electronic data itself, which are performed using the electronic data itself obtained by updating the electronic data itself or the original electronic data without going through the recording medium. An information processing apparatus comprising: a storage unit that stores additional information describing the information in association with the electronic data and the acquired identification information .   The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising changing means for changing the additional information. The additional information is information describing an operation corresponding to each of a plurality of events,
The plurality of events include an event whose type is specified depending on a position on the recording medium when the event is designated to the recording medium, and an event on the recording medium when the event is designated. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising an event whose type is specified without depending on a position.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification information is stored in a semiconductor device attached to the recording medium. Event detecting means for detecting the occurrence of an event instructed to the recording medium;
Reading means for reading additional information stored in association with the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means in response to the detection of the event by the event detection means;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that executes an operation corresponding to the detected event among events described in the read additional information. Obtaining identification information for identifying a recording medium on which printing based on electronic data has been made from the recording medium;
Corresponding to events that are instructed to pre-type recording medium, without electronic data that is the electronic data itself or the original is the original of prints is the source of the print to the recording medium through said recording medium Additional information describing information for controlling operations related to the electronic data itself, which is performed using the electronic data itself obtained by updating, is included in the electronic data and the acquired identification information. Associating and storing, and
Changing the additional information. And outputting an instruction to the recording medium printed electronic data,
Obtaining identification information for identifying the recording medium from the printed recording medium;
Corresponding to events that are instructed to pre-type recording medium, without electronic data that is the electronic data itself or the original is the original of prints is the source of the print to the recording medium through said recording medium Additional information describing information for controlling operations related to the electronic data itself, which is performed using the electronic data itself obtained by updating, is included in the electronic data and the acquired identification information. An information processing method including the step of storing the information in association with each other .   The information processing method according to claim 8, further comprising a step of changing the additional information. The additional information is information describing an operation corresponding to each of a plurality of events,
The plurality of events include an event whose type is specified depending on a position on the recording medium when the event is designated to the recording medium, and an event on the recording medium when the event is designated. The information processing method according to claim 8, further comprising an event whose type is specified without depending on a position.   The information processing method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the identification information is stored in a semiconductor device attached to the recording medium. Detecting the occurrence of an event directed to the recording medium;
Reading additional information stored in association with the identification information acquired in the step of acquiring the identification information in response to detection in the step of detecting the event;
The information processing method according to claim 7, further comprising a step of executing an operation corresponding to the detected event among events described in the read additional information.

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