JP4770209B2 - File reciprocation system and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a system that suitably supports a series of procedures for sending a file from a sender to a partner and returning a file from the partner to the sender.

With the spread of information communication related technology, the performance and price of personal computers have been improved, and the speed and reliability of data communication have been increased. In recent offices, personal computers are distributed to each worker, and these personal computers are generally connected to telecommunication lines such as a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), and the Internet. It was. Then, it is also natural that a worker creates a necessary document or chart using a personal computer and transmits it to the other party as an e-mail (see, for example, the following patent document).
JP-A-11-017733

  I don't wait for the convenience of email, but I'm not completely dissatisfied with the current email system. For example, assume a situation in which a document file such as a contract, a form, or a survey form is transmitted and the document file is returned with an electronic signature or a reply. A user who is a transmission source uses an electronic mail client to send a mail with a file attached to the other party, and receives a mail with a file returned from the other party. At this time, the sender user cannot find a clear relationship between the outgoing mail and the reply mail. In other words, in the e-mail client, the reply mail from the other party and the other mail are handled in the same line, and these are displayed without being distinguished from each other. Therefore, when collecting the reply file from the other party, it becomes difficult to grasp from which party it can be collected and from which party it cannot be collected. In particular, the above problems become apparent when the number of counterparts is large, when multiple types of outgoing mails are sent at the same time, or when the number of mails received every day is large.

  The present invention made in view of the above is intended to realize a system capable of suitably collecting files returned from the other party and easily grasping the progress thereof.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention is a system for sending and receiving outgoing files to one or a plurality of other parties via a telecommunication line and collecting return files sent back from each other party as shown in FIG. A round-trip request receiving means 101 for receiving a round-trip request including a counterpart identifier and a forward / reception file specified by the sender, and referring to the file round-trip request received by the round-trip request receiving means 101, The outgoing file transmission means 102 for sending the outgoing file to the other party identified in the above, and the reply address that defines the reply destination of the reply file in association with the process in which the outgoing file transmission means 102 sends the outgoing file. Reply address sending means 103 for sending to the other party, and from the other party to the reply address A reply file receiving means 104 for receiving a reply file to be returned, a reply file storing means 105 for storing a reply file received by the reply file receiving means 104, and a log relating to the fact that the file round-trip request has been accepted. Round-trip request acceptance log, outgoing log that is a log related to the progress of transmission of outgoing mail files to each of the counterparts, and reply log that is a log relating to the progress of reply of reply files from each of the counterparts to the sender Is recorded for each file reciprocation request, and progress information transmitting means 107 for transmitting progress information based on the log recorded by the log recording means 106 to the transmission source. A file round-trip system was configured. The log recording means 106 downloads and transmits the time stamp of the date and time when the notification mail including the URI of the web page to be accessed to download the outgoing file is sent to the other party and the outgoing file to the other party. A time stamp of the date and time is recorded as the outgoing log, and a time stamp of the date and time when the reply file is received from the other party is recorded as the reply log.

  If this is the case, not only can the reply file returned from the other party be easily collected, but also which party has already responded to a certain outgoing message and which other party has not yet responded ( It is easy to grasp (as progress information for each file round-trip request). Then, it is possible to favorably support a series of procedures such as transmission from the sender to the other party and reply from the other party to the sender. However, the reply file is not necessarily created based on the outgoing file.

  When the file round-trip request includes partner identifiers related to a plurality of opponents, the return address transmission unit 103 determines and transmits different return addresses for each of the other parties, and the log recording unit 106 If the reply file received by the reply file receiving means 104 is specified as the reply address to which the other party is identified and the progress information is recorded, the reply file can be created without performing the processing procedure such as user authentication. It is possible to identify the other party who has responded. Also, the other party can omit operations such as input of ID / password for user authentication. However, this does not prevent the other user from performing a process of authenticating the user when acquiring the outgoing file.

  When the file round-trip request includes condition information that defines a condition related to the reply specified by the sender, only the reply file related to the reply that satisfies the condition specified in the condition information is stored in the reply file. If it is configured so as to be stored in the means 105, it is possible to reliably collect only the reply file in the desired mode of the sender. Here, the condition regarding the reply may be a condition directly related to the reply file itself (for example, the capacity of the reply file, the number of reply files, the type of reply file, the data format, etc.) or directly related to the reply file itself. There are cases where the conditions are not to be satisfied (for example, the time limit for replying, the number of times a reply can be made when one partner is allowed to reply multiple times, etc.).

In addition, the log recording unit 106 generates a forward hash that is a hash value of the forward file and a reply hash that is a hash value of the reply file, and uses the forward hash as the forward log and a reply hash as the reply log. Assuming that both are recorded in association with each other, the fact that the outgoing file is sent from the sender to the other party and the fact that the reply file is sent back from the other party to the sender is recorded as a pair and confirmed after the fact. It becomes possible to do. That is, the system can prove the fact that a round-trip exchange has been performed, and can be used extremely effectively in the transfer and exchange of business and business documents. The progress information transmitting unit 107 generates and transmits information for displaying a list of the outgoing log and the reply log for each counterpart on the information processing terminal used by the sender. Is preferred.

  According to the file reciprocation system according to the present invention, it is possible to preferably collect files returned from the other party and easily grasp the progress.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. An overall outline of the file reciprocation system of this embodiment is shown in FIG. On this system, as a node, an information processing terminal 2 used by a user who is a transmission source, an information processing terminal 3 used by a user who is a counterpart, and a server computer 1 which cooperates with these information processing terminals 2 and 3 Exists. The information processing terminal 2 and the server computer 1 are communicably connected to each other via an electric communication line 4 such as a LAN, WAN, or the Internet.

  In this embodiment, the server computer 1 serves as a main body and provides a file round-trip service. The user of the transmission source can use this system to send the data file (outgoing file) to a desired partner and collect the data file (reply file) sent back from the partner.

  The information processing terminal 2 used by the transmission source user can execute information processing for handling various data files such as a personal computer, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a mobile phone terminal, and the like. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the information processing terminal 2 includes hardware resources such as a processor a, a main memory b, an auxiliary storage device c, a display control device d, a display e, an input device f, and a communication interface g. These hardware resources are controlled by a controller (that is, a system controller or an I / O controller) h to operate in cooperation. The auxiliary storage device c is a hard disk drive, a flash memory, an optical disk drive, or the like. The display control device d temporarily stores a video chip (or graphics chip) that generates image data to be displayed based on a drawing instruction received from the processor a and sends the image data to the display e, image data, and the like. A video memory (Video RAM) or the like is used as an element. The input device f is a pointing device such as a push button, a keyboard, a mouse, a track pad, or a touch panel that can be operated with fingers. The communication interface g is a device for performing communication via the telecommunication line 4 and is typified by a NIC (Network Interface Card), a wireless transceiver, a modem, or the like, but besides these, IEEE 1394, USB (Universal Serial Bus). It is also possible to adopt an interface such as

  Normally, a program to be executed by the processor a is stored in the auxiliary storage device c, and when the program is executed, it is read from the auxiliary storage device c into the main memory b and decoded by the processor a. The information processing terminal 2 in this embodiment is installed with a known GUI (Graphical User Interface) type OS (Operating System) and various device drivers attached thereto, and mediates the use of the hardware resources by other programs. To do. As application programs, programs for creating or modifying data files (word processor application, spreadsheet application, graphic application, etc.), an e-mail client, a web browser, and the like are installed. In addition, a client program for using this system (which may be a plug-in program linked with a web browser or the like) is installed.

  The information processing terminal 3 used by the other user has the same hardware resources as the information processing terminal 2, and a known GUI type OS and various device drivers attached thereto are also installed in advance. In addition, as an application program, a program for creating or modifying a data file, an e-mail client, a web browser, and the like are installed.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the server computer 1 includes hardware resources such as a processor i, a main memory j, an auxiliary storage device k, and a communication interface l. These hardware resources are controlled by a controller m. Operates cooperatively. The communication interface k is a device (NIC or the like) for performing communication via the telecommunication line 4.

  Usually, a program to be executed by the processor i is stored in the auxiliary storage device k. When the program is executed, the program is read from the auxiliary storage device k into the main memory j and decoded by the processor i. The server computer 1 in this embodiment is installed with a known OS and various device drivers attached thereto, and mediates the use of the hardware resources by other programs. Also, a known e-mail server program and web server program are installed, and the server functions as an e-mail server and web server. In addition, a program according to the present invention is installed (as a back-end program for the web server), and the hardware resources are operated according to this program, so that the round-trip request receiving means 101 and the outgoing file storage means shown in FIG. 108, the outgoing file transmission means 102, the reply address transmission means 103, the reply file reception means 104, the reply file storage means 105, the log recording means 106, the progress information transmission means 107, and the reply file transmission means 109.

  Hereinafter, processing executed by the information processing terminal 2, the server computer 1, and the information processing terminal 3 will be described in detail. First, a transmission source user who intends to transmit an outgoing file and collect a reply file using this system starts a client program on the information processing terminal 2. The activated client program displays a window illustrated in FIG. 6 on the screen of the display e. And the designation | designated of the transmission file by the user of a transmission origin, designation | designated of an other party, designation | designated of the condition of a reply, etc. are received.

  The outgoing file is created prior to the transmission and is stored in the auxiliary storage device c. The user of the transmission source uses the input device f to perform an operation of designating one or a plurality of data files stored in the auxiliary storage device c as an outgoing file. Specifically, an “add file” button 201 displayed on the window is clicked. The client program that has accepted this operation displays a dialog (not shown) for selecting a data file on the screen of the display e. Next, the transmission source user selects a desired file from the data files displayed as a list in the dialog. As a result, the client program obtains path information for identifying the designated outgoing file. At the same time, the client program displays the file name, icon, and the like of the designated outgoing file in the area 202 in the window.

  In addition, the sender user can describe a message to be transmitted to the other user together with or in place of the outgoing message file. The user of the transmission source uses the input device f to perform an operation for describing a message sentence. Specifically, the “option” button 203 displayed on the window is clicked. The client program that has received this operation displays a dialog for setting options as illustrated in FIG. 7 on the screen of the display e. Thereafter, the transmission source user inputs a message sentence in the text input field 204 in the dialog. As a result, the client program obtains text data of a message sentence to be transmitted to the other party.

  In addition, the user of the transmission source uses the input device f to perform an operation of inputting a counterparty identifier that defines one or a plurality of counterparties to which the outgoing file is to be delivered. In the present embodiment, an e-mail address used by the partner user is input as the partner identifier. However, the outgoing mail file is not transmitted with this electronic mail address as a direct destination (the role of the electronic mail address will be described later). Specifically, an “add one” button 205 or an “add address book” button 206 displayed on the window is clicked. The client program that has accepted this operation is registered in advance in a dialog (not shown) for inputting the other party's e-mail address or in an address book (configured using a required storage area of the auxiliary storage device c). A dialog (not shown) for selecting an existing e-mail address is displayed on the screen of the display e. Next, the transmission source user manually inputs an e-mail address in the input area of the dialog, or selects a desired one from e-mail addresses listed in the dialog. As a result, the client program obtains information on the electronic mail address that is the counterparty identifier. At the same time, the client program displays the designated e-mail address or the like in the area 200 in the window.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is possible to designate the date and time when the outgoing file is delivered to the other party on the side of the user of the transmission source. Using the input device f, the transmission source user performs an operation of inputting the date and time when the outgoing file should be delivered to the designated date and time input field 207 displayed on the window. By accepting this operation, the client program obtains information on the date and time when the outgoing file should be delivered.

  In addition, the sender user can specify conditions regarding the reply of the reply file by the other user. Response conditions include, for example, the size of the reply file, the number of reply files, the reply file type and data format (for example, the extension attached to the file name), the reply deadline, and the number of times one partner can reply Etc. The transmission source user uses the input device f to input various conditions in the reply condition input field 208 displayed on the option setting window. By accepting this operation, the client program obtains condition information that defines the conditions regarding the reply.

The client program that has received the designation of the outgoing file, the designation of the other party, the designation of the reply condition, etc. waits for an instruction to execute transmission of the outgoing file. The user of the transmission source who has decided to transmit the outgoing file uses the input device f to instruct execution of transmission by performing an operation of clicking the “transmission registration” button 209 displayed on the window. Upon receipt of this operation, the client program generates a file reciprocation request for entrusting transmission of the outgoing file and recovery of the reply file, and transmits the request to the server computer 1 via the telecommunication line 4. The information processing terminal 2 at this time communicates with the server computer 1 in accordance with HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) or the like. The communication between the information processing terminal 2 and the server computer 1 is desirably encrypted by SSL (Secure Socket Layer) or the like. Note that the client program uses the main memory b or the auxiliary information for the user authenticator (for example, user ID and / or password, biometric data, etc.) and the e-mail address used by the source user for authenticating the source user. The information is stored in the storage device c in advance, and when accessing the server computer 1, a user authenticator is transmitted to receive the authentication. The file round-trip request includes the following contents.
-E-mail address used by the sending user-(One or more) partner identifier-(One or more) outgoing file-Message text-Forwarded file transmission specified date-Condition information However, message text, outgoing file transmission The specified date / time and condition information are not required. Also, it is allowed that no outgoing file is specified. If no outgoing file is specified, the text data of the message text is used as the outgoing file.

  The process executed by the server computer 1 when sending the outgoing file is shown in the flowchart of FIG. The program activated on the server computer 1 waits for access by the information processing terminal 2 used by the user who is the transmission source. The server computer 1 that has received access by the information processing terminal 2 executes user authentication (step S1). On the server computer 1 side, a user authenticator for identifying a user having a legitimate authority is held in the main memory j or the auxiliary storage device k in advance, and when the information processing terminal 2 is accessed, the information processing terminal 2 compares the user authenticator obtained from 2 with the user authenticator held by itself, and authenticates the user of the transmission source. Needless to say, when user authentication fails, access by the information processing terminal 2 is rejected.

  After user authentication, the server computer 1 receives a file round-trip request from the information processing terminal 2 according to the program (step S2). At this time, the server computer 1 functions as a round-trip request receiving unit 101.

  The server computer 1 that has received the file round-trip request encrypts the outgoing file included in the file round-trip request using a predetermined encryption algorithm and encryption key in accordance with the program, and stores the encrypted file in a required storage area of the auxiliary storage device k (step). S3). When the outgoing file is not included in the file round-trip request, the text data of the message text included in the file round-trip request is stored as the outgoing file. The outgoing mail file is stored until the processing for delivering it to the other party is completed or until a predetermined expiration date is passed. At this time, the server computer 1 functions as the outgoing file storage means 108. In addition, if the file round-trip request includes the specified date / time and / or condition information for outgoing file transmission, it is stored in the main memory j or the auxiliary storage device k.

Through the procedure so far, the file round-trip request is officially accepted. The server computer 1 generates and records a round-trip request acceptance log according to the program (step S4). The round-trip request acceptance log is stored in the main memory j or the auxiliary storage device k. The round-trip request acceptance log is a log relating to the fact that a file round-trip request has been accepted, and includes, for example, the following contents.
・ Identifier that identifies the file round-trip request ・ Information indicating the user of the sender (user authenticator and / or email address)
-Date and time when the file round-trip request was received (time stamp)
-When receiving a file round-trip request, the hash value hash value of each outgoing file is unidirectional (difficult to find the original text from the hash value) and collision resistance (difficult to find two original texts that generate the same hash value) ) And substituting a part or all of the outgoing message file as the original text. However, as a matter of course, it is conceivable that the file itself is copied and recorded as a log instead of the hash value. Incidentally, the value of the time stamp is preferably obtained from a predetermined network time server (NTS (Network Time Protocol) server, not shown) connected via the telecommunication line 4.

  After receiving the file round-trip request, the server computer 1 starts executing a specific processing procedure for sending the outgoing file included in the file round-trip request to the other party. The server computer 1 publishes a web page on the telecommunication line 4 that allows the other user to download the outgoing file according to HTTP or the like, and uploads the reply file from the other user. It is assumed that the URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) of the web page to be accessed for downloading the outgoing file and uploading the reply file is different for each other user. For this purpose, the server computer 1 generates a unique URI different for each opponent in accordance with the program (step S5) and holds each URI in the main memory j or the auxiliary storage device k. Then, according to the program, the server computer 1 transmits a notification mail describing the above URI to each partner (step S6). However, when the file round-trip request includes information on the designated date / time for sending / receiving the outgoing file, the notification mail is not sent until the date / time arrives. The transmission destination of this notification mail is an electronic mail address included as a partner identifier in the file round-trip request.

At the time when the notification mail is transmitted, the server computer 1 generates and records the outgoing communication log according to the program (step S7). The outgoing communication log is stored in the main memory j or the auxiliary storage device k. The outgoing mail log is a log relating to the progress of sending outgoing mail files to each other party. The outgoing log at this point includes, for example, the following contents.
・ Identifier that identifies the outgoing session ・ Information indicating the other user (e-mail address)
-Date and time when notification email was sent (time stamp)
When there are a plurality of counterparties to which the outgoing file is to be delivered, a forward log is generated for each counterpart and different identifiers are assigned to the outgoing logs. The outgoing log is associated with the round-trip request acceptance log. There are various ways of associating the round-trip request acceptance log with the outgoing log, but in this embodiment, an explicit relationship is provided between the identifier for identifying the file round-trip request and the identifier for identifying the outgoing session. I have to. For example, in a situation where an outgoing file is transmitted to two other parties according to a certain file round-trip request, when the identifier for identifying this file round-trip request is “015”, the outgoing session for the first party is The identifier “015-1” is assigned, and the identifier “015-2” is assigned to the outgoing communication session directed to the second partner.

  On the other hand, the other user uses the information processing terminal 3 to download the outgoing file. The partner user activates the electronic mail client to receive the notification mail, activates the web browser, and accesses the web page indicated by the URI described in the notification mail. The web server of the server computer 1 accepts access by the information processing terminal 3 (step S8), generates data (HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) file, etc.) constituting the web page for downloading the outgoing file, and processes the information processing terminal 3. (Step S9). If a message text is included in the file round-trip request, this message text is included in the data constituting the web page. It is desirable that communication between the information processing terminal 3 and the server computer 1 is also encrypted by SSL or the like.

  The web browser of the information processing terminal 3 that has received the data displays the web page on the screen of the display e. FIG. 9 illustrates a web page for downloading the outgoing mail file. Accordingly, the other user uses the input device f to perform an operation of downloading each outgoing file. Specifically, the “Receive” button 301 or “Batch receipt” button 302 displayed on the web page is clicked. The web browser that has accepted this operation directs the download request for the outgoing file corresponding to the “Receive” button 301 or the download request for all outgoing files to the server computer 1 when the “collective receipt” button 302 is clicked. To send. Receiving this download request (step S10), the server computer 1 decrypts the outgoing file encrypted and stored in the auxiliary storage device k according to the program and transmits it to the information processing terminal 3 (step S11). ). At this time, the server computer 1 serves as the outgoing file transmission means 102. Note that when transmitting the outgoing file, a hash value is generated from a part or all of the outgoing file to be transmitted, and compared with the hash value in the previously recorded round-trip request acceptance log. If the two hash values match, the identity of the outgoing file stored in the auxiliary storage device k is proved.

At the time when the outgoing file is transmitted (when the download request is received), the server computer 1 adds information regarding the fact that the outgoing file has been transmitted to the other party in the outgoing log according to the program (step S12). Since the URI of the web page for downloading the outgoing file differs depending on the other party, and that URI is included in the download request and brought to the server computer 1, the server computer 1 sent which outgoing file to any other party. You can know. Therefore, the server computer 1 adds the following information about each outgoing file to the outgoing log related to the other party who sent the outgoing file.
-Date and time (time stamp) when the outgoing file was sent to the other party
-Hash value of the outbound file at the time of transmission to the other party Next, the collection of the reply file from the other party will be described. The processing executed by the server computer 1 when collecting the reply file is shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. As already described, the server computer 1 publishes on the telecommunication line 4 a web page for downloading the outgoing file and uploading the reply file. Further, the URI to be accessed for uploading the reply file is different for each partner user, and in step S5, each URI corresponding to each partner is generated in advance and stored in the main memory j or the auxiliary storage device k. is doing. The URI for uploading the reply file corresponds to a reply address that defines the reply destination of the reply file. In order to collect the reply file, it is necessary to inform each partner of the URI. In the present embodiment, a link to a URI for uploading a reply file is provided on a web page for downloading an outgoing file, and the reply file is transmitted with the URI as a destination. That is, the URI that becomes the return address is described in the HTML file or the like transmitted to the information processing terminal 3 in step S9. At this time, the server computer 1 functions as the reply address transmission means 103.

  The partner user accesses the above-described web page using a web browser and uploads a required reply file. The reply file is created prior to the reply and is stored in the auxiliary storage device c. The reply file may be created based on the outgoing file, or may be created separately from the outgoing file. The counterpart user uses the input device f to perform an operation of specifying one or a plurality of data files stored in the auxiliary storage device c as a reply file and replying. Specifically, an “add file” button 303 displayed on the web page is clicked. The web browser that has received this operation displays a dialog (not shown) for selecting a data file on the screen of the display e. Next, the other user selects a desired file from the data files listed in the dialog. As a result, the web browser obtains path information that identifies the designated reply file. At the same time, the web browser displays the file name, icon, etc. of the designated reply file in the area 304 in the web page. Thereafter, the other user clicks the “Reply” link button 305 displayed on the web page. Through the above, the web browser executes an upload request (typically, the HTTP POST method) that transmits the designated reply file to the URI described as the link.

  In accordance with the program, the server computer 1 accepts an upload request (step S13) and receives a reply file provided from the information processing terminal 3 (step S14). At this time, the server computer 1 functions as the reply file receiving means 104. In the case where the condition information is included in the file round-trip request, a process for determining whether a reply by the other user satisfies the condition defined in the condition information is involved. That is, the server computer 1 refers to the capacity of the received reply file, the number of files, the extension attached to the file name, etc. according to the program, and whether or not the reply file meets the conditions. Judging. Alternatively, the date and time of reply from the information processing terminal 3 or the number of replies is confirmed, and it is determined whether or not a condition regarding the reply is satisfied. If the reply file does not meet the conditions, or if the reply time or the number of replies deviates from the conditions, the reply file provided from the information processing terminal 3 is discarded. However, such a limitation on the reply file is not necessarily performed on the server computer 1 side. If a script is described in the data constituting the web page, it is possible to limit the reply file on the web browser side of the information processing terminal 3.

  The server computer 1 that has received the reply file encrypts the reply file using a predetermined encryption algorithm and encryption key according to the program, and stores it in a required storage area of the auxiliary storage device k (step S15). The reply file is stored until the process of sending it back to the sender is completed or until a predetermined expiration date is passed. At this time, the server computer 1 functions as the reply file storage means 105.

Through the procedure so far, the reply file has been officially accepted. The server computer 1 generates and records a reply log according to the program (step S16). The reply log is stored in the main memory j or the auxiliary storage device k. The reply log is a log related to the progress of reply of the reply file from each partner to the sender. The reply log at this point includes, for example, the following contents.
・ Identifier that identifies the reply session ・ Information indicating the other user (e-mail address)
-The date and time when the reply file was received (time stamp)
The hash value hash value of each reply file when the reply file is received is calculated by substituting a part or all of the reply file into a predetermined hash function. The URI of the destination to which the reply file is uploaded differs depending on the other party, and the URI is included in the upload request and provided to the server computer 1, so that the server computer 1 determines which party has returned the reply file. You can know. Therefore, the server computer 1 generates a reply log for each partner, and gives different identifiers to these reply logs. The reply log is associated with the round-trip request acceptance log and the outbound log. There are various ways of associating the round-trip request acceptance log and the outgoing and outgoing logs with the reply log. In this embodiment, an explicit relationship is established between the identifier for identifying the file round-trip request and the identifier for identifying the reply session. I try to have it. For example, in a situation where a reply file is collected from two opponents who have transmitted an outgoing file according to a certain file round-trip request, if the identifier identifying this file round-trip request is “015”, the call is sent from the first partner An identifier “015-1R” is assigned to the outgoing communication session, and an identifier “015-2R” is assigned to the outgoing session directed to the second party. The relationship between these round-trip request acceptance log, outgoing communication log, and reply log is illustrated in FIG.

  Generally speaking, the server computer 1 executes four steps of processing: reception of a file round-trip request, transmission of a notification mail, transmission transmission of an outgoing mail file, and reception of uploading of a reply file. And the process of each of these steps can be monitored in real time and the log can be recorded. That is, this server computer 1 works as the log recording means 106.

  In addition, the server computer 1 executes a specific processing procedure for returning the reply file to the transmission source while collecting the reply file from each partner. The server computer 1 publishes a web page on the telecommunication line 4 that allows a transmission source user to download a reply file in accordance with HTTP or the like. The URI of the web page to be accessed for downloading the reply file is different for each file round-trip request. Therefore, the server computer 1 generates a unique URI different for each file round-trip request according to the program (step S17) and holds each URI in the main memory j or the auxiliary storage device k. Then, according to the program, the server computer 1 transmits a notification mail describing the above URI to the sender (step S18). The transmission destination of the notification mail is an electronic mail address used by the transmission source user included in the file round-trip request.

  On the other hand, the transmission source user uses the information processing terminal 2 to download a reply file. The sender user activates the e-mail client to receive the notification mail, activates the web browser, and accesses the web page indicated by the URI described in the notification mail. The web server of the server computer 1 accepts access by the information processing terminal 2 (step S19), generates data (HTML file or the like) constituting a web page for downloading the outgoing file, and transmits it to the information processing terminal 2. (Step S20). The communication between the information processing terminal 2 and the server computer 1 here is also preferably encrypted by SSL or the like. Note that the web page data transmitted by the server computer 1 in step S19 includes progress information regarding whether or not each partner has returned a reply file. The progress information is generated based on the log recorded by the server computer 1. At this time, the server computer 1 functions as the progress information transmitting means 107.

  The web browser of the information processing terminal 2 that has received the data displays the web page on the screen of the display e. A web page for downloading a reply file is illustrated in FIG. As shown in the drawing, this web page displays progress information, that is, a list of progress statuses of replies from each partner in response to a certain file round-trip request. Accordingly, the other user performs an operation of downloading each reply file using the input device f. Specifically, the “Receive” button 210 or “Batch receipt” button 211 displayed on the web page is clicked. The web browser that has accepted this operation directs the download request for the reply file corresponding to the “Receive” button 210 or the download request for all reply files to the server computer 1 when the “collective receipt” button 211 is clicked. To send. Receiving this download request (step S21), the server computer 1 decrypts the reply file encrypted and stored in the auxiliary storage device k according to the program and transmits it to the information processing terminal 2 (step S22). ). At this time, the server computer 1 functions as the reply file transmission means 109. When a reply file is transmitted, a hash value is generated from a part or all of the reply file to be transmitted and compared with the hash value in the previously recorded reply log. If the two hash values match, it is proved that the reply file stored in the auxiliary storage device k is identical.

At the time when the reply file is transmitted (when the download request is received), the server computer 1 adds information on the fact that the reply file has been transmitted to the sender in the reply log according to the program (step S23). Since the URI of the web page for downloading the reply file is different for each file round-trip request, and the URI is included in the download request and provided to the server computer 1, the server computer 1 determines which reply to which file round-trip request is associated. You can know if you sent the file to the source. Therefore, the server computer 1 adds the following information about each reply file to the reply log related to the corresponding file round-trip request.
-The date and time (time stamp) when the reply file was sent to the sender
-Hash value of the reply file at the time of transmission to the sender According to the present embodiment, the outgoing file is delivered to one or a plurality of other parties via the telecommunication line 4, and the reply files sent back from each other party are aggregated A round-trip request receiving means 101 for receiving a round-trip request including a counterpart identifier for identifying a counterpart specified by a sender and an outgoing file, and referring to a file round-trip request received by the round-trip request receiving means 101 In addition, the outgoing file transmission unit 102 that transmits the outgoing file to the other party identified by the other party identifier, and the outgoing file transmission unit 102 defines the reply destination of the reply file along with the process of transmitting the outgoing file. Reply address sending means 103 for sending a reply address to the other party, and the other party A reply file receiving means 104 for receiving a reply file sent back to the reply address, a reply file storing means 105 for storing a reply file received by the reply file receiving means 104, and A log recording unit 106 that records progress information on whether or not a reply is made for each file reciprocation request, and a progress information transmission unit 107 that transmits the progress information recorded by the log recording unit 106 to the transmission source. Since the built-in file round-trip system is constructed, not only can the reply file returned from the other party be collected easily, but also the other party has already responded to a certain outgoing message, and none of the other party has yet responded Can be easily grasped (as progress information for each file round-trip request). Then, it is possible to favorably support a series of procedures such as transmission from the sender to the other party and reply from the other party to the sender.

  In the case where the file round-trip request includes counterparty identifiers related to a plurality of counterparties, the reply address transmitting unit 103 determines and transmits a different reply address (URI) for each partner, and the log recording unit 106 However, because the reply file received by the reply file receiving means 104 is sent to the reply file, the other party is specified and the progress information is recorded, so that the reply can be performed without performing a processing procedure such as user authentication. It is possible to identify the other party who sent the file back. Also, the other party can omit operations such as input of ID / password for user authentication.

  When the file round-trip request includes condition information that defines a condition related to the reply specified by the sender, only the reply file related to the reply that satisfies the condition specified in the condition information is stored in the reply file. Since it is configured so as to be stored in the means 105, it is possible to reliably collect only the reply file in the mode desired by the sender.

  In addition, the log recording unit 106 generates a forward hash (a hash included in the forward log) that is a hash value of the forward file and a reply hash (a hash included in the reply log) that is a hash value of the reply file. In addition, since these outgoing hashes and reply hashes are recorded in association with each other, the fact that the outgoing file is sent from the sender to the other party and the fact that the reply file is sent back from the other party to the sender is paired. It can be recorded and confirmed later. That is, the system can prove the fact that a round-trip exchange has been performed, and can be used extremely effectively in the transfer and exchange of business and business documents.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described in detail above. In particular, the file round-trip request is not always brought directly to the file round-trip system (the server computer 1) from the information processing terminal 2 used by the originating user. A file round-trip request can be issued from an automated computer.

  When a plurality of outgoing files are transmitted in a batch in one outgoing message sent from the sender user to the other user, the file reciprocating system (log recording means 106) (for each outgoing file) The same number of outgoing hashes may be generated, or all outgoing files may be considered as a single file and a (single) outgoing hash may be generated. Similarly, when a plurality of reply files are sent in a batch in one reply sent from a partner user to the sender, the file reciprocation system generates a reply hash for each reply file. Alternatively, a reply hash may be generated by regarding all reply files as a single file. If a single hash is generated and recorded as a log based on all the files sent in a batch, the mutual relationship between the plurality of files can be proved later.

  In addition, a function for downloading a reply file from the server computer 1 or a function for receiving progress information and displaying a list may be installed in a client program that is activated on the information processing terminal 2. In this case, since a user authenticator can be exchanged between the information processing terminal 2 and the server computer 1 to authenticate the originating user, the reply file can be sent to the user more reliably. Moreover, the procedure etc. in which the server computer 1 transmits a notification mail toward the transmission source user can be omitted.

  Furthermore, it is conceivable to apply an auxiliary storage device that can be attached to and detached from the information processing terminals 2 and 3 such as a flash memory (particularly a so-called USB memory) and an IC card. For example, if an auxiliary storage device storing a client program used by a sender user is provided, the sender user can possess this and send and receive messages from any information processing terminal 2. In other words, it is not necessary to install a client program in the information processing terminal 2 in advance. In addition, only the user who possesses such an auxiliary storage device can perform the outgoing communication (and the collection of the reply file), thereby limiting the number of users of the file reciprocation system. In addition, if the above auxiliary storage device is made to function as a means for storing an outgoing file to be delivered to the other party and / or a means for storing a reply file downloaded from the server computer 1, it becomes a sender. The user can use the file reciprocation procedure only with this auxiliary storage device.

  If an auxiliary storage device that stores data serving as a key for starting a client program installed in the information processing terminal 2 is provided, only a user having the auxiliary storage device can start the client program to send and receive data. It will be. In this case, the client program tries to read out key data from the auxiliary storage device that will be connected to the information processing terminal 2 at the start of startup, and if the data reading is not successful, the program is executed. Interrupt or end.

  As described above, in this system, a user authenticator is exchanged between the information processing terminal 2 and the server computer 1 to authenticate a user who is a transmission source. If the storage device is provided, only the user who possesses it can send and receive messages. In this case, the client program attempts to read the user authenticator from the auxiliary storage device that will be connected to the information processing terminal 2 at the start of activation, when a file round-trip request is transmitted, or when a reply file is downloaded. If the user authenticator is not successfully read, the file round-trip request is not transmitted, the reply file is not downloaded, or the like (or the server computer 1 rejects these requests because the authentication of the user of the transmission source has failed). ).

  In addition, the specific configuration of each unit, the specific processing procedure, and the like are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

The structure explanatory view of the present invention. The figure which shows the whole outline | summary of the file reciprocation system of one Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the hardware resource with which an information processing terminal is provided. The figure which shows the hardware resource with which a server computer is provided. Structure explanatory drawing of the file reciprocation system of the embodiment. The figure which illustrates the user interface provided in the information processing terminal of a transmission origin. The figure which illustrates the user interface provided in the information processing terminal of a transmission origin. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which a server computer implements. The figure which illustrates the user interface provided in the other party's information processing terminal. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which a server computer implements. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which a server computer implements. The figure explaining the correlation of the log which a server computer records. The figure which illustrates the user interface provided in the information processing terminal of a transmission origin.

Explanation of symbols

1. Server computer (file reciprocation system)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 ... Round-trip request reception means 102 ... Outgoing file transmission means 103 ... Reply address transmission means 104 ... Reply file reception means 105 ... Reply file storage means 106 ... Log recording means 107 ... Progress information transmission means 4 ... Telecommunication line

Claims (6)

A system that sends outgoing files to one or more other parties via a telecommunication line and aggregates the return files sent back from each other,
A round-trip request receiving means for receiving a file round-trip request including a counterpart identifier that identifies a counterpart specified by a sender and an outgoing file;
Referring to the file round-trip request received by the round-trip request receiving means, and sending a forward file to the other party identified by the other party identifier;
In response to the process of sending the outgoing file by the outgoing file sending means, a reply address sending means for sending a reply address defining a reply destination of the reply file to the other party,
A reply file receiving means for receiving a reply file that is replied to the reply address from the other party;
Reply file storage means for storing the reply file received by the reply file receiving means;
A round-trip request acceptance log that is a log relating to the fact that the file round-trip request has been accepted, an outgoing log that is a log relating to the progress of transmission of an outgoing file to each of the other parties, and from each of the other parties to the sender A log recording means for associating a reply log, which is a log related to a reply progress of a reply file, for each file round-trip request;
Ri Na progress information based on the log that the log recording unit was recorded and a progress information transmitting means for transmitting to said source,
The date and time when the log recording means sent the notification mail including the URI of the web page to be accessed to download the outgoing file to the other party and the date and time when the outgoing file was downloaded and sent to the other party. Is recorded as the outgoing log, and the time stamp of the date and time when the reply file is received from the other party is recorded as the reply log.
A file round-trip system characterized by that . In the case where the file round-trip request includes partner identifiers related to a plurality of opponents,
The reply address sending means determines and sends different reply addresses for each of the opponents, and the log recording means responds to which reply address the reply file received by the reply file receiving means is sent back to. 2. The file reciprocation system according to claim 1, wherein the reply log is recorded by specifying the reply. In the case where the file round-trip request includes condition information that defines conditions regarding a reply specified by the sender,
3. The file reciprocation system according to claim 1, wherein only a reply file related to a reply that satisfies a condition defined in the condition information is stored in the reply file storage unit. The log recording means generates a forward hash that is a hash value of the forward file and a reply hash that is a hash value of the reply file, and uses both the forward hash as the forward log and the reply hash as the reply log. The file reciprocating system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the file is recorded in association with each other. The progress information transmitting means generates and transmits information for displaying a list of the outgoing log and the reply log for each counterpart on an information processing terminal used by the sender. Or the file reciprocation system of 4. It is used for constituting the file reciprocation system according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, comprising a computer,
A round-trip request receiving means for receiving a file round-trip request including a counterparty identifier for identifying a counterparty specified by a sender and an outgoing file;
Referring to the file round-trip request received by the round-trip request receiving means, and sending a forward file to the other party identified by the other party identifier,
A reply address sending means for sending a reply address for specifying a reply destination of a reply file to the other party in association with the process of sending the outgoing file by the outgoing file sending means,
A reply file receiving means for receiving a reply file that is replied to the reply address from the other party;
Reply file storage means for storing the reply file received by the reply file receiving means;
A round-trip request acceptance log that is a log relating to the fact that the file round-trip request has been accepted, an outgoing log that is a log relating to the progress of transmission of an outgoing file to each of the other parties, and from each of the other parties to the sender Log recording means for associating a reply log, which is a log related to the progress of reply of a reply file, and recording each file round-trip request; and
Progress information transmitting means for transmitting progress information based on the log recorded by the log recording means to the transmission source
Function as
The date and time when the log recording means sent the notification mail including the URI of the web page to be accessed to download the outgoing file to the other party and the date and time when the outgoing file was downloaded and sent to the other party. Is recorded as the outgoing log, and the time stamp of the date and time when the reply file is received from the other party is recorded as the reply log.
A program characterized by that.

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