JP4888945B2 - Electronic form system, electronic form server, client terminal, information providing method, information using method, server program, and client terminal program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electronic form system, the electronic form server, client terminal, the information providing method, an information utilization method, a server program and a client terminal program.

  Conventionally, in many electronic form systems, an electronic form server is arranged at the center, and a user logs in to the electronic form server from a client at each base, and references and searches of forms stored in the electronic form server are performed. .

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of background art. As shown in FIG. 1A, at each site, the user transmits a request to the center electronic form server, and performs operations such as form reference and search.

  However, in this configuration, in the electronic form system, all operations are performed by the electronic form server at the center, even though operations such as forms and searches that are referenced for each site are biased, and the management load (Processing load) is high. In addition, the load on the network between the electronic form server and the base also increases.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1B, it may be possible to adopt a distributed system configuration in which an electronic form child server is installed at each site. However, in the case of this configuration, the management load of the electronic form child server becomes high.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an access right control system capable of desired access right control in a client in a peer-to-peer file exchange system.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a content distribution system that solves the problem of copyright management when distributed users exchange contents with each other.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a distributed file sharing system that shares files in a peer-to-peer format in which clients hold files that are shared with each other and perform one-to-one file exchange.

JP 2003-122635 A JP 2004-096411 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-092288

  However, in the system described in Patent Document 1, since a file that has already been distributed to a client can be copied, data outflow becomes a problem. In the electronic form system, the data itself is highly confidential, and it is necessary to prevent the distribution of the distributed files.

  Further, in the system described in Patent Document 2, it is not considered that the file to be distributed is updated, and the update of the file by another client cannot be reflected. In the electronic form system, since a plurality of clients write and update certain form data, it is necessary to fetch the latest data.

  In addition, in the system described in Patent Document 3, when the access authority is changed, access control information must be retransmitted to all clients, and thus there is a mismatch between the access control information held by the server and each client. there's a possibility that. Therefore, the required strict access right management cannot be performed in the electronic form system.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a session has been established with the client terminal that has logged in the electronic form server and data relating to the electronic form held by the client terminal. and between management, when a request for data relating from another client terminal in electronic form, load that the electronic form server to introduce client terminal holding data relating to electronic form it is requested And to reduce the load on the network .

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention via the network a child document server electrostatic providing the service of communicating an electronic document with a plurality of client terminals, the client terminal the electronic form server Identification information of the client terminal for which a session has been established with the electronic form server by logging in to a service related to the electronic form provided by the client, and data holding information about the electronic form held by the client terminal Client terminal information management means for managing client terminal information including at least the client terminal holding data relating to an electronic form that is a target of the operation request in response to an operation request for the electronic form from the client terminal; Is a separate client terminal that is connected to the electronic form server. The client terminal information management unit searches for and acquires the client terminal information of the client terminal for which the session is established, and a search acquisition unit for acquiring the client terminal information, and the search acquisition unit establishes a session with the electronic form server When the client terminal information of the client terminal holding the data related to the electronic form that is the target of the operation request is acquired, the operation request is sent in response to the operation request for the electronic form from the client terminal. An operation request source that is a client terminal that is different from the client terminal that holds data related to a target electronic form and that has a session established with the electronic form server. Client terminal information sent to other client terminals In response to an acquisition request from the client terminal, data transmission means for transmitting data related to the electronic form that is the target of the operation request held by the electronic form server to the operation request source client terminal; in response to the request of the logout processing service or al of the electronic document by the client end late, from the client terminal information that the client terminal information managing means, the identification information of the operation requesting client terminal, said client terminal Delete means for deleting client terminal information including at least data holding information related to the electronic form held by the client.

According to such a constitution, the electronic form server, in response to a request, it is possible to transmit the client terminal information to the client terminal, on demand, it is possible to transmit the data according to the electronic document to the client terminal . That is, the client terminal, for example, other client terminal electronic document server session is established, if holding the data relating to electronic form of the operation requested based on the client terminal information, the electronic form server The data related to the electronic form is acquired from the other client terminal with which the session is established . In addition, the client terminal , for example, when the other client terminal having a session with the electronic form server does not hold the data related to the operation request target electronic form, the electronic form server sends the data related to the electronic form. To get. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the load of the electronic form server.

Further, the present invention includes: the identity of the client terminal that the electronic form server session by the client terminal via a network has logged into the service according to the electronic form provided by electronic forms server has been established, and the client terminal information management means for managing at least includes a client terminal information and data holding information relating to the electronic form to the client terminal holds a request for logout processing service or found according to the electronic form by the client terminal end The client terminal information managed by the client terminal information management means, and at least client terminal identification information and data holding information related to the electronic form held by the client terminal. Delete means to delete information and A client terminal communicable with the electronic form server, the operation request means for making an operation request for the electronic form to the electronic form server, and the operation request by the operation request means from the electronic form server, Client terminal information acquisition means for acquiring client terminal information including at least identification information of another client terminal having a session established with the electronic form server and data holding information related to the electronic form held by the other client terminal And, based on the client terminal information acquired by the client terminal information acquisition means, a session is established with the electronic form server by another client terminal holding the data related to the electronic form that is the target of the operation request. If the other client terminal Acquiring data related to the form, and when the other client terminal has not established a session with the electronic form server, the data acquisition means for acquiring the data related to the electronic form from the electronic form server; and having a logout process request means for to the electronic form server makes a request for logout process from the service according to the electronic form.

According to such a constitution, the client terminal, for example, other client terminal electronic document server session is established, if holding the data relating to electronic form of the operation requested is based on the client terminal information Thus, data related to the electronic form is obtained from another client terminal having a session with the electronic form server . In addition, the client terminal , for example, when the other client terminal having a session with the electronic form server does not hold the data related to the operation request target electronic form, the electronic form server sends the data related to the electronic form. To get. Then, the client terminal outputs information corresponding to the operation request based on the data related to the electronic form. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the load of the electronic form server.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention relates to an electronic form system, an information providing method, an information utilization method may be servers program, and a client terminal program.

According to the present invention, the client terminal logged into the electronic form server and the data related to the electronic form held by the client terminal are managed while the session with the client terminal is established, and the other client when a request for data relating the terminal to the electronic form, to reduce the load and the network load that the electronic form server to introduce client terminal holding data relating to electronic form it is requested Can do.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an electronic form system. The electronic form server 100 stores form data of an electronic form (hereinafter simply referred to as “form” in some cases), and provides services such as browsing and searching for forms to the clients 101, 102, and 103 via the network 104. provide.

  The clients 101, 102, and 103 are clients used by those who view forms and acquire search results (search result data), and can exchange data with the electronic form server 100 via the network 104. .

  The network 104 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. The configuration of various terminals connected on the network 104 in FIG. 2 is an example, and there are various configuration examples depending on the application and purpose.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the electronic form server 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the electronic form server 100.

  In FIG. 3, the CPU 201 comprehensively controls each device connected to the system bus 204. In addition, the ROM 203 or the external memory 211 realizes various functions to be described later of the operating system (OS) that is a control program of the CPU 201 and the electronic form server 100 (each client when FIG. 3 is a client hardware configuration). Is stored.

  The RAM 202 functions as a main memory, work area, temporary save area, and the like for the CPU 201. The input controller 205 controls input from the input unit 209. Examples of the input unit 209 include a pointing device such as a keyboard and a mouse in a terminal such as a server or a client. Moreover, in a printing apparatus etc., a touch panel, a button, a switch, etc. are mentioned.

  The display controller 206 controls display on the display unit 210. Examples of the display unit 210 include a CRT and a liquid crystal. An external memory controller (MC) 207 controls access to an external memory 211 that stores a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edit files, printer drivers, and the like. The external memory 211 also stores various tables, parameters, and the like for realizing various functions of the electronic form server 100 (each client when FIG. 3 is a client hardware configuration). Examples of the external memory 211 include a hard disk (HD), a floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD), a compact flash (registered trademark) connected to a PCMCIA card slot via an adapter, and smart media.

  The communication I / F controller 208 executes communication control processing with an external device via the network 104. The program according to the present embodiment is recorded in the external memory 211 and is executed by the CPU 201 by being loaded into the RAM 202 as necessary. Further, form data, search results, node information, and annotation information used by the program are also stored in the external memory 211. A detailed description of the form data, search results, node information, and annotation information will be described later.

  The hardware configurations of the clients 101, 102, and 103 are basically the same as those of the electronic form server 100. However, the program recorded in the external memory of the clients 101, 102, and 103 is a client module that outputs, for example, form data (or a form that can be viewed), and of course, the program of the electronic form server 100 is Different. The form data and search results are received by the clients 101, 102, and 103 by communication with the electronic form server 100 or other clients, and are held in the RAM, external memory, etc. Is disconnected (logged off from the electronic form server 100). The clients 101, 102, and 103 temporarily store node information or annotation information acquired from the electronic form server 100 in a RAM or the like, and store all node information and annotation information of the electronic form system in a ROM or an external memory. Another difference is that it is not held.

  The form data represents form display data, is composed of a single file or a plurality of files, and contains one or a plurality of pages. The electronic form server 100 manages the same type of form data among a plurality of form data, and each form data is called a generation within the group.

  In the electronic form system, information on active (active) clients (nodes), priorities used when searching for clients, information on form data held by each client, and search results held by each client Node information including the information related to is managed by the electronic form server 100. The client acquires node information from the electronic form server 100 and receives form data or search results from the server or other clients as necessary.

  Here, an example of the node information is shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of node information. As shown in FIG. 4, the node information includes the IP address of the node as active client information. The node information includes a priority used when searching for clients. The node information includes browsed form information as information related to form data held by each client. Further, the node information includes a search condition as information relating to the search result held by each client.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an outline of data exchange in the electronic form system. In step S4202, the client 101 transmits a login request to the electronic form server 100. Upon receiving the login request, the electronic form server 100 performs authentication based on the login request and transmits the authentication result to the requesting client 101. If the electronic form server 100 determines that the authentication has succeeded as a result of the authentication, the electronic form server 100 transmits an authentication result indicating that the authentication has been successful and a session ID for identifying a session with the client 101 to the client 101. . The electronic form server 100 also stores and holds session information including the session ID transmitted to the client 101 in the external memory 211 or the like.

  Upon receiving the authentication result from the electronic form server 100, the client 101 determines in step S4203 whether or not the authentication has succeeded based on the authentication result. If the client 101 determines that the authentication has failed, the process returns to step S4202. If the client 101 determines that the authentication is successful, the client 101 transmits an IP address addition request including the IP address (IP address and port number) of the own node (that is, the client 101) to the electronic form server 100. . Here, the session between the client 101 and the electronic form server 100 is established, and the client 101 transmits an IP address addition request to the electronic form server 100 using this session (session ID). The client 101 exchanges data with the electronic form server 100 using this session ID until logging off from the electronic form server 100, that is, until the session with the electronic form server 100 is disconnected. The same applies to the following.

  Upon receiving the IP address addition request, the electronic form server 100 adds an IP address as an active client to the node information stored in the external memory 211 or the like.

  In step S 4204, the client 101 transmits a form browsing request including a form data ID for identifying form data related to the electronic form desired to be browsed to the electronic form server 100. Upon receiving a form browsing request including a form data ID, the electronic form server 100 determines whether or not the user of the client 101 or the client 101 has the authority to view the form data identified by the form data ID (check) ) And sends the browsing authority check result to the requesting client 101.

  When the client 101 receives the viewing authority check result from the electronic form server 100, in step S4205, based on the viewing authority check result, the client 101 has viewing authority for the form data related to the electronic form desired to be viewed. Determine whether or not. If the client 101 determines that there is no viewing authority, the process returns to step S4204.

  If the client 101 determines that the user has viewing authority, the client 101 transmits an acquisition request for the IP address of each node holding the corresponding form data to the electronic form server 100. As will be described later, the client 101 may transmit a node list acquisition request including node information or a plurality of node information to the electronic form server 100 instead of the IP address. However, here, for simplification of description, the description will be made assuming that an IP address acquisition request is transmitted.

  When the electronic form server 100 receives the acquisition request, the electronic form server 100 holds the corresponding form data from the node information stored in the external memory 211 or the like based on the form data ID or the like included in the acquisition request. The node IP address is acquired and transmitted to the requesting client 101. If there is no node that holds the corresponding form data, the electronic form server 100 transmits, for example, information to that effect (not present) to the requesting client 101.

  Also, the electronic form server 100 transmits an authentication key used for encrypting and decrypting the form data to the requesting client 101. Further, the electronic form server 100 acquires the corresponding annotation information from the annotation information stored in the external memory 211 based on the form data ID included in the acquisition request, and transmits the annotation information to the requesting client 101. To do.

  Here, an example of annotation information is shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of annotation information. As shown in FIG. 6, the annotation information includes an annotation type, a creation user, an update user, a form ID (form data ID = electronic form ID), a generation number, a page, a position, and a size. , Information on creation date and update date. Note that the annotation is information added to the electronic form at the client as shown in the annotation screen (screen image: FIG. 7), and the type includes a stamp, a tag, a marker, and a check. Annotation information is also an important part of electronic forms. In this embodiment, a form image (electronic form) is divided into form data and annotation information that may be changed, and the client always obtains the annotation information from the electronic form server 100. Thus, in the present embodiment, the electronic form is always kept up-to-date while using the P2P mechanism.

  In step S4206, the client 101 determines whether there is a client holding the corresponding form data in the same site based on, for example, whether the IP address is received from the electronic form server 100. Determine.

  When the client 101 determines that there is a client holding the corresponding form data in the same site, the client 101 transmits an acquisition request for the corresponding form data to the client (client 102 in FIG. 5). The form data is received.

  If the client 101 determines that there is no client holding the corresponding form data in the same site, the client 101 transmits an acquisition request for the corresponding form data to the electronic form server 100, and the form data Receive. The electronic form server 100 generates an encryption key and a decryption key when transmitting form data corresponding to the client 101, and encrypts the form data with the encryption key and transmits the encrypted form data. Then, the encryption key and the decryption key are recorded in the external memory 211 or the like in association with the transmitted form data.

  Upon obtaining the form data, the client 101 decrypts the form data using the authentication key received from the electronic form server 100 in step S4207, and the annotation information received from the electronic form server 100. To create an electronic form that can be viewed and output it.

  When the process of step S4207 ends, the client 101 transmits a browsed form information addition request including browsed form information to the electronic form server 100. Upon receiving a browsed form information addition request from the client 101, the electronic form server 100 adds the browsed form information included in the browsed form information addition request to the node information of the client 101.

  Next, when the client 101 receives a search instruction including a search condition such as a character string included in the electronic form from the user, the client 101 transmits a search request including the search condition to the electronic form server 100. If the user gives an instruction to log out without giving a search instruction, the client 101 does not perform the processing from step S4208 to step S4210, logs out, and holds it in an external memory or the like. The form data acquired from the client 102 or the electronic form server 100 may be deleted, and the process shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the user gives a search instruction to the client 101 after browsing the form.

  When the electronic form server 100 receives a search request including a search condition or the like, the electronic form server 100 holds the corresponding search result from the node information stored in the external memory 211 or the like based on the search condition (search information) or the like. The node IP address is acquired and transmitted to the requesting client 101. If there is no node that holds the corresponding search result, for example, the electronic form server 100 transmits information to that effect (not present) to the requesting client 101.

  In step S4209, the client 101 determines whether there is a client holding the corresponding search result in the same site based on, for example, whether the IP address is received from the electronic form server 100. Determine.

  When the client 101 determines that there is a client holding the corresponding search result in the same site, the client 101 transmits an acquisition request for the corresponding search result to the client (the client 102 in FIG. 5). The search result is received.

  If the client 101 determines that there is no client holding the corresponding search result in the same site, the client 101 transmits an acquisition request for the corresponding search result to the electronic form server 100, and the search result Receive.

  When the client 101 acquires the search result, in step S4210, the client 101 decrypts the search result using the authentication key received from the electronic form server 100, and outputs the decrypted search result.

  When the process of step S4210 ends, the client 101 transmits a search condition addition request including a search condition to the electronic form server 100. When the electronic form server 100 receives the search condition addition request from the client 101, the electronic form server 100 adds the search condition included in the search condition addition request to the node information of the client 101.

  When the client 101 receives an instruction to log out from the electronic form server 100 from the user, the client 101 transmits a node information deletion request including the IP address of the own node to the electronic form server 100.

  Upon receiving the node information deletion request, the electronic form server 100, based on the node information held in the external memory 211 or the like, based on the node IP address included in the deletion request, The IP address, priority, browsed form information, and search information of the client 101 are deleted.

  In step S4211, the client 101 performs logout processing such as sending a session disconnection notification including a session ID to the electronic form server 100. For example, when the electronic form server 100 receives the session disconnection request, the electronic form server 100 indicates that the session has been disconnected based on the session ID included in the session disconnection request, in the corresponding session information held in the external memory 211 or the like. Add information.

  Subsequently, in step S4212, the client 101 deletes the form data acquired from the client 102 or the electronic form server 100 and the search result held in the external memory or the like, and ends the process shown in FIG.

  Next, an outline of processing in the electronic form system will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing in the electronic form system.

  In step S5002, the client 101 transmits a login request to the electronic form server 100. Upon receiving the login request, the electronic form server 100 performs authentication based on the login request and transmits the authentication result to the requesting client 101. As described above, when the electronic form server 100 determines that the authentication is successful as a result of the authentication, the electronic form server 100 sets the authentication result indicating that the authentication is successful and the session ID for identifying the session with the client 101. Send to client 101.

  When the client 101 receives the authentication result from the electronic form server 100, in step S5003, the client 101 determines whether the authentication is successful based on the authentication result. If the client 101 determines that the authentication has failed, the process returns to step S5002. If the client 101 determines that the authentication is successful, the process proceeds to step S5004.

  In step S5004, the client 101 transmits an IP address addition request (node information update request) including the IP address (IP address and port number) of its own node (that is, the client 101) to the electronic form server 100. . Upon receiving the IP address addition request, the electronic form server 100 adds an IP address as an active client to the node information stored in the external memory 211 or the like.

  Subsequently, in step S5008, the client 101 transmits a form browsing request including a form data ID for identifying form data related to the electronic form desired to be browsed to the electronic form server 100. Upon receiving a form browsing request including a form data ID, the electronic form server 100 determines whether or not the user of the client 101 or the client 101 has the authority to view the form data identified by the form data ID (check) ) And sends the browsing authority check result to the requesting client 101.

  When the client 101 receives the viewing authority check result from the electronic form server 100, in step S5009, based on the viewing authority check result, the client 101 has viewing authority for the form data related to the electronic form desired to be viewed. Determine whether or not. If the client 101 determines that there is no viewing authority, the process returns to step S5008. If the client 101 determines that the user has viewing authority, the process advances to step S5010.

  In step S5010, the client 101 transmits an acquisition request for the IP address (or node information) of each node holding the corresponding form data to the electronic form server 100.

  When the electronic form server 100 receives the acquisition request, the electronic form server 100 holds the corresponding form data from the node information stored in the external memory 211 or the like based on the form data ID or the like included in the acquisition request. The IP address (or node information) of the node is acquired, a node list in which these IP addresses (or node information) are collected is created and transmitted to the requesting client 101. The electronic form server 100 can identify the site to which the client 101 belongs based on the IP address of the client 101 or the like. Details of the node list creation processing and the like in the electronic form server 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

The client 101 acquires a node list from the electronic form server 100.
Subsequently, in step S5011, the client 101 (and the electronic form server 100) executes a form browsing process. Details of the form browsing process will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Upon completion of the form browsing process, the client 101 transmits a browsed form information addition request (node information update request) including the browsed form information to the electronic form server 100 in step S5012. Upon receiving a browsed form information addition request from the client 101, the electronic form server 100 adds the browsed form information included in the browsed form information addition request to the node information of the client 101.

  Next, when the client 101 receives a search instruction including a search condition such as a character string included in the electronic form from the user, in step S5013, the client 101 requests the electronic form server 100 to include a search condition. Send.

  When the electronic form server 100 receives a search request including a search condition or the like, the electronic form server 100 holds the corresponding search result from the node information stored in the external memory 211 or the like based on the search condition (search information) or the like. The IP address (or node information) of the node is acquired, a node list in which these IP addresses (or node information) are collected is created and transmitted to the requesting client 101.

In step S5014, the client 101 acquires a node list from the electronic form server 100.
Subsequently, in step S5015, the client 101 (and the electronic form server 100) executes a search process. The details of the search process will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the client 101 finishes the search process, in step S5016, the client 101 transmits a search condition addition request (node information update request) including a search condition to the electronic form server 100. When the electronic form server 100 receives the search condition addition request from the client 101, the electronic form server 100 adds the search condition included in the search condition addition request to the node information of the client 101.

  Subsequently, when the client 101 receives an instruction from the user to log out from the electronic form server 100, in step S5018, the client 101 requests the electronic form server 100 to delete node information including the IP address of the own node. Send. Upon receiving the node information deletion request, the electronic form server 100, based on the node information held in the external memory 211 or the like, based on the node IP address included in the deletion request, The IP address, priority, browsed form information, and search information of the client 101 are deleted.

  In step S5019, the client 101 performs logout processing such as transmitting a session disconnection notification including a session ID to the electronic form server 100. When the electronic form server 100 receives the session disconnection request, based on the session ID included in the session disconnection request, the electronic form server 100 adds information indicating that the session has been disconnected to the corresponding session information held in the external memory 211 or the like. Append.

  Subsequently, in step S5020, the client 101 deletes the form data acquired from the client 102 or the electronic form server 100 and the search result held in the external memory or the like, and ends the process shown in FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the node list creation process. In step S1303, the electronic form server 100 receives from the client 101 an acquisition request for the node list (IP address or node information) of each node holding the corresponding form data. Then, the electronic form server 100 obtains the node information of each node holding the corresponding form data from the node information stored in the external memory 211 or the like based on the form data ID or the like included in the acquisition request. Get and create a node list. The electronic form server 100 can identify the node that holds the corresponding form data from the browsed form information included in the node information.

  Subsequently, in step S1304, the electronic form server 100 divides the node list created in step S1303 for each site. For example, the clients belonging to the site 1 are clients 1 to 4, the clients belonging to the site 2 are clients 5 to 7, and the clients belonging to the site 3 are clients 8 to 10. In step S1303, the clients 2 to 9 are used. Is created. In step S1304, the electronic form server 100 converts the client 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 node list created in step S1303 into the client 2, 3, 4 node list (node The list is divided into a list 1), a node list of the clients 5, 6 and 7 (node list 2), and a node list of the clients 8 and 9 (node list 3).

  Subsequently, in step S1305, the electronic form server 100 determines the nodes divided in step S1304 based on the location of the request source (in this embodiment, the client 101, but here, the client 101 = client 1). Prioritize between lists. That is, the electronic form server 100 sets the priority of the node list 1, which is a node list related to the site to which the client 1 belongs, higher than the priorities of the node list 2 and the node list 3. Further, the electronic form server 100 determines the priorities of the node list 2 and the node list 3 based on the distance between the base 2 and the base 3 and the base 1 related to the network. That is, the priority of the node list of the base having a short distance to the base 1 from the network is increased. Here, description will be made assuming that the priority of the node list 3 is higher than the priority of the node list 2.

  Subsequently, in step S1306, the electronic form server 100 sorts the node information in each node list based on the prioritization performed in step S1305 and the priority of the client in the same base, and the divided node list Are merged. That is, when the priority of the clients 2 to 4 in the base 1 is client 4> client 3> client 2, the electronic form server 100 first sorts the node list 1 into the clients 4, 3, and 2. When the priority of the clients 5 to 7 in the base 2 is client 5> client 6> client 7, the electronic form server 100 sorts the node list 2 into the clients 5, 6, and 7. Further, when the priority of the clients 8 and 9 in the base 3 is client 9> client 8, the electronic form server 100 sorts the node list 3 into the clients 9 and 8.

  Then, the electronic form server 100 merges the node lists based on the priority between the node lists, and creates the node lists of the clients 4, 3, 2, 9, 8, 5, 6, 7. In the node list, the priority is higher at the top.

  In step S1307, the electronic form server 100 transmits the created node list to the requesting client 101.

  As described above, the electronic form server 100 stores the distance related to the network between the bases in the external memory 211 or the like. In addition, for example, when an administrator of an electronic form system sets a priority of a client included in node information and a client having a high possibility of holding data in advance is known, Network load can be reduced. Also, by lowering the priority, for example, it is possible to designate a client that is not desired to be accessed as much as possible, and security can be improved.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an outline of the form browsing process. In (1), the client 101 transmits a request for browsing the form A to the electronic form server 100. Then, the electronic form server 100 searches and acquires the node information of the node (in the example of FIG. 10, the client 102) holding the form data of the form A in the base A from the node information. In 2), the data is transmitted to the client 101. In (3), the electronic form server 100 transmits an authentication key to the client 101.

  In (4), the client 101 transmits a form A form data acquisition request to the client 102 based on the node information received from the electronic form server 100.

  In (5), the client 102 transmits the form data of the form A held to the client 101 in response to the acquisition request received from the client 101. In (6), the client 101 decrypts the form data of the form A acquired from the client 102 using the authentication key acquired from the electronic form server 100.

  On the other hand, in (1) ′, the client 103 transmits a browsing request for the form B to the electronic form server 100. Then, the electronic form server 100 searches the node information for the node holding the form data of the form B in the base A from the node information. Here, if there is no node holding the form data of the form B in the base A, the electronic form server 100 indicates that there is no node holding the form data of the form B in the base A. Is sent to the client 103.

  When the client 103 receives information from the electronic form server 100 that the node holding the form data of the form B does not exist in the site A, the client 103 acquires the form data of the form B from the electronic form server 100. Send a request.

  In (2) ′, in response to the acquisition request received from the client 103, the electronic form server 100 transmits the form data of the retained form B to the client 103. In (3) ′, the electronic form server 100 transmits an authentication key to the client 103.

  In (4) ′, the client 103 decrypts the form data of the form B acquired from the electronic form server 100 using the authentication key acquired from the electronic form server 100.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a form browsing process.
In step S <b> 802, the client 101 acquires an authentication key from the electronic form server 100. Here, the electronic form server 100 issues an authentication key including a session ID part for identifying a session with the client 101 and a key part used for encryption and decryption of form data to the client 101. . Therefore, for example, the client 101 can compare the session ID acquired when logging into the electronic form server 100 and the session ID included in the authentication key, and can decrypt the form data only when they match. With this configuration, unauthorized access to the form data can be prevented.

  In step S <b> 803, the client 101 acquires annotation information (or an annotation information list) related to the form from the electronic form server 100. As shown in FIG. 7, the annotation information includes information such as sticky notes, markers, stamps, and checks.

  Subsequently, in step S804, the client 101 determines the form related to the form from the electronic form server 100 or the client 102 or 103 existing in the same site based on the node list obtained in S5010 of FIG. Execute the form data acquisition process to acquire data. Details of the form data acquisition process will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S805, the client 101 compares the session ID acquired when logging into the electronic form server 100 with the session ID included in the authentication key acquired in step S802, and possesses the authentication key. Is issued for a session currently connected to the electronic form server 100.

  If the client 101 determines that the authentication key possessed is issued for the session currently connected to the electronic form server 100, the client 101 proceeds to step S806, and is currently connected to the electronic form server 100. If it is determined that the session has not been issued, the process proceeds to step S814.

  In step S <b> 814, the client 101 outputs, for example, information that the document browsing has failed. In step S815, the client 101 deletes the form data acquired from the electronic form server 100 or the client 102 or 103 existing in the same site.

  On the other hand, in step S806, the client 101 decrypts the form data acquired from the electronic form server 100 or the client 102 or 103 existing in the same base using the possessed authentication key. In step S807, the client 101 draws a form image based on the decrypted form data. In steps S808 to S810, the client 101 draws an annotation image for each annotation based on the annotation information.

In step S811, the client 101 merges the form image and the annotation image, outputs an electronic form, and ends the process illustrated in FIG.
In step S802, when the electronic form server 100 issues an authentication key including only a session ID part for identifying a session with the client 101 to the client 101, in step S805, the client 101 The session ID acquired in step S802 is transmitted to the electronic form server 100. The electronic form server 100 transmits the session ID received from the client 101 to the client 101 when the client 101 logs into the electronic form server 100. Compare the session ID that has been set. If they match, the electronic form server 100 transmits to the client 101 the key part used for encrypting and decrypting the form data. The client 101 decrypts the form data using the key used for decryption. On the other hand, if they do not match, an error message is transmitted to the client 101.
By taking such an embodiment, the electronic form server compares the session ID received from the client 101 with the session ID transmitted to the client 101 when the client 101 logs into the electronic form server 100. The key part used for encryption and decryption is transmitted to the client 101 for the first time in the case of a match, so that it is possible to prevent unnecessary outflow of the key used for encryption and decryption, thereby further improving security. It leads to increase.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of form data acquisition processing. From step S1308 to step S1312, the client 101 is based on the node list acquired in step S5010 of FIG. 8 or the like (for the node list that may hold the form data related to the electronic form to be viewed (that is, the node list). For the node information included). The client 101 executes processing in the following loop in order from the top node information included in the node list.

  In step S1309, the client 101 determines whether the processing target node (client) holds the corresponding form data that can be distributed. For example, the client 101 makes an inquiry to the processing target node as to whether or not the corresponding form data that can be distributed is held, and makes the determination based on the inquiry result.

  If the client 101 determines that the processing target node holds the applicable form data that can be distributed, the client 101 proceeds to step S1310, and determines that the processing target node does not hold the applicable form data that can be distributed. The process of step S1309 is performed on the node related to the next node information included in the node list.

  In step S1310, the client 101 acquires the corresponding form data from the processing target node. Subsequently, in step S1311, the client 101 determines whether or not acquisition of the corresponding form data has succeeded. If the client 101 determines that the corresponding form data has been successfully acquired, the client 101 ends the processing illustrated in FIG. 12. If the client 101 determines that the acquisition of the corresponding form data has failed, the process proceeds to step S1312.

  In step S1313, the client 101 acquires the corresponding form data from the electronic form server 100, and ends the process shown in FIG.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of search processing. In step S1402, the client 101 transmits a search request including the form ID, generation number, search condition, and the like of the form data related to the search to the electronic form server 100.

  In step S1409, the client 101 determines whether the processing target node (client) holds a corresponding search result that can be distributed. For example, the client 101 makes an inquiry to the processing target node as to whether or not the relevant search result that can be distributed is held, and makes the determination based on the inquiry result.

  If the client 101 determines that the processing target node holds the search result that can be distributed, the client 101 proceeds to step S1410, and determines that the processing target node does not hold the search result that can be distributed. The process of step S1409 is performed on the node related to the next node information included in the node list.

  In step S1410, the client 101 acquires a corresponding search result from the processing target node. Subsequently, in step S1411, the client 101 determines whether or not acquisition of the corresponding search result has succeeded. If the client 101 determines that acquisition of the corresponding search result has been successful, the client 101 ends the processing illustrated in FIG. 13. If the client 101 determines that acquisition of the corresponding search result has failed, the process proceeds to step S1412.

  In step S <b> 1413, the client 101 acquires the corresponding search result from the electronic form server 100. Subsequently, in step S1414, the client 101 decrypts and outputs the search result using the authentication key, and ends the processing illustrated in FIG.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the load on the electronic form server and the load on the network while ensuring the high security required for the electronic form system.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.・ Change is possible.

It is a figure which shows an example of background art. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of an electronic form system. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an electronic form server 100. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of node information. It is a flowchart which shows the outline | summary of the exchange of data in an electronic form system. It is a figure which shows an example of annotation information. It is a figure which shows an example of the electronic form displayed on the screen. It is a flowchart which shows the outline | summary of the process in an electronic form system. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a node list creation process. It is a figure which shows the outline of a form browsing process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a form browsing process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a form data acquisition process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a search process.

Explanation of symbols

100 electronic form server 101 client 201 CPU
202 RAM
203 ROM
209 Input unit 210 Display unit 211 External memory

Claims (15)

And a plurality of client terminals, and the child electrostatic providing service document server according to the electronic form is capable of communicating electronic form system via a network,
The electronic form server
Identification information of the client terminal in which the client terminal the electronic form server session by logging into the service according to the electronic form provided by the electronic form server is established, the client terminal holds Client terminal information management means for managing client terminal information including at least data holding information related to an electronic form;
In response to an operation request for an electronic form from the client terminal, the client terminal is a client terminal different from the client terminal that holds data related to the electronic form that is the target of the operation request, and is a session with the electronic form server A search acquisition unit that searches for and acquires the client terminal information of the client terminal for which the client terminal is established by the client terminal information management unit;
When the client terminal information of the client terminal that holds the data related to the electronic form that is the target of the operation request for which the session with the electronic form server is established by the search acquisition unit is acquired from the client terminal In response to the operation request for the electronic form, the client terminal is a client terminal different from the client terminal holding the data related to the electronic form that is the target of the operation request, and a session is established with the electronic form server. Client terminal information transmitting means for transmitting the client terminal information on the client terminal that is present to the client terminal of the operation request source;
In response to an acquisition request from the client terminal, data transmission means for transmitting data related to the electronic form that is the target of the operation request held by the electronic form server to the operation request source client terminal;
In response to the request of the logout processing service or al of the electronic document by the client end late, from the client terminal information that the client terminal information managing means, the identification information of the operation requesting client terminal, said client terminal Delete means for deleting client terminal information including at least data holding information related to the electronic form held by
The client terminal is
From the electronic form server, at least the identification information of the client terminal that has established a session with the electronic form server and the data holding information related to the electronic form held by the client terminal, corresponding to the operation request. Including client terminal information acquisition means for acquiring client terminal information about a client terminal different from the operation request source client terminal,
Based on the client terminal information acquired by the client terminal information acquisition unit, a session is established with the electronic form server for another client terminal holding data related to the electronic form that is the target of the operation request. In the case, the data related to the electronic form is obtained from the other client terminal, and when the other client terminal does not establish a session with the electronic form server, the electronic form server sends the electronic form. Data acquisition means for acquiring data according to
Electronic form system characterized by having a logout processing request means makes a request for logout process from the service according to the electronic form with respect to the electronic form server. Via a network to a child document server electrostatic providing the service of communicating an electronic document with a plurality of client terminals,
Identification information of the client terminal in which the client terminal the electronic form server session by logging into the service according to the electronic form provided by the electronic form server is established, the client terminal holds Client terminal information management means for managing client terminal information including at least data holding information related to an electronic form;
In response to an operation request for an electronic form from the client terminal, the client terminal is a client terminal different from the client terminal that holds data related to the electronic form that is the target of the operation request, and is a session with the electronic form server A search acquisition unit that searches for and acquires the client terminal information of the client terminal for which the client terminal is established by the client terminal information management unit;
When the client terminal information of the client terminal that holds the data related to the electronic form that is the target of the operation request for which the session with the electronic form server is established by the search acquisition unit is acquired from the client terminal In response to the operation request for the electronic form, the client terminal is a client terminal different from the client terminal holding the data related to the electronic form that is the target of the operation request, and a session is established with the electronic form server. Client terminal information transmitting means for transmitting the client terminal information on the client terminal that is present to the client terminal of the operation request source;
In response to an acquisition request from the client terminal, data transmission means for transmitting data related to the electronic form that is the target of the operation request held by the electronic form server to the operation request source client terminal;
In response to the request of the logout processing service or al of the electronic document by the client end late, from the client terminal information that the client terminal information managing means, the identification information of the operation requesting client terminal, said client terminal An electronic form server, comprising: deletion means for deleting client terminal information including at least data holding information related to the electronic form held by the electronic form. Used for encryption and decryption of data related to the electronic form including a session ID for specifying a session between the electronic form server and the client terminal in response to an operation request for the electronic form from the client terminal. An authentication key issuing means for issuing an authentication key;
3. The electronic form server according to claim 2, wherein the data transmitting unit transmits data related to the electronic form encrypted with the authentication key issued by the authentication key issuing unit to the client terminal. . Additional information management means for managing additional information added to the data related to the electronic form;
3. The additional information transmitting means for transmitting the additional information to the client terminal in response to an acquisition request from the client terminal for the additional information managed by the additional information managing means. Or the electronic form server of 3. The client terminal information further includes priority information related to a transmission order of data acquisition requests related to the electronic form,
5. The electronic form according to claim 2, wherein the client terminal information transmission unit transmits the client terminal information arranged based on the priority information to the client terminal. server. A first storage means for storing data relating to the electronic form;
6. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the data transmission unit transmits data related to the electronic form stored by the first storage unit to a client terminal that is an operation request source. Form server. And the identification information of the client terminal which the electronic document server session by the client terminal via a network has logged into the service according to the electronic form provided by electronic forms server is established, the client terminal holds and the client terminal information management means for managing at least includes a client terminal information and data holding information relating to electronic form are, depending on the requirements of logout processing service or found according to the electronic form by the client terminal end, the client Deletion means for deleting client terminal information including at least the identification information of the operation request source client terminal and the data holding information related to the electronic form held by the client terminal from the client terminal information managed by the terminal information management means An electronic form with A client terminal capable of communicating with over server,
Operation requesting means for making an operation request for the electronic form to the electronic form server;
Corresponding to the operation request by the operation request means from the electronic form server, the identification information of the other client terminal with which the session with the electronic form server is established, and the data relating to the electronic form held by the other client terminal Client terminal information acquisition means for acquiring client terminal information including at least holding information;
When a session is established with the electronic form server by another client terminal holding the data related to the electronic form that is the target of the operation request based on the client terminal information obtained by the client terminal information obtaining unit Obtains data related to the electronic form from the other client terminal, and if the other client terminal does not establish a session with the electronic form server, the data related to the electronic form is sent from the electronic form server. Data acquisition means for acquiring
Client terminal; and a logout processing request means makes a request for logout process from the service according to the electronic form with respect to the electronic form server. Client terminal information of another client terminal capable of distributing data related to the electronic form that is the target of the operation request using the client terminal information acquired by the client terminal information acquisition unit in response to the operation request by the operation request unit And a determination means for determining whether or not is included,
The data acquisition unit acquires data related to the electronic form from the other client terminal when the determination unit determines that the client terminal information of the other client terminal is included, and the determination unit acquires a client of the other client terminal 8. The client terminal according to claim 7, wherein when it is determined that the terminal information is not included, data related to the electronic form is acquired from the electronic form server. Second storage means for storing data relating to the electronic form acquired by the data acquisition means;
Delete means for deleting data relating to the electronic form stored by the second storage means when a session with the electronic form server is disconnected in response to a logout process request by the logout process request means; The client terminal according to claim 7, further comprising: Authentication key acquisition means for acquiring an authentication key issued from the electronic form server;
Session ID determination means for determining whether a session ID included in the authentication key acquired by the authentication key acquisition means is a valid session ID;
Decrypting means for decrypting the data related to the encrypted electronic form acquired by the data acquiring means using the authentication key when the session ID determining means determines that the session ID is valid The client terminal according to claim 8, further comprising:   When new additional information is added to the data related to the electronic form, the electronic form further includes additional information update request transmission means for transmitting an additional information update request for requesting the update of the additional information to the electronic form server. The client terminal according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein: An information providing method in the child document server electrostatic providing the service of communicable electronic document with a plurality of client terminals via a network,
Identification information of the client terminal in which the client terminal the electronic form server session by logging into the service according to the electronic form provided by the electronic form server is established, the client terminal holds A client terminal information management step for managing client terminal information including at least data holding information related to the electronic form;
In response to an operation request for an electronic form from the client terminal, the client terminal is a client terminal different from the client terminal that holds data related to the electronic form that is the target of the operation request, and is a session with the electronic form server A search acquisition step of searching for and acquiring the client terminal information of the client terminal for which the client terminal information is established in the client terminal information management step;
When the client terminal information of the client terminal that holds the data related to the electronic form that is the target of the operation request for which the session with the electronic form server is established by the search acquisition step is acquired from the client terminal In response to the operation request for the electronic form, the client terminal is a client terminal different from the client terminal holding the data related to the electronic form that is the target of the operation request, and a session is established with the electronic form server. The client terminal information transmitting step of transmitting the client terminal information about the client terminal to the client terminal of the operation request source;
In response to an acquisition request from the client terminal, a data transmission step of transmitting data related to the electronic form that is the target of the operation request held by the electronic form server to the operation request source client terminal;
In response to the request of the electronic form service or et logout process according to according to the client end late, from the client terminal information that the client terminal information management step manages the identification information of the operating requesting client terminal, said client terminal And a deletion step of deleting client terminal information including at least data holding information related to the electronic form held by the client. And the identification information of the client terminal which the electronic document server session by the client terminal via a network has logged into the service according to the electronic form provided by electronic forms server is established, the client terminal holds and the client terminal information management means for managing at least includes a client terminal information and data holding information relating to electronic form are, depending on the requirements of logout processing service or found according to the electronic form by the client terminal end, the client Deletion means for deleting client terminal information including at least the identification information of the operation request source client terminal and the data holding information related to the electronic form held by the client terminal from the client terminal information managed by the terminal information management means An electronic form with An information usage in a communication enabled client terminal and over server,
An operation requesting step for making an operation request for the electronic form to the electronic form server;
Corresponding to the operation request in the operation request step from the electronic form server, the identification information of the other client terminal that has established a session with the electronic form server, and the data related to the electronic form held by the other client terminal Client terminal information acquisition step for acquiring client terminal information including at least holding information;
When a session is established with the electronic form server by another client terminal holding the data related to the electronic form that is the target of the operation request based on the client terminal information obtained by the client terminal information obtaining step Obtains data related to the electronic form from the other client terminal, and if the other client terminal does not establish a session with the electronic form server, the data related to the electronic form is sent from the electronic form server. A data acquisition step for acquiring
Information method of use; and a logout process request step makes a request for logout process from the service according to the electronic form with respect to the electronic form server. The computer electronic form server for providing a service according to available communication electronic document with a plurality of client terminals via a network,
Identification information of the client terminal in which the client terminal the electronic form server session by logging into the service according to the electronic form provided by the electronic form server is established, the client terminal holds Client terminal information management means for managing client terminal information including at least data holding information related to an electronic form;
In response to an operation request for an electronic form from the client terminal, the client terminal is a client terminal different from the client terminal that holds data related to the electronic form that is the target of the operation request, and is a session with the electronic form server A search acquisition unit that searches for and acquires the client terminal information of the client terminal for which the client terminal is established by the client terminal information management unit;
When the client terminal information of the client terminal that holds the data related to the electronic form that is the target of the operation request for which the session with the electronic form server is established by the search acquisition unit is acquired from the client terminal In response to the operation request for the electronic form, the client terminal is a client terminal different from the client terminal holding the data related to the electronic form that is the target of the operation request, and a session is established with the electronic form server. Client terminal information transmitting means for transmitting the client terminal information on the client terminal that is present to the client terminal of the operation request source;
In response to an acquisition request from the client terminal, data transmission means for transmitting data related to the electronic form that is the target of the operation request held by the electronic form server to the operation request source client terminal;
In response to the request of the logout processing service or al of the electronic document by the client end late, from the client terminal information that the client terminal information managing means, the identification information of the operation requesting client terminal, said client terminal A server program that functions as a deletion unit that deletes client terminal information including at least data holding information related to an electronic form held by the client. And the identification information of the client terminal which the electronic document server session by the client terminal via a network has logged into the service according to the electronic form provided by electronic forms server is established, the client terminal holds and the client terminal information management means for managing at least includes a client terminal information and data holding information relating to electronic form are, depending on the requirements of logout processing service or found according to the electronic form by the client terminal end, the client Deletion means for deleting client terminal information including at least the identification information of the operation request source client terminal and the data holding information related to the electronic form held by the client terminal from the client terminal information managed by the terminal information management means An electronic form with The over server capable of communicating with the client terminal of the computer,
Operation requesting means for making an operation request for the electronic form to the electronic form server;
Corresponding to the operation request by the operation request means from the electronic form server, the identification information of the other client terminal with which the session with the electronic form server is established, and the data relating to the electronic form held by the other client terminal Client terminal information acquisition means for acquiring client terminal information including at least holding information;
When a session is established with the electronic form server by another client terminal holding the data related to the electronic form that is the target of the operation request based on the client terminal information obtained by the client terminal information obtaining unit Obtains data related to the electronic form from the other client terminal, and if the other client terminal does not establish a session with the electronic form server, the data related to the electronic form is sent from the electronic form server. Data acquisition means for acquiring
The client terminal program to function as the logout processing requesting means makes a request for logout process from the service according to the electronic form with respect to the electronic form server.

Images