JP6442916B2 - Document sharing system, server, terminal device, document data updating method, and computer program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for updating document data stored in a server.

  In recent years, a technique for storing document data in a server and sharing the data by a plurality of terminal devices has become widespread.

  According to NAS (Network Attached Storage), document data can be shared in file units. Further, according to Drop Box of Drop Box and OneDrive of Microsoft, document data can be shared by so-called cloud storage.

  In addition, the following technologies have been proposed as techniques for updating document data. According to the technique described in Patent Document 1, an image reading unit that reads an image of a document, a document storage unit that stores a document, a document editing unit that edits a document stored in the document storage unit, and the document editing unit As a configuration of an image processing apparatus including an operation panel for designating a document editing processing condition by the document editing unit, the document editing unit reads a predetermined page of the document stored in the document storage unit by the image reading unit. It is assumed that a page replacement mode for replacing pages is provided, and that the operation panel can specify the number of pages to be deleted as a processing condition applied to the page replacement mode.

  According to the technique described in Patent Document 2, a saved document is selected, a page to be replaced is designated, an original is read, image data is created, the created image data is temporarily saved, and the image data Check the number, check the size of the image data, display an alert, check the page orientation of the image data, and if the orientation of the confirmed page is different from the page orientation of the image data to be deleted, Rotate the image data to be deleted in the same page orientation, replace the image data, and delete the temporarily stored image data.

  The server device described in Patent Literature 3 receives a page request transmitted from the mobile terminal device, and compares the page specifying information included therein with the advertisement display timing information, and the insertion timing. An advertisement page creating means for creating an advertisement page including a description to be redirected to the URL of the content file corresponding to the specific information, a content file selecting means for reading the content file corresponding to the page specific information when it is not the insertion timing, Page return means for returning an advertisement page, a content file read by the content file selection means, or a content file directly designated by URL to the portable terminal device.

  When the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 4 receives the second print data until the print output is completed after the print output based on the first print data including a plurality of pages is started, Among the plurality of pages included in the second print data, a page to be replaced with respect to the first print data is extracted as a replacement page. Then, when it is determined that the original page of the first print data corresponding to the extracted replacement page has not been output, the image forming apparatus replaces the original page with the replacement page and prints it out.

JP 2006-261765 A JP 2006-178877 A JP 2012-234554 A JP 2013-82133 A

  Documents whose data are stored on the server are edited in various ways. For example, modification, addition, and deletion of objects such as character strings or photos. In addition, an image of a page scanned by a scanner may be inserted.

  An object of the present invention is to make it possible to use a document in which data is stored in a server in a plurality of terminal devices more conveniently than in the past in such an environment.

  A document sharing system according to an aspect of the present invention is a document sharing system including a plurality of terminal devices and a server that provides a document to any one of the plurality of terminal devices. Storage means for storing document data representing the document, and first transmission means for transmitting the document data to the requesting terminal device based on a request from any of the plurality of terminal devices. And a display unit for displaying the document based on the document data transmitted from the server on each of the plurality of terminal devices, and a reception unit for receiving contents of editing the document, And second transmission means for transmitting the edited content data indicating the content to the server, and the server further acquires image data of an image read by the scanner. An image acquisition unit and the document data stored in the storage unit are updated based on the image data so that the image is inserted into the document, and then the content indicated in the editing content data is Updating means for updating the document data to be reflected.

  Preferably, when the document data is updated by the update unit, the first transmission unit transmits the updated document data again, and the display unit transmits the document data from the server again. If so, the document is displayed again based on the document data.

  Alternatively, for each terminal device in which the document data of the plurality of terminal devices is transmitted by the first transmission unit, the server associates copy data obtained by copying the document data with the terminal device. Storage means for storing, wherein the second transmission means transmits the edited content data at a predetermined timing, and when the edited content data is further transmitted to the server, the plurality of units The copy data stored in the storage unit corresponding to the terminal device that is the transmission source of the edited content data among the terminal devices is updated so that the content indicated in the edited content data is reflected. The copy stored in the storage means based on the image data so that the image is inserted into the document when the image data is acquired. Second update means for updating each of the data is provided, and the first transmission means further updates the copy data stored in the storage means so that the image is inserted. The copy data is transmitted to the terminal device corresponding to the copy data of the plurality of terminal devices, and the display means displays the document when the copy data is transmitted. Redisplaying based on the copy data, the updating means is stored in the storage means stored in the storage means when the editing work is finished in any of the plurality of terminal devices. The document data is updated based on the corresponding copy data.

A document sharing system according to another aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of terminal devices, a server that provides a document to any one of the plurality of terminal devices, and a multifunction peripheral having scanning and printing functions. , A storage means for storing document data representing the document is provided in the server, and each of the plurality of terminal devices stores the document on a sheet by the multifunction peripheral. Display means for displaying a preview image representing a printed state, and receiving means for receiving an image reading command input by a user when the preview image is displayed by the display means are provided is, in the MFP, reading means for reading an image from the paper in response to the command, is provided to the server, further in response to the instruction, to said storage means A first transmission unit configured to transmit the existing document data to the multi-function peripheral, and the multi-function peripheral transmits a reading unit that reads an image from a sheet according to the command, and is transmitted from the server. Second update means for generating second document data by updating the document data so that a read image, which is an image read by the reading means, is inserted into the document; and the second document data A second transmission means for transmitting to the server, and generating image data of the preview image based on the document data, and inserting the read image of the document based on the second document data. Generating means for generating second image data of a second preview image representing a state when printing on a sheet by the multifunction device, and the command of the plurality of terminal devices Transmitting the image data to the original terminal, transmits the second image data to the terminal device, and the third transmission means, is provided to the server, further pre Ki読 collected image the An update means for updating the document data stored in the storage means so as to be inserted into the document is provided, and the display means displays the preview image as the image transmitted from the multifunction peripheral. And displaying the second preview image based on the second image data instead of the preview image when the second image data is transmitted from the multifunction peripheral. .

  According to the present invention, a document in which data is stored in a server can be used more conveniently than before in a plurality of terminal devices.

It is a figure which shows the example of the whole structure of a document sharing system. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a multifunction machine. It is a figure which shows the example of the hardware constitutions of a server. It is a figure which shows the example of the hardware constitutions of a terminal device. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a multifunction peripheral It is a figure which shows the example of a functional structure of a server. It is a figure which shows the example of a functional structure of a terminal device. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a process flow of a multifunction peripheral, a server, and a terminal device. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a process flow of a multifunction peripheral, a server, and a terminal device. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a process flow of a multifunction peripheral, a server, and a terminal device. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a process flow of a multifunction peripheral, a server, and a terminal device. It is a figure which shows the example of an edit screen. It is a figure which shows the example of the designation | designated screen in connection with insertion of a scan page. It is a figure which shows the example of scan instruction data. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the flow of the whole process of a terminal device. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the flow of the whole process of a terminal device. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the flow of the whole process of a server. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the overall processing flow of the multifunction peripheral. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a multifunction peripheral. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a functional structure of a server. It is a figure which shows the example of a functional structure of a terminal device. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a process flow of a multifunction peripheral, a server, and a terminal device. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a process flow of a multifunction peripheral, a server, and a terminal device. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a process flow of a multifunction peripheral, a server, and a terminal device. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a process flow of a multifunction peripheral, a server, and a terminal device. It is a figure which shows the example of the browsing screen for the browsing of a document and the preview of printing. It is a figure which shows the example of print instruction data. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the flow of the whole process of a terminal device. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the flow of the whole process of a terminal device. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the flow of the whole process of a server. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the overall processing flow of the multifunction peripheral. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the overall processing flow of the multifunction peripheral.

[First embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of the document sharing system 100. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the multifunction machine 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the server 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the terminal device 3.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the document sharing system 100 includes a multifunction device 1, a server 2, a plurality of terminal devices 3, 3b, 3c,. Each of the terminal devices 3, 3 b, 3 c,... Can communicate with the multifunction device 1 and the server 2 via the communication line 4. The MFP 1 and the server 2 can also communicate via the communication line 4. As the communication line 4, the Internet, a so-called wired LAN (Local Area Network), a wireless LAN line, a public line, a mobile phone network, a dedicated line, or the like is used. The communication line 4 may have a hub, a router, and a radio base station.

  The multifunction machine 1 is an apparatus that integrates functions such as a copier, a printer, a facsimile machine, a scanner, and a box. The multi-function device 1 may be generally called “MFP (Multi-functional Peripheral)”.

  The box function is a function for giving a storage area called “box” or “personal box” for each user, and for each user to save and manage document data such as an image file in his / her storage area. A box corresponds to a “folder” or “directory” in a personal computer.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the multi function device 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10a, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 10b, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 10c, an auxiliary storage device 10d, a touch panel display 10e, an operation key panel 10f, The network interface card (NIC) 10g, a modem 10h, a scan unit 10i, a print unit 10j, and the like are included.

  The touch panel display 10e displays a screen showing a message to the user, a screen for the user to input a command or information, a screen for printing preview, and the like. Further, the touch panel display 10e sends a signal indicating the touched position to the CPU 10a.

  The operation key panel 10f is a so-called hardware keyboard, and includes a numeric keypad, a start key, a stop key, a function key, and the like.

  The NIC 10g communicates with a device such as the server 2 or the terminal device 3 using a protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol).

  The modem 10h exchanges image data with a facsimile terminal using a protocol such as G3.

  The scan unit 10i reads an image written on a sheet set on the platen glass and generates image data. The scan unit 10i may include an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) that conveys a sheet from a sheet table to a reading position on the platen glass.

  The print unit 10j prints an image received from another device in addition to the image read by the scan unit 10i on a sheet.

  The ROM 10c or the auxiliary storage device 10d stores a program for realizing each function such as copying described above. Further, a scan service program 10P (see FIG. 5) for providing the scan-to-document service to the terminal device 3 is stored.

  The scan-to-document service is a service for inserting an image read by a scan unit into a document in which a document file is stored on a server.

  When providing the scan-to-document service, the multifunction device 1 downloads a document file from the server 2 as a client of the server 2.

  These programs stored in the ROM 10c or the auxiliary storage device 10d are loaded into the RAM 10b as necessary and executed by the CPU 10a. A hard disk drive, SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like is used as the auxiliary storage device 10d.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the server 2 stores document files of a plurality of documents (documents).

  The document file is data for reproducing (displaying or printing) a document composed of one or more pages. Document file formats include Adobe's PDF (Portable Document Format) and Microsoft's Word format.

  The document file is updated by the terminal device 3, 3b, 3c,. At this time, the terminal device 3, 3b, 3c,... Or the multifunction device 1 is given a copy of the document file stored in the server 2, and the copy is updated. Then, the content of the copy update is reflected in the document file stored in the server 2 at a predetermined timing. Hereinafter, the document file stored in the server 2 is referred to as “original file GF”. A copy of the original file GF is referred to as a “copy file” or a “sub-copy file”. How to use the copy file and the sub-copy file will be described later.

  The server 2 manages an account given to each user. The account information is composed of an account code and a password. The server 2 identifies a user who is given an account by an account code. And it authenticates with a password.

  As the server 2, for example, a server machine is used. As shown in FIG. 3, the server 2 includes a CPU 20a, a RAM 20b, a ROM 20c, an auxiliary storage device 20d, a NIC 20e, and the like. The server 2 may be realized by so-called cloud storage.

  In addition to the operating system of the server 2, the ROM 20c or the auxiliary storage device 20d stores a server program 20P (see FIG. 6) that provides a shared document service to clients. The shared document service is a service that allows a plurality of clients to edit the same document file in parallel.

  The server program 20P is loaded into the RAM 20b and executed by the CPU 20a. A hard disk drive, SSD, or the like is used as the auxiliary storage device 20d.

  Returning to FIG. 1 again, the terminal devices 3, 3 b, 3 c,... Are clients of the server 2 and the multifunction device 1. These terminal devices 3, 3 b, 3 c,... Are used for the user to use services provided by the server 2 and various functions of the multifunction device 1. For example, the user who uses the terminal device 3 designates a document in which the original file GF is stored in the server 2 and downloads and edits a copy file of the original file GF of this document. Then, the original file GF can be updated so that the edited contents are reflected in the document. That is, the original file GF can be remotely edited using the terminal device 3. In addition, during editing of a copy file, the user scans an image written on an original sheet by the multifunction machine 1 and a page (hereinafter referred to as “scan page”) containing the image as a content is the document. This original file GF can be updated so as to be inserted into the file.

  As the terminal devices 3, 3b, 3c,..., Notebook computers, smartphones, tablet computers, or the like are used. The terminal devices 3, 3b, 3c,... Only need to be devices that can execute an application 30P described later.

  Here, the terminal device 3 is selected as a representative of the terminal devices 3, 3b, 3c,..., And the configuration example will be described assuming that the terminal device 3 is a tablet computer.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal device 3 includes a CPU 30a, a RAM 30b, a flash memory 30c, a touch panel display 30d, an operation button group 30e, a wireless LAN communication unit 30f, a mobile phone communication unit 30g, a digital camera 30h, a microphone 30i, and a speaker. 30j.

  In addition to the operating system of the terminal device 3, application programs such as a mailer and a web browser are stored in the flash memory 30c. Further, an application program for creating and editing a document such as word processing software (hereinafter referred to as “application 30P”) is stored. The application 30P (see FIG. 7) has a function for inserting a scan page into a document file in cooperation with the server 2 and the multifunction machine 1 as described later. These programs, including the application 30P, stored in the flash memory 30c are loaded into the RAM 30b as necessary, and are executed by the CPU 30a.

  The touch panel display 30d displays a screen for giving a message to the user, a screen for printing preview, a screen for the user to input instructions, and the like. The touch panel display 30d detects the touched position and notifies the CPU 30a of the position.

  The operation button group 30e includes a button for returning to a so-called home screen, a button for adjusting the volume, a button for switching power on / off, and the like.

  The wireless LAN communication unit 30f performs communication based on a wireless LAN standard, that is, an IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 standard.

  The mobile phone communication unit 30g performs communication via a so-called mobile phone network based on a standard such as CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) 3000, W-CDMA (Wideband-CDMA), or LTE (Long Term Evolution).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the multifunction machine 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the server 2. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the terminal device 3.

  According to the scan service program 10P, functions such as the cloud connection processing unit 101, the document file access unit 102, the additional page image acquisition processing unit 103, the merge processing unit 104, and the synchronization processing unit 105 illustrated in FIG. 5 are realized.

  According to the server program 20P, the user authentication unit 201, the original update unit 202, the document file storage unit 203, the document file provision unit 204, the copy file temporary storage unit 205, the first synchronization processing unit 206, and the second shown in FIG. Functions of the synchronization processing unit 207 and the like are realized.

  According to the application 30P, the cloud connection processing unit 301, the document file access unit 302, the document editing processing unit 303, the first synchronization processing unit 304, the scan page addition request unit 305, and the second synchronization processing unit 306 shown in FIG. Functions such as are realized.

  8, 9, 10, and 11 are sequence diagrams illustrating an example of a processing flow of the multifunction device 1, the server 2, and the terminal device 3. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the editing screen 51. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the designation screen 52 related to scan page insertion. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the scan instruction data 61.

  Next, processing of each unit of the multifunction machine 1, the server 2, and the terminal device 3 and operations performed by the user will be described with reference to sequence diagrams of FIGS.

  The document file storage unit 203 of the server 2 stores an original file GF for each document in advance.

  The user activates the application 30P by operating the terminal device 3 in order to edit the document in which the original file GF is stored in the document file storage unit 203.

  The cloud connection processing unit 301 illustrated in FIG. 7 performs processing for establishing a session between the terminal device 3 and the server 2. The user authentication unit 201 illustrated in FIG. 6 responds to a session request with the server 2. Communication is performed between the cloud connection processing unit 301 and the user authentication unit 201 as follows.

  When the application 30P is activated in the terminal device 3, the cloud connection processing unit 301 requests connection to the server 2 that stores an address in advance as an access destination (# 301 in FIG. 8). When a connection request is received (# 201), the user authentication unit 201 of the server 2 requests transmission of account information (# 202).

  When receiving the request from the server 2 (# 302), the cloud connection processing unit 301 of the terminal device 3 prompts the user to input account information. That is, the cloud connection processing unit 301 displays a screen for the user to input an account code and a password on the touch panel display 30d. The cloud connection processing unit 301 receives input of account information by the user (# 303), and transmits the input account code and password to the server 2 as the account code 61b and password 61c (# 304).

  If the terminal device 3 stores account information previously input by the user, the cloud connection processing unit 301 automatically transmits the stored account information so that the user can access the account information. You may save the trouble of inputting.

  Upon receiving the account code 61b and password 61c (# 203), the user authentication unit 201 of the server 2 performs user authentication based on the account code 61b and password 61c (# 204). That is, it is determined whether or not the user of the terminal device 3 is a valid user. If it is determined that the user is a legitimate user, login permission is notified to the terminal device 3 (# 205). The cloud connection processing unit 301 of the terminal device 3 receives this notification (# 305). Then, the user logs in to the server 2 and a session between the server 2 and the terminal device 3 is established.

  After logging in to the server 2, the user designates an original file GF of a document to be edited, that is, a document to be edited. As a designation method, for example, a list of file names of the original file GF of the document to which the user has access authority is displayed on the touch panel display 30d, and the user taps the file name of the original file GF of the desired document in the list. There is. There is also a method of specifying the path (storage location and file name) of the original file GF by inputting it using a software keyboard.

  When receiving the specification of the original file GF by the user (# 306), the document file access unit 302 of the terminal device 3 requests the original file GF from the server 2 (# 307). At this time, the document file access unit 302 transmits the MAC address 61 f of the terminal device 3 to the server 2 together with the file name 61 d for specifying the original file GF. Instead of the MAC address 61f, other data unique to the terminal device 3, such as an IP address, may be transmitted.

  When the request from the document file access unit 302 of the terminal device 3 is received (# 206), the document file providing unit 204 of the server 2 sends the original file GF, which is a document file specified by the file name 61d, to the document file storage unit 203. And copy to create a copy file CF1 (# 207).

  At this time, the document file providing unit 204 assigns a file name obtained by adding the MAC address 61f of the terminal device 3 to the file name of the original file GF to the copy file CF1. For example, when the file name of the original file GF is “document1.doc” and the MAC address 61f is “11-22-33-44-55-66”, “document1_11-22-33-44-55-66” .doc "is the file name of the copy file CF1. By giving such a file name, the user can understand that the copy file CF1 corresponds to the original file GF designated by the user. Further, the server 2 can recognize the terminal device 3 and the original file GF corresponding to the copy file CF1.

  The document file providing unit 204 transmits the created copy file CF1 to the terminal device 3, and stores the copy file CF1 in the copy file temporary storage unit 205 of the server 2 (# 208). As a result, the copy file CF1 transmitted to the terminal device 3 is backed up in the server 2. Hereinafter, in order to distinguish from the copy file CF1 transmitted to the terminal device 3, the copy file CF1 stored in the server 2 is referred to as “sub-copy file SCF1”.

  In the terminal device 3, when the document file access unit 302 receives the copy file CF1 (# 308), the document edit processing unit 303 opens the copy file CF1 (# 309). Then, the document editing processing unit 303 displays, for example, the editing screen 51 shown in FIG. 12 on the touch panel display 30d, and based on the copy file CF1, a predetermined page (for example, the top page) of the document is displayed in the page display area 510 of the editing screen 51. Page).

  As shown in FIG. 12, the editing screen 51 includes a character string 511, buttons 512, 513, 514, and 515 for switching pages, a save button 517, a save end button 518, a scan button 519, and the like. The character string 511 indicates the page number of the currently displayed page (“5” in the example of FIG. 12) and the total number of pages of the copy file CF1 (“10” in the example of FIG. 12). The buttons 512 to 515 and 517 to 519 are used for inputting instructions as will be described later.

  The user arbitrarily edits the document by appropriately switching the page displayed in the page display area 510 of the editing screen 51. For example, an object such as a character string or a chart is corrected or deleted, or a new object is added.

  When any of the buttons 512, 513, 514, and 515 is operated by the user, the document editing processing unit 303 changes to the page corresponding to the operated button (the first page, one page) instead of the current page. The previous page, the previous page, or the last page) is displayed on the touch panel display 30d. Also, the display of the character string 511 is updated in accordance with the page switching.

  Returning to FIG. 8, the document editing processing unit 303 of the terminal device 3 accepts the contents of editing by the user (# 310), and updates the copy file CF1 according to the contents (# 311). Note that the processes in steps # 310 and # 311 are not performed once, but are performed each time the user performs an editing operation.

  While the copy file CF1 is in the open state, the first synchronization processing unit 304 of the terminal device 3 and the first synchronization processing unit 206 of the server 2 synchronize the copy file CF1 and the sub-copy file SCF1, Perform the following process.

  The first synchronization processing unit 304 of the terminal device 3 transmits the latest copy file CF1 to the server 2 every time a fixed time has elapsed or the user presses the save button 517 (# 312).

  The first synchronization processing unit 206 of the server 2 receives the sent copy file CF1 (# 209), and updates the sub-copy file SCF1 by replacing the sub-copy file SCF1 with the received copy file CF1. (# 210). Thereby, the copy file CF1 stored in the terminal device 3 and the sub-copy file SCF1 stored in the server 2 are synchronized. That is, the contents of both files are the same.

  The synchronization method may be a method other than file replacement. For example, the first synchronization processing unit 304 of the terminal device 3 transmits data indicating how the copy file CF1 has been changed since the previous synchronization instead of the copy file CF1. Then, based on this data, the first synchronization processing unit 206 may change the contents of the sub-copy file SCF1. Alternatively, the first synchronization processing unit 206 compares the sub-copy file SCF1 with the received copy file CF1 to determine the difference between the two, so that the sub-copy file SCF1 has the same contents as the copy file CF1. May be updated. The same applies to the synchronization of the copy file CF2 and the sub-copy file SCF2 in the following description.

  The user presses the scan button 519 on the edit screen 51 when he wants to insert a scan page into the document of the original file GF.

  Then, the scan page addition request unit 305 accepts this operation as a scan insertion instruction (# 313). And each part performs the following process.

  The document editing processing unit 303 locks editing of the document (# 314).

  The reasons for locking editing are as follows. In the document sharing system 100, after a page is inserted into the original file GF as described later, the copy file CF1 stored in the terminal device 3 is replaced. Therefore, even if the user edits the document between the time when the scan button 519 is pressed and the time when the replacement is completed, the contents of the editing are lost due to the replacement. Then, the user must perform the same editing again after the replacement. Editing is locked to prevent the user from being burdened with such a burden.

  After the editing is locked, the first synchronization processing unit 304 transmits the copy file CF1 to the server 2 (# 315 in FIG. 9). The first synchronization processing unit 206 of the server 2 receives the sent copy file CF1 (# 211), and replaces the sub-copy file SCF1 with the copy file CF1 (# 212). Thereby, the sub-copy file SCF1 is synchronized with the copy file CF1.

  In parallel with the transmission of the copy file CF1 to the server 2, the scan page addition request unit 305 of the terminal device 3 causes the touch panel display 30d to display the designation screen 52 shown in FIG. Then, in accordance with the user designation on the designation screen 52, data indicating the insertion position of the scan page into the document is generated and temporarily stored (# 316, # 317).

  Here, designation of the insertion position of the scan page will be described with reference to FIG. On the designation screen 52 in the example of FIG. 13, it is possible to designate an immediately before the current page, immediately after the current page, or an arbitrary page as an insertion position. When an arbitrary page is designated, the user inputs a desired page number.

  When the user designates the position immediately before the current page, the position immediately before the page in the original file GF corresponding to the page currently displayed on the editing screen 51 is set as the scan page insertion position in the document. When the position immediately after the current page is designated, the position immediately after the page in the original file GF corresponding to the page of the copy file CF1 currently displayed on the editing screen 51 is set as the scan page insertion position in the document. When the user inputs an arbitrary numerical value n (n is an integer equal to or greater than 1), the scan page is inserted immediately before the nth page in the document. When the input numerical value n is larger than the page number N of the original file GF, a scan page is added after the last page of the original file GF.

  After designating the page insertion position or before designating the insertion position, the user sets one or a plurality of document sheets, which are sheets on which information to be added is written, on the sheet table of the multifunction machine 1. . After both the designation of the scan page insertion position and the setting of the original sheet are completed, the user operates the start button 525 on the designation screen 52 to thereby issue a scan command to the multifunction device 1 to the terminal device 3. Instruct to send. When the start button 525 is operated, the scan page addition request unit 305 terminates the display of the designation screen 52, and further gives a scan command to the multifunction device 1 by transmitting the scan instruction data 61 to the multifunction device 1 ( # 318, 319).

  The scan instruction data 61 includes an address 61 a of the server 2, an account code 61 b, a password 61 c, a file name 61 d of the original file GF, a scan page insertion position 61 e, and a MAC address 61 f of the terminal device 3. Among these data constituting the scan instruction data 61, the address 61a of the server 2 and the MAC address 61f of the terminal device 3 are stored in the terminal device 3 in advance. The address 61a may be an IP address or a URL (Uniform Resource Locator). The account code 61b and password 61c have been input by the user in step # 303. The file name 61d is designated by the user in step # 306, and the insertion position 61e is designated by the user in step # 316.

  When the cloud connection processing unit 101 shown in FIG. 5 of the multifunction device 1 receives the scan instruction data 61 from the terminal device 3 (# 101), the processing for establishing a session between the multifunction device 1 and the server 2 is as follows. To do.

  The cloud connection processing unit 101 requests connection to the server 2 based on the address 61a of the scan instruction data 61 (# 102). This request is made in order to download from the server 2 a copy of the original file GF of the document for which the scan page is to be inserted.

  Upon receiving a connection request from the multifunction device 1 (# 213), the user authentication unit 201 of the server 2 requests the multifunction device 1 to transmit account information (# 214). Upon receiving this request (# 103), the cloud connection processing unit 101 transmits an account code 61b and a password 61c, which are account information in the scan instruction data 61 (# 104).

  When the account information is received (# 215), the user authentication unit 201 of the server 2 performs user authentication based on the account information (# 216). If it is determined that the user specified by the account information is a valid user, the user authentication unit 201 permits the user to log in from the multifunction device 1 to the server 2 and notifies the multifunction device 1 of the fact. (# 217). This notification is received by the cloud connection processing unit 101 (# 105). Then, a session between the server 2 and the multifunction device 1 is established.

  When the session with the server 2 is established, the document file access unit 102 of the multifunction device 1 requests the server 2 to provide the original file GF specified by the file name 61d included in the scan instruction data 61 (# 106). At this time, the document file access unit 102 transmits the MAC address 62 of the multifunction machine 1 together with the file name 61 d to the server 2. Instead of the MAC address 62, other data unique to the multifunction device 1, such as an IP address, may be transmitted.

  When this request is received from the multifunction device 1 (# 218), the document file providing unit 204 of the server 2 creates a copy file CF2 by copying the original file GF having the file name 61d (# 219). At this time, a file name obtained by adding the MAC address 62 to the file name of the original file GF is given to the copy file CF2. As a result, the server 2 can recognize that the copy file CF2 is a file corresponding to the multifunction device 1 by the file name.

  The document file providing unit 204 stores the copy file CF2 in the copy file temporary storage unit 205 of the server 2 (# 220) and transmits it to the multi-function device 1 (# 221). The transmitted copy file CF2 is received by the document file access unit 102 in the multifunction machine 1 (# 107). As a result, the copy file CF2 is stored in the server 2 and the multifunction device 1, respectively. Hereinafter, the copy file CF2 stored in the server 2 will be referred to as “sub-copy file SCF2” in order to distinguish it from the copy file CF2 stored in the multifunction device 1.

  In the MFP 1, the additional page image acquisition processing unit 103 causes the scan unit 10i to scan (read) the document sheet before, after or in parallel with the reception of the copy file CF2. The acquired image is acquired as the scan page DS (# 108).

  The merge processing unit 104 opens the copy file CF2 (# 109), and updates the copy file CF2 so that the acquired scan page DS is inserted into the document (# 110). The position where the scan page DS is inserted is a position indicated by the insertion position 61e included in the scan instruction data 61.

  The synchronization processing unit 105 transmits the storage end command and the updated copy file CF2 to the server 2 (# 111 in FIG. 10).

  When the server 2 receives the copy file CF2 sent together with the storage end command (# 222), the second synchronization processing unit 207 replaces the sub-copy file SCF2 with the received copy file CF2, thereby sub-copy file SCF2 is updated (# 223). That is, the sub-copy file SCF2 is synchronized with the copy file CF2.

  Subsequently, the original update unit 202 compares the sub-copy file SCF2 with the original file GF to determine the contents changed from the original file GF in the sub-copy file SCF2 (# 224). Then, the original update unit 202 updates the original file GF to incorporate the determined content (# 225). As a result, the scan page DS is inserted into the original file GF.

  When the update of the original file GF is completed, the original update unit 202 transmits an update completion notification to the multifunction machine 1 that is the transmission source of the storage end command (# 226). Further, the copy file temporary storage unit 205 deletes the sub-copy file SCF2 corresponding to the multifunction device 1 (# 227).

  On the other hand, when the cloud connection processing unit 101 of the MFP 1 receives the update completion notification (# 112), the cloud connection processing unit 101 notifies the terminal device 3 that is the transmission source of the scan instruction data 61 to the insertion completion notification that means the completion of the processing for the scan command. Is transmitted (# 113). Further, the merge processing unit 104 closes the copy file CF2 (# 114), and deletes the copy file CF2 temporarily stored in the storage unit (for example, the auxiliary storage device 10d) of the multifunction machine 1 (# 115).

  When the terminal device 3 receives the insertion completion notification from the multifunction device 1 (# 320), the second synchronization processing unit 306 requests the server 2 to update the sub-copy file SCF1 (# 321). At this time, the server 2 is notified of the file name of the copy file CF1.

  Upon receiving this request (# 228), the second synchronization processing unit 207 of the server 2 extracts the scan page DS from the original file GF specified by this file name (# 229). Then, the copy file, that is, the sub-copy file SCF1 specified by the copy file CF1 is updated so that the extracted scan page DS is inserted at the same position as the position in the original (# 230). Then, the second synchronization processing unit 207 transmits the updated sub copy file SCF1 as the latest copy file CF1 to the terminal device 3 (# 231).

  When the terminal device 3 receives the latest copy file CF1 from the server 2 (# 322), the first synchronization processing unit 304 replaces the copy file CF1 with the received latest copy file CF1 (# 323). That is, the copy file CF1 is replaced. As a result, the insertion of the scan page DS (update of the original file GF) by the function of the scan-to-document service of the multifunction device 1 is reflected in the copy file CF1 opened in the terminal device 3.

  After the insertion of the scan page DS is reflected, the document edit processing unit 303 unlocks the edit (# 324). As a result, the user can further edit the document. When the user edits, the terminal device 3 performs steps # 310 to # 312 as described above, and the server 2 performs steps # 209 to # 210.

  Note that the user can add another scan page to the document. When the user operates the scan button 519 on the editing screen 51 again, the terminal device 3 performs steps # 313 to # 324, the multifunction device 1 performs steps # 101 to # 115, and the server 2 performs steps. Processing of # 211 to # 231 is performed.

  When the user finishes editing the copy file CF1, the user operates the save end button 518 on the edit screen 51 to give a save end instruction to the terminal device 3.

  When the second synchronization processing unit 306 of the terminal device 3 accepts an instruction to end the storage by the user (# 325 in FIG. 11), the second synchronization processing unit 306 transmits the storage end command and the current copy file CF1 to the server 2 (# 326). .

  When receiving the save end command from the terminal device 3 (# 232), the first synchronization processing unit 206 of the server 2 replaces the sub copy file SCF1 with the copy file CF1 received together with the save end command, thereby substituting the sub copy file SCF1. Update (# 233).

  The original update unit 202 compares the original file GF with the updated sub-copy file SCF1 to determine the content of the document that has been changed by the terminal device 3 (# 234). Then, the original update unit 202 updates the original file GF so that the determined content is reflected (# 235).

  When the update of the original file GF is completed, the original update unit 202 transmits a storage completion notification to the terminal device 3 that is the transmission source of the storage end command (# 236). Further, the copy file temporary storage unit 205 deletes the sub-copy file SCF1 corresponding to the terminal device 3 (# 237).

  On the other hand, when receiving the completion notification from the server 2 (# 327), the document editing processing unit 303 of the terminal device 3 closes the copy file CF1 (# 328), and the storage means (for example, the flash memory 30c) of the terminal device 3 is used. The temporarily stored copy file CF1 is deleted (# 329).

  Thereafter, the user ends the application 30P. Then, the session between the terminal device 3 and the server 2 is released. Further, the user may continue to use the application 30P without editing the application 30P to edit or view any document having access authority.

  FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 are flowcharts showing an example of the overall processing flow of the terminal device 3. FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the overall processing flow of the server 2. FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the overall processing flow of the multifunction machine 1.

  Next, the overall processing flow of each of the terminal device 3, the server 2, and the multifunction device 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  The terminal device 3 requests connection to the server 2 and establishes a session with the server 2 (# 401 in FIG. 15).

  After the session is established, when the user designates one of the documents in which the original file GF is stored in the server 2 (YES in # 402 in FIG. 15), the terminal device 3 designates the designated document as the server 2 And receives a copy file CF1 which is a copy of the original file GF of the document (# 403). Then, the terminal device 3 opens the received copy file CF1 and displays a document (# 404).

  When the user performs an operation for editing the copy file CF1 (YES in # 405), the terminal device 3 updates the copy file CF1 to reflect the edited contents (# 406). When a predetermined time elapses after the copy file CF1 is opened (YES in # 407), the terminal device 3 uses the copy file CF1 (sub-copy file SCF1) backed up by the server 2 as the copy file CF1 on the terminal device 3. (# 408). Even when the save button 517 is operated, the terminal device 3 synchronizes the copy file CF1 and the sub-copy file SCF1.

  When the user instructs scanning by operating the scan button 519 (YES in # 409), the terminal device 3 performs the processing of steps # 410 to # 419 as follows.

  First, the terminal device 3 locks editing by the user (# 410), and synchronizes the sub-copy file SCF1 on the server 2 with the copy file CF1 on the terminal device 3 (# 411).

  Next, the terminal device 3 generates data at the insertion position 61e in accordance with the designation on the designation screen 52 in FIG. 13 (# 412 in FIG. 16), and scans like the example in FIG. 14 including the data at the insertion position 61e. Instruction data 61 is generated (# 413). Then, the terminal device 3 transmits a scan command to the multifunction device 1 by transmitting the scan instruction data 61 to the multifunction device 1 (# 414). After transmitting the scan command, the terminal device 3 waits for reception of an insertion completion notification from the multifunction device 1 (# 415).

  When the insertion completion notification is received (YES in # 415), the terminal device 3 requests the server 2 to provide the latest copy file CF1 (# 416), and receives this (# 417). The contents of the latest copy file CF1 are the same as the contents of the sub-copy file SDF1 obtained by copying the original file GF after the scan page is inserted by the merge process.

  The terminal device 3 replaces the copy file CF1 with the latest copy file CF1 received from the server 2. That is, the copy file CF1 is updated with the scan page inserted.

  Thereafter, the terminal device 3 unlocks the editing (# 419). Thus, a series of processes for the scan instruction by the user is completed.

  When the save end button 518 on the edit screen 51 is operated, the terminal device 3 determines that the editing by the user has ended. If it is determined that the editing is finished (YES in # 420), the terminal device 3 synchronizes the sub-copy file SCF1 on the server 2 with the copy file CF1 on the terminal device 3 (# 421), and the server 2 finishes editing. (# 422).

  Then, the terminal device 3 executes post-processing such as deleting the copy file CF1 and releasing the work area secured in the RAM 10b for editing (# 423).

  When the user instructs logout (YES in # 424), the terminal device 3 cancels the session with the server 2. Until the user instructs logout, the terminal device 3 executes the processes of steps # 402 to # 423 described above according to the operation by the user.

  The server 2 performs processing as shown in FIG. 17 every time there is a request or command from the terminal device 3 or the multifunction device 1.

  If there is a connection request (YES in # 501), the server 2 performs user authentication based on the account information (account code 61b and password 61c) transmitted from the request source (# 502).

  If there is a request for a document file (YES in # 503), the server 2 transmits copy files CF1 and CF2 obtained by copying the original file GF of the requested document to the request source (# 504). Further, the sub copy files SCF1, SCF2 having the same contents as the transmitted copy files CF1, CF2 are stored (# 505).

  When the storage end command is received (YES in # 506), the server 2 updates the sub copy files SCF1 and SCF2 corresponding to the command source based on the copy files CF1 and CF2 sent together with the storage end command ( # 507). Subsequently, the server 2 compares the updated sub-copy files SCF1 and SCF2 with the original file GF (# 508), and reflects the update contents of the sub-copy files SCF1 and SCF2 determined by the comparison. Is updated (# 509). Next, the server 2 notifies the completion of the update of the original file GF to the transmission source of the storage end command (# 510). Then, the server 2 deletes the sub-copy files SCF1 and SCF2 corresponding to the transmission source of the storage end command (# 511).

  When there is an update request from the terminal device 3 (YES in # 512), the server 2 extracts the scan page DS from the original file GF (# 513). Next, the server 2 updates the sub-copy file SCF1 so that the extracted scan page DS is added (# 514). Then, the server 2 transmits the updated sub copy file SCF1 to the terminal device 3 as the latest copy file CF1 (# 515).

  The server 2 checks whether or not the end of service provision has been instructed (# 516), and until the instruction is made (NO in # 516), the processes of steps # 501 to # 515 described above are performed as appropriate. Do.

  In response to the command or notification from the terminal device 3 and the server 2, the multi-function device 1 performs processing as shown in FIG.

  When a scan command is received from the terminal device 3 (YES in # 601), the multifunction device 1 requests connection to the server 2 and establishes a session with the server 2 (# 602).

  Subsequently, the multifunction device 1 requests the server 2 to transfer the file specified by the scan instruction data 61 sent together with the scan command, and receives the copy file CF2 as this file (# 603).

  Before or after acquiring the copy file CF2, or in parallel with the acquisition of the copy file CF2, the multi-function device 1 acquires the scan page DS by scanning the original sheet (# 604).

  The multifunction device 1 opens the received copy file CF2 (# 605), and updates the copy file CF2 so that the scan page DS is inserted into the document (# 606).

  Next, the multifunction device 1 requests the server 2 to perform processing for synchronizing the sub-copy file SCF2 with the copy file CF2 and processing for updating the original file GF based on the synchronized sub-copy file SCF2 (# 607, # 608).

  When the completion of the update of the original file GF is notified from the server 2 (YES in # 609), the multifunction device 1 notifies the terminal device 3 that is the transmission source of the scan command of the completion of the update of the original file GF (#). 610).

  Thereafter, the multi function device 1 closes the copy file CF2 (# 611), and performs post-processing such as deleting the copy file CF2 and releasing the work area that is no longer needed (# 612).

  The multi function device 1 checks whether or not the end of provision of service to the terminal device 3 has been instructed (# 613), and until instructed (NO in # 613), the above-described step # 601 to # 601 The process of # 615 is appropriately performed.

  It is noted that the user of the terminal device 3 and the users of the other terminal devices 3b, 3c,... Are both editing the same document, and any of these users instructs the insertion of the scan page DS into this document. is there. In this case, the second synchronization processing unit 207 of the server 2 performs each of the plurality of sub-copy files SCF1 created and stored for each user based on the original file GF of this document. Updated to reflect the insertion of the scanned page DS. Thereafter, the first synchronization processing unit 206 transmits each of the updated sub-copy files SCF1 to the corresponding terminal devices 3, 3b, 3c,... As the latest copy file CF1. Then, the first synchronization processing unit 304 of each of the terminal devices 3, 3b, 3c,... Performs a file replacement or merge process, so that the difference from the transmitted latest copy file CF1 is being edited. The copy file CF1 opened for editing is updated so as to be reflected in the above.

  That is, when the scan page DS is inserted by any one of the instructions of a plurality of users, the document edited by each of the instructing user and other users is the one in which the scan page is inserted.

  According to the first embodiment, when the user is editing the document in which the original file GF is stored in the server 2, the user does not reflect the edited contents in the original file GF of the document. The original file GF can be updated so that the scan page DS is inserted. Then, it is possible to continue editing the document in which the scan page DS is inserted and the contents of the editing performed so far are reflected. As a result, the document can be used more conveniently in the plurality of terminal devices 3, 3b, 3c,.

  In general, when a document is edited by an application such as word processing software, not only new information is simply added to the document but also an incorrect portion of the added information is corrected. Accordingly, if the edited contents are reflected in the original file GF even though the necessary correction has not been completed, an incorrect part may be transmitted to other users and misunderstood.

  On the other hand, in many cases, it is not necessary to correct the information written on the original sheet. This is because printed matter printed after checking that there are no errors is often used as a manuscript sheet.

  Therefore, compared to information added by an application such as word processing software, an image (scan page) read from an original sheet may often be quickly displayed to other users.

  According to the document sharing system 100, in view of the above-mentioned characteristics of information to be added to a document, a document is conventionally shared between a plurality of users by reflecting deterministic information in the original document file GF before indeterminate information. Can be shared more conveniently.

  Conventionally, when the user wants to update the original file GF so that the scan page is inserted into the document without reflecting the edited contents in the original file GF while editing the document with the application, After editing contents are discarded, the scan page is inserted into the document and the original file GF is updated, the same editing must be performed again. Alternatively, the contents of editing must be recorded in another file, the scan page is inserted into the document and the original file GF is updated, and then the contents recorded in the other file must be pasted into the document.

  However, according to the document sharing system 100, the original file GF can be updated so that only the insertion of the scan page into the document is reflected without taking the above-described trouble of the user.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the multifunction machine 1. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the server 2. FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the terminal device 3.

  In the first embodiment, a scan page is inserted when a user is editing a document. In the second embodiment, a scan page is inserted when the user is previewing a document.

  Hereinafter, the difference from the first embodiment will be mainly described. The description overlapping with the first embodiment may be omitted.

  The document sharing system 200 according to the second embodiment can be realized by the same hardware as the document sharing system 100 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. The hardware configurations of the multifunction machine 1, the server 2, and the terminal device 3 are shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, and are as described above.

  However, instead of the scan service program 10P (see FIG. 5), the scan service program 10Q is stored in the ROM 10c or the auxiliary storage device 10d of the multifunction machine 1. A server program 20Q is stored in the ROM 20c or the auxiliary storage device 20d of the server 2 instead of the server program 20P (see FIG. 6). In the flash memory 30c of the terminal devices 3, 3b, 3c,..., An application 30Q is stored instead of the application 30P (see FIG. 7).

  According to the scan service program 10Q, an additional page image acquisition processing unit 151, a rasterization processing unit 152, a first merge processing unit 153, a rasterized data providing unit 154, a cloud connection processing unit 155, a document file access unit 156, shown in FIG. Functions such as the second merge processing unit 157, the synchronization processing unit 158, and the print processing unit 159 are realized.

  According to the server program 20Q, the user authentication unit 251, the original update unit 252, the document file storage unit 253, the document file provision unit 254, the copy file temporary storage unit 255, the synchronization processing unit 256, the rasterization command unit 257, and the like shown in FIG. Function is realized.

  According to the application 30Q, the cloud connection processing unit 351, the document file access unit 352, the document browsing processing unit 353, the preview display processing unit 354, the scan page addition request unit 355, the print job generation unit 356, and the print start command unit illustrated in FIG. Functions such as 357 are realized.

  According to these programs, the user can view a preview image representing the state of the printed matter of the document before printing the document by the multi function device 1. That is, the document can be previewed. Further, during the preview, the scan page can be inserted into the document by using the scan-to-document service of the multifunction device 1. The original file GF of this document can be updated to one with a scan page inserted, and the preview image can be switched to one with a scan page inserted. Then, the document with the scan page inserted can be printed.

  22, 23, 24, and 25 are sequence diagrams illustrating an example of a processing flow of the multifunction device 1, the server 2, and the terminal device 3. FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of a browsing screen 71 for document browsing and print preview. FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of the print instruction data 81.

  Next, processing of each unit of the multifunction machine 1, the server 2, and the terminal device 3 and operations performed by the user will be described with reference to the sequence diagrams of FIGS.

  Similar to the document file storage unit 203 of the first embodiment, the document file storage unit 253 of the server 2 stores an original file GF for each document in advance.

  The user activates the application 30Q by operating the terminal device 3 in order to view the document in which the original file GF is stored in the document file storage unit 253.

  When the application 30Q is activated, the cloud connection processing unit 351 illustrated in FIG. 21 requests connection to the server 2 (# 351 in FIG. 22). This request is accepted by the user authentication unit 251 shown in FIG. 20 (# 251). Thereafter, the cloud connection processing unit 351 and the user authentication unit 251 establish a session between the terminal device 3 and the server 2 in the same procedure as steps # 302 to # 305 and # 202 to 205 in the first embodiment ( # 352 to # 355, # 252 to # 255).

  After logging in to the server 2, the user designates a browsing target, that is, an original file GF of a document to be browsed. The designation method may be a method of selecting from a list or a method of inputting a file name.

  When the user designates the original file GF, the document file access unit 352 of the terminal device 3 accepts the designation (# 356), and requests the original file GF from the server 2 (# 357). At this time, the document file access unit 352 transmits, for example, a MAC address 61 f to the server 2 as data unique to the terminal device 3 together with the file name 61 d of the original file GF.

  When this request is received from the terminal device 3 (# 256), the document file providing unit 254 of the server 2 specifies the original file identified by the file name 61d in the original file GF stored in the document file storage unit 253. The GF copy file CF1 is created (# 257). At this time, a file name obtained by adding the MAC address 61f of the terminal device 3 to the file name of the original file GF is given to the copy file CF1.

  The document file providing unit 254 transmits the copy file CF1 to the terminal device 3 (# 258). In the second embodiment, since the document is not edited in the terminal device 3 (that is, the document is displayed in a so-called read-only mode), unlike the first embodiment, the copy file CF1 is a server. 2 is not backed up.

  In the terminal device 3, when the document file access unit 352 receives the copy file CF1 (# 358), the document browsing processing unit 353 opens the copy file CF1 (# 359), and for example, the browsing screen 71 shown in FIG. The first page of the document is displayed based on the copy file CF1 in the page display area 710 of the browsing screen 71.

  Similar to the editing screen 51 of FIG. 12 described above, the browsing screen 71 shown in FIG. 26 is a character string 711 indicating the page number of the page being displayed and the total number of pages, and for the user to instruct page switching. It has buttons 712, 713, 714, 715.

  The user arbitrarily switches the page displayed in the page display area 710 and arbitrarily browses the document of the copy file CF1. However, since the browsing screen 71 has no editing function, the user cannot edit the document of the copy file CF1 on the browsing screen 71.

  In addition to the browsing button, the browsing screen 71 includes a print button 717, a stop / end button 718, and a scan button 719. How to use these buttons will be described later in order.

  Returning to FIG. 22, when the user instructs page switching, the document browsing processing unit 353 accepts the instruction (# 360), and causes the touch panel display 30d to update the display content according to the instruction (# 361). The processes in steps # 360 and # 361 are not performed once, but are also performed when the user performs an operation to instruct page switching thereafter.

  The user can cause the multifunction device 1 to print the document being viewed as follows. The user operates the print button 717 on the browsing screen 71.

  Then, the print job generation unit 356 accepts this operation as a print instruction (# 362), and generates a preview print job (# 363). The preview print job is a job for printing a document by the multifunction device 1 after displaying a preview image of the document on the terminal device 3. Furthermore, if necessary, a process of reading an image from an original sheet and inserting it into a document is also performed. Then, the preview print job is executed as follows.

  The preview display processing unit 354 requests the server 2 for a rasterized image for displaying a preview image (hereinafter referred to as “preview display”) (# 364). At this time, the file name 61d of the original file GF of the displayed document and the MAC address 61f of the terminal device 3 are transmitted.

  In the server 2, when the rasterize command unit 257 receives the request for the rasterized image from the terminal device 3 (# 259), the original file GF specified by the file name 61d sent together with the request is sent from the document file storage unit 253. The data is read and converted into PDL data 81a (# 260). The PDL data 81a is data in which an image to be printed and various settings related to printing are described in a page description language (PDL).

  Subsequently, the rasterize command unit 257 gives a rasterize command to the multifunction device 1 by transmitting the print instruction data 81 shown in FIG. The print instruction data 81 includes PDL data 81a, a mode designation value 81b indicating that a preview mode for preview display is designated, and the MAC address 61f of the terminal device 3 that is the request source of the rasterized image.

  When the rasterize command is received (# 151), the rasterize processing unit 152 of the multifunction machine 1 rasterizes the PDL data 81a in the print instruction data 81 (# 152 in FIG. 23). At this time, the rasterization processing unit 152 creates image data DQ of a rasterized image for printing a document and image data DP of a rasterized image (preview image) for preview display of the document. The rasterized data providing unit 154 transmits the image data DP to the terminal device 3 (# 153).

  When receiving the image data DP (# 365), the preview display processing unit 354 of the terminal device 3 controls the touch panel display 30d to display a preview image in the page display area 710 of the browsing screen 71. Thereby, the document preview is displayed (# 366).

  As described above, the user can insert a scan page into a document when preview display is being performed. When the user wants to insert a scan page, the user operates the scan button 719.

  Then, the scan page addition request unit 355 accepts this operation as a scan insertion instruction (# 367), and displays, for example, the designation screen 52 shown in FIG. 13 on the browsing screen 71 as a screen for designating the page insertion position. It is displayed on the touch panel display 30d so as to overlap.

  As in the first embodiment described above, the user designates the designation screen 52 immediately before the current page, immediately after the current page, or an arbitrary page as the insertion position.

  The scan page addition request unit 355 generates and temporarily stores data indicating the insertion position of the scan page into the document (# 368, # 369). Further, the scan instruction data 61 shown in FIG. 14 is generated (# 370). Then, by sending the generated scan instruction data 61 to the multifunction device 1, a scan command is given to the multifunction device 1 (# 371).

  In the multi function device 1, when the additional page image acquisition processing unit 151 shown in FIG. 19 receives a scan command (# 154), the scan is inserted into the document by causing the scan unit 10i to scan (read) the original sheet. The page DS is acquired (# 155).

  The first merge processing unit 153 updates the image data DQ so that the scan page DS acquired in step # 155 is inserted into the print rasterized image created in step # 152, and in step # 152. The image data DP is updated so that the scan page DS acquired in step # 155 is inserted into the created preview image (# 156). The insertion position follows the insertion position 61 e of the scan instruction data 61. Then, the rasterized data providing unit 154 transmits the updated image data DP to the terminal device 3 (# 157).

  When the preview display processing unit 354 of the terminal device 3 receives the image data DP (# 372), it redisplays the preview image on the touch panel display 30d based on the newly received image data DP (# 373). As a result, the user can preview the document in which the scan page DS is inserted.

  The user performs a preview and checks whether the printing of the document can be started with the scan page inserted. If it can be started, the user operates the print button 717. On the other hand, when canceling printing, a cancel / end button 718 is operated.

  When the stop / end button 718 is operated, the preview display processing unit 354 ends the preview display. The document browsing processing unit 353 displays the document in the page display area 710 of the browsing screen 71 based on the copy file CF1. Then, the preview print job is canceled. In this case, the update process (# 161 to # 172, # 262 to # 276) of the original file GF, which will be described later, is also canceled.

  On the other hand, when the print button 717 is operated, the print start command unit 357 transmits a print start command to the multi function device 1 (# 374).

  In the multi function device 1, when the print processing unit 159 receives this print start command (# 158), it causes the print unit 10j to print a document based on the latest image data DQ (# 159). When printing is completed, a print completion notification is sent and received between the print processing unit 159 and the print start command unit 357 of the terminal device 3 (# 160, # 375).

  In response to an instruction to start printing the document, the original file GF of this document is updated as follows.

  Similarly to steps # 102 to # 105 and # 213 to # 217 (see FIG. 9) of the first embodiment, the cloud connection processing unit 155 of the multifunction device 1 and the user authentication unit 251 of the server 2 Sessions with the server 2 are established (# 161 to # 164, # 262 to # 266). Similar to steps # 106 to # 107 and # 218 to # 221 of the first embodiment, the document file access unit 156 of the multifunction device 1 acquires the copy file CF2 from the document file providing unit 254 of the server 2, and the copy file CF2 is stored as a sub-copy file SCF2 in the copy file temporary storage unit 255 (# 165 to # 166, # 267 to # 270).

  Similar to Steps # 109 to # 112, # 114 to # 115, and # 222 to # 227 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) of the first embodiment, the second merge processing unit 157 adds the scan page DS to the document. Is synchronized with the copy file CF2, the original update unit 252 updates the original file GF so that the scan page DS is inserted into the original, and the copy file CF2 and the sub-copy file SCF2 are It is deleted (# 167- # 172, # 271- # 276).

  Thereby, the preview print job is completed. As described above, the original file GF is updated so that the insertion of the scan page DS performed in the middle of the preview print job is reflected.

  When the user finishes browsing the document, the user gives an instruction to end the terminal device 3 by operating a stop / end button 718 on the browsing screen 71.

  When receiving the termination instruction (# 376 in FIG. 25), the document browsing processing unit 353 of the terminal device 3 closes the copy file CF1 (# 377) and is temporarily stored in the storage unit (for example, the flash memory 30c) of the terminal device 3. The stored copy file CF1 is deleted (# 378).

  FIG. 28 and FIG. 29 are flowcharts showing an example of the overall processing flow of the terminal device 3. FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the overall processing flow of the server 2. FIGS. 31 and 32 are flowcharts for explaining an example of the overall processing flow of the multifunction machine 1.

  Next, the overall processing flow of each of the terminal device 3, the server 2, and the multifunction device 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  The terminal device 3 requests connection to the server 2 and establishes a session with the server 2 (# 701 in FIG. 28). After the session is established, the terminal device 3 performs the following process according to the operation by the user.

  When the user designates the original file GF (YES in # 702), the terminal device 3 requests the original file GF from the server 2 and receives the copy file CF1 of the original file GF (# 703). Then, the terminal device 3 opens the received copy file CF1 and displays a document (# 704).

  When the user performs an operation of switching pages (YES in # 705), the terminal device 3 switches the page displayed in the document (# 706).

  When the user performs an operation to instruct a preview print job (YES in # 707), the terminal device 3 generates a preview print job (# 708). A preview image is requested from the server 2 (# 709), and the image data DP sent from the multifunction device 1 is received (# 710). Then, a preview image is displayed based on the received image data DP (# 711).

  When the user performs an operation to instruct insertion of the scan page DS in the preview display state (YES in # 712), the terminal device 3 sets the insertion position 61e according to the designation on the designation screen 52 in FIG. Data is generated (# 713 in FIG. 29), and scan instruction data 61 like the example in FIG. 14 including data of the insertion position 61e is generated (# 714). Then, the terminal device 3 transmits a scan command to which the scan instruction data 61 is added to the multi function device 1 (# 715).

  Then, the terminal device 3 receives new image data DP from the multifunction machine 1 (# 710), and redisplays the preview image based on the image data DP (# 711).

  On the other hand, when the user performs an operation for instructing the start of printing (YES in # 716) while the preview display is being performed, the terminal device 3 gives a print start command to the multifunction device 1 (# 717). When printing is completed, a print completion notification is received from the multifunction machine 1 (# 718). Thereby, the preview print job is completed.

  When the terminal device 3 is operated to end the browsing of the document, the terminal 3 closes the copy file CF1 of the document (# 719), and the work area secured in the RAM 10b for deleting the copy file CF1 and displaying the copy file CF1. Post-processing such as release is executed (# 720).

  When the user performs a logout operation (YES in # 721), the terminal device 3 releases the session with the server 2. Until the user instructs logout, the terminal device 3 executes the processes of steps # 702 to # 720 described above according to the operation by the user.

  The server 2 performs processing as shown in FIG. 30 every time there is a request or command from the terminal device 3 or the multifunction device 1.

  If there is a connection request (YES in # 801), the server 2 performs user authentication processing based on the account information (account code 61b and password 61c) transmitted from the request source (# 802).

  If there is a request for the original file GF (YES in # 803), the server 2 copies the requested original file GF and transmits the obtained copy file CF1 or CF2 to the request source (# 804). When transmitting in response to a request from the multifunction machine 1, the copy file CF2 is stored as the sub-copy file SCF2 (# 805).

  If a save command is received from the multifunction device 1 (YES in # 806), the server 2 updates the sub-copy file SCF2 based on the data sent together with the save command (# 807). The updated sub-copy file SCF2 and the original file GF are compared (# 808), and the original file GF is updated to reflect the update contents of the sub-copy file SCF2 determined by the comparison (# 809). The completion of update of the original file GF is notified to the multi-function peripheral 1 that is the source of the save command (# 810). Then, the sub-copy file CF2 corresponding to the transmission source of the save command is deleted (# 811).

  The server 2 performs the processes of steps # 801 to # 811 described above until an instruction to end service provision is given (NO in # 812).

  The multi-function device 1 performs processing as shown in FIGS. 31 and 32 in response to a command or notification from the terminal device 3 and the server 2.

  When the rasterization command is received from the server 2 (YES in # 901), the multi-function device 1 performs rasterization of the PDL data 81a of the print instruction data 81 sent together with the rasterization command, so that a rasterized image for printing and A rasterized image (preview image) for preview display is generated (# 902). Then, the image data DP of the rasterized image for preview display is transmitted to the terminal device 3 (# 903). Note that the rasterized image for printing and the preview image may be the same.

  When the scan command is received from the terminal device 3 (YES in # 904), the multi-function device 1 acquires the scan page DS by scanning the document sheet (# 905). Then, the scan page DS acquired in step # 905 is inserted into the rasterized image obtained in step # 902 (# 906), and the image data DP of the preview image after the insertion is transmitted to the terminal device 3 (# 907). .

  When a print start command is received from the terminal device 3 (YES in # 908), the multi-function device 1 prints the latest rasterized image for printing (# 909), and print completion notification is sent after the printing is completed. (# 910). When the terminal device 3 receives the print completion notification, the terminal device 3 displays a print completion message.

  Before or after printing or in parallel, the multifunction device 1 requests connection to the server 2 and establishes a session with the server 2 (# 911). When the session is established, the multifunction device 1 requests the original file GF of the printed document from the server 2, and receives the copy file CF2 of the original file GF (# 912).

  The multi function device 1 opens the received copy file CF2 (# 913 in FIG. 32), and updates the copy file CF2 so that the scan page DS is inserted into the document (# 914).

  Then, the multifunction device 1 causes the server 2 to execute processing for synchronizing the sub-copy file SCF2 with the copy file CF2 and processing for updating the original file based on the synchronized sub-copy file SCF2 (# 915).

  When the multifunction device 1 receives the update notification of the original file GF from the server 2 (YES in # 916), the multifunction device 1 closes the copy file CF2 (# 917), deletes the copy file CF2, and makes the work area unnecessary. Post-processing such as release is performed (# 918).

  The multi-function device 1 checks whether or not the end of the provision of service to the terminal devices 3, 3b, 3c,... Is instructed (# 919), and until the instruction is made (NO in # 919), The described steps # 901 to # 918 are appropriately performed.

  According to the second embodiment, the user can insert the scan page DS into the document without canceling the preview print job in the middle of the preview print job.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the original file GF is managed by the server 2, but may be managed by the multifunction device 1. In this case, the function of the server 2 may be provided in the multifunction device 1. A box function can be used as the document file storage units 203 and 253.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the scan command is directly given from the terminal device 3 to the multifunction device 1, but is indirectly given from the terminal device 3 to the multifunction device 1 via the server 2. May be.

  In the second embodiment, the print command is indirectly given from the terminal device 3 to the multifunction device 1 via the server 2, but may be given directly from the terminal device 3 to the multifunction device 1. In that case, when the command is given, the multifunction device 1 may access the server 2 to request and acquire the PDL data of the document to be printed, and perform rasterization. Alternatively, the original file GF may be acquired instead of the PDL data, and the multi-function device 1 may convert the original file GF into PDL data.

  In the second embodiment, the preview display is performed by the terminal device 3. However, the preview display may be performed by the touch panel display 10 e of the multifunction device 1, or may be performed by both the terminal device 3 and the multifunction device 1. When preview display is performed in the multifunction device 1, the user may instruct to start printing, stop printing, or scan using the touch panel display 10e or the operation key panel 10f of the multifunction device 1.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the scan page DS is inserted at a position designated by the user, but may be added at a predetermined position (for example, the end).

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, description has been made by taking an example of a document composed of one or a plurality of pages. However, one or a plurality of sheets such as a document (document) created by spreadsheet software is used. There may be a document composed. In that case, the scan page DS may be inserted as a sheet instead of being inserted as a page.

  The first embodiment and the second embodiment are combined so that when a user is editing a document, a preview print job of the document can be instructed, and the document is scanned while the preview is displayed. The page DS may be inserted.

  In the second embodiment, when printing is instructed after scanning, the original file GF is updated so that the scan page DS is inserted into the document, and when printing is instructed, the original is printed. Although the file GF is not updated, the original file GF may be updated in the latter case.

  In the second embodiment, the print button 717 is shared as a button for starting a preview print job and a button for starting printing. However, both buttons may be provided independently. Similarly, the cancel / end button 718 may not be shared as a button for ending document browsing and a button for stopping printing, and both buttons may be provided independently.

  In addition, the configuration of each or all of the document sharing systems 100 and 200, the multifunction machine 1, the server 2, and the terminal device 3, the processing content, the processing order, the screen configuration, and the like are appropriately changed in accordance with the spirit of the present invention. be able to.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Document sharing system 1 Multifunction machine 2 Server 3 Terminal device 10i Scan unit (scanner, reading means)
202 Original update section (update means)
203 Document file storage (storage means)
204 Document file providing unit (first transmitting means)
205 Copy file temporary storage section (storage means)
206 1st synchronous process part (2nd update means)
207 Second synchronization processing means (image acquisition means)
GF Original file (document data)
CF1 copy file (document data)
SCF1 sub-copy file (copy data)
DS image data 303 Document editing processing unit (display means, receiving means)
304 1st synchronization process part (2nd transmission means)
305 Scan page addition request section (scan command means)
CF1 copy file (edit contents data)
200 Document Sharing System 152 Rasterization Processing Unit (Generation Unit)
153 First merge processing unit (second update means)
158 Synchronization processing unit (second transmission means)
154 Rasterized data providing unit (third transmitting means)
253 Document file storage (storage means)
252 Original update section (update means)
257 Rasterize command section (first transmission means)
354 Preview display processing unit (display means)
355 Scan page addition request section (accepting means)
357 Print start command section (control means)

Claims (12)

A document sharing system having a plurality of terminal devices and a server that provides a document to any one of the plurality of terminal devices,
To the server,
Storage means for storing document data representing the document;
First transmission means for transmitting the document data to the requesting terminal device based on a request from any of the plurality of terminal devices;
Is provided,
For each of the plurality of terminal devices,
Display means for displaying the document based on the document data transmitted from the server;
Accepting means for accepting the content of the edit on the document;
Second transmission means for transmitting edited content data indicating the content to the server;
Is provided,
In addition to the server,
Image acquisition means for acquiring image data of an image read by the scanner;
Based on the image data, the document data stored in the storage unit is updated so that the image is inserted into the document, and then the content indicated in the editing content data is reflected. Updating means for updating the document data;
Is provided,
A document sharing system characterized by this. When the document data is updated by the update unit, the first transmission unit transmits the updated document data again,
The display means redisplays the document based on the document data when the document data is transmitted again from the server.
The document sharing system according to claim 1. To the server,
Storage means for storing, in association with the terminal device, copy data obtained by copying the document data, for each terminal device from which the document data of the plurality of terminal devices is transmitted by the first transmission unit;
Is provided,
The second transmission means transmits the edited content data at a predetermined timing,
In addition to the server,
When the edited content data is transmitted, the copy data stored in the storage unit corresponding to the terminal device that is the transmission source of the edited content data among the plurality of terminal devices is edited. The content is updated to reflect the content data, and when the image data is acquired, the image is stored in the storage unit based on the image data so that the image is inserted into the document. A second updating means for updating each of the copy data being
Is provided,
The first transmission unit further includes, when the copy data stored in the storage unit is updated so that the image is inserted, the copy data of the plurality of terminal devices. Send the copy data to the corresponding terminal device,
The display means redisplays the document based on the copy data when the copy data is transmitted,
The update unit is configured to store the document based on the copy data corresponding to the terminal device stored in the storage unit when the editing operation is completed in any of the plurality of terminal devices. Update data,
The document sharing system according to claim 1 or 2. For each of the plurality of terminal devices,
Scan command means for commanding the scanner to read during the editing;
Is provided,
The second transmission unit transmits the editing content data when the reading is instructed by the scan command unit of the same terminal device as the second transmission unit of the plurality of terminal devices,
The reception means is from the time when the reading is instructed by the scan command means of the same terminal device as the reception means of the plurality of terminal devices until the copy data is transmitted to the terminal device. Stop accepting the content,
The document sharing system according to claim 3. The document is composed of a plurality of pages,
The updating unit is configured to display the page of the page displayed on the terminal device that is the command source of the reading among the plurality of terminal devices when the scanner of the plurality of pages reads the image. Updating the document data to be inserted as a new page immediately before,
The document sharing system according to claim 4. The document is composed of a plurality of pages,
The updating unit is configured to update the image of a page designated by a user of a terminal device that is a command source of the reading of the plurality of terminal devices when the scanner of the plurality of pages reads the image. Updating the document data to be inserted as a new page immediately before,
The document sharing system according to claim 4. A document sharing system having a plurality of terminal devices, a server that provides a document to any one of the plurality of terminal devices, and a multi-function peripheral having scanning and printing functions,
To the server,
Storage means for storing document data representing the document;
Is provided,
For each of the plurality of terminal devices,
Display means for displaying a preview image representing a state of the document when printed on paper by the multifunction device;
Receiving means for receiving an image reading command input by a user when the preview image is displayed by the display means;
Is provided,
In addition to the server ,
In response to the command, a first transmission unit that transmits the document data stored in the storage unit to the multifunction peripheral is provided,
In the MFP,
Reading means for reading an image from paper in response to the command;
Second updating means for generating a second document data by the reading taken image is an image read by said reading means the document data transmitted for updating to be inserted into the document from the server When,
Second transmission means for transmitting the second document data to the server;
The image data of the preview image is generated based on the document data, and the state of the document when the read image is inserted and printed on a sheet by the multifunction device is represented based on the second document data. Generating means for generating second image data of the second preview image;
A third transmitting means for transmitting the image data to the original terminal device of the command among the plurality of terminal devices, and transmitting the second image data to the terminal device;
Is provided,
In addition to the server,
Updating means for updating the document data stored in the storage means so that the read image is inserted into the document;
The display means displays the preview image based on the image data transmitted from the multifunction peripheral, and further displays the preview image when the second image data is transmitted from the multifunction peripheral. Instead, the second preview image is displayed based on the second image data.
A document sharing system characterized by this . For each of the plurality of terminal devices,
Control means for controlling the multifunction peripheral so that the document is printed after the second preview image is displayed by the display means;
Is provided,
The document sharing system according to claim 7 . A server that provides a document to any one of a plurality of terminal devices,
Storage means for storing document data representing the document;
Based on a request from any one of the plurality of terminal devices, a transmission means for transmitting the document data to the requesting terminal device;
Image acquisition means for acquiring image data of an image read by the scanner;
Based on the image data, the document data stored in the storage unit is updated so that the image is inserted into the document, and then the editing content data from the requesting terminal device Updating means for updating the document data so that the contents of editing on the document are reflected;
The server characterized by having. A document data update method for updating document data representing a document stored in a server,
In response to a request from the terminal device, the server transmits the document data to the terminal device,
The terminal device displays the document based on the document data transmitted from the server;
The terminal device accepts the content of editing the document,
The terminal device transmits edit content data indicating the content to the server,
The server acquires image data of an image read by a scanner,
The server updates the document data stored in the server based on the image data so that the image is inserted into the document, and then the content shown in the edited content data is reflected. Update the document data so that
The document data update method characterized by the above-mentioned. A document data update method for updating document data representing a document stored in a server,
End end device, a preview image representing a state where the printing of the document,
The terminal device accepts an image reading command input by the user when the preview image is displayed,
In response to the command, the server sends the document data stored in the server to a multifunction peripheral,
The multifunction device reads an image from a sheet in response to the command,
The multifunction device updates the document data transmitted from the server so that a read image that is the read image is inserted into the document, thereby generating second document data,
The multi-function peripheral transmits the second document data to the server;
The multifunction peripheral generates image data of the preview image based on the document data, and inserts the read image of the document based on the second document data and prints it on a sheet by the multifunction peripheral. Generating second image data of a second preview image representing the state of the event,
The multi-function peripheral transmits the image data to the terminal device, and transmits the second image data to the terminal device;
The server, before so Ki読 preparative image is inserted in the document, and updates the document data to which the server is stored,
The terminal device displays the preview image based on the image data transmitted from the multi-function peripheral, and when the second image data is transmitted from the multi-function peripheral, the preview image of the preview image is displayed. Instead, the second preview image is displayed based on the second image data.
The document data update method characterized by the above-mentioned. A computer program used for a server that provides a document to any one of a plurality of terminal devices,
To the server,
Based on a request from any of the plurality of terminal devices, the document data representing the document is transmitted to the requesting terminal device,
Execute the process to acquire the image data of the image read by the scanner,
The document data stored in the server is updated based on the image data so that the image is inserted into the document, and then the document indicated in the editing content data from the requesting terminal device Execute the process to update the document data so that the edited contents of
A computer program characterized by the above.

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