JP7548890B2 - File exchange system, file exchange support device, file exchange method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a file exchange system, a file exchange support device, a file exchange method, and a program.

Patent document 1 discloses a file transfer system that can transfer electronic data files via a file transfer server connected to a network.

JP 2006-134167 A

However, in the file transfer system described in Patent Document 1, when communications for receiving file exchange instructions and the like are concentrated, a large processing load is placed on the file exchange device, resulting in delays in the file exchange process.

The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems.

A file exchange system according to one aspect of the present invention is a file exchange system in which a file including product data is sent and received between one user and another user using a file exchange device, the file exchange support device including a supply unit that supplies an instruction screen used when the one user gives an instruction, and a communication support device including a communication unit that communicates with the file exchange device based on a predetermined communication protocol, the file exchange support device further including an instruction unit that writes an instruction file corresponding to the instruction given on the instruction screen into a shared directory, the communication support device further including a processing unit that performs processing corresponding to the instruction file written into the shared directory, the instruction unit including a file transmission instruction unit that writes the instruction file including the file transmission instruction into the shared directory when the instruction given on the instruction screen is a file transmission instruction, and the processing unit including a file transmission processing unit that reads a transmission target file corresponding to the file transmission instruction from a storage unit and transmits a transmission file corresponding to the read transmission target file to the file exchange device via the communication unit when the instruction file including the file transmission instruction is written into the shared directory.

A file exchange support device according to another aspect of the present invention is a file exchange support device used in a file exchange system in which a file including product data is sent and received between one user and another user using a file exchange device, and includes a supply unit that supplies an instruction screen used when the one user gives an instruction, and an instruction unit that writes an instruction file corresponding to the instruction given on the instruction screen into a shared directory, and the file exchange system includes a communication support device that includes a communication unit that communicates with the file exchange device based on a predetermined communication protocol, and the communication support device further includes a processing unit that performs processing corresponding to the instruction file written into the shared directory, and the instruction unit includes a file transmission instruction unit that writes the instruction file including the file transmission instruction into the shared directory when the instruction given on the instruction screen is a file transmission instruction, and the processing unit includes a file transmission processing unit that reads a transmission target file corresponding to the file transmission instruction from a storage unit and transmits a transmission file corresponding to the read transmission target file to the file exchange device via the communication unit when the instruction file including the file transmission instruction is written into the shared directory.

A file exchange method according to yet another aspect of the present invention is a file exchange method for transmitting and receiving files including product data between one user and another user using a file exchange device, the method comprising the steps of: providing an instruction screen used when the one user gives an instruction; writing an instruction file corresponding to the instruction given on the instruction screen into a shared directory; and performing processing corresponding to the instruction file when the instruction file has been written into the shared directory. When the instruction given on the instruction screen is a file transmission instruction, the step of writing the instruction file into the shared directory writes the instruction file including the file transmission instruction into the shared directory, and when the instruction file including the file transmission instruction has been written into the shared directory, the step of performing processing corresponding to the instruction file reads a file to be transmitted corresponding to the file transmission instruction from a storage unit, and transmits the transmission file corresponding to the read file to be transmitted to the file exchange device via a communication unit that communicates with the file exchange device based on a predetermined communication protocol.

A program according to yet another aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the steps of: supplying an instruction screen used when a user gives an instruction; and writing an instruction file corresponding to the instruction given on the instruction screen into a shared directory. When the instruction given on the instruction screen is a file transmission instruction, in the step of writing the instruction file into the shared directory, the instruction file including the file transmission instruction is written into the shared directory. When the instruction file including the file transmission instruction has been written into the shared directory, a file transmission processing unit provided in the communication assistance device reads out a file to be sent corresponding to the file transmission instruction from a storage unit, and transmits the read transmission file corresponding to the file to be sent to the file exchange device via a communication unit that communicates with the file exchange device based on a predetermined communication protocol.

The present invention provides a file exchange system, a file exchange support device, a file exchange method, and a program that enable smooth file exchange.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a file exchange system according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a file exchange system according to one embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the instruction screen. FIG. 4A is a diagram showing an example of a file list acquisition instruction file, FIG. 4B is a diagram showing an example of a file list, FIG. 4C is a diagram showing an example of a data conversion instruction file, FIG. 4D is a diagram showing an example of data conversion processing status information, FIG. 4E is a diagram showing an example of a transmission instruction file, and FIG. 4F is a diagram showing an example of transmission status information. FIG. 5A is a diagram showing an example of a receiving instruction file, FIG. 5B is a diagram showing an example of receiving status information, FIG. 5C is a diagram showing an example of a receiving history acquisition instruction file, and FIG. 5D is a diagram showing an example of a receiving history. FIG. 6A is a diagram conceptually showing an example of a file to be transmitted, and FIG. 6B is a diagram conceptually showing a transmission file. FIG. 7A is a diagram conceptually showing a received file, and FIG. 7B is a diagram conceptually showing an example of a received file. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the file exchange system according to one embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the file exchange system according to one embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a file exchange system according to one embodiment.

[One embodiment]
A file exchange system, a file exchange support device, a file exchange method, and a program according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 10. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the file exchange system according to this embodiment.

In this embodiment, the file exchange system 10 transmits and receives files between one user and another user using a file exchange device 18.

The file exchange system 10 may be composed of a device 12, a file exchange support device 14, a communication support device 16, a file exchange device 18, a device 20, and a storage 126. One file exchange support device 14 may be provided for one file exchange device 18. Also, multiple communication support devices 16 may be provided for one file exchange support device 14. Also, multiple file exchange support devices 14 may be provided for one file exchange device 18. Also, multiple devices 12 may be provided for one communication support device 16. In the example shown in FIG. 1, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, one device 12, one file exchange support device 14, one communication support device 16, one file exchange device 18, and one device 20 are shown.

The device 12 is installed, for example, at a business establishment of a company. The user of the device 12 is, for example, an employee working at the business establishment where the device 12 is installed.

The device 20 is installed, for example, at a business partner of the company that installs the device 12. The user of the device 20 is, for example, an employee working at the business partner.

File exchange can be performed between a user operating device 12 and a user operating device 20 using file exchange device 18. More specifically, file exchange can be performed between a user operating device 12 and a user operating device 20 using file exchange device 18 and file exchange device 183 (see FIG. 2).

A first location among multiple locations belonging to a company may be equipped with device 12, and a second location among the multiple locations may be equipped with device 20.

Device 12 may be located in a first country, and device 20 may be located in a second country that is different from the first country.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a file exchange system according to one embodiment. In the example shown in Figure 2, the shared directory 104, which will be described later, is omitted from the illustration.

A number of business establishments 30 belong to a certain company. A first business establishment 301 of the number of business establishments 30 and a second business establishment 302 of the number of business establishments 30 are located within a first area 331. The first area 331 is, for example, a country in which the headquarters of a certain company is located. Many business establishments 30 may be located within the first area 331, but only two business establishments 30 are illustrated in FIG. 2.

A file exchange device 18 is provided in the first area 331. That is, a file exchange device 181 is provided in the first area 331. A file exchange support device 14 is provided in the first area 331. That is, a file exchange support device 141 is provided in the first area 331. A plurality of communication support devices 16 are provided in the first area 331. That is, a first communication support device 1601 and a second communication support device 1602 are provided in the first area 331. In the example shown in FIG. 2, one file exchange support device 14 is provided for one file exchange device 18. Also, in the example shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of communication support devices 16 are provided for one file exchange support device 14. Note that a plurality of file exchange devices 18 may be provided in the first area 331. Also, a plurality of file exchange support devices 14 may be provided for one file exchange device 18.

A first communication support device 1601 of the multiple communication support devices 16 is provided at a first business office 301. The first business office 301 is provided with multiple devices 12. These devices 12 are provided in each of multiple departments belonging to the first business office 301.

A second communication support device 1602 of the multiple communication support devices 16 is provided at the second business location 302. The second business location 302 is provided with multiple devices 12. These devices 12 may be provided in each of multiple departments belonging to the second business location 302.

The establishment 30 is located in the second area 332, which is different from the first area 331. That is, the establishment 303 is located in the second area 332. Note that, although multiple establishments 30 may be located within the second area 332, only one establishment 30 is illustrated in FIG. 2.

The second area 332 is provided with a file exchange device 18. That is, the second area 332 is provided with a file exchange device 182. The second area 332 is provided with a file exchange support device 14. That is, the second area 332 is provided with a file exchange support device 142. Furthermore, the second area 332 is provided with a communication support device 16. That is, the second area 332 is provided with a communication support device 1603.

The communication support device 1603 is provided at the business establishment 303. The business establishment 303 is provided with a plurality of devices 12. These devices 12 may be provided in each of a plurality of departments belonging to the business establishment 303.

The business partner 31 may be provided with a file exchange device 183. The file exchange device 183 differs from the file exchange device 18 in that it is provided with a supply unit 421. That is, the file exchange device 183 differs from the file exchange devices 181 and 182 in that it is provided with a supply unit 421. The supply unit 421 is, for example, an HTTP server. The supply unit 421 supplies an instruction screen (not shown) used when an instruction is given by a user who operates the device 20. More specifically, the supply unit 421 supplies information (signals) to the device 20 for displaying the instruction screen on a display unit (not shown) provided in the device 20. The supply unit 421 is not provided in the file exchange device 18. That is, the supply unit 421 is not provided in the file exchange devices 181 and 182. As will be described later, a supply unit 42 (see FIG. 1) corresponding to the supply unit 421 is provided in the file exchange support device 14.

A first device 201 of the multiple devices 20 is provided at a first business partner 311. A second device 202 of the multiple devices 20 is provided at a second business partner 312. A third device 203 of the multiple devices 20 is provided at a third business partner 313. The first business partner 311 is located, for example, in a first country. The second business partner 312 is located in a second country. The third business partner 313 is located in a third country.

The file exchange system 10 according to this embodiment may be configured as shown in FIG. 2, but is not limited to this.

As shown in FIG. 1, the device 12 may include a calculation unit 24, a memory unit 25, an operation unit 26, and a display unit 27. The device 12 may also include components other than these components, but the description of these components will be omitted here. For example, at least a portion of the device 12 may be configured by a server or the like that is provided outside the business premises where the device 12 is provided.

The calculation unit 24 may be configured, for example, by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), i.e., a processing circuit.

The calculation unit 24 may be provided with a control unit 28 and a display control unit 29. The control unit 28 and the display control unit 29 may be realized by the calculation unit 24 executing a program stored in the memory unit 25. The control unit 28 is responsible for the overall control of the device 12. The display control unit 29 may control the screen display of the display unit 27. Note that the calculation unit 24 may also be provided with components other than these components, but a description of these components will be omitted here.

At least a part of the control unit 28 and the display control unit 29 may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). At least a part of the control unit 28 and the display control unit 29 may be configured by an electronic circuit including a discrete device.

The storage unit 25 may include a volatile memory (not shown) and a non-volatile memory (not shown). Examples of the volatile memory include a RAM (Random Access Memory). The volatile memory is used as a working memory for the processor and temporarily stores data required for processing or calculation. Examples of the non-volatile memory include a ROM (Read Only Memory), a flash memory, and the like. The non-volatile memory is used as a storage memory and stores programs, tables, maps, and the like. At least a part of the storage unit 25 may be provided in a processor, an integrated circuit, or the like as described above. The storage unit 25 may further include a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), and the like. Various applications (application programs) may be installed in the storage unit 25. For example, a CAD (Computer-Aided Design) application may be installed in the storage unit 25.

The operation unit 26 may be used when the user performs operation input to the device 12. Examples of the operation unit 26 include, but are not limited to, a keyboard, a mouse, etc. The display unit 27 is provided with a display element (not shown). Examples of the display element that may be used include a liquid crystal display element, an organic electroluminescence display element, etc. The operation unit 26 and the display unit 27 may be configured by a touch panel (not shown) provided with such a display element.

The device 12 can communicate with the file exchange support device 14 via a network not shown.

The storage 126 may include a memory unit 128. A plurality of files may be stored in the memory unit 128. Each of the plurality of files may include product data (product information). The product data may be generated by, for example, a user who operates the device 12, but is not limited to this. The product data may be, for example, CAD data, CAE (Computer-Aided Engineering) data, video data, TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) data, CG (Computer Graphics) data, authentication data, or ECU (Electronic Control Unit) data, but is not limited to these. Examples of CAD data include, for example, two-dimensional CAD data and three-dimensional CAD data. The storage 126 may be accessed from both the device 12 and the communication assistance device 16. Note that, although an example has been described here in which the storage 126 is provided separately from the device 12, the storage 126 may be provided within the device 12. The storage 126 may also be provided within the communication assistance device 16.

The file exchange support device 14 may include a calculation unit 32, a storage unit 34, and a communication unit 36. The file exchange support device 14 may also include components other than these components, but the description of these components will be omitted here.

The calculation unit 32 may be configured, for example, by a processor such as a CPU or GPU, i.e., a processing circuit.

The storage unit 34 may include a volatile memory (not shown) and a non-volatile memory (not shown). The storage unit 34 may further include a HDD, SSD, etc. The storage unit 34 may further include a file list storage unit 54 and a reception history storage unit 56. The storage unit 34 may further include a user information storage unit 58, i.e., a user database. The storage unit 34 may further include a destination information storage unit 60, i.e., a destination database.

The communication unit 36 is provided with, for example, a communication module (not shown). The communication unit 36 can transmit and receive data to and from the communication unit 86 (described later) via a network 22 such as the Internet.

The calculation unit 32 may include a control unit 38, an instruction unit 40, and a supply unit 42. The control unit 38, the instruction unit 40, and the supply unit 42 may be realized by the calculation unit 32 executing a program stored in the memory unit 34. The calculation unit 32 may also include components other than these components, but their description will be omitted here. At least a portion of the control unit 38, the instruction unit 40, and the supply unit 42 may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA. At least a portion of the control unit 38, the instruction unit 40, and the supply unit 42 may be configured by an electronic circuit including a discrete device.

The instruction unit 40 may include a file list acquisition instruction unit 44, a data conversion instruction unit 46, a file transmission instruction unit 48, a file reception instruction unit 50, and a reception history acquisition instruction unit 52. The file list acquisition instruction unit 44, the data conversion instruction unit 46, the file transmission instruction unit 48, the file reception instruction unit 50, and the reception history acquisition instruction unit 52 may be realized by the calculation unit 32 executing a program stored in the memory unit 34.

The communication assistance device 16 may include a calculation unit 62, a storage unit 64, and a communication unit 66. The communication assistance device 16 may include components other than these components, but the description of these components will be omitted here.

The calculation unit 62 may be configured, for example, by a processor such as a CPU or GPU, i.e., a processing circuit.

The storage unit 64 may include a volatile memory (not shown) and a non-volatile memory (not shown). The storage unit 64 may further include a HDD, SSD, etc.

The communication unit 66 is equipped with, for example, a communication module (not shown). The communication unit 66 can transmit and receive data to and from the communication unit 86, etc., via a network 22, such as the Internet.

The calculation unit 62 may include a control unit 68 and a processing unit 70. The control unit 68 and the processing unit 70 may be realized by the calculation unit 62 executing a program stored in the storage unit 64. The calculation unit 62 may also include components other than these components, but a description of these components will be omitted here. At least a portion of the control unit 68 and the processing unit 70 may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA. At least a portion of the control unit 68 and the processing unit 70 may be configured by an electronic circuit including discrete devices.

The processing unit 70 may include a file list creation processing unit 72, a data conversion processing unit 74, a file transmission processing unit 76, a file reception processing unit 78, and a reception history creation processing unit 80. The file list creation processing unit 72, the data conversion processing unit 74, the file transmission processing unit 76, the file reception processing unit 78, and the reception history creation processing unit 80 may be realized by the calculation unit 62 executing a program stored in the memory unit 64.

The file exchange device 18 may include a calculation unit 82, a storage unit 84, and a communication unit 86. The file exchange device 18 may also include components other than these, but the description of these components will be omitted here.

The calculation unit 82 may be configured, for example, by a processor such as a CPU or GPU, i.e., a processing circuit.

The storage unit 84 may include a volatile memory (not shown) and a non-volatile memory (not shown). The storage unit 84 may further include an HDD, an SSD, etc.

The communication unit 86 is equipped with, for example, a communication module (not shown). The communication unit 86 can transmit and receive data to and from the communication units 36 and 66 via a network 22 such as the Internet. The communication unit 86 can transmit and receive data to and from a communication unit 98 (described later) via a network 22 such as the Internet.

The calculation unit 82 may be provided with a control unit 88. The control unit 88 may be realized by the calculation unit 82 executing a program stored in the memory unit 84. The calculation unit 82 may also be provided with components other than those mentioned above, but a description of these components will be omitted here. At least a part of the control unit 88 may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or FPGA. At least a part of the control unit 88 may also be configured by an electronic circuit including discrete devices.

The device 20 may include a calculation unit 90, a memory unit 92, an operation unit 94, a display unit 96, and a communication unit 98. The device 20 may also include components other than these components, but the description of these components will be omitted here.

The calculation unit 90 may be configured by, for example, a processor such as a CPU or a GPU, i.e., a processing circuit. The calculation unit 90 may include a control unit 100 and a display control unit 102. The control unit 100 and the display control unit 102 may be realized by the calculation unit 90 executing a program stored in the storage unit 92. The calculation unit 90 may also include components other than these components, but the description will be omitted here. The control unit 100 is responsible for the overall control of the device 20. The display control unit 102 may control the screen display of the display unit 96. At least a part of the control unit 100 and the display control unit 102 may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA. At least a part of the control unit 100 and the display control unit 102 may also be configured by an electronic circuit including a discrete device.

The storage unit 92 may include a volatile memory (not shown) and a non-volatile memory (not shown). The storage unit 92 may further include a HDD, SSD, etc.

The operation unit 94 can be used when a user performs operational input on the device 20. Examples of the operation unit 94 include, but are not limited to, a keyboard, a mouse, etc. The display unit 96 is equipped with a display element (not shown).

The communication unit 98 is equipped with, for example, a communication module (not shown). The communication unit 98 can transmit and receive data to and from the communication unit 86, etc., via a network 22 such as the Internet.

The shared directory 104 may be set, for example, in a storage unit (not shown) provided in an NFS (Network File System) server (not shown). The storage area corresponding to the shared directory 104 is mounted by NFS to a local storage configured by the storage unit 34. The storage area corresponding to the shared directory 104 is mounted by NFS to a local storage configured by the storage unit 64. The file exchange support device 14 and the communication support device 16 may each access the shared directory 104. The shared directory 104 may be set in a storage unit (not shown) provided in an SMB (Server Message Block) server (not shown). When the file exchange support device 14 is configured by a Windows (registered trademark) server and the communication support device 16 is also configured by a Windows (registered trademark) server, a better system can be constructed by using SMB rather than NFS.

The shared directory 104 may include a file list acquisition instruction folder 106, a file list folder 108, a data conversion instruction folder 110, and a data conversion status folder 112. The shared directory 104 may further include a transmission instruction folder 114, a transmission status folder 116, a reception instruction folder 118, a reception status folder 120, a reception history acquisition instruction folder 122, and a reception history folder 124.

As described above, the file exchange support device 14 may be provided with a control unit 38. The control unit 38 is responsible for the overall control of the file exchange support device 14.

As described above, the file exchange support device 14 may be provided with a supply unit 42. The supply unit 42 is, for example, an HTTP server. The supply unit 42 supplies an instruction screen 133 (see FIG. 3) used when an instruction is given by a user who operates the device 12. That is, the supply unit 42 supplies an operation screen used when an operation is performed by a user who operates the device 12. More specifically, the supply unit 42 supplies information (signals) to the device 12 for displaying the instruction screen 133 on the display unit 27 provided in the device 12. When communication is established between the device 12 and the file exchange support device 14, the instruction screen 133 is displayed on the display unit 27 provided in the device 12. Examples of the instruction screen 133 include, but are not limited to, a file transmission/reception screen 134 described later. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an instruction screen. FIG. 3 shows a state in which a file list 132 is displayed on the instruction screen 133. The file list 132 is a list of a plurality of files 131 stored in the storage unit 128. The instruction screen 133 may display information other than the file list 132, but in FIG. 3, information other than the file list 132 is omitted.

As described above, the file exchange assistance device 14 may be provided with an instruction unit 40. The instruction unit 40 writes an instruction file 130 in the shared directory 104 in response to an instruction given by a user operating the device 12. As described above, the instruction given by the user operating the device 12 may be given, for example, on an instruction screen 133. When describing the instruction files without making a distinction between them, the reference numeral 130 is used, and when describing the individual instruction files, the reference numerals 1301 to 1305 are used.

As described above, the instruction unit 40 may include a file list acquisition instruction unit 44. When an instruction to acquire the file list 132 is given by the user on the instruction screen 133, the file list acquisition instruction unit 44 issues an instruction to acquire the file list 132. The file list acquisition instruction unit 44 writes a file list acquisition instruction file 1301, which is an instruction file 130 including an instruction to acquire the file list 132, into the shared directory 104. More specifically, the file list acquisition instruction unit 44 writes the file list acquisition instruction file 1301 into a file list acquisition instruction folder 106 provided in the shared directory 104. FIG. 4A is a diagram showing an example of a file list acquisition instruction file. FIG. 4A conceptually shows a state in which the file list acquisition instruction file 1301 is written into the file list acquisition instruction folder 106.

As described above, the instruction unit 40 may be provided with a data conversion instruction unit 46. The data conversion instruction unit 46 may issue a data conversion instruction, which is an instruction to convert data. When an instruction to convert data is issued by the user on the instruction screen 133, the data conversion instruction unit 46 issues an instruction to convert data. The conversion target file 151 to be the target of data conversion may be selected by the user on the file transmission/reception screen 134 displayed on the display unit 27 of the device 12. The conversion target file 151 may be selected from among a plurality of files 131 stored in the storage unit 128. The data conversion instruction unit 46 writes a data conversion instruction file 1302, which is an instruction file 130 including a data conversion instruction, into the shared directory 104. More specifically, the data conversion instruction unit 46 writes the data conversion instruction file 1302 into a data conversion instruction folder 110 provided in the shared directory 104. FIG. 4C is a diagram showing an example of a data conversion instruction file. FIG. 4C conceptually shows the state in which the data conversion instruction file 1302 is written into the data conversion instruction folder 110.

As described above, the instruction unit 40 may include a file transmission instruction unit 48. The file transmission instruction unit 48 may issue a file transmission instruction, which is an instruction to transmit a file. When an instruction to transmit a file is issued by the user on the instruction screen 133, the file transmission instruction unit 48 issues an instruction to transmit a file. Specifically, the file transmission instruction unit 48 writes a transmission instruction file 1303, which is an instruction file 130 including a file transmission instruction, into the shared directory 104. More specifically, the file transmission instruction unit 48 writes the transmission instruction file 1303 into a transmission instruction folder 114 provided in the shared directory 104. FIG. 4E is a diagram showing an example of a transmission instruction file. FIG. 4E conceptually shows a state in which the transmission instruction file 1303 is written into the transmission instruction folder 114.

As described above, the instruction unit 40 may include a file reception instruction unit 50. The file reception instruction unit 50 may issue a file reception instruction, which is an instruction to receive a file. The file reception instruction unit 50 writes a reception instruction file 1304 in a reception instruction folder 118 provided in the shared directory 104 at a predetermined time interval. That is, the file reception instruction unit 50 writes the reception instruction file 1304 in the reception instruction folder 118 at a time interval defined in a task scheduler (not shown). FIG. 5A is a diagram showing an example of a reception instruction file. FIG. 5A conceptually shows a state in which the reception instruction file 1304 is written in the reception instruction folder 118.

As described above, the instruction unit 40 may include a reception history acquisition instruction unit 52. The reception history acquisition instruction unit 52 may instruct the acquisition of a reception history, which is a history of file reception. When an instruction to receive a reception history is given by the user on the instruction screen 133, the reception history acquisition instruction unit 52 instructs the acquisition of the reception history. Specifically, the reception history acquisition instruction unit 52 writes a reception history acquisition instruction file 1305, which is an instruction file 130 including an instruction to acquire the reception history, into the shared directory 104. More specifically, the reception history acquisition instruction unit 52 writes the reception history acquisition instruction file 1305 into the reception history acquisition instruction folder 122 provided in the shared directory 104. FIG. 5C is a diagram showing an example of a reception history acquisition instruction file. FIG. 5C conceptually shows a state in which the reception history acquisition instruction file 1305 is written into the reception history acquisition instruction folder 122.

As described above, the communication assistance device 16 may be provided with a control unit 68. The control unit 68 is responsible for the overall control of the communication assistance device 16.

As described above, the communication assistance device 16 may be provided with a processing unit 70. The processing unit 70 may perform processing according to the instruction file 130 written in the shared directory 104.

As described above, the processing unit 70 may be provided with a file list creation processing unit 72. The file list creation processing unit 72 performs processing to create the file list 132 based on the file list acquisition instruction file 1301 written in the shared directory 104 by the file list acquisition instruction unit 44. Specifically, the file list creation processing unit 72 performs processing to create the file list 132 based on the file list acquisition instruction file 1301 written in the file list acquisition instruction folder 106. More specifically, the file list creation processing unit 72 performs processing such as the following.

The file list creation processing unit 72 checks at a predetermined time interval whether the file list acquisition instruction file 1301 has been written in the file list acquisition instruction folder 106. That is, the file list creation processing unit 72 checks at a time interval defined in a task scheduler (not shown) whether the file list acquisition instruction file 1301 has been written in the file list acquisition instruction folder 106. If the file list acquisition instruction file 1301 has been written in the file list acquisition instruction folder 106, the file list creation processing unit 72 creates a file list 132 by checking the files 131 stored in the memory unit 128. As described above, the file list 132 is a list of a plurality of files 131 stored in the memory unit 128.

The file list creation processing unit 72 writes the file list 132 created by the file list creation processing unit 72 into the shared directory 104. More specifically, the file list creation processing unit 72 writes the file list 132 created by the file list creation processing unit 72 into a file list folder 108 provided in the shared directory 104. FIG. 4B is a diagram showing an example of a file list. FIG. 4B conceptually shows a state in which the file list 132 is written into the file list folder 108. The file list 132 written into the file list folder 108 is read by the file list acquisition instruction unit 44.

As described above, the processing unit 70 may be provided with a data conversion processing unit 74. The data conversion processing unit 74 performs data conversion processing based on a data conversion instruction file 1302 written in the shared directory 104 by the data conversion instruction unit 46. Specifically, the data conversion processing unit 74 performs data conversion processing based on a data conversion instruction file 1302 written in a data conversion instruction folder 110 provided in the shared directory 104. The data conversion processing is performed to convert the data into a format suitable for communication, but is not limited to this. The data may also be converted to reduce its size. More specifically, the data conversion processing unit 74 performs the following processing.

The data conversion processing unit 74 checks at a predetermined time interval whether the data conversion instruction file 1302 has been written in the data conversion instruction folder 110. That is, the data conversion processing unit 74 checks at a time interval defined in a task scheduler (not shown) whether the data conversion instruction file 1302 has been written in the data conversion instruction folder 110. If the data conversion instruction file 1302 has been written in the data conversion instruction folder 110, the data conversion processing unit 74 performs the following processing. That is, in this case, the data conversion processing unit 74 performs data conversion processing on the conversion target file 151 (see FIG. 3) specified by the data conversion instruction included in the data conversion instruction file 1302. The data-converted file obtained by performing the data conversion processing on the conversion target file 151 is stored in the storage unit 128.

The data conversion processing unit 74 writes data conversion status information 136 indicating the status of the data conversion process for the file 151 to be converted into the shared directory 104. More specifically, the data conversion processing unit 74 writes data conversion status information 136 indicating the status of the data conversion process for the file 151 to be converted into a data conversion status folder 112 provided in the shared directory 104. FIG. 4D is a diagram showing an example of data conversion process status information. FIG. 4D conceptually shows a state in which the data conversion status information 136 is written into the data conversion status folder 112. The data conversion status information 136 written into the data conversion status folder 112 is read by the data conversion instruction unit 46.

As described above, the processing unit 70 may be provided with a file transmission processing unit 76. The file transmission processing unit 76 performs file transmission processing based on a transmission instruction file 1303 written in the shared directory 104 by the file transmission instruction unit 48. Specifically, the file transmission processing unit 76 performs file transmission processing based on a transmission instruction file 1303 written in a transmission instruction folder 114 provided in the shared directory 104. More specifically, the file transmission processing unit 76 performs the following processing.

The file transmission processing unit 76 checks at a predetermined time interval whether the transmission instruction file 1303 has been written in the transmission instruction folder 114. That is, the file transmission processing unit 76 checks whether the transmission instruction file 1303 has been written in the transmission instruction folder 114 at a time interval defined in a task scheduler (not shown). If the transmission instruction file 1303 has been written in the transmission instruction folder 114, the file transmission processing unit 76 reads out the transmission target file 150 (see FIG. 6A) corresponding to the file transmission instruction included in the transmission instruction file 1303 from the storage unit 128. FIG. 6A is a diagram conceptually showing an example of a transmission target file. As shown in FIG. 6A, the transmission target file 150 includes transmission data 152, which is data to be transmitted. The transmission data 152, i.e., the transmission target data, may be, but is not limited to, the above-mentioned product data.

The file transmission processing unit 76 generates a transmission file 154 (see FIG. 6B) corresponding to the transmission target file 150 read by the file transmission processing unit 76. Specifically, the file transmission processing unit 76 generates a transmission meta file 156 and a transmission configuration file 160 based on the comment information and the like included in the file transmission instruction included in the transmission instruction file 1303. FIG. 6B is a diagram conceptually showing a transmission file. As shown in FIG. 6B, the transmission file 154 may be composed of the transmission meta file 156, the transmission data 158, and the transmission configuration file 160. The transmission meta file 156 may include transmission command parameters. The transmission meta file 156 may include destination information indicating the destination of the transmission file 154. The transmission meta file 156 may include source information indicating the source of the transmission file 154. The transmission data 158 corresponds to the transmission data 152 included in the transmission target file 150. More specifically, the transmission data 158 may be generated, for example, by performing a data conversion process on the transmission data 152 included in the transmission target file 150. The file transmission processing unit 76 generates the transmission data 158 by performing a data conversion process on the transmission data 152. Note that if the transmission data 152 has already been subjected to a data conversion process, the file transmission processing unit 76 includes the transmission data 158, which has already been subjected to the data conversion process, in the transmission file 154.

The file transmission processing unit 76 transmits the transmission file 154 (see FIG. 6B) generated by the file transmission processing unit 76 to the file exchange device 18 via the communication unit 66. More specifically, the file transmission processing unit 76 transmits the transmission data 158 based on the transmission command parameters included in the transmission meta file 156 and the information included in the transmission configuration file 160. The transmission data 158 is transmitted to the file exchange device 18 by communication based on a predetermined communication protocol between the communication unit 86 and the communication unit 66 provided in the file exchange device 18.

The file transmission processing unit 76 can determine whether the transmission of the transmission file 154 to the destination is completed based on information supplied from the file exchange device 18. When it is determined that the transmission of the transmission file 154 to the destination is completed, the file transmission processing unit 76 writes the transmission status information 140 indicating that the transmission of the transmission file 154 is completed in the shared directory 104. That is, the file transmission processing unit 76 writes the transmission status information 140 indicating the status regarding the transmission of the transmission file 154 in the shared directory 104. More specifically, the file transmission processing unit 76 writes the transmission status information 140 indicating the status regarding the transmission of the transmission file 154 in the transmission status folder 116 provided in the shared directory 104. FIG. 4F is a diagram showing an example of the transmission status information. In FIG. 4F, the state in which the transmission status information 140 is written in the transmission status folder 116 is conceptually shown. The transmission status information 140 written in the transmission status folder 116 is read by the file transmission instruction unit 48.

As described above, the processing unit 70 may be provided with a file reception processing unit 78. The file reception processing unit 78 checks whether the reception instruction file 1304 has been written in the reception instruction folder 118 at a predetermined time interval. That is, the file reception processing unit 78 checks whether the reception instruction file 1304 has been written in the reception instruction folder 118 at a time interval defined in a task scheduler (not shown). When the reception instruction file 1304 has been written in the reception instruction folder 118, the file reception processing unit 78 acquires new arrival information provided from the file exchange device 18 via the communication unit 66. The new arrival information is information indicating that the reception file 162 (see FIG. 7A) addressed to the device 12 has been newly received by the file exchange device 18. The file reception processing unit 78 may determine that the reception file 162 addressed to the device 12 has been newly received by the file exchange device 18 based on the new arrival information provided from the file exchange device 18. When it is determined that the received file 162 destined for the device 12 has been newly received by the file exchange device 18, the file reception processing unit 78 receives the received file 162 from the file exchange device 18 via the communication unit 66. FIG. 7A is a diagram conceptually showing a received file. As shown in FIG. 7A, the received file 162 may be composed of a received meta file 166, received data 168, and a received configuration file 170. The received meta file 166 may include received command parameters. The received meta file 166 may include destination information indicating the destination of the received file 162. The received meta file 166 may include source information indicating the source of the received file 162.

The file reception processing unit 78 stores a received file 164 (see FIG. 7B) corresponding to the received file 162 in the storage unit 128. Specifically, the file reception processing unit 78 generates the received file 164 by performing a data conversion process on the received data 168 included in the received file 162, for example. The file reception processing unit 78 stores the received file 164 acquired by the file reception processing unit 78 in the storage unit 128. FIG. 7B is a diagram conceptually showing an example of a received file. As shown in FIG. 7B, the received file 164 includes received data 172. The received data 172, i.e., the received data, corresponds to the received data 168 included in the received file 162. More specifically, the received data 172 is obtained by performing a data conversion process on the received data 168.

The file reception processing unit 78 writes reception status information 144, which indicates the status regarding the reception of the received file 162, into the shared directory 104. More specifically, the file reception processing unit 78 writes the reception status information 144 into a reception status folder 120 provided in the shared directory 104. FIG. 5B is a diagram showing an example of reception status information. FIG. 5B conceptually shows the state in which the reception status information 144 is written into the reception status folder 120. The reception status information 144 written into the reception status folder 120 is read by the file reception instruction unit 50.

As described above, the processing unit 70 may be provided with a reception history creation processing unit 80. The reception history creation processing unit 80 creates a reception history indicating the history of file reception. Specifically, the reception history creation processing unit 80 updates the reception history each time a file is received by the file reception processing unit 78. The reception history creation processing unit 80 stores the reception history in, for example, the storage unit 64, but is not limited to this. The reception history may include, for example, sender information indicating the sender of the received file 162. The sender information is included in the reception meta file 166 included in the received file 162, as described above.

The reception history creation processing unit 80 checks at a predetermined time interval whether the reception history acquisition instruction file 1305 is written in the reception history acquisition instruction folder 122. That is, the reception history creation processing unit 80 checks at a time interval defined in a task scheduler (not shown) whether the reception history acquisition instruction file 1305 is written in the reception history acquisition instruction folder 122. If the reception history acquisition instruction file 1305 is written in the reception history acquisition instruction folder 122, the reception history creation processing unit 80 reads the reception history 148 created by the reception history creation processing unit 80 from, for example, the storage unit 64. The reception history creation processing unit 80 writes the read reception history 148 in the shared directory 104. More specifically, the reception history creation processing unit 80 writes the reception history 148 in the reception history folder 124 provided in the shared directory 104. FIG. 5D is a diagram showing an example of a reception history. FIG. 5D conceptually illustrates the state in which the reception history 148 is written in the reception history folder 124. The reception history 148 written in the reception history folder 124 is read by the reception history acquisition instruction unit 52.

Next, the operation of the file exchange system according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the file exchange system according to this embodiment. FIG. 8 shows the operation related to data transmission.

In step S1, a login screen (not shown) is displayed on the display unit 27 of the device 12. This login screen is a screen for the device 12 to log in to the file exchange support device 14. When communication is established between the device 12 and the file exchange support device 14, this login screen is displayed on the display unit 27 of the device 12. Information for displaying the login screen is supplied from a supply unit 42 provided in the file exchange support device 14 to the device 12, thereby realizing the display of the login screen. After this, the process proceeds to step S2.

In step S2, a user who operates the device 12 logs in. The login is performed on a login screen displayed on the display unit 27 of the device 12. Then, the process proceeds to step S3.

In step S3, a file transmission/reception screen 134, which is an instruction screen 133 for transmitting a file, is displayed on the display unit 27 of the device 12. Information for displaying the file transmission/reception screen 134 is supplied from a supply unit 42 provided in the file exchange support device 14 to the device 12, thereby realizing the display of the file transmission/reception screen 134. A file list 132 can be displayed on the file transmission/reception screen 134. After this, the process proceeds to step S4.

In step S4, a file to be sent, that is, a file 150 to be sent, is selected from the multiple files 131 shown in the file list 132. The file 150 to be sent is selected by the user on the file sending/receiving screen 134 displayed on the display unit 27 of the device 12. Then, the process proceeds to step S5.

In step S5, the destination of the file 150 to be sent is selected. The destination of the file 150 to be sent may be selected on the file transmission/reception screen 134 displayed on the display unit 27 of the device 12. The destination of the file 150 to be sent may be selected by the user operating the device 12. The destination of the file 150 to be sent may be selected from among multiple destinations stored in the destination information storage unit 60 provided in the file exchange support device 14, but is not limited to this. After this, the process proceeds to step S6.

In step S6, an instruction to send the file 150 to be sent is given by the user. The instruction to send the file 150 to be sent can be given on the file sending/receiving screen 134 displayed on the display unit 27 of the device 12. Then, the process proceeds to step S7.

In step S7, the file transmission instruction unit 48 instructs the transmission of a file based on an instruction from a user who operates the device 12. Specifically, the file transmission instruction unit 48 writes a transmission instruction file 1303, which is an instruction file 130 including a file transmission instruction, into a transmission instruction folder 114 provided in the shared directory 104. Then, the process proceeds to step S8.

In step S8, the file transmission processing unit 76 checks whether the transmission instruction file 1303 has been written in the transmission instruction folder 114. If the transmission instruction file 1303 has been written in the transmission instruction folder 114, the process proceeds to step S9.

In step S9, the file transmission processing unit 76 reads from the storage unit 128 the file to be transmitted 150 identified by the file transmission instruction included in the transmission instruction file 1303. Then, the process proceeds to step S10.

In step S10, the file transmission processing unit 76 generates the transmission meta file 156 and the transmission configuration file 160 based on the file transmission instruction included in the transmission instruction file 1303. Then, the process proceeds to step S11.

In step S11, the file transmission processing unit 76 transmits the transmission file 154 based on the transmission command parameters included in the transmission meta file 156 and the information included in the transmission configuration file 160. The file transmission processing unit 76 transmits the transmission file 154 to the file exchange device 18 via the communication unit 66 based on a predetermined communication protocol. The destination of the transmission file 154 is, for example, the device 20. The control unit 88 provided in the file exchange device 18 transfers the transmission file 154 provided from the communication assistance device 16 to the device 20 via the communication unit 86 and the network 22. The transmission file 154 provided from the communication assistance device 16 may be temporarily stored in the storage unit 84 provided in the file exchange device 18. In this way, the transmission file 154 is transmitted to the device 20, which is the destination of the transmission file 154. When the transmission of the transmission file 154 is completed, the process proceeds to step S12.

In step S12, the control unit 88 provided in the file exchange device 18 supplies information indicating that the transmission of the transmission file 154 to the device 20 has been completed to the communication assistance device 16 via the communication unit 86. As a result, the file transmission processing unit 76 obtains information indicating that the transmission of the transmission file 154 has been completed. Then, the process proceeds to step S13.

In step S13, the file transmission processing unit 76 writes the transmission status information 140 indicating that the transmission of the transmission file 154 has been completed into the transmission status folder 116 provided in the shared directory 104. Then, the process proceeds to step S14.

In step S14, the file transmission instruction unit 48 reads the transmission status information 140 written in the transmission status folder 116. Then, the process proceeds to step S15.

In step S15, information indicating that the transmission of the transmission file 154 has been completed is stored in the storage unit 34. In this manner, the file is transmitted.

Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the file exchange system according to this embodiment. Figure 9 shows the operation related to receiving data.

In step S21, the file reception instruction unit 50 of the file exchange support device 14 writes a reception instruction file 1304 including a file reception instruction, which is an instruction to receive a file, into the reception instruction folder 118 in the shared directory 104. Then, the process proceeds to step S22.

In step S22, the file reception processing unit 78 provided in the communication assistance device 16 checks whether the reception instruction file 1304 has been written into the reception instruction folder 118. If the reception instruction file 1304 has been written into the reception instruction folder 118, the process proceeds to step S23.

In step S23, the file reception processing unit 78 acquires the new arrival information supplied from the file exchange device 18 via the communication unit 66. The file reception processing unit 78 can determine, based on the new arrival information supplied from the file exchange device 18, that the received file 162 addressed to the device 12 has been newly received by the file exchange device 18. If the file reception processing unit 78 determines that the received file 162 addressed to the device 12 has been newly received by the file exchange device 18, the process proceeds to step S24.

In step S24, the file reception processing unit 78 receives the received file 162 from the file exchange device 18 via the communication unit 66. Then, the process proceeds to step S25.

In step S25, the file reception processing unit 78 stores in the storage unit 128 a received file 164 corresponding to the received file 162. More specifically, the file reception processing unit 78 stores in the storage unit 128 a received file 164 obtained by performing a data conversion process on the received data 168 included in the received file 162.

In step S26, the file reception processing unit 78 writes reception status information 144 indicating that reception of the received file 162 has been completed into the reception status folder 120 in the shared directory 104. Then, the process proceeds to step S27.

In step S27, the file reception instruction unit 50 reads the reception status information 144 written in the reception status folder 120. Then, the process proceeds to step S28.

In step S28, the file reception instruction unit 50 stores information indicating that reception of the received file 162 has been completed in the reception history storage unit 56 provided in the storage unit 34. In this manner, the file is received.

Figure 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the file exchange system according to this embodiment. Figure 10 shows the operation related to data conversion.

In step S31, a login screen (not shown) is displayed on the display unit 27 of the device 12. The login screen is a screen for the device 12 to log in to the file exchange support device 14. When communication is established between the device 12 and the file exchange support device 14, the login screen is displayed on the display unit 27 of the device 12. Then, the process proceeds to step S32.

In step S32, a user who operates the device 12 logs in. The login is performed on a login screen displayed on the display unit 27 of the device 12. Then, the process proceeds to step S33.

In step S33, for example, a file transmission/reception screen 134 is displayed on the display unit 27 of the device 12. A file list 132 may be displayed on the file transmission/reception screen 134. Then, the process proceeds to step S34.

In step S34, a file to be converted 151, which is a file to be subjected to data conversion, is selected from the plurality of files 131. The file to be converted 151 is selected by the user on the file transmission/reception screen 134 displayed on the display unit 27 of the device 12. Then, the process proceeds to step S35.

In step S35, an instruction to execute the data conversion process is given by the user. The instruction to execute the data conversion process can be given on the file transmission/reception screen 134 displayed on the display unit 27 of the device 12. Then, the process proceeds to step S36.

In step S36, the data conversion instruction unit 46 instructs the data conversion. Specifically, the data conversion instruction unit 46 writes the data conversion instruction file 1302, which is an instruction file 130 including a data conversion instruction, into the data conversion instruction folder 110 provided in the shared directory 104. Then, the process proceeds to step S37.

In step S37, the data conversion processing unit 74 checks whether the data conversion instruction file 1302 has been written in the data conversion instruction folder 110. If the data conversion instruction file 1302 has been written in the data conversion instruction folder 110, the process proceeds to step S38.

In step S38, the data conversion processing unit 74 performs data conversion processing on the conversion target file 151 specified by the data conversion instruction included in the data conversion instruction file 1302. The data-converted file obtained by performing the data conversion processing on the conversion target file 151 is stored in the storage unit 128. After this, the process proceeds to step S39.

In step S39, the data conversion processing unit 74 writes data conversion status information 136 indicating that the data conversion process has been completed into the data conversion status folder 112 provided in the shared directory 104. Then, the process proceeds to step S40.

In step S40, the data conversion instruction unit 46 reads the data conversion status information 136 written in the data conversion status folder 112. Then, the process proceeds to step S41.

In step S41, the data conversion instruction unit 46 stores information indicating that the data conversion process is complete in the storage unit 34. In this manner, the data conversion process is performed.

In this way, according to this embodiment, the file exchange assistance device 14 including the supply unit 42 that supplies the instruction screen 133 used when the user gives an instruction is provided separately from the file exchange device 18. Therefore, according to this embodiment, when the user gives an instruction, it is not necessary for the file exchange device 18 to provide an instruction screen to the device 12 operated by the user. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent a large processing load from being imposed on the file exchange device 18. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a file exchange system 10 that can perform file exchange well.

Moreover, according to this embodiment, since the transmission instruction file 1303 containing the file transmission instruction is transferred in the shared directory 104, it is not necessary for communication to be established between the file exchange assistance device 14 and the communication assistance device 16 when issuing a file transmission instruction.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various configurations may be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention.

The invention that can be understood from the above embodiment is described below.

A file exchange system (10) according to one aspect of the present invention is a file exchange system in which a file (131) including product data is sent and received between one user and another user using a file exchange device (18), and includes a file exchange support device (14) having a supply unit (42) that supplies an instruction screen (133) used when the one user gives an instruction, and a communication support device (16) having a communication unit (66) that communicates with the file exchange device based on a predetermined communication protocol, and the file exchange support device further includes an instruction unit (40) that writes an instruction file (130) corresponding to the instruction given on the instruction screen into a shared directory (104), and the communication support device The file exchange support device further includes a processing unit (70) that performs processing according to the instruction file written in the shared directory, and the instruction unit includes a file transmission instruction unit (48) that writes the instruction file (1303) including the file transmission instruction in the shared directory when the instruction given on the instruction screen is a file transmission instruction, and the processing unit includes a file transmission processing unit (76) that reads a transmission target file (150) corresponding to the file transmission instruction from the storage unit (128) and transmits a transmission file (154) corresponding to the read transmission target file to the file exchange device via the communication unit when the instruction file including the file transmission instruction is written in the shared directory. According to this configuration, a file exchange support device including a supply unit that supplies an instruction screen used when an instruction is given by a user is provided separately from the file exchange device. Therefore, according to this configuration, when an instruction is given by a user, it is not necessary for the file exchange device to provide an instruction screen to the device (12) operated by the user. Therefore, according to this configuration, it is possible to suppress a large processing load from being generated in the file exchange device. Therefore, with this configuration, it is possible to provide a file exchange system (10) that can perform file exchange smoothly.

In the above file exchange system, the file transmission instruction may include destination information indicating the destination of the transmission file.

In the above file exchange system, the file transmission processing unit may write transmission status information (140) indicating a status regarding the transmission of the transmission file into the shared directory, and the file transmission instruction unit may acquire the transmission status information written into the shared directory by the file transmission processing unit.

In the above file exchange system, the product data may be at least one of CAD data, CAE data, video data, TIFF data, CG data, authentication data, and ECU data.

In the above file exchange system, the instruction unit may include a file reception instruction unit (50) that writes the instruction file (1304) including a file reception instruction into the shared directory, and the processing unit may include a file reception processing unit (78) that receives a received file (162) from the file exchange device via the communication unit when the instruction file including the file reception instruction is written into the shared directory, and stores a received file (164) corresponding to the received file in a storage unit.

In the above file exchange system, the file reception processing unit may write reception status information (144) indicating a status regarding the reception of the received file into the shared directory, and the file reception instruction unit may acquire the reception status information written into the shared directory by the file reception processing unit.

In the above file exchange system, the instruction unit may include a data conversion instruction unit (46) that writes the instruction file (1302) containing the data conversion instruction into the shared directory when the instruction given on the instruction screen is a data conversion instruction, and the processing unit may include a data conversion processing unit (74) that performs data conversion processing on the conversion target file (151) specified by the data conversion instruction when the instruction file containing the data conversion instruction is written into the shared directory.

In the above file exchange system, the data conversion processing unit may write data conversion status information (136) indicating a status regarding the data conversion process for the file to be converted into the shared directory, and the data conversion instruction unit may acquire the data conversion status information written into the shared directory by the data conversion processing unit.

A file exchange support device according to another aspect of the present invention is a file exchange support device used in a file exchange system in which a file including product data is sent and received between one user and another user using a file exchange device, and includes a supply unit that supplies an instruction screen used when the one user gives an instruction, and an instruction unit that writes an instruction file corresponding to the instruction given on the instruction screen into a shared directory, and the file exchange system includes a communication support device that includes a communication unit that communicates with the file exchange device based on a predetermined communication protocol, and the communication support device further includes a processing unit that performs processing corresponding to the instruction file written into the shared directory, and the instruction unit includes a file transmission instruction unit that writes the instruction file including the file transmission instruction into the shared directory when the instruction given on the instruction screen is a file transmission instruction, and the processing unit includes a file transmission processing unit that reads a transmission target file corresponding to the file transmission instruction from a storage unit and transmits a transmission file corresponding to the read transmission target file to the file exchange device via the communication unit when the instruction file including the file transmission instruction is written into the shared directory.

In the above file exchange support device, the instruction unit may include a file reception instruction unit that writes the instruction file including the file reception instruction into the shared directory, and the processing unit may include a file reception processing unit that, when the instruction file including the file reception instruction is written into the shared directory, receives a received file from the file exchange device via the communication unit and stores a received file corresponding to the received received file in a storage unit.

In the above file exchange support device, the instruction unit may include a data conversion instruction unit that writes the instruction file including the data conversion instruction into the shared directory when the instruction given on the instruction screen is a data conversion instruction, and the processing unit may include a data conversion processing unit that performs data conversion processing on a file to be converted that is specified by the data conversion instruction when the instruction file including the data conversion instruction is written into the shared directory.

A file exchange method according to yet another aspect of the present invention is a file exchange method in which a file including product data is sent and received between one user and another user using a file exchange device, the method comprising the steps of: providing an instruction screen used when the one user gives an instruction (S3); writing an instruction file in accordance with the instruction given on the instruction screen into a shared directory (S7); and performing processing in accordance with the instruction file when the instruction file has been written into the shared directory. When the instruction given on the instruction screen is a file transmission instruction, the step of writing the instruction file into the shared directory includes writing the instruction file including the file transmission instruction into the shared directory, and when the instruction file including the file transmission instruction has been written into the shared directory, the step of performing processing in accordance with the instruction file includes reading a file to be sent in accordance with the file transmission instruction from a storage unit (S9), and transmitting the read transmission file corresponding to the file to be sent to the file exchange device via a communication unit that communicates with the file exchange device based on a predetermined communication protocol (S11).

In the above file exchange method, when the instruction file including a file reception instruction is written in the shared directory, the step of performing processing according to the instruction file may receive a received file from the file exchange device via the communication unit (S24), and store a received file corresponding to the received received file in a storage unit (S25).

In the above file exchange method, if the instruction given on the instruction screen is a data conversion instruction, the step of writing the instruction file into the shared directory may include writing the instruction file including the data conversion instruction into the shared directory, and if the instruction file including the data conversion instruction has been written into the shared directory, the step of performing processing according to the instruction file may include performing data conversion processing on the file to be converted that is specified by the data conversion instruction (S38).

A program according to yet another aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the steps of: supplying an instruction screen used when a user gives an instruction; and writing an instruction file corresponding to the instruction given on the instruction screen into a shared directory. When the instruction given on the instruction screen is a file transmission instruction, in the step of writing the instruction file into the shared directory, the instruction file including the file transmission instruction is written into the shared directory. When the instruction file including the file transmission instruction has been written into the shared directory, a file transmission processing unit provided in the communication assistance device reads out a file to be sent corresponding to the file transmission instruction from a storage unit, and transmits the read transmission file corresponding to the file to be sent to the file exchange device via a communication unit that communicates with the file exchange device based on a predetermined communication protocol.

In the above program, when the instruction file including a file reception instruction is written in the shared directory, a file reception processing unit provided in the communication assistance device may receive a received file from the file exchange device via the communication unit, and store a received file corresponding to the received file in a storage unit.

In the above program, if the instruction given on the instruction screen is a data conversion instruction, the step of writing the instruction file into the shared directory may include writing the instruction file including the data conversion instruction into the shared directory, and when the instruction file including the data conversion instruction has been written into the shared directory, a data conversion processing unit provided in the communication assistance device may perform data conversion processing on a file to be converted that is specified by the data conversion instruction.

10: File exchange system 12, 20: Equipment 14: File exchange support device 16: Communication support device 18: File exchange device 22: Network 24, 32, 62, 82, 90: Calculation unit 25, 34, 64, 84, 92, 128: Storage unit 26, 94: Operation unit 27, 96: Display unit 28, 38, 68, 88, 100: Control unit 29, 102: Display control unit 36, 66, 86, 98: Communication unit 40: Instruction unit 42: Supply unit 44: File list acquisition instruction unit 46: Data conversion instruction unit 48: File transmission instruction unit 50: File reception instruction unit 52: Reception history acquisition instruction unit 54: File list storage unit 56: Reception history storage unit 60: Destination information storage unit 70: Processing unit 72: File list creation processing unit 74: Data conversion processing unit 76: File transmission processing unit 78: File reception processing unit 80: Reception history creation processing unit 104: Shared directory 106: File list acquisition instruction folder 108: File list folder 110: Data conversion instruction folder 112: Data conversion status folder 114: Transmission instruction folder 116: Transmission status folder 118: Reception instruction folder 120: Reception status folder 122: Reception history acquisition instruction folder 124: Reception history folder 126: Storage 130: Instruction file 131: File 132: File list 133: Instruction screen 134: File transmission/reception screen 136: Data conversion status information 140: Transmission status information 144: Reception status information 148: Reception history 150: File to be transmitted 151: File to be converted 152, 158: Transmission data 154: Transmission file 156: Transmission meta file 160: Transmission configuration file 162: Received file 164: Received file 166: Reception meta file 168, 172: Received data 170: Reception configuration file 1301: File list acquisition instruction file 1302: Data conversion instruction file 1303: Transmission instruction file 1304: Reception instruction file 1305: Reception history acquisition instruction file

Claims (17)

A file exchange system for transmitting and receiving a file including product data between one user and another user using a file exchange device, comprising:
a file exchange support device including a supply unit that supplies an instruction screen used when the one user gives an instruction;
a communication assistance device including a communication unit that communicates with the file exchange device based on a predetermined communication protocol;
Equipped with
the file exchange support device further includes an instruction unit that writes a command file corresponding to the command given on the command screen into a shared directory;
the communication assistance device further includes a processing unit that performs processing according to the instruction file written in the shared directory,
the instruction unit includes a file transmission instruction unit that, when the instruction given on the instruction screen is a file transmission instruction, writes the instruction file including the file transmission instruction into the shared directory;
The file exchange system includes a file transmission processing unit that, when the instruction file including the file transmission instruction is written in the shared directory, reads out a transmission target file from a memory unit in response to the file transmission instruction, and transmits a transmission file corresponding to the read transmission target file to the file exchange device via the communication unit. 2. The file exchange system according to claim 1,
A file exchange system, wherein the file transmission instruction includes destination information indicating a destination of the transmission file. 3. The file exchange system according to claim 1,
the file transmission processing unit writes, into the shared directory, transmission status information indicating a status regarding the transmission of the transmission file;
A file exchange system, wherein the file transmission instruction unit obtains the transmission status information written in the shared directory by the file transmission processing unit. In the file exchange system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The product data is at least one of CAD data, CAE data, moving image data, TIFF data, CG data, authentication data, and ECU data. In the file exchange system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
the instruction unit includes a file reception instruction unit that writes the instruction file including a file reception instruction into the shared directory;
The file exchange system includes a file reception processing unit that, when the instruction file including the file reception instruction is written in the shared directory, receives a received file from the file exchange device via the communication unit and stores a received file corresponding to the received received file in a memory unit. 6. The file exchange system according to claim 5,
the file reception processing unit writes reception status information indicating a status regarding reception of the received file into the shared directory;
A file exchange system in which the file reception instruction unit obtains the reception status information written in the shared directory by the file reception processing unit. In the file exchange system according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
the instruction unit includes a data conversion instruction unit that, when the instruction given on the instruction screen is a data conversion instruction, writes the instruction file including the data conversion instruction into the shared directory;
A file exchange system, comprising: a data conversion processing unit that performs data conversion processing on a conversion target file identified by the data conversion instruction when the instruction file including the data conversion instruction is written into the shared directory. 8. The file exchange system according to claim 7,
the data conversion processing unit writes data conversion status information indicating a status regarding the data conversion process for the file to be converted into the shared directory;
A file exchange system, wherein the data conversion instruction unit obtains the data conversion status information written in the shared directory by the data conversion processing unit. A file exchange support device used in a file exchange system in which a file including product data is transmitted and received between one user and another user using a file exchange device, comprising:
a supply unit that supplies an instruction screen used when an instruction is given by the one user;
an instruction unit that writes an instruction file in accordance with the instruction given on the instruction screen into a shared directory;
Equipped with
the file exchange system includes a communication assistance device including a communication unit that communicates with the file exchange device based on a predetermined communication protocol;
the communication assistance device further includes a processing unit that performs processing according to the instruction file written in the shared directory,
the instruction unit includes a file transmission instruction unit that, when the instruction given on the instruction screen is a file transmission instruction, writes the instruction file including the file transmission instruction into the shared directory;
The processing unit includes a file transmission processing unit that, when the instruction file including the file transmission instruction is written in the shared directory, reads out a transmission target file corresponding to the file transmission instruction from a memory unit, and transmits a transmission file corresponding to the read transmission target file to the file exchange device via the communication unit. 10. The file exchange support device according to claim 9,
the instruction unit includes a file reception instruction unit that writes the instruction file including a file reception instruction into the shared directory;
The processing unit includes a file reception processing unit that, when the instruction file including the file reception instruction is written in the shared directory, receives a received file from the file exchange device via the communication unit and stores a received file corresponding to the received file in a memory unit. 11. The file exchange support device according to claim 9,
the instruction unit includes a data conversion instruction unit that, when the instruction given on the instruction screen is a data conversion instruction, writes the instruction file including the data conversion instruction into the shared directory;
The processing unit includes a data conversion processing unit that performs data conversion processing on a conversion target file identified by the data conversion instruction when the instruction file including the data conversion instruction is written into the shared directory. A file exchange method for transmitting and receiving a file including product data between one user and another user using a file exchange device, comprising the steps of:
providing an instruction screen used when an instruction is given by the one user;
writing a command file corresponding to the command given on the command screen into a shared directory;
When the instruction file is written in the shared directory, performing a process according to the instruction file;
having
When the instruction given on the instruction screen is an instruction to transmit a file, the step of writing the instruction file into the shared directory includes writing the instruction file including the instruction to transmit the file into the shared directory,
A file exchange method in which, when an instruction file including the file transmission instruction is written in the shared directory, a step of performing processing according to the instruction file includes reading a file to be sent in accordance with the file transmission instruction from a memory unit, and transmitting a transmission file corresponding to the read file to be sent to the file exchange device via a communication unit that communicates with the file exchange device based on a predetermined communication protocol. 13. The file exchange method according to claim 12,
A file exchange method, in which, when an instruction file including a file reception instruction is written in the shared directory, a step of performing processing according to the instruction file includes receiving a received file from the file exchange device via the communication unit, and storing a received file corresponding to the received received file in a memory unit. 14. The file exchange method according to claim 12,
When the instruction given on the instruction screen is a data conversion instruction, the step of writing the instruction file into the shared directory includes writing the instruction file including the data conversion instruction into the shared directory,
A file exchange method in which, when an instruction file including the data conversion instruction is written in the shared directory, a step of performing processing according to the instruction file includes performing data conversion processing on a conversion target file identified by the data conversion instruction. On the computer,
providing an instruction screen for use when an instruction is given by a user;
writing a command file corresponding to the command given on the command screen into a shared directory;
A program for executing
When the instruction given on the instruction screen is an instruction to transmit a file, the step of writing the instruction file into the shared directory includes writing the instruction file including the instruction to transmit the file into the shared directory,
A program in which, when the instruction file including the file transmission instruction is written in the shared directory, a file transmission processing unit provided in the communication support device reads out a file to be sent in response to the file transmission instruction from a memory unit, and transmits a transmission file corresponding to the read file to be sent to the file exchange device via a communication unit that communicates with the file exchange device based on a predetermined communication protocol. The program according to claim 15,
A program in which, when an instruction file including a file reception instruction is written in the shared directory, a file reception processing unit provided in the communication assistance device receives a received file from the file exchange device via the communication unit, and stores a received file corresponding to the received file in a memory unit. 17. The program according to claim 15 or 16,
When the instruction given on the instruction screen is a data conversion instruction, the step of writing the instruction file into the shared directory includes writing the instruction file including the data conversion instruction into the shared directory,
A program in which, when an instruction file including the data conversion instruction is written into the shared directory, a data conversion processing unit provided in the communication assistance device performs data conversion processing on the conversion target file identified by the data conversion instruction.

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