JP2001092694A - Server device, information processing method, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [0005] Even if the capacity of output information stored in one storage device increases, the output information is automatically compressed and stored again, and a free space capable of storing new output information is provided. It is to secure an area. SOLUTION: Output information that can be output from MFDs 1010 and 1011 is stored in a first storage area of a database of a server 1001, the output information stored in the first storage area is read, and a memory management unit compresses the output information. The compressed information is stored in a second storage area of the storage device, and output information corresponding to the compressed information stored in the second storage area is output from a compression start condition set from the first storage area. It is characterized in that it is deleted on the basis of.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a server device, an information processing method, and a storage medium capable of communicating with a data processing device and an input / output device via a predetermined communication medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, documents can be stored and managed by a server on a LAN, a browsing request and a job input / output request can be made by a client, and a multifunction device having functions such as a facsimile, a printer, and a scanner can be used. For example, in a server-client type document distribution / management system constructed such that a client device and a server device can communicate with each other via a predetermined communication medium, the server device stores the document information in a nonvolatile storage device such as a hard disk. Was still accumulated.

[0003]

Therefore, in the above document distribution / management system, if the system is continuously used, a large amount of documents will be stored on the hard disk of the server device, etc. Unless information is deleted from the hard disk system, there is a serious problem that new document information cannot be managed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and stores output information that can be output from an input / output device in a first storage area of a storage device, and stores the output information in the first storage area. Reading and compressing the stored output information, storing the compressed information in a second storage area of the storage device,
The output information corresponding to the compression information stored in the second storage means is deleted from the first storage area based on the set compression start condition, whereby the capacity of the output information stored in one storage device is reduced. Even if the output information increases, the output information can be automatically compressed and stored again, so that a free area capable of storing new output information can be secured. It is an object of the present invention to provide a server device, an information processing method, and a storage medium capable of constructing an input / output processing environment capable of effectively utilizing a limited storage area of a storage device while reducing the number of storage areas.

[0005]

A first invention according to the present invention is directed to a predetermined communication medium (network LAN shown in FIG. 1).
A server device capable of communicating with a data processing device and an input / output device (the MFDs 1010 and 1011 shown in FIG. 1) through the storage device (a database 3031 shown in FIG. 4). The output information stored in the first storage area is read and compressed, and the compressed information is stored in a second storage area of the storage device. Compression means for deleting output information corresponding to the compression information stored in the second storage means from the first storage area (the memory management unit 3 shown in FIG. 4).
030 executes a control program stored in a memory (not shown) to perform an encoding compression process according to a predetermined compression format and to perform a deletion process).

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a setting means (set by operating an input device or the like of the server 1001) capable of selectively setting different compression start conditions for the compression means; Determining means for determining whether or not each compression start condition set by the means is satisfied (FIG. 4
The compression unit starts the compression process by the compression unit when the determination unit determines that each compression start condition is satisfied. Is what you do.

In a third aspect according to the present invention, any one of the different compression conditions is set such that a capacity of each output information stored in the first storage area or a periodical period from the start of storage of each output information. Elapsed period.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, output information to be compressed can be specified in output information stored in the first storage area.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the input / output device includes a multifunction device, a printer, a scanner, and a communication control device.

A sixth invention according to the present invention is an information processing method in a server device capable of communicating with a data processing device and an input / output device via a predetermined communication medium (network LAN shown in FIG. 1). Output information that can be output from the input / output device is stored in a first storage area of the storage device, the output information stored in the first storage area is read and compressed, and the compressed information is stored in the storage device. And a compression step of deleting output information corresponding to the compression information stored in the second storage means from the first storage area (steps 3504 to 3506 shown in FIG. 9). Things.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a setting step (not shown) in which different compression start conditions can be selectively set for the compression step, and each compression start condition set in the setting step includes: A determination step (step 3501 shown in FIG. 9) for determining whether or not each compression start condition is satisfied by the determination step. , And starts the compression processing in the compression step.

In an eighth aspect according to the present invention, any one of the different compression conditions is set such that a capacity of each output information stored in the first storage area or a periodical period from the start of storage of each output information. It is an elapsed period.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, output information to be compressed can be specified in output information stored in the first storage area.

In a tenth aspect according to the present invention, the input / output device includes a multifunction device, a printer, a scanner, and a communication control device.

An eleventh invention according to the present invention relates to a server device capable of communicating with a data processing device and an input / output device via a predetermined communication medium (network LAN shown in FIG. 1).
Output information that can be output from the input / output device is stored in a first storage area of a storage device, the output information stored in the first storage area is read and compressed, and the compressed information is stored in the storage device. Output information corresponding to the compressed information stored in the second storage area of the device and corresponding to the compressed information stored in the second storage means;
A program for executing a compression step (steps 3504 to 3506 shown in FIG. 9) for deleting from the storage area of the storage medium is recorded on a storage medium.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the server device, a setting step (not shown) capable of selectively setting different compression start conditions with respect to the compression step, and the setting step is performed by the setting step. A judging step of judging whether or not each compression start condition is satisfied (Step 35 shown in FIG. 9)
01) is recorded on the storage medium, and in the compression step, when it is determined in the determination step that each compression start condition is satisfied, the compression in the compression step is performed. This is to start processing.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in any of the above-mentioned different compression conditions, the capacity of each output information stored in the first storage area or the periodicity from the start of storage of each output information is determined. It is an elapsed period.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the output information to be compressed can be specified in the output information stored in the first storage area.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the input / output device includes a multifunction device, a printer, a scanner, and a communication controller.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of a document distribution system to which the information processing apparatus and server apparatus according to the present invention can be applied.

Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 1001 denotes a document distribution / management server (server), and clients 1020 and 10 constituted by computer devices via a network LAN.
21, Multi-function device (MFD) 101
0, 1011 and so on.

Note that a multifunction device (M
The FDs 1010 and 1011 are configured to be able to execute various image input / output service processes by connecting to various network networks via a public network capable of performing FAX communication. In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the number of multifunction devices and clients is two, but the number is not limited.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the multifunction device (MFD) shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 2001 denotes a resource management unit which manages various resources supported as devices and schedules various requested jobs.

An operation unit 2010 serves as a user interface for providing a user with a function as a terminal. 2015, a reading control unit;
16 is performed. A recording control unit 2020 controls the printer 2021.

Reference numeral 2025 denotes a communication control unit, which controls normal fax transmission and reception via a line control unit 2026. 20
Reference numeral 30 denotes a memory management unit which allocates resources of the memory 2031 to each control unit and performs storage management of various document data and the like. Reference numeral 2035 denotes an image processing unit, which performs image processing necessary for paper size conversion, resolution conversion, smoothing processing, and the like, particularly at the time of facsimile transmission, reception and recording.

Reference numeral 2040 denotes an encoding processing unit.
MH, MR, MM used as standard for X transmission / reception
It mainly performs encoding and decoding processes such as R.
A PDL control unit 2045 converts PDL data received via a LAN into video data using a PDL processing unit 2046 in the present embodiment. The data is generally passed to the recording control unit 2020 and output by the printer 2021.

Reference numeral 2050 denotes an external interface control unit. In this example, a network LA via a LAN control unit 2051 is provided.
The server performs predetermined data communication, job management, and control with the server 1001 on N.

For example, processing such as receiving a transmission job and a print job from the server 1001 and transferring scanner read data is performed under the management of the resource management unit 2001.

Further, in order to transfer the scanner read data to the server 1001 for a specific user (client) on the network LAN,
Means for specifying the client is also provided.

Hereinafter, various operations of this terminal alone will be described.

In the “copy operation”, each related control unit is controlled under the control of the resource management unit 2001 so that an original set on the scanner 2016 is read by an operation from the operation unit 2010 and output to the printer 2016. Is done.

In “FAX transmission”, the operation unit 201
By operating from 0, each related control unit is controlled under the control of the resource management unit 2001 so that the original set on the scanner 2016 is read and data is transferred from the line control unit 2026.

In the "FAX reception", the data received from the line control unit 2026 is temporarily stored in the memory 2031.
In general, the resource management unit 2001 stores the image data as a received document output such that the image data is printed out from the printer 2021 or transferred to a server via the LAN control 2051. Each related control unit is controlled under management.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the multifunction peripheral according to the present invention, and particularly corresponds to a flow when various jobs are processed in cooperation with the server 1001 on the network LAN. . In addition,
(2101) to (2110) show each step.

In step (2101), first, it is confirmed whether a connection request with the server 1001 has been made, and if there is no request, the process waits until a request is made.

Note that, for example, a connection request instruction with the server 1001 can be received from the operation unit or from the network LAN. At this time, a server to be connected can be specified.

Next, in step (2102), when it is determined in step (2101) that a connection request with the server 1001 has been made, if the name of the server to be connected is specified, the parameter value Network LA
A notification is sent to the server 1001 side by adding it to the data to be sent on N.

Next, in step (2103), it is confirmed whether or not there is job data to be transferred to the server 1001 in the terminal. If it is determined that there is a received document transfer job, a scanner reading job, or the like, for example. In step (2104), processing such as job data transfer is performed on the server 1001 side, and the process proceeds to step (2105).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (2103) that there is no job request, then in step (2105)
The server 1001 checks whether there is a job request to the terminal, and if it is determined that there is a requested job, in step (2106), the availability of resources in the terminal is checked. If it is determined that the job data cannot be accepted, the process proceeds to step (2107), where the server 1001 is notified that the terminal is busy, and the process proceeds to step (2109).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (2106) that the job data can be accepted,
In step (2108), the job data is received,
Job processing is performed, and the flow advances to step (2109).

In general, job data is temporarily stored in a memory, and then necessary processes such as a fax transmission process and a printout process are performed.

Next, in step (2109), the server 1
It is checked whether a request to release the connection with the 001 has been issued, and if it is determined that there is no particular instruction, step (2)
Returning to 103), if it is determined that there is a request to release the connection with the server 1001, step (211)
Proceeding to 0), a disconnection process with the server 1001 is performed, and the process returns to step (2103) to wait for a connection request with the server.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of server 1001 shown in FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 3001 denotes a LAN control unit, whose basic functions are provided by a network OS in which a server application is installed.

Reference numeral 3002 denotes a transaction management unit, which performs individual communication processing with devices and clients under server management via the LAN control unit 3001 based on the results of internal processing. 3003 is the request Qu
The queue management section basically internally manages queues of various request messages asynchronously transferred from the device side and the client side, and sequentially performs processing according to the request contents. However, it is assumed that a request that requires scheduling occurs in the server.

Reference numeral 3004 denotes a job management unit, which transfers processing to various job processing units based on request contents from the device side, the client side, and in some cases, from the server. Three
Reference numeral 005 denotes a user management unit that processes a job related to user management, and basically performs a job related to management of a connected user (client) and a device. For example, it determines connection (login) request processing from each client and device, handles document information and address information managed for each user, and manages and controls job processing status and resource status on the device side.

Reference numeral 3006 denotes a server management unit which processes jobs related to server management. Basically, service functions such as server settings, data backup, and acquisition of service log data are provided for server administrators. provide.

Reference numeral 3007 denotes a document processing unit which handles processing relating to overall document processing in the server. A control right is passed to the scheduler 3010 as needed, and various job groups 3020 are executed under the control. A specific example of the various job groups 3020 is shown in FIG.

Reference numeral 3030 denotes a memory management unit, and various data handled by the server 1001 are stored and managed in the database 3031 under the management thereof, and are referenced and read out as needed. FIG. 6 shows a specific example of the database 3031.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining various document processing jobs of the server 1001 shown in FIG.

In the figure, the major categories are limited to a device job 3110 involving transfer processing of job data between a server and a device, a job processed in the server 1001, or data processing between server clients. The schedule is managed by the scheduler 3010 separately for the server internal job 3120.

In the device job 3110, 31
A fax transmission job 11 receives transmission request job data from each client, and sends a F
Request ax transmission. At this time, the transmission destination name, transmission destination number, transmission start time, communication time, number of communication pages, ID of the device that has executed the job, and the like are stored as log information.

Reference numeral 3112 denotes a fax reception job, which receives fax reception data from the device and stores and manages documents in the server. At this time, in addition to the image data, information such as a communication start time, a communication time, a communication partner, the number of communication pages, and a device ID are acquired from the device, and associated with the image as log information together with the ID of the user who requested the job. And save.

When the distribution destination data of the client is added from the device side, distribution processing is performed by managing the data as user-specific data. At this time, the distribution time, distribution destination, and the like are stored as log information in association with the image.

When the distribution destination is unknown, the process is shifted to a manual routing job 3127 to be described later, whereby the distribution process can be performed by extracting the distribution destination from the image data. At this time, the received document is stored as received document data of the corresponding group data by referring to the received document delivery group of the device data corresponding to the device that has received the document.

Reference numeral 3113 denotes a print job, which controls processing of a print request job for an image document stored and managed in the server, particularly from the client side. At this time, the ID of the user who requested the job, the print start time, the time required for printing, the number of pages to be printed, the ID of the device that executed the job, and the like are stored as log information.

Reference numeral 3114 denotes a scan job which receives data obtained by reading a document from a device, manages the data as a file in a read-only folder of a predetermined user, and can access the user. At this time,
The data transfer destination, the scan start time, the time required for the scan, the number of scan pages, the device ID, and the like are stored as log information.

In the server internal job 3120, 31
Reference numeral 21 denotes an OCR prayer job, which performs OCR processing on a received document, a scanner-read document, and the like that are stored and managed as image data. Here, the OCR process is performed on the entire directly specified document, and the other document summarizing job 312
2. It can be started from the automatic routing job 3126 according to the purpose. For example, it is possible to extract destination data from a received document, or perform OCR processing on the entire image data to convert the entire text into electronic data.

Reference numeral 3122 denotes a document summarization job for performing a content summarization process on a character-coded document stored in the server. 3123 is
This is a document search job, which provides a means for searching for documents stored in the server. Reference numeral 3124 denotes an encryption processing job, which performs encryption processing on the document stored in the server as needed to guarantee the security of the document.

Reference numeral 3125 denotes a document data transfer job for transferring image data to the client.
At this time, if there is a display size reduction request, the display data subjected to the reduction processing is transferred. Reference numeral 3126 denotes an automatic routing job. In particular, in the distribution processing for a received document, the destination is extracted by the OCR analysis job 3121, and the document is moved to a user-specific management area corresponding to the extracted destination. To perform the distribution process, or communication information added to the received document, for example, ITU-T. Three
In some cases, SUB frame / PWD frame information, DTMF signal, and the like defined by the 0 standard are used to collate with user management information to be described later for distribution.

Reference numeral 3127 denotes a manual routing job. In particular, for a temporarily stored received document, the contents of each document are visually shown to a user on the client side specially permitted, and a predetermined destination is designated. Means to confirm
Means for manually moving the document to a folder of each user on the network within the server.

Reference numeral 3128 denotes a document registration job which can register a document in the server in response to a request from the client. An archive job 3129 is executed when a condition set by the client is satisfied. Here, the document information area (first document information area) on the database 3031 is searched for the document information to be archived, and the encoding and compression processing (archive processing) is performed. Details of this processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

The database 3031 has a document information area (first document information area) and a compressed document obtained by encoding and compressing the document information retrieved from the document information area (first document information area). An archive area (second document information area) for storing files is secured, and the document information stored in the archive area from the document information area by the memory management unit 3030 is deleted according to a predetermined schedule, and the first document information is deleted. It is controlled so as to secure a free area of the area.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a database configuration of the server 1001 shown in FIG.

First, the server 1001 stores user management information (user name, user password, user-specific setting, device setting information, etc., SUB / PWD, D
Automatic distribution data such as TMF), server management information (number of user licenses, time, server application version, archiving conditions, etc.), device management information (device name, device address), shared address data (LAN of each user on the network) The above address is automatically registered), shared document data, shared document annotation data (annotation information for the shared document), and document log data (log data related to the document are stored. Creator, print, and transmission of the document) Is performed, the history information is stored in association with the document).

The server 1001 includes InBox data (mainly received document data transferred from the device side), Out Box data (document data in the transmission request transferred to the device side) and Scan as data for each user. Data (document data transferred after scan reading), Sent Fax data (document data that has been sent and processed), Trash data (document data that has been instructed and temporarily saved), user-specific folder data (set individually by the user) Documents moved and copied by the user are managed in folders), and user-specific address data (address information uniquely set by the user) is managed.

Further, the server 1001 registers a group user list (user IDs of users belonging to groups) as data for each group.
Each user can belong to a plurality of groups), available device list (IDs of devices that can be used by users belonging to the group are registered), received document data (delivery destination is It manages document data that is unknown and temporarily stored), shared document data (a document shared between users belonging to a group), and shared document annotation information (annotation information added to the shared document).

The server 1001 stores, as data for each device, a received document delivery group (an ID of a group temporarily stored when a delivery destination cannot be automatically resolved) and a scan destination (to be transferred to a device). Of the scan data is stored).

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the flow of data in server 1001 according to the present invention.

In the figure, a multi-function device (MFD) 3301 performs data transfer processing via a data buffer 3310 in a server. In the data buffer 3310, a FAX transmission request data buffer 3310A, a FAX reception data buffer 3
310B, print data data buffer 3310
A data buffer 3310D for C and scanner data is prepared, and these data can be transferred together with the MFD 3301 in a data packet unit.

In the server 3300, the data buffer 3310 on the MFD 3301 side and the database 3311 internally transfer data as needed.

Each of the clients 3320 to 3322 is basically provided with various services by performing data transfer (access) to the database 3311 in the server 3300.

For example, the user 332 as a client
0 accesses the data area of the common data area in the server 3300, the group G1 data area GPD1 of the group G1 to which the user U1 belongs, and the user U1 data area UD1 individually managed for the user U1. The service can be provided.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the server device according to the present invention, and corresponds to a basic processing procedure in the server 1001.
Note that (3401) to (3417) indicate each step.

First, in step (3401), the database 3031 to be checked when the power is turned on is checked.
Then, in step (3402), various clients,
And Logi from server to server 1001
n, and if it is determined that the request is a login request, in step (3403), login processing including a password check and the like is performed by the server management unit 3.
005, and the process proceeds to step (3404) and subsequent steps.

On the other hand, in step (3402), Logi
If it is determined that the request is not the n request, step (340)
In 4), it is checked whether or not there is a user information request from the client. If it is determined that there is a user information request, in step (3405), the user management unit 3005 responds to the contents of the user information request. The individual data of each user and the shared data are transferred to the client, and the process proceeds to step (3406) and subsequent steps.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (3404) that the request is not a user information request, step (340)
In step 6), it is determined whether the request is a confirmation of a server information request from a client. If it is determined that the request is a server information request, in step (3407), the server The management unit 3006 transfers the server-specific data to the client side, and proceeds to step (34).
08) Proceed to the subsequent steps.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (3406) that the request is not a server information request, step (340)
In step 8), it is checked whether the request is a document data request from the client. If it is determined that the request is a document data request, in step (3409), the document processing unit 3007 replaces the designated document data with the request source. The process of transferring to the client is performed, and the process proceeds to step (3410) and subsequent steps.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (3408) that the request is not a document data request, step (341)
In step (3411), the document processing unit 3007 determines in step (3411) the type of the specified job if it is a confirmation of various job requests from the client and the device. , And the process proceeds to step (3412) and subsequent steps.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (3410) that the request is not a job request, then in step (3412)
It is determined whether it is a confirmation of a processing request related to the address book processing. If it is determined that the processing request is related to the address book processing, in step (3413),
A process related to collection, registration, and change of address information is performed, and the process proceeds to step (3414) and thereafter.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (3412) that the request is not a processing request related to the address book processing, it is determined in step (3414) whether the request is for a Logout request, and is determined to be a Logout request. If so, in step (3415), Logou
The t processing is performed, and the flow advances to step (3416).

On the other hand, in step (3414), the Logo
If it is determined that the request is not an out request, step (341)
In step 6), it is determined whether the confirmation is a confirmation of a server shutdown request. If it is determined that the confirmation is not a confirmation of the server shutdown request, the process returns to step (3402). Performs the shutdown processing in step (3417), and ends the processing.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the second data processing procedure in the server device according to the present invention, and corresponds to an archive processing procedure. Note that (350
1) to (3506) show each step.

First, in step (3501), the archiving conditions are checked to determine whether the conditions are satisfied.
If it is determined that the condition is not satisfied, the process ends,
If it is determined that the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step (350)
In 2), an initialization process of the archive process is performed. Here, if there is a client connected to the server, a warning message indicating that the archiving process is started is displayed on the client, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the connection with the client is forcibly disconnected, and a new connection is established. Performs processing to prevent job requests from being accepted. Thereafter, a new login cannot be performed until the archive job ends.

Next, in step (3503), it is determined whether or not there is a job being executed, and the process waits until the processing of the job being executed is completed. When the processing is completed, in step (3504), the database 3031 is processed. To retrieve document data to be archived. The document information to be archived is specified in advance by each user, and is stored in the database 3 as an attribute of the document information.
031.

Next, in step (3505), the data collected in step (3504) is created and archived for each user in an archive format according to the user's preference such as LZH or TAR. The document is deleted from the database 3031. Here, the archive data is created in an area specified by a user setting.

Then, in step (3506), an end process for performing a process for enabling a new client to connect again is executed, and the process ends.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram for explaining the data processing configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

In FIG. 10, reference numeral 4001 denotes a general document creation application; 4002, a graphic device interface provided by the OS; 4003, a printer driver; 4004, a print manager generally provided by the OS; The print job thus processed passes through the above described modules 4002 to 4004 configured as these modules, and is processed via the LAN control unit 4030 on the printing system provided by the network OS.

Reference numeral 4005 denotes a FAX driver. When a transmission request is made from an application, this driver is selected and processed as a transmission request job via a job management unit 4020 described later.

Reference numeral 4010 denotes a document distribution / management application provided in the present embodiment, which provides a GUI for accessing the document distribution / management server.

Specifically, display of various data (FAX transmission / reception document, scanner document, log information, etc.), document editing function, various setting functions (including mode setting for making a personal document a shared document, address book setting), Various job specification operations (F
AX transmission, document printing, etc.).

In this embodiment, apart from the general user application, some administrator applications are also prepared. One of them is a manual distribution application for received documents.

This is because the contents of a received document temporarily stored in the server with an unknown destination (including an unanalyzable one) are displayed in a pure form so that the destination can be visually checked, and the document can be stored for a predetermined user. It can be set as a document.

Further, as an application for a server administrator, an application for an administrator capable of setting a client (user) using the server, setting a device remotely, and the like is also provided.

Reference numeral 4011 denotes a document distribution / management driver provided in the same manner. The job distribution unit 4020 handles the handling of various job data requested by the application.
Is done through.

Reference numeral 4020 denotes a job management unit which manages a job requested from the document distribution / management application 4010. Reference numeral 4021 denotes a job control unit which performs data transfer processing with the server for various jobs. Reference numeral 4030 denotes a LAN control unit which generally controls communication on a LAN provided by an OS maker.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to a processing procedure on the client side. In addition,
(4101) to (4106) show each step.

First, in step (4101), the server 1
A connection (Login) process to 001 is performed. Here, first, user authentication (for example, using a user ID and a password) as a user of the system in the present embodiment is performed.

Next, in step (4102), the server 1
001 is the data upload and display processing.
As a result of the login, data already managed on the server side is collected as data for the user, and predetermined data is displayed on a GUI displayed on a display device (not shown).

Next, in step (4103), the presence or absence of a job request from the user is searched to determine whether there is a job request. If it is determined that there is any job request, step (4104) Then, the job request is processed, and the process proceeds to step (4105) and subsequent steps.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (4103) that there is no job request, step (41)
In step 05), when the application termination request is monitored and it is determined that there is no application termination request, the process returns to step (4102), where the server-side data is uploaded again, and the status of the distributed document is determined. Confirmation.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (4105) that there is an application termination request, in step (4106), disconnection from the server 1001 (Logou)
t) Perform processing and end the processing.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a second data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to a processing procedure for setting an archive by a client application. (4201)
-(4207) show each step. Also, this processing
It is assumed that the configuration is such that only a user with administrator authority can execute the process.

First, step (4201) is a condition selection process, in which the current settings are displayed on a display device (not shown), and a screen for inputting conditions is displayed on the screen so that new settings can be made. Here, it is configured such that a data capacity and a regular time can be input as selectable conditions. For example, in the case of data capacity, the actual capacity is the number of bytes.
Weekly, monthly, etc. can be selected, and the time can be selected.

Next, in step (4202), it is determined whether or not the selection condition is the storage capacity. If it is determined that the storage capacity is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step (4204) and the subsequent steps are performed. Contains the step (4203)
Then, the storage capacity condition is registered in the server management data of the server 1001.

Then, in step (4204), it is determined whether or not the selection condition is a regular time. If it is determined that the time is not a regular time, the process proceeds to step (4206) and the subsequent steps. If it is determined that the condition of the regular time is met in step (4205),
01 is registered in the server management data.

Next, in step (4206), the archive format selected by the user is registered in the server management data of server 1001, and in step (4007), the archive data storage area input by the user is stored in the server management data of server 1001. And the process ends.

According to the above embodiment, the server 1001
The document information (output information) stored in the first area of the database 3031 composed of a hard disk or the like is automatically archived based on the set compression start condition and stored again in the second area. In addition, by automatically deleting the document information from the first area, the burden on the administrator can be reduced, and the first storage area can be used more effectively.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a data processing program readable by a document distribution processing system to which the information processing apparatus and server apparatus according to the present invention can be applied will be described with reference to a memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs that can be read by a document distribution processing system to which the report processing device and server device according to the present invention can be applied.

Although not shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, a creator and the like are also stored, and information dependent on the OS or the like on the program reading side, for example, a program is stored. An icon or the like for identification display may also be stored.

Further, data dependent on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs on a computer or a program for decompressing a program to be installed when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

The functions shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, FIG. 11, and FIG. 12 in this embodiment may be executed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when a group of information including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Things.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program codes of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes a novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

Examples of a storage medium for supplying the program code include a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk,
D-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, etc. can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) And the like perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

[0122]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the fifteenth aspect, output information that can be output from the input / output device is stored in the first storage area of the storage device, and the output information stored in the first storage area is read and compressed. Compressed compressed information is stored in a second storage area of the storage device, and output information corresponding to the compressed information stored in the second storage area is output from the first storage area according to a set compression start condition. Therefore, even if the capacity of the output information stored in one storage device increases, the output information is automatically compressed and stored again to secure a free area in which new output information can be stored. It is possible to significantly reduce the burden of managing the output information by the administrator of the server device,
It is possible to construct an input / output processing environment capable of effectively utilizing a limited storage area of the storage device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a document distribution system to which an information processing device and a server device according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction device (MFD) illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first data processing procedure in the multifunction peripheral according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a document distribution / management server illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining various document processing jobs of the document distribution / management server shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a database configuration of a document distribution / management server shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a data flow in the document distribution / management server according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first data processing procedure in the server device according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second data processing procedure in the server device according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram for explaining a data processing configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by a document distribution processing system to which a report processing device and a server device according to the present invention can be applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1001 server 1010, 1011 MFD 1020, 1021 client

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A server device capable of communicating with a data processing device and an input / output device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein output information output from the input / output device is stored in a first storage area of a storage device. Then, the output information stored in the first storage area is read and compressed, the compressed information is stored in a second storage area of the storage device, and the compression information stored in the second storage area is stored. The output information corresponding to the information
A compression device for deleting the storage device from the storage area. 2. A setting means capable of selectively setting different compression start conditions for the compression means, and a determination means for determining whether or not each compression start condition set by the setting means is satisfied. 2. The compression unit according to claim 1, wherein the compression unit starts the compression process by the compression unit when the determination unit determines that each compression start condition is satisfied. Server device. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein one of the different compression conditions is a capacity of each output information stored in the first storage area or a period that periodically elapses from a storage start time of each output information. The server device according to claim 1, wherein 4. The server apparatus according to claim 1, wherein output information to be compressed can be specified in output information stored in said first storage area. 5. The server device according to claim 1, wherein said input / output device includes a multifunction device, a printer device, a scanner device, and a communication control device. 6. An information processing method in a server device capable of communicating with a data processing device and an input / output device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein output information output from the input / output device is stored in a first storage device. Storing the output information stored in the storage area, reading and compressing the output information stored in the first storage area, storing the compressed information in a second storage area of the storage device; Output information corresponding to the compression information stored in the first
An information processing method comprising a compression step of deleting a storage area from a storage area. 7. A setting step of selectively setting different compression start conditions for the compression step, and a determination step of determining whether each compression start condition set in the setting step is satisfied. The compression process according to claim 6, wherein the compression process starts the compression process by the compression process when the determination process determines that each compression start condition is satisfied. Information processing method. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein any one of the different compression conditions is a capacity of each output information stored in the first storage area or a period that periodically elapses from a storage start time of each output information. 7. The information processing method according to claim 6, wherein: 9. The information processing method according to claim 6, wherein output information to be compressed can be designated in the output information stored in the first storage area. 10. The information processing method according to claim 6, wherein said input / output device includes a multifunction device, a printer device, a scanner device, and a communication control device. 11. A server device capable of communicating with a data processing device and an input / output device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein output information output from the input / output device is stored in a first storage area of a storage device; The output information stored in the first storage area is read and compressed, the compressed information is stored in a second storage area of the storage device, and the compressed information stored in the second storage area is stored in the second storage area. The corresponding output information is stored in the first
A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a compression step of deleting from a storage area of a computer. 12. A setting step for selectively setting different compression start conditions for the compression step in the server device, and determining whether each compression start condition set in the setting step is satisfied. A program for executing the compression step is performed when the compression step determines that each compression start condition is satisfied by the compression step. The storage medium according to claim 11, wherein a compression process is started. 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein any one of the different compression conditions is a capacity of each output information stored in the first storage area or a period that periodically elapses from a storage start time of each output information. The storage medium according to claim 11, wherein 14. The storage medium according to claim 11, wherein output information to be compressed can be designated in output information stored in said first storage area. 15. The storage medium according to claim 11, wherein said input / output device includes a multifunction device, a printer device, a scanner device, and a communication control device.