JP2010067280A - Document distribution device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To record sufficient information relating to records of distributions as against a case where the present invention is not implemented. <P>SOLUTION: A document distribution device accesses and logs in a reception-side device designated as a destination of a document to be processed and stores the document in the logged-in reception-side device. The document distribution device then generates and records a result of the access or result information relating to storage processing of the document for each designated destination. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a document distribution apparatus that distributes a document to a designated destination.

  In recent years, facsimile (hereinafter abbreviated as “FAX”) has been widely used and widely used in document distribution. In particular, FAX is different from postal mail in that it is easy to perform so-called simultaneous broadcasting, which distributes the same document to many destinations at a relatively low cost and quickly. For example, for communication between members, etc. It is provided. Further, in the simultaneous broadcast using FAX, the transmission result for each destination is generally recorded (Non-Patent Document 1). Therefore, there is an advantage that it is possible to confirm whether or not the communication has reached each destination.

“F-Cat Transmission Status Inquiry-Manual for HTML”, [online], Yamato System Development, [Search June 25, 2004], Internet <URL: http://www.nekonet.ne.jp/fnekoinq/ manual_html.html>

  However, the above-described conventional document distribution method has a problem that information relating to distribution recording is not sufficient and convenience is low.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a document distribution apparatus capable of improving convenience.

The invention according to claim 1 is a document distribution device, means for accessing and logging in to a receiving device designated as a destination of a document to be processed, and storing the document in the logged-in receiving device. And a means for generating and recording the result of the access or the result information relating to the storage processing of the document for each of the designated destinations.
  The invention according to claim 2 is the document distribution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the result information related to the result of the access includes information indicating that communication with the receiving-side apparatus has failed, and the reception At least one of information indicating that the side device has refused the connection and information indicating that the login to the receiving side device has failed is included.

Further, the invention described in claim 3 is a program, wherein a computer accesses and logs in a receiving device designated as a destination of a document to be processed, and stores the document in the logged-in receiving device. And a means for generating and recording the result of the access or the result information related to the storage processing of the document for each of the designated destinations.

According to the first, second, and third aspects of the present invention, it is possible to record information relating to recording of sufficient distribution compared to the case where the present invention is not implemented.

It is a block diagram showing an example of a document distribution apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing showing the example of the content of a destination database. It is explanatory drawing showing the example of the information of transmission history.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the document delivery apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an operation unit 13, a display unit 14, and a communication unit 15. The communication unit 15 is further connected to a plurality of receiving side devices 2 via a network.

  The control unit 11 of the document distribution apparatus can be realized by a CPU or the like, and performs processing according to a program stored in the storage unit 12. The control unit 11 performs processing for transmitting a document by e-mail to the receiving device 2 that is a destination designated by the user. In addition, the control unit 11 generates and records result information regarding at least one of a transmission result and a storage processing result for each designated destination. Specific contents regarding the processing of the control unit 11 will be described in detail later.

  The storage unit 12 includes a memory element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a disk device such as a hard disk device. The storage unit 12 stores a program executed by the control unit 11. In addition, the storage unit 12 also operates as a work memory that holds various data necessary for the process of the control unit 11.

  The operation unit 13 is, for example, a keyboard or a mouse. The operation unit 13 accepts an instruction operation such as input of a destination, designation of a document subjected to transmission processing, an instruction to start transmission processing, and the like. 11 is output. The display unit 14 is a liquid crystal display, for example, and displays information according to an instruction input from the control unit 11.

  The communication unit 15 is configured to include a network card connected to a network (for example, a network card connected to Ethernet (registered trademark)), and a destination specified by the instruction according to the instruction input from the control unit 11 Send data to. In addition, the communication unit 15 outputs data received from a communication partner to the control unit 11.

  Here, the content of the process performed by the control part 11 is demonstrated. The document distribution apparatus according to the present embodiment distributes a document by transmitting the document subjected to transmission processing to the receiving apparatus 2 as a destination by e-mail.

  Further, in the document distribution apparatus according to the present embodiment, for each destination (e-mail address) that can be specified, information specifying the destination (name of the other party) is associated and stored in the storage unit 12 in advance as a destination database. Keep it. For example, the user may input the information by operating the operation unit 13.

  The control unit 11 receives information specifying a document to be transmitted from the user and an instruction to start the transmission process, and displays information on the display unit 14 that prompts the user to input a destination. To do. Specifically, a list of destinations that can be specified is presented by referring to the destination database stored in the storage unit 12.

  When the user selects at least one destination from the list and issues a transmission instruction, the control unit 11 acquires information (email address) of the selected destination. Then, the control unit 11 transmits the document to the e-mail address corresponding to each target address while sequentially selecting one of the selected addresses as the target address. Specifically, here, the document is distributed as an attached file by e-mail.

  Here, the electronic mail is transferred by, for example, so-called SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol). In this case, when the transmission process fails, the SMTP server on the network sends an e-mail including the following response (hereinafter referred to as “error mail” for distinction) to the document distribution apparatus side that is the transmission source. Will be sent. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the receiving device 2 itself is also operating as an SMTP server.

  That is, when the domain designated as the destination (the network domain including the receiving device 2) does not accept mail (error code 521) or access is denied (error code 530), there is no mailbox or access is not possible. (Error code 550), the destination user cannot be confirmed on the receiving apparatus 2 (error code 551), the disk capacity of the receiving apparatus 2 is full (error code 552), etc. When the mail transmission process (transaction) fails (error code 554), an error mail including each response is received, and the control unit 11 may receive the input of the error mail.

  In this case, the control unit 11 extracts the error code and the destination of the e-mail (e-mail related to document distribution) that has caused the error mail from the error mail. Then, the extracted destination information and the error code are associated with each other and stored in the storage unit 12 as transmission history information.

  A table in which the error code and the error message (character string) are associated with each other is stored in advance in the storage unit 12, and the control unit 11 reads out the error message corresponding to the extracted error code from the table, And the error code may be associated with each other and stored in the storage unit 12 as transmission history information. Further, for a destination for which an error mail is not received within a predetermined time, the destination may be associated with information indicating that transmission is successful and stored in the storage unit 12 as transmission history information. .

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the receiving device 2 receives an e-mail, if the receiving device 2 sends back a notification that it has been received, the control unit 11 receives the e-mail as a reply. The destination of the reply electronic mail and the information indicating that the transmission was successful may be associated with each other and stored in the storage unit 12 as transmission history information.

  Next, the operation of the document distribution apparatus according to this embodiment will be described. For example, the user specifies a document to be transmitted by a mouse operation or the like, and gives an instruction to select the specified document (for example, selecting the instruction from a menu). Then, the document distribution apparatus refers to the destination database stored in the storage unit 12 together with a character string such as “Please specify a destination” on the display unit 14 and presents a list of destinations that can be specified.

  The user selects at least one destination from the presented list and gives a transmission instruction (instruction that selection has been completed). The document distribution apparatus according to the present embodiment transmits an e-mail to each of the designated destinations to the receiving side apparatus 2 that is the destination.

  Here, for example, when delivery of some emails fails and an error mail is received from an SMTP server on the network, an error code and information on the destination of the email that caused the error mail are Information extracted from the error mail and associated therewith is stored in the storage unit 12 as transmission history information.

  On the other hand, when the receiving device 2 that is the destination receives an e-mail containing a document, the e-mail indicating that the e-mail containing the document has been received is sent to the document delivery device that is the sender of the e-mail. Send (receipt confirmation email).

  When the document delivery apparatus receives the receipt confirmation mail, the document delivery apparatus associates the destination of the receipt confirmation mail (or the destination information included in the receipt confirmation mail) with the information indicating that the transmission was successful, and stores it as transmission history information. Stored in the unit 12.

  The transmission history information recorded in this way is displayed on the display unit 14 as a distribution report or printed by a printer device (not shown). The transmission history information may be transmitted to a designated e-mail address, or may be uploaded to a designated web page.

  According to the present embodiment, unlike the simultaneous broadcast processing using FAX, more detailed cause information can be recorded when distribution is not possible. In other words, in distribution processing using a network such as e-mail, there are a variety of causes for non-delivery compared to the case of FAX (for example, network troubles), so it is convenient to record them in detail. Can be improved.

  Since the document distribution apparatus of the present invention can be realized without using an e-mail system, the document distribution apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described as a case where e-mail is not used. . The document distribution apparatus according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as that according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, but the processing of the control unit 11 is different. The control unit 11 according to the present embodiment accesses and logs in to the receiving device 2 that is the destination designated by the user, and the disk device that the receiving device 2 includes the document that is the object of the transmission process. Process to store in. In addition, the control unit 11 generates and records result information regarding at least one of a login result and a storage processing result for each designated destination.

  In other words, the document distribution apparatus according to the present embodiment, unlike electronic mail, directly accesses the receiving apparatus 2 that is the destination, logs in after receiving the authentication of the receiving apparatus 2, and is subjected to transmission processing. The received document is stored in a storage device included in the receiving apparatus 2 to distribute the document. Specifically, this distribution method can be realized by a procedure similar to FTP (File Transfer Protocol). In the present embodiment, the case of using FTP will be described as an example. However, as long as it is a protocol that supports a file upload procedure, FTP may not be used.

  The receiving side device 2 of the present embodiment operates as a server of the protocol. In this description, since FTP is used, the receiving apparatus 2 operates as an FTP server.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the document distribution apparatus according to the present embodiment, for each destination that can be specified, information for specifying a destination, information for storing a document when the destination is specified, The authentication information for logging in to the receiving device 2 that controls the writing to the storage destination is associated with the information and stored in advance in the storage unit 12 as a destination database. For example, the user may input the information by operating the operation unit 13. Note that the storage location information may include an information portion that identifies the receiving device 2. For example, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) can be used as such storage location information. The information specifying the destination may be the name of the user who is the destination.

  The control unit 11 receives information specifying a document to be transmitted from the user and an instruction to start the transmission process, and displays information on the display unit 14 that prompts the user to input a destination. To do. Specifically, a list of destinations that can be specified is presented by referring to the destination database stored in the storage unit 12.

  When the user selects at least one destination from the list and gives a transmission instruction, the control unit 11 associates the storage destination information (for example, URL) stored in the destination database with the selected destination. The authentication information for logging in to the receiving device 2 specified by the URL is acquired. Here, the authentication information may be a user name and a password.

  Then, the control unit 11 sets one of the selected destinations as a target destination, and transmits a service request (connection request) to the receiving side device 2 specified by the URL corresponding to the target destination. Here, when the server of the receiving device 2 transmits a connection refusal, information specifying the destination of interest is associated with information indicating that communication with the receiving device 2 has failed, and information on the transmission history Is stored in the storage unit 12.

  In addition, when receiving information indicating that preparation for connection is completed (such as Service ready in FTP) from the receiving device 2 in response to the connection request, the control unit 11 transmits the acquired authentication information. Specifically, in the case of FTP, the control unit 11 first transmits a user name, and transmits a password after receiving a password request. Here, when information (authentication failure information) indicating that at least one of the user name and the password is different from information set in the server in advance is transmitted from the receiving side device 2, the control unit 11 receives the receiving side. Information indicating that the login to the device 2 has failed is stored in the storage unit 12 as transmission history information in association with the information specifying the target destination.

  Also, here, when information indicating that the user name and password match and login is permitted is transmitted from the receiving device 2, the control unit 11 transmits a file transfer command and becomes a transmission target. Start document transfer. When the information on the storage location corresponding to the destination includes the directory information of the storage location, a directory movement command may be transmitted together to store the document in the directory.

  Further, when the file is transferred, if there is no response from the receiving apparatus 2 as the transfer destination and a time-out occurs, the information indicating that the connection has been interrupted during the storage process is associated with the information specifying the target destination. The information is stored in the storage unit 12 as transmission history information.

  Further, when the file transfer (that is, document distribution) is completed, the control unit 11 performs logout processing, associates the information specifying the target destination with information indicating that the document distribution is successful, The information is stored in the storage unit 12 as information.

  Here, the information of the transmission history recorded until the file transfer is started corresponds to the information of the login result of the present invention. Further, the transmission history information recorded after the file transfer is started corresponds to the information of the result of the storage process of the present invention.

  Further, when communication with the receiving device 2 is not possible, there is no response from the receiving device 2, for example, a DNS (Domain Name Service) has failed and data does not reach the receiving device 2. In the case where communication times out as it is, the control unit 11 associates information indicating that communication with the receiving device could not be performed and information specifying the target destination as storage history information. You may make it store in.

  The control unit 11 performs the above-described processing while sequentially selecting each selected destination as a target destination. In addition, after performing the above-described processing with all the destinations as the attention destination, for the destinations not associated with the information indicating that the document has been successfully distributed, the above-described processing is performed again using each destination as the attention destination. It may be.

  Next, the operation of the document distribution apparatus according to this embodiment will be described. For example, the user specifies a document to be transmitted by a mouse operation or the like, and gives an instruction to select the specified document (for example, selecting the instruction from a menu). Then, the document distribution apparatus refers to the destination database stored in the storage unit 12 together with a character string such as “Please specify a destination” on the display unit 14 and presents a list of destinations that can be specified.

  The user selects at least one destination from the presented list and gives a transmission instruction (instruction that selection has been completed). The document distribution apparatus according to the present embodiment performs processing for accessing each designated destination via the network to access the receiving apparatus 2 that is the destination, logging in, and transferring and storing the document. . At this time, if access to the receiving device 2 is not possible, information such as “IP Unreachable” and “Host Unknown” is stored in association with the destination information. If the receiving device 2 refuses communication, information such as “Connection Refused” is stored in association with the destination information. Further, if the login to the receiving device 2 is not successful, information such as “Login incorrect” is stored in association with the destination information. If the user successfully logs in to the receiving apparatus 2 and stores the document, information such as “Success” is stored in association with the destination information.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the transmission history information may be associated with information on the date and time when each transmission history information is recorded (obtained from a calendar or a clock (not shown)), or number information indicating the order. May be. In FIG. 3, the information of the transmission history is recorded by the character string representing the contents, but each information may be replaced by a code and recorded. Specifically, information indicating that the receiving device 2 has refused communication may be “E002”.

  The transmission history information recorded in this way is displayed on the display unit 14 as a distribution report or printed by a printer device (not shown). The transmission history information may be transmitted to a designated e-mail address, or may be uploaded to a designated web page.

  According to the present embodiment, unlike the simultaneous broadcast processing using FAX, when the distribution is not possible, more detailed cause information can be recorded and the convenience can be improved.

2 receiving side device, 11 control unit, 12 storage unit, 13 operation unit, 14 display unit, 15 communication unit.

Claims (3)

Means for accessing and logging in to a receiving device designated as a destination of a document to be processed, and storing the document in the logged-in receiving device;
Means for generating and recording the result of the access or the result information relating to the storage processing of the document for each of the designated destinations;
A document delivery apparatus comprising: The document distribution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The result information related to the access result includes
Information indicating that communication with the receiving device has failed, and
Information that the receiving device has refused the connection;
Information that the login to the receiving device failed, and
A document delivery apparatus characterized in that at least one of them is included.   Computer
  Means for accessing and logging in to a receiving device designated as a destination of a document to be processed, and storing the document in the logged-in receiving device;
  Means for generating and recording the result of the access or the result information relating to the storage processing of the document for each of the designated destinations;
  Program to function as.

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