JP2003016057A - Delivery system for electronic document - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform document management effective even after delivering. SOLUTION: An electronic document prepared in an electronic document storage part 110 in a server apparatus 100 is delivered to an electronic document storage part 220 in a client apparatus 200, when the document in the storage part 220 is performed processing such as browsing and printing by an electronic document processing part 230, the processing part 230 is surely connected online to the apparatus 100 to perform only under monitoring by a processing monitoring part 130, the performed contents of processing are informed to the monitoring part 130 to be stored into a history storage part 150 as history information and if conditions are set to a condition setting part 150, a limit of printing times and the like can be placed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic document distribution system, and more particularly to a system for monitoring or controlling the viewing, printing and processing operations of a user who receives a document distributed using a network. Regarding

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Over the past few years, with the spread of computers, the transition from paper-based documents to electronic-based documents has progressed rapidly. Especially in the business world, PDF (Po
Electronic documents of rtableDocument Format) have been permeated as standard electronic documents independent of platform, and various documents are created as PDF electronic documents, and the movement to store them is accelerating. Also,
With the spread of networks represented by the Internet, distribution of electronic documents via networks has become mainstream, and the unique advantage of electronic documents that they can be distributed over networks is that Contributing to further spread. Currently the product catalog,
Business documents that were previously provided as paper-based documents, such as product manuals, various manuals, various slips, and company information, are now being distributed as electronic documents. It is becoming possible to receive distribution of documents.

The main usage forms of electronic documents are browsing on a display screen and printing using a printer. At present, many personal computers are standardly provided with an environment for viewing and printing electronic documents in PDF format. In addition, by using Adobe Acrobat (registered trademark) developed by Adobe Corporation in the United States, it is possible to perform processing such as adding annotations to electronic documents, which is a process of proofreading work in the publishing industry. Even in such cases, electronic documents are being actively used.

[0004]

The electronic document can be used with a higher degree of freedom than the conventional paper medium document, and the environment for using the electronic document will be further improved in the future. is expected. However, as the environment for using electronic documents improves, it becomes more difficult to manage documents. In other words, electronic documents can be easily sent using the network, and the environment is being prepared for anyone to use anytime, anywhere. From the standpoint of document users, there is a high degree of freedom in usage. Will be possible. On the other hand, from the perspective of the creator of the document, once it is delivered as an electronic document, it is then possible to grasp the fact of when, where, who used it, and in what form. It becomes impossible to manage documents after distribution. For example, in the case of confidential documents within a company, it is possible to understand when, who viewed which page, what department printed what page, and what annotation was added to which page. There are quite a few that I want to keep. However, since the conventional electronic document distribution system does not have a means for managing individual electronic documents after distribution, effective document management is difficult.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic document distribution system which enables effective document management even after distribution.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems] (1) A first aspect of the present invention has a server device and a client device, and by connecting them online via a network, the server device changes to the client device. In an electronic document distribution system in which an electronic document is distributed to the client device side, and the electronic document distributed on the client device side can be browsed, printed, or processed, an electronic document in which an electronic document to be distributed is stored in a server device A storage unit, an electronic document transmission unit that transmits an electronic document stored in the electronic document storage unit to a client device via a network, and a browsing, printing, or processing of the electronic document on the client device side. It stores the process monitoring unit that monitors the process and the history of browsing, printing, or processing obtained as the monitoring result by this process monitoring unit. An electronic document receiving unit for receiving an electronic document transmitted from a server device via a network to a client device,
The electronic document storage unit that stores the received electronic document and the electronic document stored in this electronic document storage unit are monitored online by the process monitoring unit while online connected to the process monitoring unit. An electronic document processing unit that performs browsing, printing, or processing is provided. In the present invention, it is premised that the client device is always connected to the server device online when performing operations such as browsing, printing, and processing on the distributed electronic document. . That is, through the online, under the supervision of the process monitoring unit on the server side, browsing the electronic document,
Printing and processing are performed. Moreover, the history of browsing, printing, and processing obtained as the monitoring result of the processing monitoring unit is recorded in the history storage unit on the server side. In this way, even after the electronic document is delivered to the client device side, each time a process such as browsing, printing, or processing is performed on the electronic document,
Since the executed processing history is stored in the history storage unit, effective document management becomes possible even after distribution.

(2) A second aspect of the present invention relates to the above-mentioned first aspect.
In the electronic document delivery system according to the aspect, every time the electronic document processing unit performs processing of browsing, printing, or processing,
By providing a function of reporting the contents of the performed processing to the processing monitoring unit connected online, the processing monitoring unit performs monitoring.

(3) A third aspect of the present invention is the above-mentioned second aspect.
In the electronic document distribution system according to this aspect, the electronic document processing unit is configured to execute a process of browsing, printing, or processing on condition that the client device logs in to the server device with a predetermined account. Is.

(4) The fourth aspect of the present invention is the above-mentioned third aspect.
In the electronic document distribution system according to the aspect, when the electronic document processing unit performs a browsing, printing, or processing process on a specific electronic document, time specifying information that specifies a time at which the process is executed. And account specification information for specifying the account being logged in, electronic document specification information for specifying the electronic document to be processed, and processing content specification information for specifying the content of the executed process. The information is reported to the processing monitoring unit connected online, and the history storage unit stores the four types of information as a history.

(5) The fifth aspect of the present invention is based on the above-mentioned second aspect.
~ In the electronic document distribution system according to the fourth aspect, when the electronic document processing unit performs a process of browsing, printing, or processing on a specific location of a specific electronic document, it becomes a processing target. Along with the electronic document specifying information for specifying the electronic document, the target part specifying information for specifying the part to be processed in the electronic document is reported to the processing monitor connected online, and the history storage part In addition to the electronic document specifying information, the target part specifying information is stored as a history.

(6) A sixth aspect of the present invention is the above-mentioned fifth aspect.
In the electronic document delivery system according to this aspect, an electronic document configured by allocating a plurality of materials to predetermined locations is prepared in the electronic document storage unit, and the electronic document is delivered. By this, when the processing is performed on the predetermined material allocated on the delivered electronic document, the information for specifying the predetermined material to be processed is reported as the target portion specifying information. It was done.

(7) The seventh aspect of the present invention is based on the above-mentioned fifth aspect.
In the electronic document delivery system according to the aspect, the electronic document storage unit prepares an electronic document that functions as an electronic catalog by allocating information about a plurality of products to predetermined locations, and delivers the electronic document. When the electronic document processing unit processes the information about the predetermined product allocated on the delivered electronic document, the information that identifies the information about the predetermined product that is the processing target is the target location. It is intended to be reported as specific information.

(8) An eighth aspect of the present invention is based on the above first aspect.
In the electronic document distribution system according to the seventh aspect, the server device further includes a condition setting unit that sets a condition for performing a predetermined process on each electronic document, and the electronic document processing unit sets the predetermined condition. When executing the processing of (1), it has a function to apply for permission to the processing monitoring section for the processing and execute it only when permission is obtained. The processing monitoring section sets the condition setting section. It has a function of giving a permission to a permission application only when the conditions are satisfied.

(9) A ninth aspect of the present invention is the above-mentioned eighth aspect.
In the electronic document delivery system according to this aspect, the maximum number of prints allowed for the electronic document is set in the condition setting unit as a condition for executing the print process, and the process monitoring unit sets the electronic document processing unit When a permission application for print processing is made from, the print history stored in the history storage section is referenced to recognize how many times the print processing related to the application has been performed, and the number of times the recognition is performed is set as a condition. The permission is given when the maximum number of prints set for the copy is not exceeded.

(10) According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic document distribution system according to the above eighth or ninth aspect, the condition setting unit sets a condition for printing an electronic document for each number of print copies. The conditions for permitting printing only in the form in which different identification codes are embedded in the electronic document are set in, and when the processing monitoring unit receives a permission request for printing from the electronic document processing unit, It has a function of generating a predetermined identification code and notifying it to the electronic document processing section, and giving a print permission on condition that the predetermined identification code is embedded in the electronic document, and the history storage section has a predetermined identification code. Is stored as a part of the print history.

(11) According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the electronic document distribution system according to the tenth aspect, when the electronic document processing section prints a defective result, the electronic document processing section performs processing. When the print failure notification is sent to the monitoring unit, the process monitoring unit generates a new identification code when the print failure notification is sent, notifies the electronic document processing unit of the new identification code, and sends the new identification code electronically. It has a function to give print permission on condition that it is embedded in the document, and the history storage section
The new identification code is stored as a part of the print history, and the old identification code related to the print failure is recorded as being invalid.

(12) According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic document delivery system according to the above tenth or eleventh aspect, the identification code includes data for specifying an electronic document to be printed. It was made to be able to.

(13) According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic document distribution system according to the above tenth to twelfth aspects, as the identification code, data indicating the date and time when a permission application for printing is made is provided. It is intended to be included.

(14) According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic document distribution system according to the tenth to thirteenth aspects, the electronic document processing unit prints the identification code in the form of a bar code. It was done.

(15) A fifteenth aspect of the present invention is, in the electronic document distribution system according to the tenth to fourteenth aspects, a function of reading an identification code from a print document printed by the electronic document processing section, A function of connecting to a server device via a network and collating an identification code stored in a history storage unit with an identification code read from a printed document, and a function of presenting a match / mismatch result in the matching. The document recognizing client device is further provided.

(16) According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic document distribution system according to the fifteenth aspect described above, the history storage unit is provided with respect to the identification code which has already been collated by the document recognition client device. It records that the collation has been completed, and when the collated identification code is collated again, a non-coincident collation result is obtained.

(17) According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, a computer program for causing a computer to function as a server device or a client device in the electronic document distribution system according to the first to sixteenth aspects is prepared. The computer program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium so that it can be distributed.

[0023]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described below based on illustrated embodiments.

§1. Basic Embodiment of the Present Invention FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic document distribution system according to a basic embodiment of the present invention. This system is configured by connecting a server device 100 and a client device 200 to a network 300. As the network 300, any network system such as an intranet in a company can be used, but in practice, it is preferable to use the Internet, which has established itself as a worldwide standard network. In the embodiments described below, a typical example using the Internet as the network 300 will be described.

In the case of this embodiment, from the viewpoint of hardware configuration, the server device 100 is configured by using a general server computer connected to the Internet, and the client device 200 has an environment capable of connecting to the Internet. It is configured using a well-maintained general PC. However, the server device 100 and the client device 200 used in the present invention need to have a function peculiar to the present invention as will be described later, and such a function is dedicated to a server computer or a personal computer. It will be realized by incorporating software. Note that FIG. 1 shows only one server device 100 and one client device 200 connected to the network 300 for convenience of description.
In actual operation, if necessary, multiple server devices 1
In general, 00 is installed and electronic documents are distributed to a large number of client devices 200.

The server device 100 and the client device 20
0 is connected online via the network 300, and the electronic document is distributed from the server device 100 to the client device 200. As described above, the system for distributing the electronic document from the server device to the client device is a system that has been generally used in the past, but the feature of the system according to the present invention is that the client device 200 side When performing processing such as browsing, printing, and processing (for example, writing annotations) of the delivered electronic document, the online connection is always made with the server apparatus 100, and the browsing and printing are performed under the supervision of the server apparatus 100 side. , Processing, etc. are performed.

That is, in the conventional system, when the electronic document itself is distributed, the server device and the client device need to be connected online, but the electronic document once distributed is used on the client device side. In this case, it is not always necessary to connect to the server device online, and offline operation is possible.
On the other hand, in the system according to the present invention, when delivering the electronic document itself, the server device 100 and the client device 200 are of course connected online, and the electronic document once delivered is sent to the client device 200. Even when it is used on the side, the server device 100 and the client device 200 need to be connected online. In the offline state, even if an electronic document is stored in the client device 200, it can be browsed. Or
It cannot be printed or processed. As described above, when the electronic document is used on the client device 200 side, the online connection to the server device 100 is a necessary condition, so that the client device 2
The usage form of the electronic document on the 00 side is explained one by one in the server device 1
The information can be grasped on the 00 side, and effective document management can be performed even after distribution.

With the rapid spread of the Internet over the last few years, the client device 200 is connected to the network 30.
A so-called “always-on” environment in which the device is always connected to 0 is being prepared, and the electronic document delivery system according to the present invention is particularly suitable for use in such an “always-connected” environment. Of course, it is possible to construct the system according to the present invention by using the client device 200 placed in an environment in which online connection is made only when necessary, such as general dial-up connection, but browsing of electronic documents is possible. Since it is necessary to make an online connection each time printing or printing is performed, the client device 200 is practically used.
Is preferably a computer in an "always-on" environment.

As shown in the block diagram of FIG.
The server device 100 includes an electronic document storage unit 110, an electronic document transmission unit 120, a process monitoring unit 130, and a history storage unit 140. The electronic document storage unit 110 is a component that fulfills the function of storing an electronic document to be distributed, and the electronic document transmission unit 120 includes the electronic document storage unit 1.
10 is a component that fulfills the function of transmitting the electronic document stored in 10 to the client device 200 via the network 300. The component itself having such a function is a known component already used in the conventional system. The illustrated example shows a state in which three types of electronic documents (here, the file names of these electronic documents are ABC, DEF, and GHI) are stored in the electronic document storage unit 110. . The characteristic of the server device 100 that constitutes the electronic document delivery system according to the present invention is that the server monitoring device 13 has the same configuration as that of the conventional server device and that the process monitoring unit 13
0 and the history storage unit 140 are added. The process monitoring unit 130 is a component that fulfills the function of monitoring the browsing, printing, or processing of the delivered electronic document on the client device 200 side, and the history storage unit 1
Reference numeral 40 denotes a constituent element having a function of storing a history of browsing, printing, or processing obtained as a result of monitoring by the process monitoring unit 130. In the illustrated example, the history storage unit 140
A state in which four pieces of history information H are stored is shown therein.

On the other hand, the client device 200 comprises an electronic document receiving section 210, an electronic document saving section 220, an electronic document processing section 230, a display 240, a printer 250, and an input device 260. Electronic document receiving unit 2
Reference numeral 10 is a constituent element having a function of receiving an electronic document transmitted from the server apparatus 100 via the network 300, and the electronic document storage unit 220 is a constituent element having a function of storing the received electronic document. The electronic document processing unit 230 is a component that performs the functions of browsing, printing, and processing the electronic document stored in the electronic document storage unit 220. In the illustrated example, two types of electronic documents ABC and D have already been stored in the electronic document storage unit 220.
The state where the EF is stored is shown. Further, the display 240 performs a display for browsing the electronic document, the printer 250 performs a process of printing the electronic document on a paper surface, and the input device 260 (keyboard, mouse, etc.) indicates an instruction from the user. Perform the process of inputting.

Each of these constituent elements of the client device 200 itself is provided in a well-known personal computer having an environment for connecting to the Internet and having a basic function of browsing and printing a PDF file. It is a common component. However, the characteristic of the client device 200 that constitutes the electronic document delivery system according to the present invention is that the electronic document processing unit 230 performs the processing of browsing, printing, and processing under the supervision of the processing monitoring unit 130. is there. That is, using this client device 200,
When browsing, printing, or processing an electronic document in the electronic document storage unit 220, the electronic document processing unit 230 and the processing monitoring unit 130 are connected online via the network 300. It is necessary, and the electronic document processing unit 230 executes various processes under the supervision of the process supervising unit 130 while maintaining such an online connection.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, for convenience of explanation, the server device 100 and the client device 2
00 is shown as a set of functional elements corresponding to individual blocks, but in reality, both the server device 100 and the client device 200 will be realized by a combination of hardware and software. For example, in the case of the present embodiment, the electronic document processing unit 230 in the client device 200 is a P provided by Adobe Corporation in the United States.
Software that handles electronic documents in DF format
"Acrobat (Adobe Acrobat)" has a function unique to the present invention (a function for executing processing such as browsing, printing, and processing only under the supervision of the processing supervision unit 130 connected online)
It is realized by adding a program for adding in a plug-in format.

In the present embodiment, the electronic document processing unit 230 includes the process monitoring unit 1 as a specific method for executing various processes under the monitoring of the process monitoring unit 130.
The processing monitoring unit 130 imposes a restriction that the processing is performed after confirming that the processing is online connected with the online processing 30, and the processing contents performed are connected online every time processing such as browsing, printing, and processing is performed. I am trying to keep the function to report to. In this way, after confirming the online connection, the processing monitoring unit 130 confirms the executed processing content.
If the function of reporting to each of the above is added, all the individual processing contents such as browsing, printing, and processing executed by the electronic document processing unit 230 are reported to the processing monitoring unit 130.
Even if the process monitoring unit 130 does not actively perform the monitoring process,
Various processes are executed under the supervision of the process supervision unit 130.

The electronic document processing section 230 and the processing monitoring section 130
In order to establish online connection between and, the client device 200 may log in to the server device 100 via the network 300 with a predetermined account. In the electronic document distribution system according to the present invention, in practice, a large number of client devices 200 are connected to the network 300 as described above. Therefore, the user of each client device 200 should be given a predetermined account,
When the electronic document is received by the electronic document receiving unit 210, or when the electronic document processing unit 230 receives the electronic document storage unit 2.
When the delivered electronic document stored in the server 20 is used (when browsing, printing, and processing), the process of logging in to the server device 100 is performed with the given account. To In other words, processing such as browsing, printing, and processing by the electronic document processing unit 230 is executed on condition that the client apparatus 200 logs in to the server apparatus 100 with a predetermined account.

After all, when the user instructs execution of processing such as browsing, printing, and processing on an arbitrary electronic document stored in the electronic document storage unit 220 (for which electronic document, The user gives an instruction to the electronic document processing unit 230 via the input device 260 as to whether to perform such a process), the electronic document processing unit 230 executes the instructed process, and the execution result Is the processing monitoring unit 130
Will be reported one by one. Moreover, since the information regarding the user who has instructed the processing is transmitted to the processing monitoring unit 130 side by the login procedure with the account given to the user, the processing monitoring unit 130 side knows who and when. Historical information indicating (for which user) and for which electronic document what processing was performed is collected in real time. The process monitoring unit 130 stores the collected history information in the history storage unit 140. Thus, the history storage unit 140 accumulates a usage history for each user for each distributed electronic document (originally, the electronic document originally stored in the electronic document storage unit 110). This enables effective document management even after distribution.

For example, if a user “A” gives an instruction from the input device 260 to browse the electronic document ABC in the electronic document storage unit 220, the electronic document processing unit 2
30, the contents of the electronic document ABC are displayed on the display 2
40 will be displayed on the screen. At the same time,
The account of the user "A" and the information that "the electronic document ABC has been viewed" are reported to the processing monitoring unit 130, and the user "A""views" the "electronic document ABC".
The history information indicating that it has been stored is stored in the history storage unit 140.

§2. Specific Embodiment of the Present Invention Next, an example of a more specific embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 shows the history information H stored in the history storage unit 140.
It is a figure which shows the specific example of 1-H3. In this example, when the electronic document processing unit 230 executes a process of browsing, printing, or processing on a specific electronic document, time specifying information for specifying the time when the process is executed, and the log-in information 4 of account specifying information for specifying an account, electronic document specifying information for specifying an electronic document to be processed, and processing content specifying information for specifying the content of the executed process.
The processing monitoring unit 130 in which the type information is connected online
In the history storage unit 140,
These four types of information are stored as history information.

For example, in the history information H1 shown in FIG.
The user identified by the account identification information "No.00123456" selects the electronic document identified by the electronic document identification information "FILE-ABC" as "2.
At the date and time specified by the time specifying information "June 1, 001 18:05 to 18:07", the fact that "browsing" is performed as indicated by the processing content specifying information is recorded as a history. Similarly, in the history information H2, the same user reads the same electronic document as “June 3, 2001 18:32”.
The fact that it was printed on is recorded as a history,
In the history information H3, the same user
The fact that the annotation was written in the time zone of "June 3, 2001 20:12 to 20:35" is recorded as the history.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the fact that when, who, what document, and what is done is recorded as a history, so that it is suitable for use in managing confidential documents in a company after distribution. Very suitable. Further, in the case of a document that needs to be thoroughly known to the staff of a predetermined department in the company, whether the individual staff of the department browses the document by analyzing the history information in the history storage unit 140. It is possible to easily grasp whether or not it is possible, and if necessary, it is possible to take a measure to give an instruction to browse by e-mail to a staff who has not browsed yet. In addition, detailed information on whether each document was only viewed, whether it was printed, or even processed such as writing annotations can be obtained as necessary. Of course, it is also possible to grasp the number of times of browsing and the number of times of printing for each individual document.

Further, when the electronic document processing unit 230 performs a process of browsing, printing or processing on a specific portion of a specific electronic document, the electronic document specifying unit specifies the electronic document to be processed. If the target part specifying information for specifying the part to be processed in the electronic document is reported together with the information to the process monitoring part 130 connected online, the history storage part 140 stores the electronic document. The target part specifying information is stored as a history together with the specifying information, and more detailed document management becomes possible.
The history information H4 illustrated in FIG. 3 is an example of history information including the above-described target location specifying information, and is “No.0012345”.
The user specified by the account specifying information "6" is the target part specified by the target part specifying information "P1 to P4" in the electronic document specified by the electronic document specifying information "FILE-ABC". (Pages 1 to 4), “June 4, 2001 13:30 to 13: 3
The fact that “browsing” is performed as indicated by the processing content identification information in the time zone identified by the time identification information “2” is recorded as a history.

As described above, the method of recording the history information for each partial unit in one electronic document is very useful in the field of marketing. For example, an electronic document configured by allocating a plurality of materials to respective predetermined locations is distributed, and the electronic document processing unit 230 performs processing such as browsing for the predetermined materials allocated on the distributed electronic document. When it is performed, the information for identifying the predetermined material to be processed may be reported to the processing monitoring unit 130 as the target portion specifying information. Since history information indicating which material on each electronic document has been browsed is recorded in the history storage section 140, the browsing history remains on a material unit basis instead of an electronic document basis. , Can be used as marketing materials.

A typical example of such a usage form is an electronic catalog. In general, information on a plurality of products is assigned to predetermined locations in the electronic catalog. For example, the electronic document XYZ shown in FIG. 4 is an example of such an electronic catalog. In the case of the illustrated example, four materials M1 to M4 (all of which are images related to one product,
The product number, description, and price information) are assigned to predetermined locations on the electronic catalog. Actually, by scrolling the screen shown in the downward direction (or the page may be updated), materials related to a larger number of products are displayed. When an electronic document that functions as such an electronic catalog is distributed, it is not only the fact that the electronic catalog has been viewed or printed, but which material (information about which product) has been viewed or printed. It is preferable to record a history showing the fact. To leave a history of processing results for each product,
By the electronic document processing unit 230, when the browsing or printing process is performed on the information about the predetermined product assigned on the distributed electronic document, the information about the predetermined product as the processing target is specified. The information to be reported may be reported as target location specifying information.

Of course, when a plurality of products are displayed on the display screen of the display 240, it is difficult to accurately collect information about which product the user is paying attention to. The user's scrolling operation and page turning operation are objectively recognizable information in the electronic document processing unit 230, and it is objectively determined whether or not the information about a specific product is in a state that the user can see. Can be recognized and can be recorded as history information. Also, "Adobe Acrobat (Adobe
Acrobat) ”has a function of enlarging and displaying a specific portion of an electronic document. If the electronic document processing unit 230 is provided with such an enlarging display function, which product It is possible to objectively recognize whether or not was enlarged and displayed, and it is also possible to record this as history information. The history information for each product thus accumulated in the history storage unit 140 serves as an index indicating the degree of interest in each product for each user, and thus is very valuable information for marketing analysis. .

§3. Embodiment in which Condition Setting Unit is Added The embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is an embodiment in which a condition setting unit 150 is further added to the server device 100 in the basic embodiment shown in FIG. The condition setting unit 150 is a component having a function of setting a condition for executing a predetermined process on each electronic document. In the case of the embodiment described so far, the electronic document processing unit 230 only has the function of reporting the executed processing contents to the processing monitoring unit 130 connected online. When executing a predetermined process, the processing unit 230 makes a permission application for the process to the process monitoring unit 130, and executes the process only when the permission is obtained. On the other hand, the processing monitoring unit 130 includes the electronic document processing unit 230.
Only when the content of the permission application from 1 satisfies the conditions set in the condition setting unit 150, the permission is given to the permission application.

As described above, in the embodiment in which the condition setting unit 150 is added, the distributor of the electronic document can condition the usage form of the user. For example, suppose that a distributor of an electronic document wants to limit the number of times (the number of copies is limited) for printing, although he / she can freely view the electronic document. In this case, the distributor may set the maximum number of prints (maximum number of prints) allowed for the electronic document in the condition setting unit 150 as a condition for executing the printing process. In this case, when the electronic document processing unit 230 receives a print instruction for the electronic document from the user, the electronic document processing unit 230 makes a permission application for the print processing to the process monitoring unit 130 connected online. The processing monitoring unit 13 that has received such a permission application
0 refers to the print history stored in the history storage unit 140 to recognize how many times the print processing related to the application is performed (how many copies), and the number of times of recognition (the number of copies) is the condition setting unit. Only when the maximum number of prints (maximum number of prints) set in 150 is not exceeded, the permission is granted to the permission application. If the maximum number of prints (maximum number of prints) has been exceeded, permission from the process monitoring unit 130 cannot be obtained, so the electronic document processing unit 230 cannot execute a print instruction from the user. In practice, it is preferable to perform a process of presenting to the user an error message or the like indicating that the specified print count has been exceeded.

Of course, even if the number of times of printing is limited to one, it is impossible to completely limit the existence of two or more printed matters as long as the actual printed matter can be reproduced by using the copying machine. Is. However, in the case of confidential documents in a company, if such a limit on the number of prints is imposed, the number of physical prints can be limited unless intentional copying is performed. You can expect some effect.

The condition set in the condition setting section 150 is not limited to the limitation on the number of prints, and may be any condition. For example, it is possible to set conditions such that browsing, printing, or processing of a specific electronic document is restricted until a certain publication date and time, or a specific electronic document is set to a specific condition. It is also possible to set such conditions only for the locations. On the contrary, it is also possible to set a condition that prohibits processing such as browsing, printing, and processing after a certain expiration date has passed. Of course, it is also possible to set different conditions for each individual account (each user).

When it is necessary to more strictly control the number of copies of the physical printed matter, the condition setting section 150 sets different identification codes in the electronic document as the conditions for printing the electronic document. It is advisable to set a condition to allow printing only in the form embedded in the. For example, in the case of printing three copies, the condition setting is made so that different identification codes are embedded in the three copies of the printed matter. In this case, when there is a permission application for printing from the electronic document processing unit 230,
The process monitoring unit 130 generates a predetermined identification code, notifies the electronic document processing unit 230 of the predetermined identification code, and gives print permission on condition that the predetermined identification code is embedded in the electronic document. It is advisable to store this predetermined identification code as a part of the print history in the history storage unit 140.

For example, when there is a permission application from the electronic document processing unit 230 to print three copies, the process monitoring unit 13
0 means, for example, "123456", "12345"
7 ”and“ 123458 ”, three types of identification codes are generated, and the electronic document processing unit 230 is notified of them. The history storage unit 140 stores history information including these identification codes. It should be done. The electronic document processing unit 230 uses the printer 250 to print the electronic document
Although a process of printing a copy is performed, different identification codes are embedded in the three copies of the printed matter. By performing such an operation, the physical identification of the printed matter can be strictly performed by the unique identification code. For example, if a confidential document that is prohibited to be copied according to company rules is distributed, each printed matter printed by a legitimate method will have a unique identification code. Therefore, if an illegal copy is made using a copy machine, etc., the same identification code as the original will be written on the copy, so the source of the unauthorized copy cannot be It becomes clear and it is possible to take appropriate measures. Of course, since the legitimate identification code is stored in the history storage unit 140 as a history, it is possible to inquire at any time.

If a device using a general personal computer is used as the client device 200, the printer 2
It is possible that printing with 50 will fail. For example, if a trouble such as ink shortage or paper jam occurs in the printer 250, the print processing by the electronic document processing unit 230 will not be completed. However, in the case of a system including a general personal computer and a printer currently used, the personal computer (that is, the electronic document processing unit 2
When the print data is transmitted from 30) to the printer 250, the personal computer often handles the fact that the printing is completed. In such a case, the electronic document processing unit 230 gives a predetermined identification code to the process monitoring unit 130 (a code generated and notified by the process monitoring unit 130 based on a permission application from the electronic document processing unit 230 side). A report indicating that the printing in which is embedded is completed is made, and history information indicating that such a printing process is completed is recorded in the history storage unit 140. However, in reality, if some trouble occurs in the printer 250 and the print result is poor, such a printed matter should have originally obtained a predetermined identification code. Will not actually exist.

In order to eliminate such absurdity, the following measures may be taken. First, the electronic document processing unit 230 has a function of notifying the process monitoring unit 130 of a print defect when the print result is defective. On the other hand, when such a print defect notification is made, the processing monitoring unit 130 generates a new identification code, notifies the electronic document processing unit 230 of this, and embeds this new identification code in the electronic document. The function to give the print permission is added on condition. As a result, the electronic document processing unit 2
It becomes possible for 30 to print again using the new identification code. Of course, the new identification code, not the old identification code, is embedded in the printed matter obtained by printing again. On the other hand, when a new identification code is generated by the above-described print failure notification, the history storage unit 140 newly stores a print history including the new identification code as a part of the history and also relates to the print failure. A function for recording that the old identification code is invalid is added. By doing so, when a printing failure occurs, new printing is performed under the new identification code, and the history relating to the old identification code is invalidated in the history storage unit 140, which causes trouble. Operation that does not exist becomes possible.

Finally, a specific application example of the embodiment in which the above-mentioned identification code is embedded in the printed matter will be given. The usage example given here is an example in which the electronic document delivery system according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is used as a ticket issuing system. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of such a ticket issuing system, in which a document recognition client device 400 is further added to the components shown in FIG. That is, in the ticket issuing system shown in FIG. 6, the server device 100 and the client device 200 are both computers connected to the network 300 including the Internet.
Server device 100 and client device 200 shown in FIG.
Which is exactly the same as that of the server device 100 of FIG.
For convenience of explanation, the electronic document storage unit 11
0 and history store 140 only are shown).

The document recognition client device 400 that plays a characteristic role in this ticket issuing system is
Printed document 5 printed by the electronic document processing unit 230 (not shown in FIG. 6) in the client device 200
00 (in the illustrated example, a concert admission ticket) to read the identification code 501, and the network 300
Is connected to the server device 100 via the history storage unit 140.
It has a function of collating the identification code stored in the document with the identification code 501 read from the print document 500, and a function of presenting the result of matching / mismatching in the matching. Specifically, the document recognition client device 40
Like the client device 200, 0 is realized by incorporating dedicated software into a personal computer having an environment connected to the Internet. However, the document recognition client device 400 needs to have an input device for reading the identification code 501 from the print document 500.

In the example shown here, the client device 20
The electronic document processing unit 230 in 0 has a function of embedding the identification code 501 in the electronic document to be printed in the form of a barcode and printing, and the identification code 501 is printed as a barcode on the printed document 500. Will be done. Therefore, a personal computer equipped with a barcode reader is used as the document recognition client device 400.

An example of the operation form of the ticket issuing business in this ticket issuing system is as follows. First, the organizer of the concert passes the ticket electronic document CKT to the manager of the ticket issuing system to request the ticket issuing work. Of course, at the request of the organizer of the concert, the administrator of the ticket issuing system may create the ticket electronic document CKT. Electronic document C for ticket
The KT is stored in the electronic document storage unit 110 in the server device 100 and delivered to the client device 200 operated by a specific user who desires to purchase a ticket. At this time, the user specifies the number of purchased tickets and pays the ticket price by a predetermined method. Let's assume that this user has purchased three tickets. As long as the ticket electronic document CKT distributed from the server device 100 side to the client device 200 side is the same in design and description, only one document is sufficient regardless of the number of purchases by the user. Instead, the server device 1
The condition setting unit 150 on the 00 side is set with a condition that the maximum number of times of printing the electronic document CKT for ticket distributed to the user is set to 3 times (corresponding to the number of purchased tickets).

When a seat number or the like is described on the face of a ticket as in the illustrated example, it is necessary to print a different seat number for each ticket. In this case, data indicating individual seat numbers is distributed together with the electronic document for ticket CKT that provides a common face design, and a plurality of seat numbers are sequentially changed by using a so-called “merge printing” method. The copies may be printed.

Now, the user is the client device 200.
To use the electronic document CKT for the ticket that has been delivered
Make an instruction to print a copy. The electronic document processing unit 230 that has received such a print instruction, as described above, receives the processing monitoring unit 1.
A request for permission to print three copies of the ticket electronic document CKT will be made to 30. Process monitoring unit 130
Recognizes that the electronic document is permitted to be printed up to three times according to the setting of the condition setting unit 150. For example, “123456”, “123457”, and “12” are displayed.
3458 "three serial numbers are generated.
Then, the serial number is prefixed with a character string "CKT" which is the document name of the electronic document CKT for a ticket, and a character string indicating the current date and time is added to the end of the serial number (for example, "2001/06"). / 15/1
8:36 ”) is added to generate an identification code, which is notified to the electronic document processing unit 230. on the other hand,
The history information including these identification codes is stored in the history storage unit 1.
It is stored in 40.

After all, as described in the table in the history storage section 140 of FIG. 6, as the first identification code "CK
T 123456 2001/06/15/18: 3
6 "and" CKT 123457 as the second identification code.
2001/06/15/18: 36 ", and the third identification code is" CKT 123458 2001/06 /
15/18: 36 ”, three types of unique identification codes are generated and recorded in the history storage 140, and
The electronic document processing unit 230 is notified. In short, this identification code includes a document name (data for specifying an electronic document to be printed), a serial number, and data indicating a date and time when a permission application for printing is made. Become. The electronic document processing unit 230 uses the printer 25.
0 is used to print three copies of the ticket electronic document CKT, and the three different copies are printed with the different identification codes embedded therein. When the identification code 501 is printed in the form of a bar code as in the illustrated example, the document name, serial number,
All date and time information may be represented by a string of numbers.

Thus, the user is the client device 2
It is possible to print three print documents 500 (concert admission ticket) as shown in the figure from the printer of the personal computer used as 00. Moreover, on the three printed documents 500, three types of identification codes 501 having different serial number portions are printed in the form of barcodes. On the day of the concert, the user may bring this printed document 500 as an admission ticket.

On the day of the concert, the organizer installs the document recognition client device 400 at the entrance of the concert hall. And printed document 5
When a visitor who brings 00 is read, the part of the identification code 501 is read into the document recognition client device 400 using a bar code reader, and the document recognition client device 400 and the server device 1 are read via the network 300.
00 is connected, and the identification code stored in the history storage unit 140 and the identification code 501 read from the print document 500 are collated. If the print document 500 is a properly printed document, the content of the identification code 501 should match any identification code stored in the history storage unit 140. The matching result is displayed on the display screen of the document recognition client device 400. As long as the result of collation matching is displayed, it is possible to determine that the print document 500 brought by the visitor is a regular admission ticket.

The history storage unit 140 records that the identification code which has already been collated from the document recognition client device 400 has been collated.
For example, in the case of the example shown in FIG. 6, a “done” column is provided in the table in the history storage unit 140, and the identification code that has been verified is marked in this “done” column. is there. Then, if the collated identification code is collated again, an unmatched collation result is obtained. Such a result occurs when the user illegally copies the print document 500.
In such a case, both the original print document 500 and the duplicate document obtained by illegally copying the same have the same identification code 501, so only the first used document is printed. However, as a result of the matching and matching, the ticket is recognized as a legitimate ticket, but for the tickets used for the second time and thereafter, the result of collation mismatch is obtained, and the ticket is not recognized as the legitimate ticket. Thus, the illegal entrance act by the illegal copy is excluded.

In the above example, the identification code includes data indicating the date and time when the permission application for printing is made. This is to prevent forgery of the identification code 501. Is effective. That is, since the entire identification code 501 including the date and time is collated, it becomes more difficult to forge the identification code 501.

The example in which the electronic document distribution system according to the present embodiment is used in a system for issuing a concert admission ticket has been described above, but the use of this system is limited to the so-called admission ticket issuance. Instead, it can be used to issue lottery tickets or lots, for example.

[0064]

As described above, according to the electronic document delivery system of the present invention, the delivered electronic document can be browsed, printed,
When processed, this can be recognized on the server side, and the usage mode of electronic documents can be controlled on the server side by setting arbitrary conditions, so effective document management even after distribution Will be able to do.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic document distribution system according to a basic embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific content example of history information H1 to H3 stored in a history storage unit 140 in the electronic document distribution system shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of history information including target portion specifying information.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an electronic catalog distributed by the electronic document distribution system according to the present invention.

5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment in which a condition setting unit 150 is further added to the server device 100 in the basic embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a ticket issuing system constructed using the electronic document distribution system according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 ... Server device 110 ... Electronic document storage unit 120 ... Electronic document transmission unit 130 ... Process monitoring unit 140 ... History storage 150 ... Condition setting section 200 ... Client device 210 ... Electronic document receiving unit 220 ... Electronic document storage unit 230 ... Electronic document processing unit 240 ... Display 250 ... Printer 260 ... Input device 300 ... Network (Internet) 400 ... Client Device for Document Recognition 500 ... Printed document (concert admission ticket) 501 ... Identification code (bar code) ABC, DEF, GHI, XYZ ... Electronic documents H, H1 to H4 ... History information M1 to M4 ... Materials on catalog (product information)

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification Code FI Theme Coat (Reference) G06F 15/00 310 G06F 15/00 310B

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A server device and a client device, both of which are online connected via a network to deliver an electronic document from the server device to the client device, and the electronic document delivered by the client device side. A system for browsing, printing, or processing a document, wherein a server device stores an electronic document storage unit for storing an electronic document to be distributed and an electronic document stored in the electronic document storage unit in a network. An electronic document transmitting unit for transmitting the electronic document to a client device via a process monitor unit for monitoring a process of browsing, printing, or processing performed on the electronic document on the client device side, and a monitoring result by the process monitor unit. A history storage unit for storing the obtained browsing, printing, or processing history is provided, and the client device is equipped with a server device. An electronic document receiving unit that receives an electronic document that has been transmitted through the network from the electronic document storage unit for storing an electronic document received, the electronic document stored in the electronic document storage section,
An electronic document distribution system comprising: an electronic document processing unit that performs browsing, printing, or processing under the supervision of the process monitoring unit while online connected to the process monitoring unit. . 2. The electronic document distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic document processing unit reports the processing contents to the online processing monitor unit every time the browsing, printing, or processing is performed. An electronic document distribution system characterized in that a processing monitoring unit monitors the processing by providing the function. 3. The electronic document distribution system according to claim 2, wherein the electronic document processing unit executes a process of browsing, printing or processing on condition that the client device logs in to the server device with a predetermined account. An electronic document delivery system characterized by being configured as described above. 4. The electronic document distribution system according to claim 3, wherein the electronic document processing unit executes the process when the electronic document processing unit performs a process of browsing, printing, or processing a specific electronic document. Time specifying information for specifying the time, account specifying information for specifying the logged-in account, electronic document specifying information for specifying the electronic document to be processed, and processing content specifying information for specifying the content of the executed process. , Of 4
The electronic document distribution system is characterized in that the types of information are reported to a process monitoring unit connected online, and the history storage unit stores the four types of information as a history. . 5. The electronic document distribution system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the electronic document processing unit executes a process of browsing, printing or processing a specific portion of a specific electronic document. At the same time, the electronic document identification information that identifies the electronic document that was the processing target, and the target location identification information that identifies the portion that was the processing target in the electronic document are reported to the online processing monitoring unit. The electronic document delivery system is characterized in that the history storage unit stores the target portion identification information together with the electronic document identification information as a history. 6. The electronic document delivery system according to claim 5, wherein the electronic document storage section prepares an electronic document configured by allocating a plurality of materials to predetermined locations, and delivers the electronic document. Thus, when the electronic document processing unit processes the predetermined material assigned to the delivered electronic document, the information for specifying the predetermined material to be processed is the target location identification information. An electronic document delivery system characterized by being reported as information. 7. The electronic document distribution system according to claim 5, wherein the electronic document storage section is provided with an electronic document that functions as an electronic catalog by allocating information about a plurality of products to predetermined locations. When the electronic document processing unit processes the information about the predetermined product assigned to the distributed electronic document, the electronic document processing unit displays the information about the predetermined product to be processed. An electronic document delivery system characterized in that information to be specified is reported as target location specifying information. 8. The electronic document distribution system according to claim 1, further comprising a condition setting unit that sets a condition for executing a predetermined process on each electronic document in the server device. The electronic document processing unit has a function of applying for a permission for the process to the process monitoring unit when executing a predetermined process, and executing the process only when the permission is obtained. An electronic document delivery system, wherein the processing monitoring unit has a function of giving a permission to a permission application only when the condition set in the condition setting unit is satisfied. 9. The electronic document delivery system according to claim 8, wherein the maximum number of prints allowed for the electronic document is set in the condition setting section as a condition for executing the print process, and the process monitoring is performed. When a copy request is issued from the electronic document processing section for a print processing, this section refers to the print history stored in the history storage section to recognize how many times the print processing related to the application has been performed. An electronic document distribution system having a function of giving permission when the recognized number of times does not exceed the maximum number of times of printing set in the condition setting unit. 10. The electronic document distribution system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the condition setting unit has a condition for printing the electronic document,
There is a condition to permit printing only in the form of embedding a different identification code in the electronic document for each number of copies printed, and the process monitoring unit has requested permission to print from the electronic document processing unit. At this time, it has a function of generating a predetermined identification code and notifying it to the electronic document processing section, and giving a print permission on condition that the predetermined identification code is embedded in the electronic document. An electronic document distribution system having a function of storing the predetermined identification code as a part of a print history. 11. The electronic document distribution system according to claim 10, wherein when the print result by the electronic document processing unit is defective,
The electronic document processing unit sends a print defect notification to the process monitoring unit, and the process monitoring unit generates a new identification code and notifies the electronic document processing unit of the print defect notification. However, the history storage unit stores the new identification code as a part of the print history and has a function of giving the print permission on condition that the new identification code is embedded in the electronic document. An electronic document distribution system having a function of recording that an identification code is invalid. 12. The electronic document distribution system according to claim 10, wherein the identification code includes data for specifying an electronic document to be printed. . 13. The electronic document distribution system according to claim 10, wherein the identification code includes data indicating a date and time when a permission application for printing is made. system. 14. The electronic document distribution system according to claim 10, wherein the electronic document processing unit prints the identification code in a barcode format. 15. The electronic document distribution system according to claim 10, wherein the electronic document processing unit has a function of reading an identification code from a printed document printed by the electronic document processing unit, and a server device connected via a network, A document recognition client device further having a function of collating the identification code stored in the history storage unit with the identification code read from the print document and a function of presenting a result of matching / mismatching in the matching is further provided. An electronic document delivery system characterized in that 16. The electronic document delivery system according to claim 15, wherein the history storage unit records that the identification code already collated from the document recognition client device has been collated, and collated. The electronic document delivery system is characterized in that, when the identification code of (1) is collated again, an inconsistent collation result is obtained. 17. A computer program for causing a computer to function as a server device or a client device in the electronic document distribution system according to claim 1, or a computer-readable recording medium recording the computer program.