JP2006211092A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus for efficiently managing document data stored in itself by a simple configuration. <P>SOLUTION: When the image forming apparatus receives an instruction of a user being a deletion object among users denoted by a user information stored in a storage section, the image forming apparatus revises an administrator of a folder to which the deletion instruction user is set as the administrator into a different user. Further, when the image forming apparatus receives a share instruction to allow a plurality of users to share document data stored in the storage section, the image forming apparatus stores the document data being a target of the share instruction to a share folder and stores only storage destination information denoting the storage destinations of the document data to each folder to which each of the users sharing the document data is set as the administrator. Thus, in the case of sharing the document data by a plurality of the users, an increase in the data amount of the composite machine (image forming apparatus) can be prevented. Consequently, the composite machine efficiently manages the document data stored in itself by a simple configuration. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus provided with a storage area for storing document data.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction copier having a network print function, a scan function, a facsimile function, and the like is known. In such an image forming apparatus, as the office environment is networked, the image forming apparatus is connected to a network, a telephone line, etc., and a paper document is scanned and stored as electronic data (document data). The function of storing document data input via a telephone line in the image forming apparatus and distributing the document data stored in the image forming apparatus by e-mail or FAX transmission is becoming important. Yes.

  In such an image forming apparatus, it is possible to provide a plurality of folders for storing input data such as input documents and e-mails for each user and manage each document data stored for each folder. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

In the technique of Patent Document 1, a folder for storing document data is prepared for each user, and only document data stored with prohibition information for prohibiting deletion is prohibited from being deleted periodically. The document data in the folder has been deleted. By doing so, it is possible to secure the storage capacity of the image forming apparatus, suppress the deletion of important document data, and manage the document data efficiently.
JP 2003-326777 A

  However, in the above prior art, there is no mention of deleting user information registered as a user who can use the apparatus main body. Generally, in order to secure the storage capacity of the apparatus main body, the user information is deleted. Sometimes the document data in the folder corresponding to the user of the user information to be deleted is deleted at the same time as the deletion of the user information. Therefore, even in the above prior art, when deleting the user information, important document data is deleted at the same time. There was a fear.

  Further, in the above prior art, even when the same document data is shared by a plurality of users, the same document data is stored in each folder for each user, so as the document data to be shared increases, There is a possibility that the storage capacity of the image forming apparatus is insufficient.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus that efficiently manages document data stored in an image forming apparatus with a simple configuration.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention accumulates document data input by each of a plurality of users who use the apparatus main body, and user information indicating a user as an administrator is preset. A storage unit that includes a plurality of storage areas, and stores user information indicating the user in advance, and an instruction unit that instructs a user of user information to be deleted among user information stored in the storage unit; Changing means for changing a manager of the storage area in which the user instructed by the instructing means is set as a manager to a user different from the user.

  The storage means of the image forming apparatus of the first invention includes a plurality of storage areas for storing document data input by each of a plurality of users using the apparatus main body, and user information indicating a plurality of users using the apparatus main body. Is stored in advance. User information indicating a user as an administrator of each storage area is preset in each storage area.

  When the user of the user information to be deleted among the user information stored in the storage unit is instructed by the instruction unit, the changing unit stores the user instructed by the instruction unit as an administrator. The administrator of the area is changed to a user different from this user.

  As described above, when the user of the user information to be deleted is instructed by the instruction unit, the administrator of the storage area in which the user instructed by the instruction unit is set as the administrator is designated as the user who is instructed to delete. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the necessary document data from being deleted inadvertently when the user is instructed to delete.

  In addition, the changing unit is configured to display user information indicating an administrator of a storage area in which the user instructed by the instructing unit is set as an administrator among the plurality of user information stored in the storage unit. The administrator of the storage area may be changed by changing to user information other than the user information indicating the user indicated by the means.

  The storage means further associates with the user information, and determines in advance a group to which the user of the user information belongs when each of the plurality of users is classified into a plurality of groups based on a predetermined classification condition. The user information of the user as the group administrator is stored in advance, and the changing unit sets the administrator of the storage area in which the user instructed by the instruction unit is set as the administrator as the group manager. Can be changed to

  In addition, the changing unit includes user information indicating an administrator of a storage area in which the user instructed by the instructing unit is set as an administrator, and user information of the user as the group administrator corresponding to the user information By changing to, the administrator of the storage area can be changed.

  The changing unit can change the administrator of the storage area where the user instructed by the instructing unit is set as the administrator to the user as the group administrator. Specifically, the changing means changes the user information indicating the administrator of the storage area where the user instructed by the instructing means is set as an administrator to user information as a group administrator corresponding to the user information. As a result, the administrator set in this storage area is changed.

  In this way, the user instructed by the instruction means changes the administrator of the storage area set as the administrator to the user as the group administrator. Can be prevented from being deleted.

  In each of the storage areas, user information indicating a user as an alternative manager of each storage area is further set in advance, and the change unit is configured to store the user specified by the instruction unit as the administrator. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an area manager is changed to a user as the alternative manager set in the storage area.

  The changing unit can change the administrator of the storage area in which the user instructed by the instruction unit is set as the administrator to the user as the alternative administrator set in the storage area. Specifically, the changing unit includes, as the alternative manager set in the storage area, user information indicating an administrator of the storage area where the user specified by the instruction unit is set as an administrator. Change to user information. For this reason, it is possible to prevent a necessary document from being inadvertently deleted.

  An image forming apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention accumulates document data input by each of a plurality of users who use the apparatus main body, and also transfers user information indicating a user as an administrator and a transfer destination indicating the transfer destination of the document data. A storage unit having a plurality of storage areas in which information is set in advance and storing user information indicating the user in advance, and instructing a user of user information to be deleted from the user information stored in the storage unit And a transfer destination of the transfer destination information set in the storage area, the document data stored in the storage area where the user specified by the instruction means is set as an administrator. And transfer means for transferring to.

  The storage means of the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of storage areas for storing document data input by each of a plurality of users using the apparatus main body, and user information indicating a plurality of users using the apparatus main unit. Is stored in advance. In each of the plurality of storage areas, user information indicating a user as an administrator of the storage area and transfer destination information indicating a transfer destination for transferring document data stored in the storage area are set in advance. When the instruction unit instructs the user of the user information to be deleted among the user information stored in the storage unit, the transfer unit is set as the administrator by the user specified by the support class. The document data stored in the storage area is transferred to the transfer destination of the transfer destination information set in this storage area.

  In this way, when a user to be deleted from the storage means is instructed by the instruction means, the document data in the storage area where the instructed user is set as an administrator is stored in this storage area set in this storage area. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a necessary document from being inadvertently deleted when deleting a user.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: a storage unit including a plurality of storage areas for storing document data input by a plurality of users using the apparatus main body for each user; Among the document data stored in one storage area, sharing instruction means for instructing document data to be shared with a plurality of users, and storage destination information indicating the storage destination of the document data instructed by the sharing instruction means And a control means for controlling to store in each storage area.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including a storage unit including a plurality of storage areas in which document data input by a plurality of users using the image forming apparatus main body is stored for each user. When the sharing instruction means instructs the document data to be shared to a plurality of users among the document data stored in one of the plurality of storage areas, the control means is instructed by the sharing instruction means. Storage destination information indicating the storage destination of document data is stored in each of a plurality of storage areas.

  As described above, in an image forming apparatus having a plurality of storage areas in which document data input by a plurality of users using the apparatus main body is stored for each user, document data shared by a plurality of users using the apparatus main body. Is stored, only the storage destination information indicating the storage destination of the document data for which sharing is instructed is stored in each storage area. Therefore, when document data is shared by a plurality of users, the amount of data in the image forming apparatus Can be prevented from increasing.

  The sharing instruction means includes update instruction means for instructing updating of document data instructed to be shared by the sharing instruction means, and the control means is configured to update the document data instructed to be shared by the update instruction means. When instructed, the difference information between the document data before update and the document data after update is extracted, and the extracted difference information is stored in the respective storage areas in association with the storage destination information of the document data. Can be controlled.

  When update of the document data instructed to be shared by the update instruction unit is instructed, the control unit extracts difference information between the document data before update and the document data after update, and the extracted difference information is Since it can be stored in each storage area in association with the storage destination information indicating the storage destination of this document data stored in each storage area, an increase in the amount of data in the image forming apparatus can be prevented.

  As described above, according to the first invention, when the user of the user information to be deleted is instructed by the instruction unit, the storage area in which the user instructed by the instruction unit is set as an administrator The administrator can be changed to a user different from the user who is instructed to delete, so that when the user is instructed to delete, the necessary document data is prevented from being inadvertently deleted. it can. According to the second invention, when a user to be deleted from the storage means is instructed by the instruction means, the document data in the storage area in which the instructed user is set as an administrator is set in this storage area. Since it can be transferred to a transfer destination other than this storage area, it is possible to prevent a necessary document from being deleted inadvertently when deleting a user. Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the third invention, when document data to be shared is instructed by a plurality of users using the apparatus main body, only the storage destination information indicating the storage destination of the document data instructed to share is obtained. Since the data is stored in each storage area, an increase in the amount of data in the image forming apparatus can be prevented when document data is shared by a plurality of users.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction machine 10 as an image forming apparatus of the present invention inputs document data to be stored in the multifunction machine 10, user information indicating a user who can use the multifunction machine 10, and the like to the multifunction machine 10. A data input / output unit 12 for user input, a user interface unit (hereinafter referred to as a UI unit) 14 for a user to input various information instructions, document data input by the data input / output unit 12, user information, etc. A storage unit 18 for storing, various processing routines (see FIGS. 5, 7, and 10) to be described later, and a ROM (not shown) that stores various types of data in advance are included in each unit constituting the multifunction machine 10. A control unit 16 for controlling the operation and a printer unit 20 having a print function are included. The data input / output unit 12, the UI unit 14, the control unit 16, the storage unit 18, and the printer unit 20 are connected to each other via a bus (not shown) such as a data bus or a control bus.

  The document data is mainly image data related to the document, but may include text data according to the state of the processing, and is not particularly limited.

  The data input / output unit 12 is recorded on a document placed on a document table (not shown) of a facsimile (hereinafter referred to as “FAX”) unit 22, which is connected to a telephone line 32 and transmits / receives a facsimile message. Document data transmitted from an external device can be input by connecting a scanner unit 24 for reading a captured image and a connection cable 33 such as a network cable for connecting to an external device such as a personal computer or a server to the multifunction device 10. A communication I / F unit 26 and a memory card 30 such as an IC card are attached to the multifunction device 10 so that document data, user information, etc. stored in the memory card 30 can be input to the multifunction device 10. The card I / F 28 is included.

  The storage unit 18 includes an image storage unit 32 and a user information storage unit 34.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image storage unit 32 includes a plurality of folders 40 ₁ to 40 _n for storing document data input by each user in advance for each of a plurality of users who use the multifunction machine 10. Has been created. Document data input from each user using the multifunction device 10 to the multifunction device 10 from each user using the multifunction device 10 via the data input / output unit 12 is sent to the user who has input each document data to the multifunction device 10. It is stored in each of the corresponding folders 40 ₁ to 40 _n .

In the image storage unit 32, shared folders 42 _{1 to} 42 _n that are shared and used by a plurality of users who use the multifunction machine 10 are created in advance. Each of the shared folders 42 _{1 to} 42 _n is created in advance for each set of users to be shared that share the same document data, and document data shared by a plurality of users is accumulated.

Each folder 40 ₁ to 40 _n and the shared folder 42 ₁ through 42 _n each as attribute information, a user indicating the user as each folder 40 ₁ to 40 _n and the shared folder 42 ₁ through 42 _n each administrator information, each folder 40 ₁ to 40 _n and the shared folder 42 ₁ through 42 _n user information indicating the available user respectively, and each folder 40 ₁ to 40 _n and the maximum storage of the shared folder 42 ₁ through 42 _n each The possible data capacity is predetermined.

  An administrator is an owner of each folder who has the authority to occupy and store document data in a folder that is designated as an administrator. The administrator occupies the document data input to the MFP 10 by occupying the folder. It has the authority to read, rewrite, and delete document data stored in a folder.

In the present embodiment, the document data stored in each of the folders 40 ₁ to 40 _n and the shared folders 42 _{1 to} 42 _n of the image storage unit 32 is attributed to a plurality of users. In the following description, it is assumed that one of shared information indicating that sharing is permitted and non-shared information indicating that sharing is not permitted is set in advance. In the following description, document data having shared information as attribute information will be described as shared document data, and document data having non-shared information as attribute information will be described as document data. The shared information and the non-shared information may be input in a state set in advance by the user who input the document data when the document data is input to the multifunction peripheral 110.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the user information storage unit 34 stores user information indicating a user who uses the multifunction machine 10, group information, and usage authority information indicating usage authority of various functions of the multifunction machine in association with each other. Yes.

  The group information is information indicating a group to which each user belongs when each of the plurality of users is classified into a plurality of groups based on a predetermined classification condition.

  The usage authority information is information indicating the usage authority of each user regarding the MFP 10, and includes, for example, information indicating whether the FAX function can be used, information indicating the maximum usable number of FAX functions, and whether the printer function can be used. Information indicating the maximum usable number of sheets for the printer function, information indicating whether the scanner function can be used, and information indicating the maximum usable number of the scanner function are set.

Each of these user information, group information, and usage authority information is set by a user operation instruction of the UI unit 14 when registering user information of a new user in the multifunction peripheral 10, and is registered when the user information is registered. A folder whose user is an administrator is created in the image storage unit 32. Also, the folder 40 ₁ to 40 _n and the shared folder 42 ₁ through 42 _n are set to each user information indicating the user as an administrator, each folder 40 ₁ to 40 _n and the shared folder 42 ₁ through 42 _n User information indicating the users who can use each of them, and the maximum data capacity that can be stored in each of the folders 40 ₁ to 40 _n and each of the shared folders 42 _{1 to} 42 _{n are} respectively determined by the user when the UI unit 14 is created. It may be set according to the operation instruction.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the user information storage unit 34 also includes, for each group, group information indicating each group, user information indicating a user name of a user belonging to this group, and user information belonging to this group. Is stored in association with user information indicating the group manager. The user information indicating the group administrator will be described in detail later, but when the user information of the user is deleted, the user newly set as the administrator of the folder in which the user of the user information to be deleted is set as the administrator It is information which shows.

  As with the user information shown in FIG. 3, the group information, user information, and user information showing the group manager shown in FIG. 4 are set by a user operation instruction on the UI unit 14 when new user information is registered. Is done.

  Next, a process executed by the control unit 16 of the multifunction machine 10 when the user information stored in the storage unit 18 is deleted will be described.

  When power is supplied to the multifunction machine 10 by a power switch (not shown), the control unit 16 executes the processing routine shown in FIG. 5 every predetermined time, proceeds to step 100, and is stored in the user information storage unit 34. It is determined whether or not an instruction to delete any of the user information is input from the UI unit 14 according to an operation instruction by the user. If the determination is negative, this routine is terminated and affirmed. And go to step 102. Note that whether or not a deletion instruction for a registered user has been input may be determined through the data input / output unit 12 by determining whether the information indicating the deletion instruction and information including user information to be deleted are input. .

  In the next step 102, the image storage unit 32 is searched for a folder in which the user whose user information is instructed to be deleted in step 100 is set as an administrator.

  In the next step 104, shared document data stored in the folder searched in step 102 and shared by a plurality of users is left, and non-shared document data other than shared document data is deleted.

  In the next step 106, the administrator of the folder searched in step 102 is changed to another user stored in the user information storage unit 34 other than the user instructed to delete in step 100. Specifically, the user information as the administrator set as the attribute information of the folder searched in step 102 is changed to user information other than the user information instructed to be deleted stored in the user information storage unit 34. .

  As user information other than the user information instructed to be deleted, for example, there is user information indicating a group manager corresponding to the group information corresponding to the user information instructed to be deleted stored in the user information storage unit 34.

  In this way, the manager of the folder whose manager is the user who is instructed to delete can be changed to the group manager of the group to which the user instructed to delete belongs.

In addition, in each of the folders 40 ₁ to 40 _n and the shared folders 42 _{1 to} 42 _n , user information indicating a user as an alternative administrator is further set as attribute information, and the user as the alternative administrator is set. May be user information other than the user information instructed to be deleted.

  In this way, the manager of the folder whose manager is the user who is instructed to delete can be changed to an alternative manager of this folder.

  In the next step 108, the user information instructed to be deleted in step 100 stored in the storage unit 18 is deleted from the storage unit 18, and then this routine is terminated.

When deletion of user information indicating user 1 is instructed by executing the processing of steps 100 to 108, for example, the state of the image storage unit 32 before execution of the user information deletion processing (see FIG. 2) As shown in FIG. 6, non-shared document data 44 _{2 to} 44 _n other than the shared document data 44 ₁ stored in the folder 40 ₁ set by the user 1 as an administrator are deleted. folder 40 ₁ administrator is changed from user 1 for example, the user 2. Similarly, the administrator of the shared folder 42 ₁ which has been set to the user 1 as an administrator is changed to the user 2.

When deleting the user information instructed to be deleted from the storage unit 18, the access right of the user 1 set as the attribute information of each of the shared folders 42 _{1 to} 42 _n may also be deleted.

  As described above, according to the multifunction device 10 of the present embodiment, in the multifunction device 10 that stores document data input by each user in each folder provided for each user who uses the multifunction device 10, the storage unit 18, when the user of the user information to be deleted is instructed, the administrator of the folder in which the user who is instructed to delete is set as the administrator is designated as the user who is instructed to delete. Since it can be changed to the user information stored in the storage unit 18 different from the information, it is possible to prevent inadvertent deletion of necessary document data when deleting the user information.

  In addition, when deletion of user information is instructed, it is possible to delete non-shared document data while leaving only the shared document data in the folder in which the user instructed to delete is set as an administrator. Even if shared document data that is shared by multiple users is stored in a folder in which the user is set as an administrator, this shared document data is prevented from being deleted and Only document data can be left.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, a case has been described in which the user who is instructed to be deleted changes the administrator of the folder set as the administrator to another user. A case will be described in which document data in a folder whose administrator is the user who is instructed to be deleted is transferred to a preset transfer destination.

In the first embodiment, each of the folders 40 ₁ to 40 _n and each of the shared folders 42 _{1 to} 42 _n includes attribute information of each of the folders 40 ₁ to 40 _n and each of the shared folders 42 _{1 to} 42 _n . User information indicating a user as an administrator, user information indicating a user who can use each of the folders 40 ₁ to 40 _n and each shared folder 42 _{1 to} 42 _n , and each folder 40 ₁ to 40 _n and each shared folder 42 _Although it has been described that the maximum data capacity that can be stored in each of _{1 to} 42 _n is predetermined, in this embodiment, transfer destination information is further set in advance as attribute information.

  Although details will be described later, the transfer destination information is in a folder in which this user is set as an administrator when the user to be deleted is designated among the users of the user information stored in the storage unit 18. Is information indicating a transfer destination to which the document data stored in is transferred. The transfer destination information may be a storage area other than the folder in which the transfer destination information is set. For example, the transfer destination information is a folder in which a user other than the user to be deleted is set as an administrator, or is connected to the MFP 10 via a network. There is information indicating an external device such as a server.

  Note that the transfer destination information may be set by a user operation instruction on the UI unit 14 when each folder is created or when user information is registered, as in the first embodiment.

  Note that the configuration of the multifunction device 10 in the second embodiment is the same as that of the multifunction device 0 described in the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. The processing routine executed by the control unit 16 of the multi-function device 10 when deleting the user information stored in the storage unit 18 executed by the control unit 16 of the multi-function device 10 is the first embodiment. Since it is substantially the same as the processing routine to be executed, the same number is assigned to steps for performing the same processing, and detailed description is omitted.

  Next, a process executed by the control unit 16 of the multifunction machine 10 when the user information stored in the storage unit 18 is deleted will be described.

  When power is supplied to the multi-function device 10 by a power switch (not shown), the control unit 16 executes the processing routine shown in FIG. 7 every predetermined time, proceeds to step 100, and is stored in the user information storage unit 34. It is determined whether or not a user to be deleted is input by an operation instruction of the UI unit 14 among the users of the current user information. If the determination is negative, this routine is ended. Proceed to 102.

  In the next step 102, the image storage unit 32 is searched for a folder in which the user whose user information is instructed to be deleted in step 100 is set as an administrator.

  In the next step 200, it is determined whether or not the folder of the folder information searched in step 102 is a shared folder shared by a plurality of users. If the result is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 106 and searched in step 102. After the user information of the user set as the folder manager is changed to other user information stored in the user information storage unit 34 other than the user instructed to delete in step 100, the process proceeds to step 206.

  If the result in Step 200 is negative, the process proceeds to Step 201, where the shared document data shared by a plurality of users stored in the folder searched in Step 102 is left, and the non-shared document other than the shared document data is left. Delete only data from this folder.

  In the next step 202, the shared document data stored in this folder is transferred to the transfer destination based on the transfer destination information set as the attribute information of this folder. Through the processing in step 202, shared document data shared by a plurality of users in a folder in which the user instructed to delete is set as an administrator can be transferred to a preset transfer destination.

  In the next step 204, after the folder searched in step 102 is deleted from the image storage unit 32, the process proceeds to step 206, where it is determined whether or not all folders have been searched. If YES, the process proceeds to step 208.

  In step 208, the user information instructed to be deleted is deleted from the user information storage unit 34 of the storage unit 34, and then this routine is terminated. In the process of step 208, if the folder whose administrator is the user whose user information is instructed to be deleted in step 100 is not a shared folder, this folder may be deleted.

When the processing routine of FIG. 7 is executed, for example, when deletion of user information indicating the user 1 is instructed, the state of the image storage unit 32 before execution of the user information deletion processing (see FIG. 2) is: As shown in FIG. 8, after the shared document data 44 ₁ in the folder 40 ₁ for which the user 1 has been set as the administrator is transferred to the folder 40 ₂ designated as the transfer destination, the user 1 is set as the administrator. The set folder 40 ₁ and unshared document data 44 _{2 to} 44 _n in the folder 40 ₁ are deleted. In addition, the administrator of the shared folder 42 ₁ that has set the user 1 of the shared folders 42 _{1 to} 42 _n as the administrator is changed to the user 2, and the attribute information of each shared folder 42 _{1 to} 42 _n is used. The set access right of the user 1 is deleted.

  As described above, according to the MFP 10 of the present embodiment, when deletion of user information stored in the storage unit 18 is instructed, the user of the user information instructed to delete is set as an administrator. The shared document data in the folder can be transferred to the outside of this folder based on the transfer destination information set as the attribute information of this folder, so it is inadvertently necessary when deleting user information It is possible to prevent an unnecessary document from being deleted.

  Further, after the shared document data is transferred, the folder in which the user who is instructed to delete is set as the administrator and the non-shared document data in the folder can be deleted, so that the data capacity in the storage unit 18 can be increased. Can be suppressed.

[Third embodiment]
In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, in order to prevent important document data from being deleted carelessly when deleting user information, the user who is instructed to delete is set as an administrator. The case where the administrator of the set folder is changed and the case where the document data in the folder set as the administrator who has been instructed to delete is transferred to a preset transfer destination have been described. In the embodiment, in the multifunction machine 10 that stores document data input by each user in each folder provided for each user who uses the multifunction machine 10, the document data stored in the storage unit 18 is shared by a plurality of users. A case of giving an instruction will be described.

  Note that the configuration of the multi-function device 10 in the third embodiment is the same as that of the multi-function device 10 described in the first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The difference from the first embodiment is that, in the third embodiment, the image storage unit 32 includes folders 46 ₁ to 46 ₁ provided for each user who uses the multifunction machine 10 as shown in FIG. and 46 _n, the shared folder 48 that is shared by all the users who can use the MFP 10 has been created in advance.

  It is assumed that shared information indicating that the shared folder 48 is a folder shared by all users is defined as attribute information.

Further, in the present embodiment, each folder 46 ₁ -46 _n, the user information indicating the user as an administrator for each folder 46 ₁ -46 _n, respectively, available each folder 46 ₁ -46 _n each user , User data indicating the maximum storage capacity of each of the folders 46 _{1 to} 46 _n , and shared data distribution destination information are preset.

  The shared data distribution destination information is information indicating a user who is a sharing target when the document data input by the user is stored in the storage unit 18 and the document data is set to be sharable by a plurality of users. . The shared data distribution destination information includes, for example, folder information of each folder created in advance for each user formed in the image storage unit 32 with each user as an administrator, user information of a user to be shared, and the like. .

  Next, processing executed by the control unit 16 when an instruction to share document data is given according to the present embodiment will be described.

  When power is turned on by a power switch (not shown) of the multifunction device 10, the processing routine shown in FIG. 9 is executed, and the process proceeds to step 300 where new document data and this document data are input from the data input / output unit 12. It is determined whether or not user information indicating the selected user has been input, thereby determining whether or not the document data has been acquired. In step 302, it is determined whether or not a document data sharing instruction has been input by determining whether or not the input document data includes sharing instruction information for sharing the document data. Proceeding to step 310, the document data acquired in step 300 is stored in the folder set as the administrator who has input the document data input in step 300 to the multifunction device 10, and then this routine is executed. finish. The user information that has been input to the multifunction device 10 may be input together with the document data as shown in step 300 above, but is not limited to such a form. For example, in the case of document data input from the scanner unit 24, the UI unit 14 is displayed so as to prompt the user to install the memory card 30 in which user information is stored in advance before the scanner unit 24 is used. Then, the user information may be input by reading the user information from the memory card 30. In addition, a display that prompts the user to input user information may be performed on the UI unit 14 to determine user information input from the UI unit 14. In addition, when document data is input via the network 14 or the telephone line 32, information indicating the source address is input, and the user information is stored based on the user information stored in association with the address information in advance. You may make it discriminate | determine.

  On the other hand, if the result in step 302 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 304 and the document data acquired in step 300 is stored in the shared folder 48. The document data stored in the shared folder 48 is document data shared by a plurality of users, and will be described as shared document data below.

In step 306, the shared data distribution destination information is read from the attribute information of the folder in which the user who has input the document data acquired in step 300 to the MFP 10 is set as an administrator. In step 308, After the link information indicating the storage destination of the shared document data stored in step 304 is stored in each of the folders 46 _{1 to} 46 _n that are the distribution destinations corresponding to the read shared data distribution destination information, this routine is terminated.

As shown in FIG. 11, the shared document data instructed to be shared is accumulated in the shared folder 48 by the processing in steps 302 to 308, and the folder whose administrator is the user who has input the shared document data is stored. Link information to the shared document data stored in the shared folder 44 is stored in each of the distribution destination folders 46 _{1 to} 46 _n based on the shared data distribution destination information of the attribute information.

  On the other hand, when the result in Step 300 is negative, the process proceeds to Step 312, where the update instruction information of the update instruction of the shared document data according to the operation instruction by the user of the UI unit 14 or the update of the shared document data via the data input / output unit 12 It is determined whether or not the instruction update instruction information has been input. If the determination is negative, this routine is terminated. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 314.

  Update instruction information indicating an instruction to update shared document data includes instruction information for instructing an update instruction, edited shared document data, and user information indicating a user who has instructed to update.

  The shared document data is edited by each user, for example, when the user who edits the shared document data stores the shared document data to be edited that is stored in a folder in the image storage unit 32 with this user as an administrator. Based on the storage destination information, the shared document data in the shared folder 48 is read, and the read shared document data is edited by an external device such as a personal computer used by each user. After the editing is finished, the multifunction machine 10 includes the edited shared document data, the update instruction information of the shared document data, and the user information indicating the edited user according to a predetermined operation instruction such as a key of an external device. As a result, the update instruction information is input to the multi-function device 10.

  In step 314, the user information that has been edited in step 314 is read by reading the user information that has been input with the update instruction, included in the update instruction information.

  In the next step 316, difference information indicating the difference between the shared document data before editing stored in the shared folder 48 and the shared document data after editing input in step 312 is extracted.

  In the next step 318, the user who executed the editing read in step 314 is associated with the link information to the shared document data before editing stored in the folder set as the administrator, and the above step 316. The difference information extracted in step 1 is stored.

Through the process of step 318, as shown in FIG. 10, for example, shared when the editing process of the document data is executed, the user 2 is stored in the in which the folder 46 ₂ is set as the administrator by the user 2 Difference information is stored in association with link information to the shared document data before editing stored in the shared folder 48.

  In the next step 320, it is determined whether or not the information input in the above step 312 includes sharing instruction information for other users. If YES in step 322, the flow advances to step 322 to read shared data distribution destination information corresponding to the user information read in step 314 from the user information storage unit.

In the next step 324, the link information to the shared document data stored in each of the distribution destination folders 46 _{1 to} 46 _{n of} the shared data is handled based on the shared data distribution destination information read in step 322. In addition, after the difference information extracted in step 316 is stored, this routine is terminated.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the multifunction machine 10 that stores the document data input by each user in each folder provided for each user who uses the multifunction machine 10, the data is stored in the storage unit 18. When a sharing instruction to share document data is made by a plurality of users, the document data instructed to be shared is stored in a shared folder, and only the storage destination information indicating the storage destination of the document data is shared. Since each user accumulates in each folder set as an administrator, an increase in the data amount of the multifunction device 10 can be prevented when document data is shared by a plurality of users.

  In addition, when updating shared document data shared by a plurality of users, only the difference information between the shared document data before editing and the edited shared document data is stored in the storage destination of the shared document data before editing in each folder. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the increase in the amount of data in the multifunction machine 10.

  In this embodiment, the case where the shared document data for which the sharing instruction has been given is stored in the shared folder has been described, but the shared document data is set as the administrator who has input the shared document data. You may make it accumulate | store in a folder. In this way, it is not necessary to previously provide a shared folder in the image storage unit 32, and management can be performed more efficiently.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction peripheral according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the accumulation | storage state of document data. It is a schematic diagram which shows the user information which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the user information and manager who belong to each group. It is a flowchart performed at the time of user information deletion in the control part which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the accumulation | storage state of the document data after the user information deletion which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart performed at the time of user information deletion in the control part which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the accumulation | storage state of the document data after the user information deletion which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. 10 is a flowchart executed when an instruction to share document data is input and an instruction to update shared document data is input to the control unit according to the third embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an accumulation state of document data after a document data sharing instruction and an editing instruction.

Explanation of symbols

10 MFP 12 Data Input / Output Unit 16 Control Unit 18 Storage Unit

Claims (9)

Document data input by each of a plurality of users who use the apparatus main body is stored, and a plurality of storage areas in which user information indicating a user as an administrator is preset, and user information indicating the user is stored in advance. Storage means
Instruction means for instructing a user of user information to be deleted among user information stored in the storage means;
Changing means for changing the administrator of the storage area in which the user instructed by the instruction means is set as an administrator to a user different from the user;
An image forming apparatus.   The changing unit is configured to update user information indicating an administrator of a storage area in which a user specified by the instruction unit is set as an administrator by the instruction unit among a plurality of user information stored in the storage unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an administrator of the storage area is changed by changing to user information other than user information indicating the instructed user. The storage means further associates with the user information, and determines in advance a group to which the user of the user information belongs when each of the plurality of users is classified into a plurality of groups based on a predetermined classification condition. Pre-store user information of a user as a group administrator,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the changing unit changes a manager of the storage area in which the user instructed by the instructing unit is set as a manager to a user as the group manager.   The changing means changes user information indicating an administrator of the storage area where the user instructed by the instructing means is set as an administrator to user information of the user as the group administrator corresponding to the user information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the administrator of the storage area is changed by performing the operation. In each storage area, user information indicating a user as an alternative manager of each storage area is further set in advance,
The change unit changes a manager of the storage area in which the user instructed by the instruction unit is set as an administrator to a user as the alternative manager set in the storage area. The image forming apparatus described in 1.   The changing means changes user information indicating an administrator of a storage area where the user specified by the instruction means is set as an administrator to user information as the alternative administrator set in the storage area. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the administrator of the storage area is changed by doing so. Document data input by each of a plurality of users using the apparatus main body and a plurality of storage areas in which user information indicating a user as an administrator and transfer destination information indicating a transfer destination of the document data are set in advance Storage means for storing user information indicating the user in advance;
Instruction means for instructing a user of user information to be deleted among user information stored in the storage means;
Transfer means for transferring the document data stored in the storage area where the user specified by the instruction means is set as an administrator to the transfer destination of the transfer destination information set in the storage area When,
An image forming apparatus. Storage means comprising a plurality of storage areas for storing document data input by a plurality of users using the apparatus main body for each user;
Sharing instruction means for instructing document data to be shared to a plurality of users among the document data stored in one of the plurality of storage areas;
Control means for controlling the storage destination information indicating the storage destination of the document data instructed by the sharing instruction means to be stored in each of the plurality of storage areas;
An image forming apparatus.   The sharing instruction means includes update instruction means for instructing updating of document data instructed to be shared by the sharing instruction means, and the control means is configured to update the document data instructed to be shared by the update instruction means. When instructed, the difference information between the document data before update and the document data after update is extracted, and the extracted difference information is stored in the respective storage areas in association with the storage destination information of the document data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 to be controlled.

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