Server, device, and confidential box system

【0001】

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

The present invention relates to a server, a device, and a confidential box system, and more particularly, a server that manages the confidential box, a device having the confidential box, and a confidential box including the server, the device, and a client. Regarding the system.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

Nowadays, computer peripherals are generally shared by many users over a network. If the peripheral device is a device that sends and receives data, the device may have a confidential box in order to make the data inaccessible to users other than the intended user, to ensure that the data is delivered to the intended user, and so on. is there. As a device having such a confidential box, for example, a facsimile and an image input device such as a scanner are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

【0003】

The confidential box is an area specified by confidential box information such as the confidential box number and the confidential box name. When data is input to the device, if confidential box information is specified, the data can be stored in the confidential box, and if confidential box information including a personal identification number or the like is specified, the data can be retrieved.

【0004】

[Patent Document 1]

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-186816 [0005]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

However, when a plurality of devices having a confidential box and a plurality of clients accessing the confidential box are connected to the network, the confidential box can be set separately by the operation panel or the like on each device, and the confidential box can be set separately. It is a cumbersome task to separately configure individual clients to access multiple Mailboxes.

【0006】

The present invention has been made in view of the above facts, and includes a server that manages a confidential box, a plurality of devices having the confidential box, and a plurality of clients that access the server, the device, and the confidential box. -The purpose is to provide a system.

【0007】

[Means for solving problems]

In order to achieve the above object, the server according to claim 1 provides an input means for inputting physical information of a plurality of confidential boxes and information of a plurality of clients accessing each confidential box, and the physical information. It has a generation means for generating a plurality of setting information of the confidential box based on the information of the client and an output means for outputting the setting information to a device including the confidential box.

【0008】

That is, the input means inputs the physical information of the plurality of confidential boxes and the information of the plurality of clients accessing each confidential box, and the generation means is a plurality of generation means based on the physical information and the information of the clients. Since the setting information of the confidential box is generated and the output means outputs the setting information to the device provided with the confidential box, the confidential box can be easily set collectively on a plurality of devices. be able to.

【0009】

As described in claim 2, the server generation means of claim 1 generates access information for each client to access the confidential box based on the physical information and the information of the client. , The output means may output the access information to each client.

【0010】

That is, the generation means generates access information for each client to access the confidential box based on the physical information and the information of the client, and the output means outputs the access information to each client. Therefore, it is possible to easily set a plurality of clients at once so that the clients can access the confidential box.

【0011】

As described in claim 3, the device has a setting information input means for inputting setting information of a plurality of confidential boxes, and a setting means for setting a plurality of the confidential boxes based on the setting information. ..

【0012】

That is, since the input means inputs the setting information of the plurality of confidential boxes and the setting means sets the plurality of the confidential boxes based on the setting information, the confidential boxes can be easily set at once. can do.

【0013】

As described in claim 4, the confidential box system inputs the server according to claim 1 or 2, the device according to claim 3, and the access information, and based on the access information. It has a client that configures settings to access the confidential box.

【0014】

That is, since the client inputs the access information and makes settings for accessing the confidential box based on the access information, the client can easily make settings for accessing the confidential box all at once. Can be done.

【0015】

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

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

【0016】

As shown in FIG. 1, the confidential box system 10 according to the present embodiment includes a server 11 that manages the confidential box, a plurality of devices 14 having the confidential box, a plurality of clients 12 that access the confidential box, and the like. have. The server 11, the plurality of devices 14, and the plurality of clients 12 are connected via the network 16.

【0017】

As shown in FIG. 2, the server 11 includes a CPU 18 as a generation means for controlling the operation of each part of the server 11, a ROM 20 as a read-only memory in which fixed information such as a control program is stored, and various processes. The RAM 22 which is a working memory, the display 24 which displays the information processed by the CPU 18, the input unit 26 as an input means composed of a keyboard, a mouse, etc., and the server 11 are connected to the network 16 to connect to the network 16. It has a network connection unit 28 as an output means for transmitting and receiving various information between the two, and a storage unit 30 for storing various data, and these are connected to each other via a system bus 32. The server 11 may be a workstation, a personal computer, or the like, and the network 16 may be the Internet, a LAN, or the like, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

【0018】

Since the client 12 has the same configuration as the server 11, the same configuration as the server 11 of the client 12 will be referred to below with the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. The client 12 may be a workstation, a personal computer, or the like, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

【0019】

As shown in FIG. 3, the device 14 includes a CPU 34 as a setting means for controlling the operation of each part of the device 14, a ROM 36 which is a read-only memory in which fixed information such as a control program is stored, and various processes. RAM 38, which is a working memory of the above, an operation panel 40 for operating the device 14, a data input unit 42 for inputting data, and the device 14 are connected to the network 16 to obtain various information. It has a network connection unit 44 as a setting information input means for transmitting and receiving, and a storage unit 46 for storing data input from the data input unit 42, and these are connected to each other via a system bus 48. ..

【0020】

The storage unit 46 can have a confidential box 50 specified by confidential box information such as a confidential box name and a confidential box number. Normally, the confidential box 50 can be set by inputting the confidential box information from the operation panel 40. The setting means a new generation of the confidential box 50 and a change of the setting.

【0021】

If the confidential box 50 is provided, the confidential box 50 can be accessed only when the confidential box information corresponding to the confidential box 50 is input from the operation panel 40 or the like. When the confidential box 50 is accessed from the client 12 via the network 16, the confidential box information can be input via the network connection unit 44. Access information for accessing the confidential box 50 must be set in the client 12 in advance. Normally, access information for accessing the confidential box 50 is set via the input unit 26 of the client 12. The device 14 may be a facsimile, a scanner, or the like, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, it may be a sound player that receives and reproduces a voice message.

【0022】

In order to facilitate the understanding of this embodiment, the confidential box 50 is set separately on the device 14 by the instruction from the client 12 via the network 16, so that the client 12 can access the confidential box 50. , The setting process when the client 12 is set separately will be described below.

【0023】

As shown in FIG. 4, the client 12 and the device 14 are connected via the network 16.

【0024】

The CPU 18 of the client 12 has a detection unit 56, a designation unit 58, a confidential box information input unit 60, a confidential box setting instruction unit 62, an extended folder setting unit 64, a confidential box access unit 66, and a data storage unit 68. ing. The CPU 34 of the device 14 has a confidential box setting unit 76 and a data transmission unit 78.

【0025】

The detection unit 56 of the client 12 detects all the devices 14 connected to the network 16. The designation unit 58 shows the user a list of all the devices 14 detected by the detection unit 56, and receives an instruction from the user who specifies the device 14 for setting the confidential box 50. The device 14 is specified by inputting the device address (IP address) of the device 14 that sets the confidential box 50. By storing a table for associating the device 14 with the device address of the device 14 in advance and designating the device 14 for setting the confidential box 50, the device address of the device 14 can be read from the table. May be good.

【0026】

The confidential box information input unit 60 accepts input of confidential box information for setting the confidential box 50 in the storage unit 46 of the device 14. The confidential box information includes, for example, a confidential box number, a confidential box name, and the like.

【0027】

The confidential box setting instruction unit 62 transmits the confidential box information input by the confidential box information input unit 60 to the device 14 via the network connection unit 28 together with the confidential box setting instruction.

【0028】

The extended folder setting unit 64 sets the extended folder 74 that holds the confidential box information as data together with the device address of the device 14 that sets the confidential box 50. Extended folder 74 is an extended folder that is recognized as part of the file system on the OS of client 12.

【0029】

When the extension folder 74 is opened by the user, the confidential box access unit 66 uses the extension folder based on the device address of the device 14 held in the extension folder 74 and the confidential box information of the confidential box 50. Access the Mailbox 50 corresponding to 74.

【0030】

The confidential box access unit 66 can also transmit a data transmission instruction instructing the client 12 to transmit the data stored in the accessed confidential box 50 to the device 14 via the network connection unit 28. When the data of the confidential box 50 is transmitted in response to the data transmission instruction transmitted by the confidential box access unit 66, the data storage unit 68 receives the data via the network connection unit 28 and sends the data to the extension folder 74. Remember.

【0031】

The confidential box setting unit 76 of the device 14 receives the confidential box setting instruction transmitted by the confidential box setting instruction unit 62 of the client 12 via the network connection unit 44, and uses the confidential box information received together with the confidential box setting instruction. Based on this, the confidential box 50 is set in the storage unit 46.

【0032】

When the data transmission unit 78 receives the data transmission instruction from the client 12, the data transmission unit 78 transmits the data stored in the confidential box 50 to the client 12 via the network connection unit 44.

【0033】

As described above, in a normal Mailbox system, the settings for accessing the Mailbox 50 accessed by the client 12 are set for each Mailbox 50 on each client 12, and the settings for the Mailbox 50 on the device 14 are set. , Made for each confidential box on each device 14. Therefore, as the number of clients 12, devices 14, or Mailbox 50 increases, the setting process becomes very complicated. The confidential box 50 of the device 14 may be set by the confidential box setting instruction from the operation panel 40, not by the confidential box setting instruction from the client 12.

【0034】

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 13.

【0035】

The setting of the plurality of confidential boxes 50 on the plurality of devices 14 and the setting start for accessing the plurality of confidential boxes 50 on the plurality of clients 12 can be started from the input unit 26 of the server 11 that manages the confidential boxes 50 by the system manager. When instructed by inputting a command such as, selecting an icon, etc., the process shown in FIG. 5 is started.

【0036】

In step 102, user information is input as information of the client accessing the confidential box via the client 12. Specifically, the user information shown in FIG. 6 (user name, authentication password, distribution method of the setting file described later to the user, etc.) is input by the system manager via the input unit 26 of the server 11 and is input to the RAM 22. It is temporarily memorized.

【0037】

Figure 7 shows an example of the entered user information. Here, the user name, the authentication password used by the user to access the confidential box, the group members, and the distribution method are entered as user information. "Group A" and "Group B" indicate a group that can be composed of a plurality of users. For example, the group "Group A" includes the constituent users "User A" and "User B". In the group, the authentication password and the distribution method are not entered here because the information of each individual user may be used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, an authentication password for the group and a distribution method may be input.

【0038】

In step 104, the confidential box information is input as the physical information of the confidential box set in the device 14. Specifically, the confidential box information (confidential box number, confidential box name, etc.) shown in FIG. 6 is input by the system manager via the input unit 26 of the server 11, and is temporarily stored in the RAM 22.

【0039】

An example of the entered confidential box information is shown in the previous 5 columns of Fig. 8. Here, the device address indicating the device in which the confidential box is set, the confidential box number, the confidential box name, authentication required or not, and the user who uses the confidential box are input as the confidential box information.

【0040】

At step 106, the server 11 instructs the plurality of devices 14 to set a plurality of confidential boxes 50. That is, the setting information of a plurality of confidential boxes is generated based on the input user information and the confidential box information, and the setting information of the confidential box is transmitted to each having each confidential box 40 via the network connection unit 28. Send to device 14 in a batch.

【0041】

Figure 8 shows an example of the setting information of multiple confidential boxes that have been set. Here, the confidential box authentication password set for each user is added to the input confidential box information based on the user information, and the confidential box setting information is generated.

【0042】

Specifically, the entered confidential box information is transmitted to each of the devices indicated by the device address. For example, (1) For a device with the device address of "129.249.xx.2", the confidential box number "3", the confidential box name "for user A", the authentication "required", the user "User A", Authentication password "****", (2) Confidential box number "4", Confidential box name "For user B", Authentication "Required", User "User B", Authentication password "****", (3 ) Sends three confidential box information: confidential box number "5", confidential box name "for user C", authentication "required", user "UserC", and authentication password "****".

【0043】

In step 108, based on the user information and the confidential box information, a setting file as access information for the user to access the confidential box 50 via each client 12 operated by the user is generated. At step 110, the configuration file is distributed according to the distribution method shown for each user. That is, the network connection unit 28 outputs the setting file to the network 16, and the processing of the server 11 ends.

【0044】

Fig. 9 shows an example of the "User A" setting file, Fig. 10 shows an example of the "User B" setting file, and Fig. 11 shows an example of the "User C" setting file. Here, the configuration file contains the device address of the device 14 having the confidential box that the user can access, the confidential box number of the confidential box, the authenticated user, and the authenticated password. That is, the device address and the confidential box number are associated with the confidential box information, the authentication password is associated with the user information, and the authentication user name is used, and the CPU 18 generates a setting file.

【0045】

The configuration file is distributed to each client 12 operated by each user. Distribution is performed based on the distribution method of the configuration file included in the user information. For example, as shown in the distribution method to "User A" in Fig. 7, if the mail address is "Mail: usera@xxx.xx.xxx", the setting file is attached to the mail address. Can be distributed by being sent. As shown in the distribution method to "UserB", when indicated by the file server path "File: \\ xxxx \ userB", the configuration file can be distributed to the path by ftp or the like.

【0046】

The server 11 may send a mail to each user notifying the user that the distribution of the setting file is completed.

【0047】

In this way, the input unit 26 of the server 11 inputs the confidential box information of the plurality of confidential boxes and the user information of the user who operates the plurality of clients accessing each confidential box, and the CPU 18 inputs the confidential box information. Based on the user information, the setting information of a plurality of confidential boxes is generated, and the network connection unit outputs the setting information to the device in which the confidential box is set via the network 16.

【0048】

That is, the input means inputs the physical information of the plurality of confidential boxes and the information of the plurality of clients accessing each confidential box, and the generation means is a plurality of generation means based on the physical information and the information of the clients. Since the setting information of the confidential box is generated and the output means outputs the setting information to the device including the confidential box, the server can easily collectively output the confidential box on a plurality of devices. Can be set to.

【0049】

Further, the CPU 18 of the server 11 generates a setting file for each client to access the confidential box based on the confidential box information and the user information, and the network connection unit 28 uses the setting file for each client 12 Is output to.

【0050】

That is, the generation means generates access information for each client to access the confidential box based on the physical information and the information of the client, and the output means outputs the access information to each client. Therefore, it is possible to easily set a plurality of clients at once so that the clients can access the confidential box.

【0051】

When the confidential box setting instruction transmitted in step 106 of FIG. 5 is transmitted to the device 14, the process of the device 14 shown in FIG. 12 is started. In step 122, the corresponding confidential box setting instruction is received via the network connection 44. In step 124, the CPU 34 sets the confidential box 50 in the storage unit 46 based on the setting information, and the processing of the device 14 ends.

【0052】

For example, device 14 whose device address is "129.249.xx.2" has (1) confidential box number "3", confidential box name "for user A", authentication "required", user "UserA", and authentication. Password "****", (2) Confidential box number "4", Confidential box name "For user B", Authentication "Required", User "User B", Authentication password "****", (3) Receives setting information for setting three confidential boxes: confidential box number "5", confidential box name "for user C", authentication "required", user "UserC", and authentication password "****". Then, set up three confidential boxes 50 (see Fig. 9). The confidential box 50 may be newly generated, or the settings of the existing confidential box 50 may be changed. Since the setting of the confidential box 50 in each device 14 is the same as the case of individually setting the confidential box of the device 14 described with reference to FIG. 4, the description thereof will be omitted.

【0053】

In this way, the network connection unit 44 of the device 14 inputs the setting information of the plurality of confidential boxes, and the CPU 34 sets the plurality of the confidential boxes 50.

【0054】

That is, since the input means inputs the setting information of the plurality of confidential boxes and the setting means sets the plurality of the confidential boxes based on the setting information, the device can easily collectively set the confidential boxes. Can be set to.

【0055】

When an instruction to acquire the setting file distributed in step 110 of FIG. 5 is instructed by the user via the input unit 26 of each client 12, the process of the client 12 of FIG. 13 is started. In step 142, the configuration file distributed by the distribution method specified for each user is acquired. The configuration file attached to the mail and distributed can be obtained by the mail software installed on the client 12, and the file distributed on the file server can be obtained by ftp or the like.

【0056】

In step 144, a program is run that diagnoses client 12 whether the application software needed to configure access to Mailbox 50 is installed. If it is determined that it is not installed, the necessary application software is installed in step 146. A dialog prompting the user to install the application software may be shown on the display 24, or the application software may be downloaded from the site by connecting to the site having the application software via the network connection 28. You may install it automatically.

【0057】

If it is determined in step 144 that the required application software has been installed, or if the application software has been installed in step 146, the configuration file received from the server 11 in step 148 is used. Import it into the application software, and the processing of client 12 ends. That is, the client 12 collectively sets a plurality of extended folders 74 corresponding to the plurality of confidential boxes 50, whereby the client 12 can access the plurality of confidential boxes 50, and the process ends. Since the setting of the extension folder 74 for accessing the confidential box 50 on the client 12 is the same as the setting of the extension folder 74 in FIG. 4, the description thereof will be omitted.

【0058】

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, since the user A selects the mail address as the distribution method of the access information, when the user A starts this process by the client 12, the process is installed in the client 12. -Receive the setting file by software. This configuration file is shown in Figure 9 (1) Device address "129.249.xx.1", Mailbox number "1", Authentication user "Undefined", Authentication password "None", (2) Device address "129.249" .xx.1 ", confidential box number" 2 ", authenticated user" UserA ", authentication password" **** ", (3) device address" 129.249.xx.2 ", confidential box number" 3 ", authentication It contains information for accessing the three confidential boxes of user "UserA" and authentication password "****".

【0059】

The client 11 operated by user A determines whether or not the necessary application software is installed, and if it is not installed, for example, accesses the site having the application software via the network 16 and the relevant application software is installed. Download and install the application software. Start the application software, for example, by selecting import of the setting file from the menu, user A imports the setting file containing the information for accessing the above three confidential boxes into the application software. Allows User A to access the three Mailboxes 50 using Client 12.

【0060】

When the setting file is generated in step 108 of FIG. 5, the server 11 may set a password in the setting file or may add an administrator's electronic signature to the setting file. In addition, the configuration file may be encrypted with the user's public key. In this case, in step 148 of FIG. 13, when importing the configuration file, the configuration file is created by having an authenticated user enter the password, confirm the administrator's digital signature, decrypt the configuration file, and so on. It can be avoided to be used by other users and the security of the confidential box system 10 can be improved.

【0061】

As described above, the confidential box system 10 includes the server 11, the device 14, and the client 12, and the client 12 inputs a setting file and makes settings for accessing the confidential box based on the setting file.

【0062】

That is, since the client inputs the access information and makes settings for accessing the confidential box based on the access information, the client can easily make settings for accessing the confidential box all at once. Can be done.

【0063】

[Effect of the invention]

As described above, the input means of the server of the present invention inputs the physical information of a plurality of confidential boxes and the information of a plurality of clients accessing each confidential box, and the generating means is the physical information and the above. Since the setting information of the plurality of confidential boxes is generated based on the information of the client and the output means outputs the setting information to the device including the confidential box, the server is a plurality of devices. In, the confidential boxes can be easily set all at once.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of a confidential box system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a configuration diagram of a server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration diagram of a device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a connection between a client and a device.

FIG. 5 shows the operation of a server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a description of confidential box information and user information.

FIG. 7 shows an example of user information.

FIG. 8 shows an example of confidential box information.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a setting file.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a setting file.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a setting file.

FIG. 12 shows the operation of the device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 shows the action of a client in an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

Ten Confidential Box System 11 Server 12 Client 14 Device 26 Input 28 Network Connection 18 CPU34 CPU44 Network Connection 46 Storage 50 Confidential Box