Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and computer program product

Abstract

The present application provides an information processing device, an information processing method, and a computer readable recording medium. The information processing device has: an accepting unit that accepts an instruction to perform a predetermined operation on data stored in an external device from a terminal device of a user; a first control unit that controls storing of the data from the external device into a storage unit of the information processing device according to the instruction accepted by the accepting unit; an execution unit that executes the instruction on the data stored in the storage unit; and a second control unit that controls storing of the data on which the instruction is executed by the execution unit in the external device.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a computer program product. BACKGROUND

[0002] For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-97861 describes a cloud storage management method in a cloud storage management system implemented by a computer. In the cloud storage management method, a network drive that constitutes a first cloud storage on a server associated with the cloud storage management system to which a user of an electronic device is assigned is caused to drive, at least one other server on which a second cloud storage utilized by the user is linked, and the first cloud storage and the second cloud storage are collectively managed by the network drive.

[0003] Japanese Patent No. 5853996 describes an information system that communicates with a plurality of cloud servers. The information system includes an information management section that manages account information indicating an account held by a user of the information system for each of the plurality of cloud servers, and a retrieval section that, at the time of user login, accesses the plurality of cloud servers using the account information to retrieve, from each of the plurality of cloud servers, usage information indicating a usage status of the user. Further, the information system is provided with a user interface section that displays a summary of the usage status of the user for each of the plurality of cloud servers indicated by the usage information on a display provided to a device operated by the user at the time of login.

[0004] In addition, Japanese Patent No. 6345330 describes a method of providing integration of applications to a synchronization framework executed in a computing device in which a first instance of a file is stored. The computer device is capable of communicating with a cloud service via a network, the cloud service storing a second instance of the file, the cloud service being provided with a synchronization engine. The method includes a step of allowing updating of the first instance of the file and allowing updating of the second instance for a certain period. The method includes a step of exchanging updates between the synchronization framework and the synchronization engine via the network in response to the updates of the first instance of the file and the second instance of the file for the period, thereby automatically maintaining synchronization between the first instance of the file and the second instance of the file, wherein the synchronization framework has an interface or API (application programming interface) that enables any application program executed on the computing device to communicate with the synchronization framework. Further, the method includes a step of receiving, from a first application program executed on the computing device, a synchronization lock request associated with the file via the interface or API. The method includes a step of providing a synchronization lock in response to the synchronization lock request, the synchronization lock including temporarily giving up synchronization between the first instance of the file and the second instance of the file based on the synchronization framework, wherein updating of the first instance of the file and the second instance of the file is continued during the period in which the synchronization lock request is made.

[0005] In addition, in the case of a specific operation such as co-editing of data stored in an external device, if the present terminal is an information processing device corresponding to the specific operation, the user performs an operation of downloading data from the external device to the present terminal, and after the specific operation is performed, the user performs an operation of uploading data to the external device. In addition, if the present terminal is not an information processing device corresponding to the specific operation, it is necessary to upload data to an information processing device corresponding to the specific operation, and after the specific operation is performed, the operation is performed again to download the data to the present terminal, and the user needs to perform an operation of uploading data to the external device. In this way, in the case of a specific operation on data stored in an external device, the user needs to perform a troublesome operation such as downloading or uploading of data in addition to the specific operation, and it is difficult to efficiently perform the specific operation. SUMMARY

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an information processing device and a computer-readable recording medium, when a specific operation is performed on data stored in an external device, the user downloads data stored in the external device, and performs a specific operation on the downloaded data in the present terminal or an information processing device corresponding to the specific operation, and uploads the data on which the specific operation has been performed to the external device, the information processing device and the computer-readable recording medium of the present disclosure can perform a specific operation on data stored in an external device with a reduction in the user's operation compared to the case where such an operation is performed.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, an information processing device is provided, which has: an accepting unit that accepts an instruction to perform a predetermined operation on data stored in an external device from a terminal device of a user; a first control unit that performs control to store the data from the external device into a storage unit of the device according to the instruction accepted by the accepting unit; an execution unit that performs the instruction on the data stored in the storage unit; and a second control unit that performs control to store the data on which the instruction has been performed by the execution unit in the external device.

[0008] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, the first control unit performs control to prohibit use of the data in the external device in the case where the data is stored in the storage unit, and the second control unit performs control to permit use of the data in the external device after the data on which the instruction has been performed is stored in the external device.

[0009] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, after the data is stored in the storage unit, the accepting unit accepts an instruction to perform an operation on the data from a terminal device of a user different from the user, and the execution unit performs the instruction accepted from the terminal device of the other user on the data.

[0010] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the second control section controls storage of the data in the external device, in a case where it is detected that execution of the instruction for the data accepted from the terminal device of the last user has ended.

[0011] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the accepting section selectively accepts whether the user using the data is a single user or a plurality of users, when the instruction for the data is accepted from the terminal device of the user.

[0012] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the first control section compares first data stored in the external device and second data stored in the storage section, in a case where the instruction for the data is accepted from the terminal device of the user, and does not control storage of the first data in the storage section in a case where the second data is the latest, and the execution section executes the instruction for the second data.

[0013] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, in a case where the data stored in the external device is updated after the second control section stores the data for which the instruction is executed in the external device, the second control section controls deletion of the data stored in the storage section.

[0014] According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, the accepting section causes the terminal device of the user to display an accepting screen including thumbnails respectively representing a plurality of data stored in the external device, and accepts the instruction for data selected from the plurality of data.

[0015] According to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, the accepting screen displays whether the plurality of data stored in the external device is respectively stored in the storage section in an identifiable manner.

[0016] According to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, the accepting screen displays the number of users who are instructing execution of an operation on the data stored in the storage section.

[0017] According to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, the accepting screen displays whether the data stored in the storage section can be collectively edited in an identifiable manner.

[0018] According to a 12th aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer-readable recording medium storing a program causing a computer to execute a process having: accepting, from a terminal device of a user, an instruction to perform a predetermined operation on data stored in an external device; controlling storage of the data from the external device in a storage section of an information processing device in accordance with the accepted instruction; performing the instruction on the stored data; and controlling storage of the data on which the instruction has been performed in the external device.

[0019] According to a 13th aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an information processing method having: accepting, from a terminal device of a user, an instruction to perform a predetermined operation on data stored in an external device; controlling storage of the data from the external device in a storage section of an information processing device in accordance with the accepted instruction; performing the instruction on the stored data; and controlling storage of the data on which the instruction has been performed in the external device.

[0020] (EFFECTS)

[0021] According to the above 1st, 12th, and 13th aspects, a specific operation can be performed on data stored in an external device with a reduction in operations of a user, as compared with a case where, when a specific operation is performed on data stored in an external device, the user downloads the data stored in the external device, performs the specific operation on the downloaded data in the terminal or the information processing device corresponding to the specific operation, and uploads the data on which the specific operation has been performed to the external device.

[0022] According to the above 2nd aspect, operations of a user can be reduced, as compared with a case where data in an external device is controlled to be prohibited from being used in response to download of data from the external device, and the data in the external device is controlled to be permitted to be used in response to upload of data to the external device.

[0023] According to the above 3rd aspect, a same data stored in a storage section can be subjected to operations based on a plurality of users.

[0024] According to the above 4th aspect, data stored in a storage section can be uploaded to an external device at an appropriate timing, as compared with a case where an end of execution based on an instruction of a last user is not detected.

[0025] According to the above 5th aspect, it can be selected whether a user who utilizes data is a single user or a plurality of users.

[0026] According to the above 6th aspect, execution of unnecessary operations can be suppressed, as compared with a case where data is downloaded from an external device even if data of a storage section is up-to-date.

[0027] According to the above-described 7th aspect, the storage capacity of the storage section can be effectively utilized compared to the case where the data of the storage section is not deleted in the case where the data of the external device is updated.

[0028] According to the above-described 8th aspect, the instruction based on the user's execution operation can be easily accepted compared to the case where the acceptance screen including the thumbnail image representing each data of the external device is not displayed.

[0029] According to the above-described 9th aspect, the user can grasp the data of each data of the external device that is stored in the storage section by looking at the acceptance screen.

[0030] According to the above-described 10th aspect, the user can grasp the number of users who are instructing the execution of the operation on the data of the storage section by looking at the acceptance screen.

[0031] According to the above-described 11th aspect, the user can grasp whether or not the data of the storage section can be collectively edited by looking at the acceptance screen. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0032] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of an information processing system of an embodiment.

[0033] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of an electrical configuration of an information processing apparatus of an embodiment.

[0034] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of an information processing apparatus of an embodiment.

[0035] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow of a data management program of an embodiment.

[0036] Figure 5 (A) of FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing a relationship between check-out and check-in in the case of collective editing of an embodiment, Figure 5 (B) of FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing a relationship between check-out and check-in in the case of normal editing of a comparative example.

[0037] Figure 6 is a sequence chart showing an example of a flow of a collective editing process performed by an information processing apparatus of an embodiment.

[0038] Figure 7 is a schematic view showing an example of a folder structure of a storage section of an embodiment.

[0039] Figure 8 is a front view showing an example of an acceptance screen of an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] An example of a method for implementing the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0041] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of the information processing system 90 of the present embodiment.

[0042] As Figure 1 shown, the information processing system 90 of the present embodiment includes the information processing apparatus 10, a plurality of terminal apparatuses 50A, 50B, …, a plurality of external apparatuses 52A, 52B, …

[0043] The information processing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment can use, for example, a general-purpose computer apparatus such as a personal computer (PC) and a server computer. The utilization method of the information processing apparatus 10 can be either of cloud or on premise. The "cloud" here refers to a method in which a company or the like utilizes external computer resources via the Internet, and the "on premise" refers to a method in which a company or the like holds and utilizes computer resources in the company. The information processing apparatus 10 is connected to the plurality of terminal apparatuses 50A, 50B, … via a network, and is connected to the plurality of external apparatuses 52A, 52B, … via a network. Note that the network can use the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), or the like.

[0044] The plurality of terminal apparatuses 50A, 50B, … of the present embodiment can use, for example, various devices such as a PC, a smartphone, and a tablet terminal used by a user. Hereinafter, in a case where it is not necessary to distinguish the plurality of terminal apparatuses 50A, 50B, …, they will be collectively referred to as a terminal apparatus 50.

[0045] The plurality of external apparatuses 52A, 52B, … of the present embodiment use, for example, a general-purpose computer apparatus such as a server computer. Hereinafter, in a case where it is not necessary to distinguish the plurality of external apparatuses 52A, 52B, …, they will be collectively referred to as an external apparatus 52. The external apparatus 52 can not be plural, but at least one can be provided. The utilization method of the external apparatus 52 can be either of cloud or on premise, like the information processing apparatus 10.

[0046] The external device 52 has a function as an external memory that stores a document file as an example of data. The external device 52 has a check-out and a check-in function. The check-out is a function of downloading the document file from the external device 52 to the information processing device 10 and automatically applying a lock (i.e., a function of prohibiting use by others) to the document file on the external device 52 side. On the other hand, the check-in is a function of uploading the document file from the information processing device 10 to the external device 52 and automatically releasing the lock of the document file on the external device 52 side (i.e., a function of permitting use by others). In addition, there is also a case where the lock and the release of the lock of the document file are performed manually, but in the present embodiment, both the automatic and the manual are referred to as the check-out and the check-in function.

[0047] In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the information processing device 10 and the terminal device 50 are connected via a LAN, and the information processing device 10 and the external device 52 are connected via the Internet, and description is made on this assumption.

[0048] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of an electrical structure of the information processing device 10 of the present embodiment.

[0049] As shown in Figure 2 , the information processing device 10 of the present embodiment includes a control section 12, a storage section 14, a display section 16, an operation section 18, and a communication section 20.

[0050] The control section 12 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 12A, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12B, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12C, and an input / output interface (I / O) 12D, and these parts are connected by a bus, respectively.

[0051] The I / O 12D is connected with each functional section including the storage section 14, the display section 16, the operation section 18, and the communication section 20. These each functional section can communicate with each other via the I / O 12D.

[0052] The control section 12 can be configured as a sub-control section that controls the operation of a part of the information processing apparatus 10, or as a part of a main control section that controls the overall operation of the information processing apparatus 10. As a part or all of each module of the control section 12, for example, an integrated circuit such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration) or an IC (Integrated Circuit) chip set is used. Each of the above-described modules can be configured using a separate circuit, or a part or all of the above-described modules can be configured using an integrated circuit. The above-described modules can be configured integrally with each other, or a part of the modules can be configured separately. In addition, a part of each of the above-described modules can be configured separately. The integration of the control section 12 is not limited to an LSI, and a dedicated circuit or a general-purpose processor can be used.

[0053] As the storage section 14, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), a flash memory, or the like is used. In the storage section 14, a data management program 14A of the present embodiment is stored. In addition, the data management program 14A can be stored in the ROM 12B. The data management program 14A is, for example, a function implemented by a file management software such as Docu Works (registered trademark) manufactured by Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.

[0054] The data management program 14A can be installed in the information processing apparatus 10 in advance, for example. The data management program 14A can be implemented by being distributed in a non-volatile storage medium or via a network, and being appropriately installed in the information processing apparatus 10. In addition, as examples of the non-volatile storage medium, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), an optical magnetic disk, an HDD, a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), a flash memory, a memory card, or the like can be assumed.

[0055] The display section 16 can use, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, or the like. The display section 16 can integrally have a touch panel. On the operation section 18, a device for operation input such as a keyboard or a mouse is provided. The display section 16 and the operation section 18 receive various instructions from a user of the information processing apparatus 10. The display section 16 displays various information such as a result of processing performed in accordance with an instruction received from the user, a notification for processing, or the like.

[0056] The communication section 20 is connected to a network such as the Internet, LAN, WAN, etc., and can communicate with the terminal device 50 and the external device 52 via the network, respectively.

[0057] In addition, as described above, in a case where a specific operation is to be performed on a document file stored in the external device 52, in a case where the terminal device 50 is not an information processing device corresponding to the specific operation, there is a case where the user downloads the document file stored in the external device 52, uploads the downloaded document file to the information processing device corresponding to the specific operation and performs the specific operation, and then, downloads the document file to the terminal again and uploads the document file on which the specific operation has been performed to the external device 52. In this case, the user needs to perform troublesome operations such as download or upload of the document file in addition to the specific operation, and it is difficult to perform the specific operation efficiently. In addition, as an example, the specific operation described here includes viewing / editing of a document file in a special format, joint editing of a document file by a plurality of users, etc.

[0058] Therefore, the CPU 12A of the information processing device 10 of the present embodiment functions as the reception section 30, the first storage control section 32, the execution section 34, and the second storage control section 36 by writing the data management program 14A stored in the storage section 14 in the RAM 12C and executing it. Figure 3

[0059] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional structure of the information processing device 10 of the present embodiment.

[0060] As shown in Figure 3 , the CPU 12A of the information processing device 10 of the present embodiment functions as the reception section 30, the first storage control section 32, the execution section 34, and the second storage control section 36. In addition, the first storage control section 32 is an example of the first control section, and the second storage control section 36 is an example of the second control section. In addition, in the present embodiment, the first storage control section 32 and the second storage control section 36 are described separately, but can be implemented as one storage control section.

[0061] The reception section 30 of the present embodiment receives an instruction to perform a specific operation on a document file stored in the external device 52 from the terminal device 50 of the user. In addition, in the present embodiment, a document file is described as an example of data, but the data as an object is not limited to a document, and can be an image, etc.

[0062] The first storage control section 32 of the present embodiment performs control so that a document file is downloaded from the external device 52 and stored in the storage section 14 of the information processing device 10 in accordance with the instruction received by the reception section 30. In the present embodiment, the document file is copied from the external device 52 to the storage section 14. In​Figure 3 The storage section 14 shown stores a document file downloaded from the external device 52.

[0063] The execution section 34 of the present embodiment performs a specific operation on the document file stored in the storage section 14 according to the instruction received by the reception section 30.

[0064] The second storage control section 36 of the present embodiment controls so that the document file on which the instruction is performed by the execution section 34 is uploaded to and stored in the external device 52. In the present embodiment, the document file is copied from the storage section 14 to the external device 52.

[0065] That is, when a specific operation is performed on the document file stored in the external device 52, the user only needs to give the instruction to perform the specific operation to the information processing device 10. Therefore, the user does not need to perform a troublesome operation such as downloading or uploading of the document file in addition to the specific operation, and the user's operation is reduced, so that the specific operation is efficiently performed.

[0066] Next, the operation of the information processing device 10 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6. Figure 4 The operation of the information processing device 10 of the present embodiment will be described. In addition, Figure 4 is an example of a flowchart showing the process of the data management program 14A of the present embodiment.

[0067] In addition, as an example, the user's terminal device 50 displays the reception screen described later Figure 8 The reception screen shown can receive the instruction to perform the specific operation in a manner of designating the document file stored in the external device 52. In addition, as an example, the specific operation here is an operation related to the common editing of the document file by a plurality of users.

[0068] In step 100 of Figure 4 The reception section 30 receives the instruction to perform the specific operation on the designated document file (hereinafter referred to as "designated document file") among the plurality of document files stored in the external device 52 from the user's terminal device 50. In addition, when the reception section 30 receives the instruction corresponding to the designated document file from the user's terminal device 50, it selectively receives whether the user using the designated document file is a single user or a plurality of users. In the case of common editing, it is received in the case where the user using the designated document file is a plurality of users.

[0069] In step 102, the first storage control unit 32 determines whether the specified document file is stored in the storage unit 14. If it is determined that the specified document file is stored in the storage unit 14 (a positive determination), the process proceeds to step 104; if it is determined that the specified document file is not stored in the storage unit 14 (a negative determination), the process proceeds to step 106.

[0070] In step 104, the first storage control unit 32 determines whether the specified document file stored in the storage unit 14 is up-to-date. Specifically, it compares the specified document file stored in the external device 52 with the specified document file stored in the storage unit 14 to determine whether the specified document file in the storage unit 14 is up-to-date. For example, it determines whether it is up-to-date by comparing the update date, time, version, etc. of the specified document file in the external device 52 and the specified document file in the storage unit 14. If the update date, time, or version is the same, the specified document file in the storage unit 14 is determined to be up-to-date. If the specified document file in the storage unit 14 is determined to be up-to-date (a positive determination), the process proceeds to step 108; if the specified document file in the storage unit 14 is determined not to be up-to-date (a negative determination), the process proceeds to step 106.

[0071] In step 106, the first storage control unit 32 controls the download of a specified document file from the external device 52 and its storage in the storage unit 14. If the specified document file is already stored in the storage unit 14, it is saved by overwriting the existing file. After the specified document file downloaded from the external device 52 is stored in the storage unit 14, the first storage control unit 32 controls the prohibition of use of the specified document file in the external device 52 (i.e., checkout). Here, refer to... Figure 5 (A) and Figure 5 Section (B) explains the relationship between check-out and check-in in the case of co-editing.

[0072] Figure 5 (A) is a schematic diagram illustrating the check-out and check-in relationship in the case of joint editing in this embodiment. Additionally, Figure 5 (B) is a diagram illustrating the relationship between check-out and check-in in the typical editing scenario of the comparative example.

[0073] like Figure 5 As shown in (A), when users A, B, and C are editing together, a checkout (COUT) is performed based on instructions from user A, and a check-in (CIN) is performed based on instructions from the last user, C. On the other hand, as... Figure 5In the case where the user A, the user B, and the user C perform the usual editing (separate editing), as shown in (B) of FIG. 1, the user A, the user B, and the user C are respectively subjected to the check-out (COUT) and the check-in (CIN).

[0074] Next, in step 108, the execution section 34 performs the specific operation on the specified document file stored in the storage section 14 according to the instruction received in step 100. In addition, when it is determined in step 104 that the specified document file of the storage section 14 is the latest, the control of downloading the specified document file of the external device 52 and storing it in the storage section 14 is not performed. Therefore, the instruction is directly performed on the specified document file of the storage section 14.

[0075] In this case, in the case where the specific operation is the joint editing, in the above step 108, for the specified document file stored in the storage section 14, as an example, as shown in (A) of FIG. 1, the reception section 30 receives the instruction to perform the operation on the specified document file from the terminal device 50 of the user (the user B, the user C in the example of (A) of FIG. 1) different from the user (the user A in the example of (A) of FIG. 1) in step 100. Figure 5 Figure 5 In the example of (A) of FIG. 1, the reception section 30 receives the instruction to perform the operation on the specified document file from the terminal device 50 of the user (the user B, the user C in the example of (A) of FIG. 1) different from the user (the user A in the example of (A) of FIG. 1) in step 100. Figure 5

[0076] In step 110, the 2nd storage control section 36 determines whether or not the case where the execution of the instruction on the specified document file stored in the storage section 14 has ended is detected. Specifically, in the case where the specific operation is the joint editing, the user who performs the operation to close the specified document file in the editing becomes the last user. That is, by detecting the operation of the last user to close the specified document file, the case where the instruction on the specified document file has ended is detected. In the case where it is determined that the case where the instruction on the specified document file has ended is detected (in the case of affirmative determination), the processing proceeds to step 112, and in the case where it is determined that the case where the instruction on the specified document file has ended is not detected (in the case of negative determination), the processing stands by in step 110.

[0077] ​​In step 112, the second storage control unit 36 ​​controls the uploading and storage of the specified document file, for which the instruction was executed in step 108, to the external device 52. Specifically, the second storage control unit 36 ​​controls the storage of the specified document file in the external device 52 after detecting that the execution of the instruction received from the last user's terminal device 50 for the specified document file being co-edited has ended. At this time, after storing the specified document file for which the instruction was executed in the external device 52, the second storage control unit 36 ​​controls the permission (i.e., check-in) for the use of the specified document file in the external device 52.

[0078] In addition, the second storage control unit 36 ​​can also control the deletion of the specified document file stored in the storage unit 14 after the specified document file that has been executed above is stored in the external device 52, in the event that the specified document file in the external device 52 is updated.

[0079] In step 114, as an example, the receiving unit 30 will be described later. Figure 8 The update of the acceptance screen shown here concludes a series of processes based on this data management program 14A.

[0080] Furthermore, while the above description used collaborative editing as an example of a specific operation, the same applies to viewing / editing documents with special formats. In this case, a dedicated application / program for viewing / editing documents with special formats is pre-stored in the information processing device 10. Therefore, by simply instructing the information processing device 10 from the user's terminal device 50 to perform the operation of viewing / editing a document, the information processing device 10 can automatically perform the downloading, displaying, editing, and uploading of document files.

[0081] Next, refer to Figure 6 to Figure 8 The joint editing process performed by the information processing device 10 of this embodiment will be described in more detail.

[0082] Figure 6 This is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the flow of the joint editing process performed by the information processing apparatus 10 of this embodiment.

[0083] like Figure 6 As shown, the information processing apparatus 10 includes a receiving unit 40, a storage control unit 42, and an execution unit 44. Furthermore, the receiving unit 40 has the same functions as the receiving unit 30 described above, and the execution unit 44 has the same functions as the execution unit 34 described above. Here, the first control unit and the second control unit will be described as a single storage control unit 42.

[0084] The reception unit 40 displays and manages the contents of a plurality of document files stored in the external device 52, and receives an instruction of individual editing or joint editing of the document files by a user. In addition, the reception unit 40 can not be provided in the information processing apparatus 10, but can be provided in the terminal apparatus 50.

[0085] Specifically, the reception unit 40 manages the folder structure of the external device 52, file information stored in the external device 52, and the like. The file information includes a thumbnail image of the document file, an update date and time, a creation date and time, a number of pages, and an access right in the external device 52, and the like.

[0086] As described above, the storage control unit 42 controls downloading and uploading of a document file designated by a user among a plurality of document files stored in the external device 52. As an example, as shown in FIG. 6, the storage control unit 42 manages the folder structure of the storage unit 14. Figure 7

[0087] Figure 7 FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing an example of the folder structure of the storage unit 14 of the present embodiment.

[0088] In (A) of FIG. 8, the folder structure of the storage unit 14 is shown based on the folder structure of the document files stored in each of a plurality of external devices 52 (here, represented by the external device 1 and the external device 2). In addition, in (B) of FIG. 8, the folder structure of the storage unit 14 is shown based on the operation date and time of the document files stored in each of the plurality of external devices 52. Figure 7 Figure 7

[0089] Here, a large number of document files copied from the external device 52 are stored in the storage unit 14. Therefore, it is also possible to periodically delete a document file that has not been operated for a certain period of time among the document files stored in the storage unit 14, or a document file that is edited alone on the external device 52 side, and the like. In addition, it is also possible to be temporarily copied to the storage unit 14 and deleted immediately after the editing process ends.

[0090] The storage control unit 42 manages a user ID (Identification) or a password for each external device 52. In addition, the storage control unit 42 manages an identification number of the external device 52, a file ID (URL (Uniform Resource Locator) or the like) in the external device 52, an update date and time of the file, an access right, and a file ID (URL or the like) in the storage unit 14, and the like for each document file stored in the storage unit 14.

[0091] ​​​The execution unit 44 has an editing function of individually editing or collectively editing the document files downloaded from the external device 52 by the storage control unit 42 and stored in the storage unit 14.

[0092] Returning to Figure 6 In step S1, the reception unit 40 receives, from the terminal device 50 of the user, an instruction to collectively edit a document file specified by the user from among a plurality of document files stored in the external device 52. In addition, as an example, the specification of the document file is performed by displaying the reception screen shown in Figure 8 FIG. 6.

[0093] Figure 8 is a front view showing an example of the reception screen 60 of the present embodiment.

[0094] Figure 8 The reception screen 60 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the terminal device 50 by the reception unit 40. In the reception screen 60, for convenience, a plurality of external devices 52 are represented as an external device 1 and an external device 2.

[0095] Figure 8 The reception screen 60 shown in FIG. 6 displays thumbnail images representing a plurality of document files (five in the example of FIG. 6, documents 1 to 5) stored in the folder 1 of the external device 1 in the external device 1 and the external device 2. Figure 8

[0096] An icon 62 representing that the user of the terminal device 50 is himself / herself editing is given to the document 1. The number (5 in the example of FIG. 6) of the icon 62 represents the number of users editing the document 1. That is, the document 1 represents a state in which five users including the user of the terminal device 50 are collectively editing. Figure 8 An icon 64 representing that another user is editing is given to the document 2. The number (1 in the example of FIG. 6) of the icon 64 represents the number of other users editing the document 2. That is, the document 2 represents a state in which one other user is editing.

[0097] Figure 8 An icon 66 representing that the document 3 is not stored in the storage unit 14, that is, not downloaded from the external device 1, is given to the document 3. In contrast, the documents 1, 2, 4, and 5 to which the icon 66 is not given are stored in the storage unit 14, that is, downloaded from the external device 1.

[0098] No icon is given to the document 4. The document 4 to which no icon is given is a document stored in the storage unit 14 and capable of being collectively edited.

[0099] No icon is given to the document 4. The document 4 to which no icon is given is a document stored in the storage unit 14 and capable of being collectively edited.

[0100] ​​The icon 68 is assigned to the document 5 to indicate that the document 5 can be edited only individually. That is, the document 5 to which the icon 68 is assigned is a document that can be edited only individually and is prohibited from being edited collectively.

[0101] As described above, the reception screen 60 includes the thumbnails respectively representing the plurality of document files stored in the external device 1. The reception unit 40 causes the terminal device 50 to display the reception screen 60 and receives an instruction with respect to a document file selected as an operation target from among the plurality of document files stored in the external device 1.

[0102] In addition, the reception screen 60 displays, in a recognizable manner, whether each of the plurality of document files stored in the external device 1 is stored in the storage unit 14. Specifically, as an example, this is recognized by whether the thumbnail of the document file is assigned the icon 66.

[0103] In addition, the reception screen 60 displays the number of users who have given an instruction to perform a specific operation on the document file stored in the storage unit 14. Specifically, as an example, this is displayed by the number of the icon 62, the number of the icon 64.

[0104] In addition, the reception screen 60 displays, in a recognizable manner, whether the document file stored in the storage unit 14 can be edited collectively. Specifically, as an example, this is recognized by whether the icon 68 is assigned to the document file.

[0105] In addition, it can also be that, in the reception screen 60, when receiving an instruction to perform an operation on a document file, it is possible to select whether to give an instruction to perform an operation on a document file stored in the external device 52 or to give an instruction to perform an operation on a document file stored in the storage unit 14.

[0106] Next, returning to Figure 6 In step S2, as an example, the reception unit 40 notifies the storage control unit 42 of an instruction to edit collectively the document file (designated document file) designated by the user via the reception screen 60 illustrated in FIG. 6. Figure 8

[0107] In step S3, the storage control unit 42 determines whether the designated document file is acquired from the external device 52, that is, determines whether the designated document file is stored in the storage unit 14. In a case where it is determined that the designated document file is acquired from the external device 52, the process proceeds to step S4, and in a case where it is determined that the designated document file is not acquired from the external device 52, the process proceeds to step S5.

[0108] ​In step S4, the storage control section 42 compares the designated document file stored in the storage section 14 and the object document file stored in the external device 52, and determines whether the designated document file of the storage section 14 is the latest. As an example, it is determined whether it is the latest based on the update date and time or the version of the designated document file, or the like. In a case where it is determined that the designated document file of the storage section 14 is the latest, the processing proceeds to step S7, and in a case where it is determined that the designated document file of the storage section 14 is not the latest, the processing proceeds to step S5.

[0109] In step S5, the storage control section 42 requests the external device 52 to download the designated document file.

[0110] In step S6, the storage control section 42 performs control to download the designated document file from the external device 52 and store the downloaded designated document file in the storage section 14. In addition, as described above, the storage control section 42 performs control to prohibit the use of the designated document file in the external device 52 (i.e., check-out) in a case where the designated document file is stored in the storage section 14. In addition, in a case where the designated document file in the external device 52 is not updated after the designated document file of the last time is downloaded, the downloading from the external device 52 can not be performed.

[0111] In step S7, the storage control section 42 instructs the execution section 44 to execute the common editing. At this time, in the storage control section 42, information such as the URL or the update date and time related to the designated document file which is subjected to the common editing is managed. In addition, in a case where another user instructs the execution of the common editing on the same designated document file via the reception section 40, the storage control section 42 skips the processing of steps S3 to S6 described above, and instructs the execution section 44 to execute the common editing. At this time, since the same designated document file stored in the external device 52 is checked out, the editing cannot be performed.

[0112] In step S8, as an example, as shown in (A) of the above-described Figure 5 , the execution section 44 executes the common editing based on a plurality of users on the designated document file in the storage section 14 according to the instruction from the storage control section 42.

[0113] In step S9, in a case where the execution section 44 detects that one of the users who perform the common editing performs an operation to close the designated document file, it is determined that the common editing is ended, and the storage control section 42 is notified that the common editing is ended.

[0114] In step S10, the storage control section 42 performs control to upload the designated document file in the storage section 14 to the external device 52, and store the uploaded designated document file in the external device 52. In addition, as described above, the storage control section 42 performs control to permit use of the designated document file in the external device 52 (i.e., check-out) in the case where the designated document file is stored in the external device 52.

[0115] In step Sll, the storage control section 42 notifies the acceptance section 40 of the fact that the information related to the designated document file has been updated. For example, the fact that the number of users who are performing collaborative editing of the designated document file has been updated is notified.

[0116] In step S12, as an example, the acceptance section 40 updates the information related to the designated document file of the acceptance screen 60 shown in Fig. 6 in accordance with the above-mentioned notification of update, and ends the processing. Figure 8

[0117] Thus, according to the present embodiment, in the operation of performing collaborative editing of the document file stored in the external device 52, the user only needs to instruct the information processing apparatus 10 to perform the operation of collaborative editing. Therefore, the user does not need to perform troublesome operations such as downloading or uploading of the document file in addition to the operation of collaborative editing, and the user's operations can be reduced, and thus the operation of collaborative editing can be performed efficiently.

[0118] The information processing apparatus of the embodiment has been described above. The embodiment can also be a program for causing a computer to execute the functions of each part possessed by the information processing apparatus. The embodiment can also be a storage medium in which these programs are stored and can be read by a computer.

[0119] Further, the structure of the information processing apparatus described in the above embodiment is an example, and can be changed according to the situation within the scope of the gist. For example, the terminal device and the information processing apparatus of the present embodiment can be integrated.

[0120] In addition, the processing flow of the program described in the above embodiment is an example, and an unnecessary step can be deleted, or a new step can be added, or the processing order can be changed, within the scope of the gist.

[0121] In addition, in the above embodiment, the case where the processing of the embodiment is implemented by a computer through a software structure by executing a program has been described, but is not limited thereto. The embodiment can be implemented by a hardware structure, or a combination of a hardware structure and a software structure, for example.​

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus that is an information processing apparatus that copes with a specific operation, comprising: an accepting section that accepts an instruction to execute a predetermined operation as the specific operation on data stored in an external apparatus from a terminal apparatus of a user, the terminal apparatus of the user being connected to the present apparatus via a network and not being an apparatus that copes with the specific operation, the external apparatus being connected to the present apparatus via a network; a first control section that automatically performs control to store the data from the external apparatus into a storage section of the present apparatus in accordance with the instruction accepted by the accepting section; an execution section that executes the instruction on the data stored in the storage section; and a second control section that automatically performs control to store the data on which the instruction is executed by the execution section in the external apparatus, the accepting section causing the terminal apparatus of the user to display an accepting screen that contains thumbnails that respectively represent a plurality of data stored in the external apparatus, the accepting screen being displayed in a manner that enables identification of whether the plurality of data stored in the external apparatus is respectively stored in the storage section. 2.The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first control section performs control to prohibit use of the data in the external apparatus in a case where the data is stored in the storage section, the second control section performs control to permit use of the data in the external apparatus after the data on which the instruction is executed is stored into the external apparatus. 3.The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the accepting section accepts an instruction to execute an operation on the data from a terminal apparatus of another user different from the user after the data is stored in the storage section, the execution section executes the instruction accepted from the terminal apparatus of the other user on the data. 4.The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second control section performs control to store the data in the external apparatus in a case where it is detected that execution of the instruction accepted from the terminal apparatus of the last user for the data has ended. 5.The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the accepting section selectively accepts whether a user who uses the data is a single user or a plurality of users at the time when the instruction for the data is accepted from the terminal apparatus of the user. 6.The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first control section compares first data stored in the external apparatus with second data stored in the storage section in a case where the instruction for the data is accepted from the terminal apparatus of the user, does not perform control to store the first data in the storage section in a case where the second data is the latest, the execution section executes the instruction on the second data. 7.The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ In a case where the data in the external device is updated after the second control section stores the data for which the instruction is executed in the external device, the second control section performs control to delete the data stored in the storage section.

8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The reception section receives the instruction for the data selected from the plurality of data.

9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein The reception screen displays the number of users who are instructing to perform the operation on the data stored in the storage section.

10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein The reception screen displays whether the data stored in the storage section can be collectively edited in an identifiable manner.

11. A computer-readable recording medium storing a program causing a computer to execute processing having the following steps: An information processing apparatus that deals with a specific operation receives, from a terminal apparatus of a user, an instruction to perform a predetermined operation as the specific operation on data stored in an external apparatus, the terminal apparatus of the user being connected to the information processing apparatus via a network and not being an apparatus that deals with the specific operation, and the external apparatus being connected to the information processing apparatus via a network; automatically performs control to store the data in a storage section of the information processing apparatus from the external apparatus according to the received instruction; performs the instruction on the stored data; and automatically performs control to store the data for which the instruction is executed in the external apparatus, the terminal apparatus of the user displays a reception screen including thumbnails respectively representing a plurality of data stored in the external apparatus, the reception screen is displayed in a manner that enables identification of whether the plurality of data stored in the external apparatus is respectively stored in the storage section.

12. An information processing method having the following steps: An information processing apparatus that deals with a specific operation receives, from a terminal apparatus of a user, an instruction to perform a predetermined operation as the specific operation on data stored in an external apparatus, the terminal apparatus of the user being connected to the information processing apparatus via a network and not being an apparatus that deals with the specific operation, and the external apparatus being connected to the information processing apparatus via a network; automatically performs control to store the data in a storage section of the information processing apparatus from the external apparatus according to the received instruction; performs the instruction on the stored data; and automatically performs control to store the data for which the instruction is executed in the external apparatus, the terminal apparatus of the user displays a reception screen including thumbnails respectively representing a plurality of data stored in the external apparatus, the reception screen is displayed in an identifiable manner whether the plurality of data stored in the external apparatus is respectively stored in the storage section.

13. A computer program product including a program causing a computer to execute processing having the following steps: An information processing apparatus that handles a specific operation receives, from a user's terminal apparatus that is connected to the information processing apparatus via a network and is not an apparatus that handles the specific operation, an instruction to execute, as the specific operation, a predetermined operation on data stored in an external apparatus that is connected to the information processing apparatus via the network; automatically performs control to store the data from the external apparatus in a storage section of the information processing apparatus in accordance with the received instruction; executes the instruction on the stored data; and automatically performs control to store the data on which the instruction has been executed in the external apparatus, the user's terminal apparatus displays a reception screen that contains thumbnail images respectively representing a plurality of data stored in the external apparatus, the reception screen is displayed in a manner that enables identification of whether the plurality of data stored in the external apparatus is respectively stored in the storage section. ​

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