Information processing system, information processing device, data transfer method and program

Abstract

To provide a flexible method for setting the destination of data transfer. [Solution] This information processing system is characterized by comprising a data transfer unit that transfers data to a storage destination, and the data transfer unit transfers the data in response to a data transfer request from an equipment by referring to distribution setting information that specifies the storage location of the data in the storage.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing device, a data transfer method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] A technology for allocating and forwarding received data to predetermined destinations has been known. A distribution system has also been disclosed that includes a client terminal that queries a person-in-charge determination server for the most suitable person when a file is added to a fax reception folder, and a person-in-charge determination server that replies that the person in charge with the fewest unprocessed cases is the most suitable person. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] The above-mentioned conventional technology has a problem in that the distribution settings cannot be easily changed. Also, the above-mentioned delivery system distributes messages according to the processing status of the person in charge, so the distribution destination cannot be set.

[0004] The disclosed technology aims to provide a method for flexibly setting the destination of data transfer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The disclosed technology is an information processing system that includes a data transfer unit that transfers data to a storage destination, and the data transfer unit transfers the data in response to a data transfer request from an equipment by referring to distribution setting information that specifies the storage location of the data in the storage. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] It is possible to provide a flexible method for setting the destination of data transfer. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system configuration of a data transfer system. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing system. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of functions of an information processing system and an image forming apparatus. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence of a data transfer function enabling process. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation unit function list screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a processing screen in the data transfer function activation process. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an error screen in the data transfer function activation process. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a top screen of a data transfer function. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence of a data transfer function setting process. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of distribution setting information. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a function list screen. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a data transfer function setting screen according to the first embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence of a data reception process. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of accumulated information. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence of a data transfer process. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a notification email. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of a notification email. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data transfer function setting screen according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] (First embodiment) Hereinafter, an embodiment of a data transfer system will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of a data transfer system.

[0010] The data transfer system 1 according to this embodiment includes an information processing system 10 and an image forming apparatus 20.

[0011] The information processing system 10 is communicatively connected to one or more image forming apparatuses 20 and devices such as terminals via a network 8. The information processing system 10 has, for example, various functions as base functions, including user authentication, device authentication, tenant information management, device information management, user information management, screen information management, file management, an external linkage function for linking with external services such as cloud storage, and an API for receiving requests from devices and executing each function, and functions as a Web service providing system that provides each function to devices such as the image forming apparatuses 20 and terminals.

[0012] The information processing system 10 is constructed as a platform for providing cloud services with various functions, for example. The information processing system 10 is composed of multiple information processing devices, and each of the above functions is processed in a distributed and coordinated manner by the multiple information processing devices, but all of the functions may be implemented in a single information processing device. Although the following description will be given of the information processing system 10 executing the processing of each function, in reality, the processing is executed by an information processing device included in the information processing system 10.

[0013] Furthermore, the information processing system 10 executes processes defined in various Web application programs (hereinafter referred to as Web apps) as the above-mentioned cloud services. A Web app is an application program that defines functions that the information processing system 10, acting as a Web server, provides to the image forming apparatus 20, acting as a Web client. Furthermore, the information processing system 10 determines, as necessary, for each Web app, whether or not the Web app can be used by each user or device.

[0014] The information processing system 10 also has a workflow application as a Web application that executes a workflow that defines a processing flow composed of units called components. One of the workflow applications is a data transfer application that transfers received data to a specified storage area, for example, a data transfer application that transfers facsimile data.

[0015] The information processing system 10 executes processing defined in the data transfer application and transfers facsimile data received from the image forming apparatus 20 to the cloud storage 4 via the network 8, as described below. At that time, the information processing system 10 sorts and stores the facsimile data into predetermined folders in the cloud storage 4 based on the set information. The information processing system 10 then sends a notification email via the mail server 7 to the email address of the notification destination set according to the sorting destination. Note that the number of cloud storages 4 is not limited to one, and data may be transferred to multiple cloud storages 4. One data transfer application may be able to specify storage areas (storage destinations) of multiple cloud storages 4 as sorting destinations. A different cloud storage 4 may be specified as the sorting destination for each of multiple data transfer applications.

[0016] The image forming device 20 is a device that realizes image forming functions such as scanning, printing, copying, and faxing. In addition to realizing the image forming functions by itself, the image forming device 20 also functions as a Web client that uses various functions provided by the information processing system 10. Note that the device that transmits image data to the information processing system 10 is not limited to an image forming device, and data can be transmitted to the information processing system 10 from various image data transmission devices.

[0017] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 20 receives facsimile data, i.e., image data, from the facsimile 2 via the telephone network 3. The received facsimile data is then printed (image formed), stored in a storage area within the image forming apparatus 20, and transmitted to the information processing system 10 via the network 8. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 20 is provided with a transmission application as a device application that transfers image data to the information processing system 10. Furthermore, devices from which devices such as the image forming apparatus 20 receive information are not limited to facsimiles, and devices can receive image data from various data transmission devices.

[0018] The network 8 is an example of a communication network and mainly refers to the Internet, but may be wireless or wired communication, and may also be not limited to the Internet but may be a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), a VPN (Virtual Private Network), etc. The telephone network 3 is also an example of a communication network and mainly refers to a FAX line or the Internet, but may also be other networks.

[0019] Furthermore, device identification information identifying one or more image forming apparatuses 20 and user identification information identifying users who use them are managed so as to belong to one tenant by the tenant information management function of the information processing system 10. A tenant represents a group or organization to which a user belongs, such as a company or an organization, and tenant identification information identifying one tenant is associated with user identification information and device identification information belonging to the tenant and stored in an information processing device of the information processing system 10. Furthermore, the information processing system 10 executes processing in cooperation with multiple image forming apparatuses 20 belonging to multiple tenants.

[0020] Cloud storage 4 is a storage area available to individuals on the web. Cloud storage 4 provides users of accounts with storage areas of a capacity stipulated by a contract for each account. For example, a tenant administrator of a certain tenant using a cloud service provided by information processing system 10 can use the storage area of ​​the cloud storage 4 account (tenant account) for which the administrator has signed a usage contract as a storage area for a linked destination (a destination for information reference and transfer) from information processing system 10.

[0021] The facsimile data transferred from the information processing system 10 is stored in a storage area of ​​an account of the cloud storage 4 used by the tenant to which the image forming apparatus 20 that transferred the facsimile data belongs.

[0022] The administrator terminal 5 is a terminal used by the tenant administrator. In response to an operation by the tenant administrator, the administrator terminal 5 transmits the input setting information for each Web application to the information processing system 10. For example, the administrator terminal 5 transmits to the information processing system 10 the storage area of ​​the cloud storage 4 as a reference destination (storage location) for sorting setting information that describes a method for sorting facsimile data and that is referenced by the data transfer application, as well as account information for the cloud storage 4 used for the reference, and sets the information in the data transfer application.

[0023] The tenant administrator uses the web browser on the administrator terminal 5 to access the web applications of the information processing system 10 (the data transfer application, the web page for administrator settings of the application), the management site of the tenant to which the tenant belongs, and the cloud storage 4, and displays and inputs data on the web browser. The tenant administrator may also use dedicated software other than a web browser. The management site of the tenant to which the tenant belongs, accessed from the administrator terminal 5, allows administrator settings such as registering devices to the tenant to which the tenant belongs, granting and canceling device licenses to devices, and granting and canceling user licenses to registered users of the tenant.

[0024] In addition, in response to an operation by the tenant administrator, the administrator terminal 5 sends and stores distribution setting information (such as a tabular file) to the cloud storage 4, which indicates the settings for the distribution destination of facsimile data, and which is referenced by the data transfer application.

[0025] The user terminal 6 is a terminal used by a user of the image forming device 20. In response to a user's operation, the user terminal 6 retrieves and displays facsimile data transferred from the information processing system 10 from the cloud storage 4. The user terminal 6 also receives notification emails sent from the information processing system 10 via the mail server 7. The user uses a web browser on the user terminal 6 to access the web application of the information processing system 10, the cloud storage 4, etc., and displays and inputs data on the web browser. The user may also use dedicated software other than a web browser.

[0026] Next, the hardware configuration of each device included in the data transfer system 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the information processing system.

[0028] The information processing system 10 is constructed by one or more information processing devices, that is, computers, and the information processing device is equipped with a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, an HD 104, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 105, a display 106, an external device connection I / F (Interface) 108, a network I / F 109, a bus line 110, a keyboard 111, a pointing device 112, a DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable) drive 114, and a media I / F 116.

[0029] Of these, the CPU 101 controls the overall operation of the information processing device that constitutes the information processing system 10. The ROM 102 stores programs used to drive the CPU 101, such as an IPL (Initial Program Loader). The RAM 103 is used as a work area for the CPU 101. The HD 104 stores programs such as a guest network creation application and various other data. The HDD controller 105 controls the reading and writing of various data from and to the HD 104 under the control of the CPU 101. The display 106 displays various information such as a cursor, menus, windows, characters, or images.

[0030] The external device connection I / F 108 is an interface for connecting various external devices. In this case, the external devices are, for example, USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, printers, etc. The network I / F 109 is an interface for performing data communication with the image forming apparatus 20, etc., using the network 8. The bus line 110 is an address bus, a data bus, etc. for electrically connecting the components, such as the CPU 101, shown in FIG. 2.

[0031] The keyboard 111 is a type of input means having multiple keys for inputting characters, numbers, various instructions, etc. The pointing device 112 is a type of input means for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, etc. The DVD-RW drive 114 controls reading and writing of various data from a DVD-RW 113, which is an example of a removable recording medium. Note that this is not limited to a DVD-RW, and may be a DVD-R, etc. The media I / F 116 controls reading and writing (storing) of data from a medium 115, such as a flash memory.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus.

[0033] The image forming device 20 includes a main body 21 that realizes an image forming function, and an operation unit 22 that accepts user operations. Note that accepting user operations is a concept that includes accepting information (including signals indicating screen coordinate values) input in response to user operations.

[0034] The main body unit 21 and the operation unit 22 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a communication path 201. The communication path 201 may be, for example, a path conforming to the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard. Note that the communication path 201 may be wired or wireless and may conform to a standard other than the USB standard.

[0035] The main body 21 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 211, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 212, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 213, a storage unit 214, a communication I / F (Interface) 215, a connection I / F 216, an engine unit 217, an external connection I / F 218, and a system bus 219.

[0036] The CPU 211 is a computing device that controls the overall operation of the main body 21 by using the RAM 213 as a work area (working region) to execute programs stored in the ROM 212 or the storage unit 214. For example, the CPU 211 uses the engine unit 217 to realize various functions such as copying, scanning, faxing, and printing.

[0037] The ROM 212 is a non-volatile memory that stores, for example, a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) that is executed when the main body unit 21 starts up, various settings, etc. The RAM 213 is a volatile memory that is used as a work area, etc. for the CPU 211. The storage unit 214 is a non-volatile storage device that stores, for example, an OS (Operating System), application programs, various data, etc., and is configured, for example, by an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), etc.

[0038] The communication I / F 215 is a network interface such as a wireless LAN or a wired LAN for connecting the main body 21 to the telephone network 3 and communicating with external devices such as the facsimile 2. The connection I / F 216 is an interface for communicating between the main body 21 and the operation unit 22 via the communication path 201.

[0039] The engine unit 217 is hardware that performs general-purpose information processing and processing other than communication in order to realize functions such as copying, scanning, faxing, and printing. The engine unit 217 includes, for example, a scanner (image reading unit) that scans and reads images of documents, a plotter (image forming unit) that prints on sheet materials such as paper, and a fax unit that performs fax communication. Furthermore, the engine unit 217 may include specific options such as a finisher that sorts printed sheet materials and an ADF (automatic document feeder) that automatically feeds documents.

[0040] The external connection I / F 218 is an interface for connecting an external device to the main body 21. The external device may include, for example, an IC card reader, a mobile sensor, etc. The system bus 219 is connected to the above-mentioned components and transmits address signals, data signals, various control signals, etc.

[0041] The operation unit 22 includes a CPU 221, a ROM 222, a RAM 223, a flash memory 224, a communication I / F 225, an operation panel 226, a connection I / F 227, an external connection I / F 228, a camera 229, a system bus 230, and the like.

[0042] The CPU 221 is a computing device that controls the overall operation of the operation unit 22 by executing programs stored in the ROM 222 or the flash memory 224, etc., using the RAM 223 as a work area. The ROM 222 is a non-volatile memory that stores, for example, a BIOS that is executed when the operation unit 22 is started up, various settings, etc. The RAM 223 is a volatile memory that is used as a work area, etc., for the CPU 221. The flash memory 224 is a non-volatile storage device that stores, for example, an OS, application programs, various data, etc.

[0043] The communication I / F 225 is a network interface such as a wireless LAN or a wired LAN for connecting the operation unit 22 to the network 8 and communicating with an external device such as an information processing device.

[0044] The operation panel 226 accepts various inputs in response to user operations and displays various information. The operation panel 226 is configured, for example, by a liquid crystal display (LCD) equipped with a touch panel function, but is not limited to this. The operation panel 226 may be configured, for example, by an organic electroluminescence (EL) display device equipped with a touch panel function. Furthermore, the operation panel 226 may be provided with an operation unit such as hardware keys and a display unit such as a lamp in addition to or instead of the above.

[0045] The connection I / F 227 is an interface for communication between the operation unit 22 and the main body unit 21 via the communication path 201. The external connection I / F 228 is an interface such as a USB for connecting an external device.

[0046] The camera 229 is a photographing device that photographs an image of a user. The camera 229 may be installed outside the image forming apparatus 20 and connected to the operation unit 22 via an external connection I / F 228. The system bus 230 is connected to the above-mentioned components and transmits address signals, data signals, various control signals, etc.

[0047] Next, the functional configuration of each device included in the data transfer system 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0048] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of functions of the information processing system and the image forming apparatus.

[0049] The information processing system 10 includes a data transfer unit 11, a setting registration unit 12, a device authentication unit 13, a license authentication unit 14, and a storage unit 15. Each unit is implemented in one or more information processing devices constituting the information processing system 10. For example, the functions may be distributed and implemented in an information processing device A having basic functions such as the device authentication unit 13 and the license authentication unit 14, an information processing device B having Web applications such as the data transfer unit 11 and the setting registration unit 12, an information processing device C having a database that stores various information such as the storage unit 15, etc. Note that other distribution methods may also be used, or all functions may be implemented in a single information processing device.

[0050] The data transfer unit 11 transfers facsimile data. Specifically, the data transfer unit 11 executes processing defined in a data transfer application (such as a facsimile transfer application). The data transfer unit 11 acquires sorting setting information stored in the setting area 421 of the storage unit 42 of the cloud storage 4, sorts the received facsimile data into folders based on the acquired sorting setting information, and transmits the sorted facsimile data to the data storage area 422 of the storage unit 42 of the cloud storage 4.

[0051] The setting registration unit 12 registers transfer setting information 154 indicating settings used in the processing executed by the data transfer unit 11. Specifically, the setting registration unit 12 transmits data indicating a setting screen to the administrator terminal 5 and receives the transfer setting information 154 from the administrator terminal 5. Then, the setting registration unit 12 stores the received transfer setting information 154 in the storage unit 15. The setting registration unit 12 is implemented as an administrator setting web page that performs settings for the tenant administrator of the data transfer app.

[0052] The device authentication unit 13 authenticates the image forming device 20. Specifically, when the device authentication unit 13 receives a signal requesting device authentication from the image forming device 20, it determines whether the device identification number included in the signal is included in the device information 153. If the device authentication unit 13 determines that the device identification number is included in the device information 153, it issues a device authentication ticket indicating that device authentication has been successful. The device identification number is a number used to identify the image forming device 20.

[0053] The license authentication unit 14 determines whether the tenant has a license to use the Web application based on the license information 152 described below. If the license authentication unit 14 determines that the tenant has a license, it permits the tenant to use the Web application.

[0054] The storage unit 15 stores various information necessary for executing processes defined in the Web application. For example, the storage unit 15 stores tenant information 151, license information 152, device information 153, transfer setting information 154, and transfer history information 503.

[0055] The tenant information 151 is information indicating attributes of a tenant. For example, the tenant information 151 is information including, as items, a tenant ID having an identifier for identifying a tenant as a value, a tenant name having a name of the tenant as a value, and the like.

[0056] The license information 152 is information indicating licenses set for each tenant based on a contract between an organization that has opened the tenant and a company that manages the information processing system 10 (cloud service). Specifically, the license information 152 indicates the number of licenses for using Web applications for each tenant. There are types of licenses, such as a user license and a device license. In the case of a device license, one image forming apparatus 20 is assigned to one license in the tenant.

[0057] The device information 153 is information indicating the attributes of the device. In this embodiment, the device indicates the image forming device 20. Specifically, the device information 153 is information including, as items, a machine identification number and the like, whose value is an identifier that identifies the device. The device information 153 is registered in association with the tenant information 151.

[0058] The transfer setting information 154 is setting information referenced by the data transfer unit 11. The transfer setting information 154 is input by the tenant administrator via a data transfer function setting screen displayed on the administrator terminal 5. The data transfer function setting screen will be described in detail later. The transfer history information 503 will also be described later.

[0059] The image forming apparatus 20 includes a main body 21 and an operation unit 22 .

[0060] The main body unit 21 realizes image forming functions such as copying, scanning, and printing, that is, the internal functions of the image forming apparatus 20. Specifically, the main body unit 21 includes a WebAPI service unit 24, a data receiving unit 25, and a storage unit 26.

[0061] The WebAPI service unit 24 provides a WebAPI to the operation unit 22. The WebAPI is an interface for using various functions of the main body unit 21. The WebAPI includes an API for acquiring a device identification number. In response to an API call from the operation unit 22, the WebAPI service unit 24 transmits the device identification number stored in the main body unit 21 to the operation unit 22.

[0062] The data receiving unit 25 receives facsimile data from the facsimile 2 via the telephone network 3. The data receiving unit 25 then stores the received facsimile data in the storage unit .

[0063] The storage unit 26 stores the facsimile data and the machine identification number of the image forming device 20.

[0064] The operation unit 22 receives operations from the user and instructs the main body unit 21 to execute various processes. The operation unit 22 has an interface for selecting an application program to be started. Specifically, the operation unit 22 has a transfer instruction unit 23.

[0065] The transfer instruction unit 23 transfers the facsimile data stored in the storage unit 26 to the information processing system 10. Specifically, when the data receiving unit 25 receives the facsimile data, the transfer instruction unit 23 registers the data transfer process in the queue information stored in the RAM 223. The queue information is information indicating the queue of processes to be executed by the transfer instruction unit 23. The transfer instruction unit 23 executes the data transfer process to the information processing device having the data transfer unit 11 of the information processing system 10 one by one in the order registered in the queue information.

[0066] The transfer instruction unit 23 is realized by a transfer application installed in the operation unit 22 of the image forming device 20. A tenant administrator can download the transfer application from an external application market server or the like to the operation unit 22 of the image forming device 20 and install it therein.

[0067] The cloud storage 4 includes a storage authentication unit 41 and a storage unit 42.

[0068] The storage authentication unit 41 determines whether or not the cloud storage 4 can be used for each account.

[0069] The storage unit 42 is a storage area set for each account. Specifically, the storage unit 42 includes a setting area 421 and a data storage area 422.

[0070] The setting area 421 is an area where distribution setting information is stored. The distribution setting information is transmitted from the administrator terminal 5 in response to an operation by the tenant administrator.

[0071] The data storage area 422 is an area where facsimile data transferred from an information processing device having the data transfer unit 11 of the information processing system 10 is stored. The data storage area 422 includes multiple folders. The sorting setting information described above sets which folder to sort data to for each sender.

[0072] Next, the operation of the data transfer system 1 will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0073] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence of a data transfer function activation process.

[0074] To use the processing of the data transfer unit 11 of the information processing system 10, the tenant administrator 9 performs an operation to activate the data transfer function on the screen for operating the operation unit 22 of the image forming apparatus 20 (step S101).

[0075] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the operation unit function list screen.

[0076] The operation unit function list screen 301 includes a list of buttons for selecting functions. The list of buttons for selecting functions includes a data transfer function selection button 302. The data transfer function selection button 302 is an icon image of a transfer application installed in the image forming apparatus 20. The tenant administrator 9 presses the data transfer function selection button 302 to activate the data transfer function.

[0077] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a processing screen in the data transfer function activation process.

[0078] When an operation to activate the data transfer function is received, an authentication screen is displayed on the operation unit 22. The operation unit 22 receives user identification information such as an email address and a password via the authentication screen. The user identification information is transmitted to the information processing system 10, and when the authentication function of the information processing system 10 authenticates that the user identification information indicates the tenant administrator, a processing screen 303 is displayed on the operation unit 22.

[0079] 5, the transfer instruction unit 23 of the operation unit 22 determines whether the data transfer function is enabled (step S102). Specifically, if the transfer instruction unit 23 stores flag information indicating whether the data transfer function is enabled or disabled, the transfer instruction unit 23 determines that the data transfer function is enabled.

[0080] If the transfer instruction unit 23 determines that the data transfer function is not enabled, it transmits a signal requesting the device identification number to the main body unit 21 (step S103). The WebAPI service unit 24 of the main body unit 21 reads data indicating the device identification number from the storage unit 26. Then, the WebAPI service unit 24 transmits the data indicating the device identification number to the operation unit 22 (step S104).

[0081] The transfer instruction unit 23 of the operation unit 22 transmits a signal requesting a list of licenses to the information processing device of the information processing system 10 (step S105). Here, the signal requesting the list of licenses includes the device identification number. Note that if authentication of the tenant administrator using the user identification information is successful but the device identification number is not associated with the tenant (if the device is not registered with the tenant), the device identification number is automatically registered with the tenant.

[0082] The license authentication unit 14 of the information processing system 10 refers to the license information 152 and transmits data indicating a list of licenses (step S106). Specifically, the license authentication unit 14 identifies a tenant from the tenant information 151 associated with the transmitted device identification number. Then, the license authentication unit 14 obtains list data indicating a list of Web applications (Web services) owned by the identified tenant and a list of licenses for each Web application (Web service) from the license information 152 and transmits the list data to the image forming apparatus 20.

[0083] The transfer instruction unit 23 of the operation unit 22 determines whether the list of contracted Web applications and licenses contains a Web application of the information processing system 10 that is used as a transfer destination by the transfer application of the image forming apparatus 20, which is the transfer instruction unit 23, and whether the list contains an available license (step S107). Specifically, the transfer instruction unit 23 (transfer application) searches the list of contracted Web applications for a Web application that corresponds to the application type specified by the transfer application. Furthermore, the transfer instruction unit 23 determines that the list of licenses contains an available license when the number of licenses in the list of licenses for the Web application corresponding to the transfer application that are contracted for by the tenant and that are not assigned to a device such as the image forming apparatus 20 is one or more.

[0084] If a validity period is set for each license, a condition that the license is within the validity period may be added in step S106 or step S107. Furthermore, if the information processing system 10 does not have a Web application corresponding to the transfer application of the image forming apparatus 20, the license authentication unit 14 may send a signal indicating an error in step S106.

[0085] When the transfer instruction unit 23 determines that the license list includes an available license, it transmits a signal requesting activation of the data transfer function to the information processing system 10 (step S108). Here, the signal requesting activation of the data transfer function includes the device identification number.

[0086] The license authentication unit 14 activates the data transfer function (step S109). Specifically, the license authentication unit 14 selects one license from the licenses of the tenant that is not assigned to a device, and registers it in association with the received device identification number. This reduces the number of licenses that are not assigned to a device by one.

[0087] Next, the license authentication unit 14 transmits a success signal to the image forming apparatus 20 (step S110). The transfer instruction unit 23 of the operation unit 22 enables the data transfer function (step S111). Specifically, the transfer instruction unit 23 stores the value of flag information indicating whether the data transfer function is enabled or disabled as "enabled."

[0088] As a result, the next time the tenant administrator starts the data transfer function, the transfer instruction unit 23 determines that the data transfer function is enabled in the process of step S102.

[0089] Following step S111, the transfer instruction unit 23 displays the top screen of the data transfer function (step S112).

[0090] If the transfer instruction unit 23 determines in the process of step S107 that the license list includes an available license, it displays an error (step S113). Specifically, the transfer instruction unit 23 displays an error screen.

[0091] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an error screen in the data transfer function activation process.

[0092] The error screen 304 displays a message indicating that the license cannot be confirmed.

[0093] Returning to FIG. 5, if the transfer instruction unit 23 determines in the process of step S102 that the data transfer function is enabled, it displays the top screen of the data transfer function (step S114).

[0094] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the top screen of the data transfer function.

[0095] A message introducing the data transfer function is displayed on the top screen 305. The top screen 305 is displayed when it is determined that the data transfer function is enabled, and when an icon is pressed while the transfer application is running after the data transfer function is enabled. Note that because data transfer using the data transfer function is triggered by the reception of facsimile data, the top screen 305 does not include a display prompting the user to perform operations for transfer. However, the top screen 305 may include a display that accepts operations such as executing a batch transfer of stored unsent facsimile data and setting for transfer (such as specifying the time for batch transfer and the file format for transfer).

[0096] Next, the setting operation of the data transfer function by the tenant administrator will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0097] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence of the data transfer function setting process.

[0098] In response to an operation by the tenant administrator, the administrator terminal 5 generates distribution setting information and sends it to the cloud storage 4 (step S201). The distribution setting information is a file containing data in a table format, such as an Excel file. The administrator terminal 5 sends the file to the cloud storage 4 when the tenant administrator stores the file in a desired folder on an operation screen for operating the cloud storage 4 displayed in the web browser of the administrator terminal 5.

[0099] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of distribution setting information.

[0100] The distribution setting information 501 includes the following items: "sender number," "destination folder name," and "notification destination email address."

[0101] The value of the item "sender number" indicates the fax number of the sender of the facsimile data received by the image forming apparatus 20.

[0102] The value of the "Destination Folder Name" field indicates the name of the folder in which the destination family data is stored. The folder name can be set to the company name, organization name, etc. that corresponds to the fax number of the sender of the facsimile data.

[0103] The value of the item "notification email address" indicates the email address to which the notification email will be sent. The email address is an address that can be viewed on a terminal such as the user terminal 6 or the administrator terminal 5.

[0104] 10, when the cloud storage 4 receives the sorting setting information from the administrator terminal 5, it stores the received sorting setting information in the setting area 421 of the storage unit 42. The setting area 421 is a folder in which the sorting setting information is to be stored, selected on the web browser of the administrator terminal 5. When the storage folder is selected on the web browser of the administrator terminal 5, information indicating the storage location of the sorting setting information is displayed in the URL display field of the web browser. Therefore, the information (URL) indicating the storage location of the sorting setting information is transmitted to the administrator terminal 5 (step S202).

[0105] In response to an operation by the tenant administrator, the administrator terminal 5 transmits a signal requesting display of a management screen to the information processing system 10 (step S203). The setting registration unit 12 of the information processing system 10 transmits data indicating the management screen of the Web application (data transfer application) to the administrator terminal 5 (step S204).

[0106] The administrator terminal 5 displays a management screen. Then, in response to an operation by the tenant administrator, the administrator terminal 5 transmits a signal requesting the display of a function list screen (step S205). The function list screen is a screen that displays a list of functions that are managed by the tenant to which the tenant administrator belongs.

[0107] The setting registration unit 12 of the information processing system 10 transmits data showing the function list screen to the manager terminal 5 (step S206). The manager terminal 5 displays the function list screen.

[0108] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the function list screen.

[0109] The function list screen 306 includes a list of buttons for selecting functions to be managed by the tenant to which the tenant administrator belongs. The list of buttons includes a data transfer function selection button 307. The functions to be managed by the tenant are contracted web applications (web services), and the management screen of the contracted web applications can be opened in the web browser of the administrator terminal 5.

[0110] 10, when the data transfer function selection button 307 is pressed, the administrator terminal 5 transmits a data transfer function selection signal to the information processing system 10 (step S207). The setting registration unit 12 of the information processing system 10 transmits data showing a data transfer function setting screen to the administrator terminal 5 (step S208). The administrator terminal 5 displays the data transfer function setting screen.

[0111] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a data transfer function setting screen according to the first embodiment.

[0112] The data transfer function setting screen 308 includes a storage account selection button 309, a data storage destination folder selection button 310, a distribution setting information storage destination selection button 311, an input field 312 for the name of the folder to store undefined data, an input field 313 for the email address to which undefined data notifications should be sent, and an input field 314 for the email address to which notifications should be sent in the event of an error.

[0113] The storage account selection button 309 is a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for selecting an account of the cloud storage 4 that has been registered in advance by the tenant administrator. In the data transfer process described below, the facsimile data is allocated and transferred to the storage area set in the account selected here. The GUI is represented by buttons and input fields on the web page of the setting screen displayed in the web browser of the administrator terminal 5, but it is not limited to the web browser and may be implemented as a dedicated application.

[0114] The data storage destination folder selection button 310 is a GUI for selecting a folder to which facsimile data is to be transferred within the storage area set in the account selected with the storage account selection button 309. In the data transfer process described below, the facsimile data is sorted and transferred to the folder selected here, which is further sorted to the folder indicated by the value of the "sorting destination folder name" item in the sorting setting information.

[0115] The sorting setting information storage destination selection button 311 is a GUI for selecting the location where the sorting setting information is stored in the cloud storage 4. The location where the sorting setting information is stored is indicated by, for example, a combination of a path name and a file name.

[0116] The undefined data storage destination folder name input field 312 is a GUI for inputting the name of a folder to which facsimile data sent from a sender number that is not defined in the distribution setting information is to be distributed.

[0117] The undefined data notification destination email address input field 313 is a GUI for inputting the email address of the destination of a notification email when facsimile data is sent from a sender number that is not defined in the sorting setting information.

[0118] The error notification email address input field 314 is a GUI for inputting the email address of the destination of a notification email when an error occurs in the data transfer function.

[0119] Returning to Figure 10, the administrator terminal 5 transmits the information entered by the tenant administrator, i.e., storage account information, data storage area information, storage destination information for distribution setting information, undefined data distribution information, and error notification destination information, to the information processing system 10.

[0120] The storage account information is information that indicates the account selected by pressing the storage account selection button 309. The storage account information includes, for example, an ID that identifies the account and a password for authentication.

[0121] The data storage area information is information indicating the storage area selected by pressing the data storage destination folder selection button 310.

[0122] The storage location information of the distribution setting information is information indicating the location selected by pressing the distribution setting information storage location selection button 311 .

[0123] The undefined data distribution information is information indicating the folder name entered in the undefined data storage destination folder name input field 312 and the email address entered in the undefined data notification destination email address input field 313 .

[0124] The error notification destination information is information indicating the email address entered in the error notification destination email address input field 314 .

[0125] The setting registration unit 12 of the information processing system 10 stores the received information in the storage unit 15 as transfer setting information 154 (step S210). Then, the setting registration unit 12 transmits data showing a setting completion screen to the administrator terminal 5 (step S211).

[0126] Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 20 to receive facsimile data will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0127] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence of a data reception process.

[0128] In response to an operation to send a facsimile, the facsimile 2 transmits facsimile data to the image forming apparatus 20 (step S301). The facsimile data includes image data and metadata. The metadata is data indicating the attributes of the image data and includes at least the FAX number of the sender.

[0129] When the data receiving unit 25 of the main body 21 of the image forming apparatus 20 receives facsimile data via a fax line, the Internet, or the like, it stores the facsimile data and accumulated information in the storage unit 26 (step S302). Specifically, the data receiving unit 25 converts the image data included in the received facsimile data into a general-purpose data format such as PDF, and stores the converted image data as facsimile data.

[0130] Furthermore, the data receiving unit 25 generates stored information based on the metadata included in the facsimile data.

[0131] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of the accumulated information.

[0132] The stored information 261 includes the following items: "facsimile data ID," "sender number," and "received time."

[0133] The value of the item "Facsimile Data ID" is an identifier for identifying received facsimile data. The data receiving unit 25 assigns a facsimile data ID when inserting a record into the accumulated information 261.

[0134] The value of the item "sender number" is the fax number of the sender of the facsimile data. The data receiving unit 25 extracts the fax number of the sender from the metadata and sets the value of the item "sender number".

[0135] The value of the item "received time" is the time when the facsimile data was received. The data receiving unit 25 sets the value of the item "received time" to the time when the facsimile data and the stored information are saved.

[0136] 14, the data receiving unit 25 transmits a signal (a reception notification signal) notifying that the facsimile data has been received to the operation unit 22 (step S303). The reception notification signal includes the facsimile data ID.

[0137] The transfer instruction unit 23 of the operation unit 22 adds the data transfer process to the queue (step S304). Specifically, the transfer instruction unit 23 adds a record indicating the process of transferring the received facsimile data to the end of the waiting queue of the queue information stored in the RAM 223.

[0138] Next, the operation of the data transfer system 1 for transferring facsimile data will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0139] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence of a data transfer process.

[0140] When the execution of the previous process of the queue information is completed, the transfer instruction unit 23 of the operation unit 22 starts the data transfer process. The transfer instruction unit 23 transmits a signal requesting the device identification number to the main unit 21 (step S401).

[0141] The WebAPI service unit 24 acquires the device identification number data stored in the storage unit 26, and transmits the acquired device identification number data to the operation unit 22 (step S402).

[0142] Next, the transfer instruction unit 23 of the operation unit 22 transmits a signal requesting device authentication to the information processing system 10 (step S403). The signal requesting device authentication includes device identification number data.

[0143] The device authentication unit 13 of the information processing system 10 authenticates the device (step S404). Specifically, the device authentication unit 13 determines whether or not the device identification number is included in the device information 153. If the device authentication unit 13 determines that the device identification number is included in the device information 153, it transmits a device authentication ticket indicating that the device authentication has been successful to the image forming device 20 (step S405).

[0144] Next, transfer instruction unit 23 of operation unit 22 transmits a signal requesting facsimile data to main unit 21 (step S407). The signal requesting facsimile data includes a facsimile data ID. Main unit 21 acquires the facsimile data from storage unit 26 based on the facsimile data ID included in the received signal, and transmits the acquired facsimile data to operation unit 22 (step S407).

[0145] The transfer instruction unit 23 of the operation unit 22 transmits the facsimile data together with the device authentication ticket to the information processing system 10 (step S408).

[0146] When data transfer unit 11 receives facsimile data, which is image data, it stores the data as transfer history information of the image data in storage unit 15. The transfer history information is information that indicates the transfer status of the image data, including a transfer status. Specifically, data transfer unit 11 stores the transfer status included in the transfer history information as "accepted," which is a value indicating that a transfer instruction has been received.

[0147] The data transfer unit 11 transmits a signal requesting license authentication to the license authentication unit 14 (step S409).

[0148] The license authentication unit 14 executes license authentication (step S410). Specifically, the license authentication unit 14 identifies a device identification number based on the device authentication ticket, and determines whether the device corresponding to the device identification number is assigned to the license of the tenant corresponding to the device identification number. This allows the license authentication unit 14 to determine whether the data transfer function is enabled.

[0149] Here, the license authentication unit 14 may determine whether the corresponding license is still valid.

[0150] If the license authentication is successful, the license authentication unit 14 transmits a signal indicating that the license authentication is successful to the data transfer unit 11 (step S411).

[0151] Next, the data transfer unit 11 transmits a signal requesting the sorting setting information to the cloud storage 4 (step S412). Specifically, the data transfer unit 11 includes storage destination information of the sorting setting information and storage account information included in the transfer setting information 154 in the signal requesting the sorting setting information.

[0152] The storage authentication unit 41 of the cloud storage 4 performs authentication based on the received storage account information. Specifically, the storage authentication unit 41 determines whether or not to permit reading of data from the setting area 421. If the storage authentication unit 41 determines that reading is permitted, the cloud storage 4 transmits the sorting setting information stored in the setting area 421 to the information processing system 10 (step S413). The data transfer unit 11 updates the transfer status included in the transfer history information stored in the memory unit 15 to "processing," which is a value indicating that transfer processing is in progress.

[0153] The data transfer unit 11 of the information processing system 10 transmits the facsimile data to the cloud storage 4 (step S414). Specifically, the data transfer unit 11 distributes the facsimile data to folders based on the received distribution setting information, and transmits the facsimile data to the cloud storage 4 together with information specifying the distributed folders.

[0154] The sorting setting information is an Excel file or the like containing tabular data, and when the data transfer unit 11 (Web application) acquires the Excel file, it converts it from Excel format (tabular format) to JSON format. Furthermore, using the fax number, folder name, and email address included in the conversion result, a PDF file of the facsimile data is sent and stored in a folder with a folder name corresponding to the sender number (fax number) of the received facsimile data, and an email is sent to the corresponding email address. If a folder with a folder name corresponding to the sender number (fax number) does not exist in the storage destination, a folder with the corresponding folder name is created in cloud storage 4, and a PDF file of the facsimile data is sent and stored in the created folder.

[0155] When facsimile data is received from a sender number that is not defined in the sorting setting information, the data transfer unit 11 designates the folder name included in the undefined data sorting information as the storage location to which the data is to be sorted.

[0156] The data transfer unit 11 may also transmit information specifying the file name after transfer along with the facsimile data. The file name includes, for example, the sender's name, date, and number. The data transfer unit 11 may also change the file name using the sender's name, date, and number before transmitting the data. The sender's name is the same as the name of the destination folder. The sender's name may also be information included in the metadata of the facsimile data. Furthermore, when facsimile data for which the sender's number is not defined in the sorting setting information is transferred, the sender's number may be used instead of the sender's name.

[0157] The storage authentication unit 41 of the cloud storage 4 performs authentication based on the received storage account information. Specifically, the storage authentication unit 41 determines whether or not to permit writing of data to the data storage area 422. If the storage authentication unit 41 determines that writing is permitted, the cloud storage 4 stores the received facsimile data in a specified folder in the data storage area 422.

[0158] Next, the cloud storage 4 transmits a signal indicating that the data transfer has been successful to the information processing system 10 (step S415). The data transfer unit 11 updates the transfer status included in the transfer history information stored in the storage unit 15 to "completed", which is a value indicating that the transfer has been completed.

[0159] The data transfer unit 11 sends a notification email to the mail server 7 indicating the completion of the transfer and the destination of the facsimile data (step S416). Specifically, the data transfer unit 11 sends the notification email addressed to the value of the "notification destination email address" in the sorting setting information. The mail server 7 sends the received notification email to the specified destination.

[0160] If an error occurs in any of the above processes, the data transfer unit 11 sends a notification email indicating the occurrence of the error to the email address included in the error notification destination information.

[0161] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the notification email.

[0162] A notification email 701 shows an example of a notification email when facsimile data whose sender number is defined in the sorting setting information is transferred. For example, if the data is sorted into a folder called "ABC," the path name and file name including "ABC" are included in the body of the email.

[0163] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing another example of the notification email.

[0164] Notification email 702 shows an example of a notification email sent when facsimile data is transferred for which the sender's number is not defined in the sorting setting information. For example, if the data is sorted into a folder called "undefined," the body of the email will include a path name and file name that include "undefined." The destination of notification email 702 is the email address included in the undefined data sorting information.

[0165] According to the data transfer system 1 of this embodiment, the tenant administrator can set the destination of facsimile data transfer by storing the distribution setting information in the cloud storage 4. This allows the destination to be flexibly changed without changing the settings of the image forming device 20 and the information processing system 10. Furthermore, the destination can be easily changed at any time from a terminal such as an administrator terminal.

[0166] Furthermore, when a data transfer is performed by a Web application in the information processing system 10, whether a valid device license corresponding to the Web application has been assigned to the device is confirmed using the device identification number transmitted from the device, thereby enabling management of Web application availability on a device-by-device basis for each tenant and realization of device application subscriptions. Also, when managing availability of device applications installed on devices based on license information on the information processing system 10 side, communication between the information processing system 10 and the device solely for license confirmation can be eliminated.

[0167] (Second embodiment) The second embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that distribution setting information is input to the setting registration unit 12 of the information processing system 10. In the following description of the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be described, and components having the same functional configuration as those in the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals as those used in the description of the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0168] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a data transfer function setting screen according to the second embodiment.

[0169] The data transfer function setting screen 315 according to this embodiment is a screen that the setting registration unit 12 displays on the web browser of the administrator terminal 5, and includes a distribution setting information input field 316.

[0170] The distribution setting information input field 316 is a GUI that allows the user to input values ​​for each item of the distribution setting information. The input distribution setting information is stored in the storage unit 15 of the information processing system 10 as part of the transfer setting information 154.

[0171] The data transfer function setting process according to this embodiment does not require the processes of steps S201 and S202 in Fig. 10. Also, in step S209, the distribution setting information is sent instead of the storage destination information for the distribution setting information.

[0172] In the data transfer process according to this embodiment, the processes of step S412 and step S413 in Fig. 16 are not required. In the process of step S414, the data transfer unit 11 distributes and transfers the facsimile data based on the distribution setting information included in the transfer setting information 154.

[0173] According to the data transfer system 1 of this embodiment, there is no need to set up sorting setting information in the cloud storage 4, which reduces the burden of setting work when there are few sorting destinations, for example.

[0174] The sorting setting information described in each embodiment may be linked to an address book stored in the image forming apparatus 20. For example, the values ​​of the item "FAX number" and the item "contact name" included in the address book data are assigned to the values ​​of the item "sender number" and the item "destination folder name" of the sorting setting information, respectively.

[0175] As a method of cooperation, for example, in the data transfer function activation process, the setting registration unit 12 of the information processing system 10 may receive address book data stored in the image forming apparatus 20 and include sorting setting information based on the received address book data in the transfer setting information 154. For example, between S111 and S112, a process may be added in which the image forming apparatus 20 transmits address book data to the information processing system 10 and the information processing system 10 includes the sorting setting information in the transfer setting information 154.

[0176] Alternatively, in the data transfer process, the transfer instruction unit 23 of the information processing system 10 may transmit to the information processing system 10 information indicating the value of the "contact name" included in the address book data along with the facsimile data.

[0177] Alternatively, instead of receiving input of storage destination information for cloud storage 4 on the data transfer function setting screen, the setting registration unit 12 of the information processing system 10 may receive the device identification number and device name of one or more image forming devices 20 from the tenant administrator and receive the address book data of those image forming devices 20.

[0178] In various processes for transmitting the device identification number, an authentication ticket associated with the device identification number may be received from the information processing system 10 instead of the device identification number, and the received authentication ticket may be transmitted.

[0179] In each of the above-described embodiments, an example has been shown in which one account in the cloud storage 4 is used, and data is allocated and stored within the area allocated to that account. However, different storage accounts may be used for each allocation destination.

[0180] In this case, instead of registering the storage account information from the data transfer function setting screen, the storage account information may be included in the sorting setting information. Specifically, the sorting setting information includes an account ID and password for each sorting destination, and the data transfer unit 11 transmits the account ID and password of the sorting destination to the cloud storage 4 along with the facsimile data.

[0181] This provides a high level of security, since the transferred facsimile data cannot be viewed without the storage account information for each user.

[0182] In the above-described embodiments, examples of transferring facsimile data have been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to systems that transfer various types of data such as emails and files.

[0183] The devices described in each embodiment represent only one of multiple computing environments for implementing the embodiments disclosed herein. In one embodiment, information processing system 10 includes multiple computing devices, such as a server cluster. The multiple computing devices may be configured to communicate with each other via any type of communication link, including a network, shared memory, etc., and may perform the processes disclosed herein. Similarly, image forming device 20 may include multiple computing devices configured to communicate with each other.

[0184] Furthermore, the information processing system 10 and the image forming apparatus 20 can be configured to share the disclosed processing steps, for example, the processing steps of the sequences disclosed in Figure 5, Figure 10, Figure 14, or Figure 16, in various combinations. Also, the elements of the information processing system 10 and the image forming apparatus 20 may be integrated into a single server device or may be separated into multiple devices.

[0185] Each function of the above-described embodiments can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Here, the term "processing circuit" in this specification includes a processor programmed to perform each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, as well as devices such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and conventional circuit modules designed to perform each of the above-described functions.

[0186] In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, the image forming apparatus 20 is shown as an example of a device that receives data. However, the device is not limited to an image forming apparatus as long as it has a communication function. The device may be, for example, an output device such as a PJ (Projector), digital signage, a HUD (Head Up Display) device, industrial machinery, medical equipment, network home appliances, automobiles (Connected Cars), notebook PCs (Personal Computers), mobile phones, tablet terminals, game consoles, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), digital cameras, wearable PCs, or desktop PCs.

[0187] The application program installed in the image forming apparatus 20 may be installed in an information processing device such as a user's PC, mobile terminal, smartphone, etc. In other words, the operation unit 22 may be provided in a device separate from the image forming apparatus 20.

[0188] The cloud storage 4 is an example of a storage that stores data. The storage does not have to be a cloud storage, and may be a single device or may include multiple devices.

[0189] Although the present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the requirements shown in the above embodiments. These requirements can be changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and can be appropriately determined depending on the application form. [Explanation of symbols]

[0190] 1. Data Transfer System 2. Fax 3. Telephone Network 4. Cloud Storage 5. Administrator terminal 6 User terminals 7 Mail Server 8 Network 10 Information Processing Systems 11 Data transfer section 12 Setting registration section 13 Device Authentication Department 14 License Authentication Department 15 Storage section 20 Image forming device 21 Main body 22 Control section 23 Transfer instruction section 24 WebAPI Service Department 25 Data receiving unit 26 Memory section 41 Storage Authentication Unit 42 Storage section [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0191] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-058935

Claims

1. a data transfer unit that transfers data to a storage device that is a transfer destination; the data transfer unit transfers the data in response to a data transfer request from a device, by referring to distribution setting information that specifies a storage location of the data in the storage. Information processing system.

2. a setting registration unit for receiving registration of transfer setting information, which is a setting related to the sorting setting information; the setting registration unit acquires, as the transfer setting information, storage destination information indicating a storage destination in the storage of the distribution setting information; the data transfer unit acquires the distribution setting information from the storage based on the storage destination information; The information processing system according to claim 1 .

3. Further comprising a storage unit, The setting registration unit stores the distribution setting information in the storage unit, the data transfer unit acquires the distribution setting information from the storage unit; The information processing system according to claim 2 .

4. the setting registration unit acquires the distribution setting information from a device that transmits the data to the data transfer unit; 4. The information processing system according to claim 2 or 3.

5. the setting registration unit acquires storage account information indicating an account for the storage; The data transfer unit transmits the storage account information to the storage. The information processing system according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

6. the data includes information identifying a sender; The distribution setting information includes information on a distribution destination for each source. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. the device is an image forming device, the data includes an image transmitted from a facsimile to the image forming device; The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. a data transfer unit that transfers data to a storage device that is a transfer destination; the data transfer unit transfers the data in response to a data transfer request from a device, by referring to distribution setting information that sets a storage location of the data in the storage. Information processing device.

9. The computer A data transfer method for transferring data to a storage device that is a transfer destination, comprising: In response to a data transfer request from a device, the data is transferred by referring to distribution setting information that specifies a storage location of the data in the storage. Data transfer method.

10. On the computer, A program for executing a step of transferring data to a storage device that is a transfer destination, the step of transferring the data is characterized in that the step of transferring the data refers to distribution setting information that specifies a storage location of the data in the storage in response to a data transfer request from a device, and transfers the data. program.

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