Information processing device, information processing method, and control program

Abstract

This invention provides an information processing device, an information processing method, and a control program capable of appropriately managing document data. [Solution] The information processing device includes a storage unit that stores document data and metadata of the document data in association with each other; a document data management unit that transmits the document data to a first storage service for storage by the first storage service and receives the storage address of the document data from the first storage service; and a metadata management unit that transmits the metadata and storage address to a second storage service different from the first storage service for storage by the second storage service.

Description

Technical Field

[0004]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a control program.

Background Art

[0002] A computer for viewing data files stored in a file server on a network has been disclosed (see Patent Document 1). The computer reads a download address and management server authentication information from a link file, accesses the management server using the management server authentication information, and acquires file server authentication information from the management server. The computer accesses the download address using the file server authentication information to acquire the data file from the file server.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In an information processing apparatus, it is desired to appropriately manage document data.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a control program capable of appropriately managing document data.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a storage unit that stores document data and metadata of document data in association with each other; a document data management unit that transmits document data to a first storage service for storage by the first storage service and receives the storage destination address of the document data from the first storage service; and a metadata management unit that transmits metadata and storage destination address to a second storage service different from the first storage service for storage by the second storage service.

[0007] An information processing method according to one aspect of the present invention involves storing document data and metadata of the document data in association, transmitting the document data to a first storage service for storage by the first storage service, receiving the storage address of the document data from the first storage service, and transmitting the metadata and storage address to a second storage service different from the first storage service for storage by the second storage service.

[0008] A control program relating to one aspect of the present invention is a control program for an information processing device having a storage unit that stores document data and metadata of document data in association, and causes the information processing device to perform the following actions: transmit document data to a first storage service and have it stored in the first storage service; receive the destination address of the document data from the first storage service; and transmit the metadata and destination address to a second storage service different from the first storage service and have it stored in the second storage service. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the information processing device, information processing method, and control program will be able to appropriately manage document data. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This figure shows a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows the schematic configuration of the third memory device and the third processing circuit. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the data structure of a document data table. [Figure 4] This sequence demonstrates an example of the operation of the save process. [Figure 5] This sequence demonstrates an example of how the update process works. [Figure 6] This sequence demonstrates an example of how the deletion process works. [Figure 7] This sequence demonstrates an example of the recovery process. [Figure 8] This sequence demonstrates an example of how synchronous processing works. [Figure 9] This is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of another third processing circuit. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The following describes an information processing apparatus, information processing method, and control program relating to one aspect of the present invention with reference to the figures. However, it should be noted that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but extends to the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

[0012] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of an information processing system according to the embodiment.

[0013] Information processing system 1 provides document management software or document management services for managing and utilizing document data. As shown in Figure 1, information processing system 1 includes a first storage service 100, a second storage service 200, an information processing device 300, etc. The first storage service 100, the second storage service 200, and the information processing device 300 are interconnected via network N. Network N is the internet, an intranet, etc.

[0014] The first storage service 100 and the second storage service 200 are different storage services from each other, each having one or more servers and providing a service for storing data. The first storage service 100 and the second storage service are, for example, cloud services having cloud storage on a cloud network.

[0015] For example, the second storage service 200 is a service provided by the provider of the information processing device 300, and the first storage service 100 is a service provided by a provider different from the provider of the information processing device 300. In that case, the first storage service 100 is, for example, Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.

[0016] Note that the first storage service 100 is an object storage for storing and managing data, and the second storage service 200 may be a compute service having an application server and / or a virtual machine. In that case, the first storage service 100 is, for example, Amazon S3, Google Cloud Storage, Microsoft Azure Blob Storage, etc. The second storage service 200 is, for example, Amazon EC2, Google Computer Engine, Microsoft Virtual Machines, etc.

[0017] Also in this case, the first storage service 100 and the second storage service 200 may be provided by different providers.

[0018] The first storage service 100 includes a first communication device 101, a first storage device 110, and a first processing circuit 120.

[0019] The first communication device 101 has a wired communication interface circuit for transmitting and receiving signals through a wired communication line according to a predetermined communication protocol such as a wired LAN (Local Area Network). The first communication device 101 transmits and receives various data to and from the second storage service 200 and the information processing device 300 according to an instruction from the first processing circuit 120. Note that the first communication device 101 may have an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio signals and a wireless communication interface circuit for transmitting and receiving signals through a wireless communication line according to a predetermined communication protocol such as a wireless LAN.

[0020] The first storage device 110 includes a memory device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory), a fixed disk device such as a hard disk, or a portable storage device such as a flexible disk and an optical disk. In addition, various computer programs, databases, tables, etc. used for various processes of the first storage service 100 are stored in the first storage device 110. The computer program may be installed in the first storage device 110 using a known setup program or the like from a computer-readable portable recording medium. The portable recording medium is, for example, a CD-ROM (compact disk read only memory), a DVD-ROM (digital versatile disk read only memory), or the like. Also, the computer program may be distributed from a server or the like and installed in the first storage device 110.

[0021] The first processing circuit 120 operates based on a program pre-stored in the first storage device 110. The first processing circuit 120 is, for example, a CPU (Control Processing Unit). Alternatively, the first processing circuit 120 may be a DSP (digital signal processor), LSI (large scale integration), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), FPGA (Field-Programming Gate Array), etc.

[0022] The first processing circuit 120 is connected to the first communication device 101 and the first storage device 110, and controls each of these components. The first processing circuit 120 controls data transmission and reception with the information processing device 300 via the first communication device 101, and controls reading and writing to the first storage device 110, etc.

[0023] The second storage service 200 includes a second communication device 201, a second storage device 210, and a second processing circuit 220.

[0024] The second communication device 201 has a wired communication interface circuit for transmitting and receiving signals via a wired communication line in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol such as a wired LAN. The second communication device 201 transmits and receives various data with the first storage service 100 and the information processing device 300 in accordance with instructions from the second processing circuit 220. The second communication device 201 may also have an antenna for transmitting and receiving wireless signals and a wireless communication interface circuit for transmitting and receiving signals via a wireless communication line in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol such as a wireless LAN.

[0025] The second storage device 210 includes memory devices such as RAM and ROM, fixed disk devices such as hard disks, or portable storage devices such as flexible disks and optical disks. The second storage device 210 also stores computer programs, databases, tables, etc., used for various processes of the second storage service 200. Computer programs may be installed into the second storage device 210 from a computer-readable portable recording medium using a known setup program. Examples of portable recording media include CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs. Alternatively, computer programs may be distributed from a server and installed into the second storage device 210.

[0026] The second processing circuit 220 operates based on a program pre-stored in the second storage device 210. The second processing circuit 220 is, for example, a CPU. Alternatively, a DSP, LSI, ASIC, FPGA, etc., may be used as the second processing circuit 220.

[0027] The second processing circuit 220 is connected to the second communication device 201 and the second storage device 210, and controls each of these components. The second processing circuit 220 controls data transmission and reception with the information processing device 300 via the second communication device 201, and controls reading and writing to the second storage device 210, etc.

[0028] The information processing device 300 is a personal computer or the like. The information processing device 300 may also be a server. Alternatively, the information processing device 300 may be an image reading device such as a scanner, a notebook personal computer, a tablet computer, a smartphone, or a mobile phone. The scanner includes an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) type scanner that captures images while transporting the document medium, or a flatbed type scanner that captures images with the medium fixed. The medium may be paper, cards, booklets, etc.

[0029] The information processing device 300 includes a third communication device 301, an operating device 302, a display device 303, a third storage device 310, and a third processing circuit 320.

[0030] The third communication device 301 has a wired communication interface circuit for transmitting and receiving signals via a wired communication line in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol such as a wired LAN. The third communication device 301 transmits and receives various data with the first storage service 100 and the second storage service 200 in accordance with instructions from the third processing circuit 320. The third communication device 301 may also have an antenna for transmitting and receiving wireless signals and a wireless communication interface circuit for transmitting and receiving signals via a wireless communication line in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol such as a wireless LAN.

[0031] The operating device 302 has input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, buttons, and touch panel, and an interface circuit that acquires signals from the input devices. It accepts operations from the user and outputs signals corresponding to the user's operations to the third processing circuit 320.

[0032] The display device 303 includes a display including liquid crystal, organic EL (Electro-Luminescence), etc., and an interface circuit that outputs image data to the display. It displays information such as image data on the display according to instructions from the third processing circuit 320. The display device 303 may be omitted.

[0033] The third storage device 310 is an example of a storage unit. The third storage device 310 includes memory devices such as RAM and ROM, fixed disk devices such as hard disks, or portable storage devices such as flexible disks and optical disks. The third storage device 310 also stores computer programs, databases, tables, etc., used for various processes of the information processing device 300. Computer programs may be installed into the third storage device 310 from a computer-readable portable recording medium using a known setup program or the like. Portable recording media include, for example, CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs. Computer programs may also be distributed from a server or the like and installed into the third storage device 310. The third storage device 310 stores document data tables as data. Details of the document data tables will be described later.

[0034] The third processing circuit 320 operates based on a program pre-stored in the third storage device 310. The third processing circuit 320 is, for example, a CPU. Alternatively, a DSP, LSI, ASIC, FPGA, etc., may be used as the second processing circuit 220.

[0035] The third processing circuit 320 is connected to the third communication device 301, the operating device 302, the display device 303, and the third storage device 310, and controls each of these components. The third processing circuit 320 controls data transmission and reception with the first storage service 100 and the second storage service 200 via the third communication device 301, and controls reading and writing to the third storage device 310, etc.

[0036] If the information processing device 300 is an image reading device, the information processing device 300 further includes an imaging device. The imaging device generates an image of the medium. The imaging device has a reduction optical system type imaging sensor equipped with image sensors made of CCDs (Charge Coupled Devices) arranged in one or two dimensions. Furthermore, the imaging device includes a light source that emits light, a lens that forms an image on the image sensor, and an A / D converter that amplifies the electrical signal output from the image sensor and performs analog-to-digital (A / D) conversion. In the imaging device, the image sensor captures the medium and generates and outputs an analog image signal, and the A / D converter performs A / D conversion on this analog image signal to generate a digital scan image and outputs it to the third processing circuit 320. Note that a reduction optical system type imaging sensor equipped with an image sensor made of CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) may be used instead of a CCD. Alternatively, a line sensor of the 1:1 optical system type equipped with an image sensor made of CMOS or CCD may be used.

[0037] Figure 2 shows a schematic configuration of the third memory device and the third processing circuit.

[0038] As shown in Figure 2, the third storage device 310 stores the document data management program 311 and the metadata management program 312, among others. Each of these programs is a functional module implemented by software running on the processor. The third processing circuit 320 reads each program stored in the third storage device 310 and functions as the document data management unit 321 and metadata management unit 322 by operating according to each program it has read.

[0039] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the data structure of a document data table.

[0040] As shown in Figure 3, the document data table stores identification information, document data, metadata, storage address, etc., associated with each of the one or more document data.

[0041] Identification information is information that allows the information processing device 300 to identify document data. Document data is, for example, an image of a document such as a receipt, invoice, delivery note, business card, contract, or instruction manual. Document data is transmitted at any time from the image reader that generated the document data and stored in the document data table. If the information processing device 300 is an image reader, document data is generated by the imaging device at any time and stored in the document data table. Document data may also be electronic data of a document.

[0042] Metadata is data used to describe document data, indicating its characteristics and enabling its effective handling. Metadata includes file information and document information. File information includes title, keywords, creation date and time (scan date and time), update date and time, file type, searchability, file size, number of pages, password, etc. Document information includes the name of the creator or administrator (Kanji, furigana, etc.), affiliation (company name, school name, etc.) (Kanji, furigana, etc.), department, position, email address, telephone number, fax number, etc. Among the file information, creation date and time, update date and time, file size, number of pages, etc. are generated by the image reader that generated the document data. Among the file information, title, keywords, file type, etc. are generated by the image reader or information processing device 300 that generated the document data using character recognition technology such as OCR. Among the file information, searchability, password, and document information, etc. are set by the user of the image reader or information processing device 300 that generated the document data. Whether or not a document contains text information is automatically set. If the document contains text information, it may be set to be searchable, and if it does not, it may be set to be unsearchable. The document information may be generated using character recognition technology such as OCR.

[0043] The destination address is the address where the document data is stored in the first storage service 100, and is transmitted by the first storage service 100. The destination address is the destination path of the document data in the first storage service 100. The destination address can be used as a file ID that can identify the document data and metadata in the information processing device 300, the first storage service 100, and the second storage service 200.

[0044] Figure 4 shows a sequence illustrating an example of the operation of the save process.

[0045] The following describes an example of the operation of the storage process of the information processing system 1, referring to the sequence shown in Figure 4. The operation described below is primarily executed by the processing circuits of each device in cooperation with the elements of each device, based on programs pre-stored in the memory devices of each device in the information processing system 1. The storage process is performed periodically.

[0046] First, the document data management unit 321 of the information processing device 300 receives a save instruction from the user instructing it to save document data and metadata to the first storage service 100 and the second storage service 200 (step S101). The document data management unit 321 receives the save instruction entered by the user using the operating device 302. The save instruction includes identification information of the document data to be saved.

[0047] Next, the document data management unit 321 obtains the document data corresponding to the identification information specified in the save instruction by reading it from the document data table (step S102).

[0048] Next, the document data management unit 321 sends a document data storage request signal to the first storage service 100 via the third communication device 301 to request that the acquired document data be stored in the first storage service 100 (step S103). The document data storage request signal includes the acquired document data.

[0049] Meanwhile, the first processing circuit 120 of the first storage service 100 receives a document data storage request signal from the information processing device 300 via the first communication device 101 (step S104).

[0050] Next, the first processing circuit 120 stores (saves) the document data included in the document data storage request signal in the first storage device 110 (step S105).

[0051] Next, the first processing circuit 120 transmits the destination address of the document data to the information processing device 300 via the first communication device 101 (step S106).

[0052] Meanwhile, the document data management unit 321 receives the destination address for the document data from the first storage service 100 via the third communication device 301 (step S107). In this way, the document data management unit 321 transmits the document data to the first storage service 100 for storage and receives the destination address for the document data from the first storage service 100.

[0053] Next, the document data management unit 321 stores the received storage address in the document data table, associating it with the transmitted document data (step S108).

[0054] Next, the metadata management unit 322 obtains metadata corresponding to the identification information specified in the save instruction by reading it from the document data table (step S109). The metadata management unit 322 also calculates first property information for the document data and / or metadata corresponding to the identification information specified in the save instruction. The first property information is information that indicates the properties of each data. The first property information is information that can identify changes in each data, such as the hash value, file version, and UUID (Universally Unique Identifier). The first property information may also be file size, update date and time, etc.

[0055] Next, the metadata management unit 322 transmits a metadata storage request signal to the second storage service 200 via the third communication device 301, instructing it to store the metadata, storage address, and first property information in the second storage service 200 (step S110). The metadata storage request signal includes the acquired metadata and storage address, the calculated first property information, and the owner ID, which is the identification information of the information processing device 300 or the user of the information processing device 300.

[0056] Meanwhile, the second processing circuit 220 of the second storage service 200 receives a metadata storage request signal from the information processing device 300 via the first communication device 101 (step S111).

[0057] Next, the second processing circuit 220 associates the metadata, storage address, first property information, and owner ID included in the metadata storage request signal and stores them in the second storage device 210 (step S112).

[0058] Next, the second processing circuit 220 transmits a storage completion notification signal to the information processing device 300 via the second communication device 201, indicating that the storage of metadata, storage destination address, first property information, and owner ID has been completed (step S113).

[0059] Meanwhile, the metadata management unit 322 receives a save completion notification signal from the second storage service 200 via the third communication device 301 (step S114), and the save process ends. In this way, the metadata management unit 322 transmits the metadata and the destination address to the second storage service 200, causing the second storage service 200 to save it.

[0060] In step S109, the metadata management unit 322 does not need to calculate the first property information for the document data and metadata, nor does it need to transmit the first property information to the second storage service 200. In that case, the metadata management unit 322 may transmit the document data to the second storage service 200, and the second processing circuit 220 of the second storage service 200 may calculate the first property information for each piece of data.

[0061] Figure 5 shows a sequence illustrating an example of the update process.

[0062] The following describes an example of the operation of the update process of the information processing system 1, referring to the sequence shown in Figure 5. The operation described below is primarily executed by the processing circuits of each device in cooperation with the elements of each device, based on programs pre-stored in the memory devices of each device in the information processing system 1. The update process is performed periodically.

[0063] First, the metadata management unit 322 sends a property request signal to the second storage service 200 via the third communication device 301, requesting the acquisition of first property information (step S201). The metadata management unit 322 sends the property request signal to request the acquisition of first property information for all document data and / or metadata that the information processing device 300 or the user has stored in the first storage service 100 or the second storage service 200. The property request signal includes the storage address of all document data that the information processing device 300 or the user has stored in the first storage service 100.

[0064] Meanwhile, the second processing circuit 220 of the second storage service 200 receives a property request signal from the information processing device 300 via the first communication device 101 (step S202).

[0065] Next, the second processing circuit 220 obtains the first property information of all document data and / or metadata associated with the storage address included in the received property request signal by reading it from the second storage device 210 (step S203).

[0066] Next, the second processing circuit 220 transmits each acquired first property information to the information processing device 300 via the second communication device 201 (step S204).

[0067] Meanwhile, the metadata management unit 322 receives first property information from the second storage service 200 via the third communication device 301 (step S205). In this way, the metadata management unit 322 acquires first property information of document data stored in the first storage service 100 and / or metadata stored in the second storage service 200 from the second storage service 200 at a predetermined timing.

[0068] Next, the document data management unit 321 calculates the second property information of the document data and / or metadata (step S206). The second property information is of the same type as the first property information, except that the timing at which it is calculated from the document data differs from that of the first property information. The document data management unit 321 calculates the second property information of all document data stored in the first storage service 100 and / or all metadata stored in the second storage service 200. The document data and / or metadata stored in the third storage device 310 may be updated at any time. That is, the document data management unit 321 calculates the second property information of the document data or metadata stored in the third storage device 310 at a time different from the predetermined timing at which the document data was stored in the first storage service 100 or the metadata was stored in the second storage service 200.

[0069] Next, the document data management unit 321 compares the first property information with the second property information for each document data and / or metadata, and determines whether the second property information differs from the first property information (step S207). If the second property information matches the first property information for all document data stored in the first storage service 100 and / or all metadata stored in the second storage service 200, the document data management unit 321 does not perform any further processing. In that case, the update process ends.

[0070] On the other hand, if there is document data or metadata where the second property information differs from the first property information, the document data management unit 321 determines that the document data or metadata where the second property information differs from the first property information has been updated (step S208).

[0071] Next, the document data management unit 321 obtains document data whose second property information differs from the first property information, along with the corresponding storage address, by reading them from the document data table (step S209).

[0072] Next, the document data management unit 321 transmits a document data update request signal to the first storage service 100 via the third communication device 301 to update the acquired document data in the first storage service 100 (step S210). The document data update request signal includes the acquired document data and the storage destination address.

[0073] Meanwhile, the first processing circuit 120 of the first storage service 100 receives a document data update request signal from the information processing device 300 via the first communication device 101 (step S211).

[0074] Next, the first processing circuit 120 updates the document data stored at the destination address included in the document data update request signal with the document data included in the document data update request signal (step S212).

[0075] Next, the first processing circuit 120 transmits a first update completion notification signal to the information processing device 300 via the first communication device 101, indicating that the document data update has been completed (step S213).

[0076] Meanwhile, the document data management unit 321 receives a first update completion notification signal from the first storage service 100 via the third communication device 301 (step S214).

[0077] Next, the metadata management unit 322 obtains metadata and its corresponding storage address from the document data table, where the second property information differs from the first property information (step S215). If the second property information of the document data differs from the first property information, and the second property information of the metadata is the same as the first property information, the metadata management unit 322 may generate new metadata from the updated document data.

[0078] Next, the metadata management unit 322 sends a metadata update request signal to the second storage service 200 via the third communication device 301 to update the metadata and first property information in the second storage service 200 (step S216). The metadata update request signal includes the acquired metadata and storage address, and the calculated second property information.

[0079] Meanwhile, the second processing circuit 220 of the second storage service 200 receives a metadata update request signal from the information processing device 300 via the first communication device 101 (step S217).

[0080] Next, the second processing circuit 220 updates the metadata associated with the storage address included in the metadata update request signal with the metadata included in the metadata update request signal. The second processing circuit 220 also updates the first property information associated with the storage address included in the metadata update request signal with the second property information included in the metadata update request signal (step S218). That is, the second processing circuit 220 stores the second property information included in the metadata update request signal as new first property information in the second storage device 210.

[0081] Next, the second processing circuit 220 transmits a second update completion notification signal to the information processing device 300 via the second communication device 201, indicating that the updating of metadata and first property information has been completed (step S219).

[0082] Meanwhile, the metadata management unit 322 receives a second update completion notification signal from the second storage service 200 via the third communication device 301 (step S220), and the update process ends.

[0083] Thus, when document data and metadata stored in the third storage device 310 are updated, the document data management unit 321 transmits the updated document data to the first storage service 100 according to the storage destination address to update the document data stored in the first storage service 100, and the metadata management unit 322 transmits the updated metadata to the second storage service 200 to update the metadata stored in the second storage service 200. In the third storage device 310, document data or metadata may be updated at any time. The module (application program) that updates the document data or metadata may be a module other than the document data management unit 321 and the metadata management unit 322. When document data and metadata are updated in the third storage device 310, the information processing device 300 updates the document data stored in the first storage service 100 and the metadata stored in the second storage service 200. This allows for proper management of document data and management data.

[0084] Furthermore, if the second property information of the document data differs from the first property information, the document data management unit 321 sends the document data with the calculated second property information to the first storage service 100 to update it. Similarly, if the second property information of the metadata differs from the first property information, the metadata with the calculated second property information sends it to the second storage service 200 to update it. By utilizing the property information, the information processing device 300 can monitor whether document data or metadata has been updated in the third storage device 310 with low overhead, thereby reducing the processing load of the update process. In addition, in the information processing system 1, the first property information is stored in the second storage service 200. As a result, the information processing system 1 can centrally manage information through the second storage service 200, simplifying information management.

[0085] Furthermore, the document data management unit 321 and the metadata management unit 322 may update both the corresponding document data and metadata in the first storage service 100 and the second storage service 200 if either the document data or the metadata is updated.

[0086] Furthermore, the first property information may be stored in the third storage device 310 of the information processing device 300, rather than in the second storage device 210 of the second storage service 200. In that case, the processing in steps S201 to S205 is omitted, and the metadata management unit 322 obtains the first property information by reading it from the third storage device 310.

[0087] Figure 6 shows a sequence illustrating an example of the operation of the deletion process.

[0088] The following describes an example of the operation of the deletion process in the information processing system 1, referring to the sequence shown in Figure 6. The operation described below is primarily executed by the processing circuits of each device in cooperation with the elements of each device, based on programs pre-stored in the memory devices of each device in the information processing system 1. The deletion process is performed periodically.

[0089] First, the document data management unit 321 monitors whether the document data stored in the third storage device 310 has been deleted (step S301). The document data management unit 321 determines whether there is any document data among the document data stored in the first storage service 100 that has been deleted from the document data table. The document data management unit 321 continues to monitor the document data table until it detects that the document data has been deleted.

[0090] On the other hand, if document data stored in the third storage device 310 is deleted, the document data management unit 321 obtains the destination address associated with the deleted document data from the document data table by reading it from the document data table (step S302).

[0091] Next, the document data management unit 321 transmits a first deletion request signal to the second storage service 200 via the third communication device 301 (step S303). The first deletion request signal is a signal to delete the document data deleted from the document data table from the first storage service 100 and to delete the corresponding metadata from the second storage service 200. The first deletion request signal includes the storage address of the document data to be deleted. The first deletion request signal is an example of a request signal to cause the first storage service 100 to delete the document data.

[0092] Meanwhile, the second processing circuit 220 of the second storage service 200 receives a first deletion request signal from the information processing device 300 via the second communication device 201 (step S304).

[0093] Next, the second processing circuit 220 transmits a second deletion request signal to the first storage service 100 via the second communication device 201 (step S305). The second deletion request signal is a signal to delete the document data stored at the destination address included in the first deletion request signal from the first storage service 100. The second deletion request signal includes the destination address of the document data to be deleted, i.e., the destination address included in the first deletion request signal.

[0094] Meanwhile, the first processing circuit 120 of the first storage service 100 receives a second deletion request signal from the second storage service 200 via the first communication device 101 (step S306).

[0095] Next, the first processing circuit 120 deletes the document data stored at the destination address included in the second deletion request signal from the first storage device 110 (step S307).

[0096] Next, the first processing circuit 120 transmits a first deletion completion notification signal to the second storage service 200 via the first communication device 101, indicating that the deletion of the document data has been completed (step S308).

[0097] Meanwhile, the second processing circuit 220 of the second storage service 200 receives a first deletion completion notification signal from the first storage service 100 via the second communication device 201 (step S309).

[0098] Next, the second processing circuit 220 deletes the metadata, destination address, and first property information associated with the destination address included in the first deletion request signal from the second storage device 210 (step S310).

[0099] Next, the second processing circuit 220 transmits a second deletion completion notification signal to the information processing device 300 via the second communication device 201, indicating that the deletion of document data and metadata has been completed (step S311).

[0100] Meanwhile, the document data management unit 321 receives a second deletion completion notification signal from the second storage service 200 via the third communication device 301 (step S312), and the deletion process is terminated.

[0101] Thus, when document data stored in the third storage device 310 is deleted, the document data management unit 321 sends a first deletion request signal to the second storage service 200. The information processing device 300 does not send separate request signals for deleting document data and request signals for deleting metadata, but instead sends only the first deletion request signal to the second storage service 200 to delete both the document data and metadata. This allows the information processing device 300 to reduce the processing load of the deletion process. In addition, the information processing system 1 can centrally manage information through the second storage service 200, enabling simple information management.

[0102] Furthermore, if document data stored in the third storage device 310 is deleted, the document data management unit 321 may send a request signal to the first storage service 100 to delete the document data and a request signal to the second storage service 200 to delete the metadata.

[0103] Figure 7 shows a sequence illustrating an example of the recovery process.

[0104] The following describes an example of the recovery process operation of the information processing system 1, referring to the sequence shown in Figure 7. The operation described below is primarily executed by the processing circuits of each device in cooperation with the elements of each device, based on programs pre-stored in the memory devices of each device in the information processing system 1. The recovery process is performed periodically.

[0105] First, the document data management unit 321 of the information processing device 300 receives a recovery instruction from the user instructing it to recover document data in the third storage device 310 (step S401). The document data management unit 321 receives the recovery instruction entered by the user using the operating device 302.

[0106] Next, the metadata management unit 322 transmits a metadata acquisition request signal to the second storage service 200 via the third communication device 301, requesting the acquisition of metadata and storage locations stored in the second storage service 200 (step S402). The metadata acquisition request signal includes the owner ID of the information processing device 300 or the user of the information processing device 300.

[0107] Meanwhile, the second processing circuit 220 of the second storage service 200 receives a metadata acquisition request signal from the information processing device 300 via the second communication device 201 (step S403).

[0108] Next, the second processing circuit 220 retrieves all metadata stored in the second storage device 210 in association with the owner ID included in the metadata acquisition request signal, as well as the storage address associated with each piece of metadata, by reading them from the second storage device 210 (step S404).

[0109] Next, the second processing circuit 220 transmits the acquired metadata and storage address to the information processing device 300 via the second communication device 201 (step S405).

[0110] Meanwhile, the metadata management unit 322 receives metadata and storage destination addresses from the second storage service 200 via the third communication device 301 (step S406). In this way, the metadata management unit 322 receives metadata and storage destination addresses stored in the second storage service 200 from the second storage service 200.

[0111] Next, the metadata management unit 322 updates the metadata stored in the document data table, which is associated with the received storage address, with the received metadata (step S407). In this way, the metadata management unit 322 stores the metadata received from the second storage service 200 in the third storage device 310.

[0112] Next, the document data management unit 321 sends a document data acquisition request signal to the first storage service 100 via the third communication device 301, requesting the acquisition of document data stored in the first storage service 100 (step S408). The document data acquisition request signal includes all storage destination addresses received in step S406.

[0113] Meanwhile, the first processing circuit 120 of the first storage service 100 receives a document data acquisition request signal from the information processing device 300 via the first communication device 101 (step S409).

[0114] Next, the first processing circuit 120 acquires the document data stored at each destination address included in the document data acquisition request signal by reading it from the first storage device 110 (step S410).

[0115] Next, the first processing circuit 120 transmits the acquired document data, along with the storage address corresponding to each document data, to the information processing device 300 via the first communication device 101 (step S411).

[0116] Meanwhile, the document data management unit 321 receives document data and a storage destination address from the first storage service 100 via the third communication device 301 (step S412). In this way, the document data management unit 321 receives document data stored in the first storage service 100 from the first storage service 100 according to the storage destination address received from the second storage service 200.

[0117] Next, the document data management unit 321 updates the document data stored in the document data table, which is associated with the received storage address, with the received document data (step S413), and the recovery process ends. In this way, the document data management unit 321 stores the document data received from the first storage service 100 in the third storage device 310. This allows the information processing device 300 to properly recover the document data if the document data stored in the third storage device 310 is corrupted or otherwise damaged.

[0118] Figure 8 shows a sequence illustrating an example of the operation of synchronous processing.

[0119] The following describes an example of the operation of the synchronization process of the information processing system 1, referring to the sequence shown in Figure 8. The operation described below is primarily executed by the processing circuits of each device in cooperation with the elements of each device, based on programs pre-stored in the memory devices of each device in the information processing system 1. The synchronization process is performed periodically.

[0120] First, the document data management unit 321 of the information processing device 300 receives a synchronization instruction from the user instructing it to synchronize the document data stored in the third storage device 310 with another information processing device 300 (step S501). Hereinafter, the other information processing device 300 that synchronizes itself may be referred to as the synchronization target device. The document data management unit 321 receives the synchronization instruction entered by the user using the operating device 302. The synchronization instruction includes the ownership ID of the synchronization target device or the user of the synchronization target device.

[0121] Next, the metadata management unit 322 transmits a second metadata acquisition request signal to the second storage service 200 via the third communication device 301 (step S502). The second metadata acquisition request signal is a signal requesting the acquisition of metadata and storage locations stored in the second storage service 200 by the synchronized device or the user of the synchronized device. The second metadata acquisition request signal includes the owner ID of the synchronized device or the user of the synchronized device.

[0122] Meanwhile, the second processing circuit 220 of the second storage service 200 receives a second metadata acquisition request signal from the information processing device 300 via the second communication device 201 (step S503).

[0123] Next, the second processing circuit 220 retrieves all metadata stored in the second storage device 210 in association with the owner ID included in the second metadata retrieval request signal, and the storage address associated with each piece of metadata, by reading them from the second storage device 210 (step S504). The metadata and storage address stored in the second storage device 210 in association with the owner ID included in the second metadata retrieval request signal are examples of second metadata and second storage address stored in the second storage service 200 by another information processing device 300.

[0124] Next, the second processing circuit 220 transmits the acquired metadata and storage address to the information processing device 300 via the second communication device 201 (step S505).

[0125] Meanwhile, the metadata management unit 322 receives metadata and a storage destination address from the second storage service 200 via the third communication device 301 (step S506). In this way, the metadata management unit 322 receives the second metadata and the second storage destination address stored in the second storage service 200 by the synchronization target device from the second storage service 200.

[0126] Next, the metadata management unit 322 updates the metadata stored in the document data table, which is associated with the received storage address, with the received metadata (step S507). In this way, the metadata management unit 322 stores the second metadata received from the second storage service 200 in the third storage device 310. This allows the information processing device 300 to easily store (copy) the metadata stored in the synchronization target device to the third storage device 310.

[0127] Next, the document data management unit 321 transmits a second document data acquisition request signal to the first storage service 100 via the third communication device 301, requesting the acquisition of document data stored in the first storage service 100 by the synchronization target device or a user of the synchronization target device (step S508). The second document data acquisition request signal includes all storage destination addresses received in step S506.

[0128] Meanwhile, the first processing circuit 120 of the first storage service 100 receives a second document data acquisition request signal from the information processing device 300 via the first communication device 101 (step S509).

[0129] Next, the first processing circuit 120 acquires the document data stored at each storage address included in the second document data acquisition request signal by reading it from the first storage device 110 (step S510).

[0130] Next, the first processing circuit 120 transmits the acquired document data, along with the storage address corresponding to each document data, to the information processing device 300 via the first communication device 101 (step S511).

[0131] Meanwhile, the document data management unit 321 receives document data and a storage destination address from the first storage service 100 via the third communication device 301 (step S512). In this way, the document data management unit 321 receives the second document data stored in the first storage service 100 by the synchronization target device from the first storage service 100 according to the second storage destination address received from the second storage service 200.

[0132] Next, the document data management unit 321 updates the document data stored in the document data table, which is associated with the received storage address, with the received document data (step S513), and the synchronization process ends. In this way, the document data management unit 321 stores the second document data received from the first storage service 100 in the third storage device 310. This allows the information processing device 300 to easily store (copy) the document data stored in the synchronization target device to the third storage device 310.

[0133] As detailed above, the information processing device 300 causes the document data to be stored in the first storage service 100 and receives the destination address of the document data from the first storage service 100. The information processing device 300 then causes the metadata and destination address of the document data to be stored in the second storage service 200. As a result, the information processing device 300 can properly manage the document data via the second storage service 200, which manages the metadata.

[0134] Furthermore, the information processing device 300 directly transmits document data to the first storage service 100 and metadata directly to the second storage service 200. This allows the information processing system 1 to suppress the increase in network load due to the transmission and reception of document data and metadata compared to the case where document data is transmitted to the first storage service 100 via the second storage service 200. In addition, the information processing device 300 can efficiently update and search for document data and metadata without making the user aware of the simultaneous use of the first storage service 100 and the second storage service 200.

[0135] As described above, the second storage service 200 is a service provided by the provider of the information processing device 300, while the first storage service 100 is a service provided by a different provider than the provider of the information processing device 300. This allows the information processing system 1 to set different security levels for document data and metadata, and to flexibly configure the security level of each type of data. For example, the information processing system 1 can set a higher security level for document data, which is customer data itself, than for metadata, which is secondary data. In addition, the information processing system 1 can use a service provided at a low cost as the first storage service 100, thereby reducing the storage costs of document data. Furthermore, the administrator of the information processing device 300 can efficiently manage metadata using a service provided by their own company, while managing large amounts of document data using a storage service with a large data capacity provided by another company.

[0136] Alternatively, as described above, the first storage service 100 is an object storage service for storing and managing data, and the second storage service 200 is a compute service that includes an application server and / or virtual machines. In this case as well, the information processing system 1 can set different security levels for document data and metadata, and can flexibly configure the security level of each data. Furthermore, the information processing system 1 can stably manage document data without being affected by changes in the specifications of the second storage service 200.

[0137] In this case as well, the first storage service 100 and the second storage service 200 may be provided by different providers. The information processing system 1 can set different security levels for document data and metadata, and can flexibly configure the security level of each data. Furthermore, the information processing system 1 can arbitrarily combine the first storage service 100 and the second storage service 200, and can select the optimal infrastructure service according to the user's needs in terms of cost, performance, etc.

[0138] Figure 9 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the third processing circuit in an information processing device according to another embodiment.

[0139] The third processing circuit 420 is used in place of the third processing circuit 320 and performs saving, updating, deleting, restoring, and synchronization processes. The third processing circuit 420 includes a document data management circuit 421 and a metadata management circuit 422, among others.

[0140] The document data management circuit 421 is an example of a document data management unit and has the same functions as the document data management unit 321. The document data management circuit 421 transmits and receives document data and storage address etc. via the third communication device 301 and writes or reads them to the third storage device 310.

[0141] The metadata management circuit 422 is an example of a metadata management unit and has the same functions as the metadata management unit 322. The metadata management circuit 422 transmits and receives metadata and storage destination addresses, etc., via the third communication device 301 and writes or reads them to the third storage device 310.

[0142] As detailed above, the information processing device is now capable of properly managing document data even when using the third processing circuit 420.

[0143] While preferred embodiments have been described above, the embodiments are not limited to these. For example, it is not necessary for all of the saving, updating, deleting, restoring, and synchronization processes to be performed; any of them may be omitted.

[0144] Furthermore, the information processing device 300 may request the user to log in to the first storage service 100 and the second storage service 200 before performing the save, update, delete, recover, and / or synchronization processes. This allows the information processing device 300 to further enhance the security level of document data and metadata.

[0145] Furthermore, the information processing device 300 may perform saving, updating, deleting, restoring, and / or synchronization processes automatically (periodically), or in accordance with the user's instructions.

[0146] Furthermore, the information processing device 300 may delete the document data and metadata stored in the third storage device 310 from the third storage device 310 after having the first storage service 100 and the second storage service 200 save the document data and metadata stored in the third storage device 310. Also, when the information processing device 300 receives a search instruction from a user, it may request the second storage service 200 to search the metadata stored in the second storage service 200. The information processing device 300 sends a search request signal containing keywords etc. specified by the user to the second storage service 200. The second storage service 200 receives the search request signal and sends the metadata containing the keywords etc. included in the received search request signal and the storage address associated with that metadata to the information processing device 300. The information processing device 300 receives the document data stored at the storage address received from the second storage service 200 from the first storage service 100. In this case, the second storage service 200 may receive the document data stored at the storage address associated with the metadata containing the keywords etc. from the first storage service 100 and send it to the information processing device 300 together with the metadata.

[0147] Furthermore, when the information processing device 300 receives a viewing instruction from a user, it may request the first storage service 100 and the second storage service 200 to view the document data and metadata stored in each storage service. The information processing device 300 sends a first viewing request signal to the second storage service 200, which includes the storage address of the document data specified by the user. The second storage service 200 receives the first viewing request signal and sends metadata corresponding to the storage address included in the received first viewing request signal to the information processing device 300. The information processing device 300 also sends a second viewing request signal to the first storage service 100, which includes the storage address of the document data specified by the user. The first storage service 100 receives the second viewing request signal and sends the document data corresponding to the storage address included in the received second viewing request signal to the information processing device 300. In this case, the second storage service 200 may receive the document data stored at the storage address included in the first viewing request signal from the first storage service 100 and send it to the information processing device 300 along with the metadata. The information processing device 300 displays the received document data and metadata on the display device 303.

[0148] Furthermore, the information processing device 300 may determine which document data and metadata to acquire based on the first property information and the second property information. In this case, the metadata management unit 322 sends a property request signal to the second storage service 200 to request the acquisition of the first property information of the document data and / or metadata to be acquired, and receives the first property information from the second storage service 200. The document data management unit 321 also calculates the second property information of the document data and / or metadata to be acquired stored in the third storage device 310. The document data management unit 321 compares the first property information and the second property information to determine whether the second property information is different from the first property information. If the second property information matches the first property information, the information processing device 300 displays the document data and metadata stored in the third storage device 310 on the display device 303. On the other hand, if the second property information is different from the first property information, the information processing device 300 receives the document data and metadata from each storage service and displays them on the display device 303. As a result, the information processing device 300 can appropriately display the document data and metadata that the user wishes to view while suppressing an increase in network load. [Explanation of symbols]

[0149] 300 Information Processing Unit, 310 Third Storage Device, 321 Document Data Management Unit, 322 Metadata Management Unit

Claims

1. A storage unit that stores document data and metadata of said document data in association with each other, A document data management unit transmits the document data to a first storage service for storage in the first storage service and receives the storage address of the document data from the first storage service. A metadata management unit that transmits the metadata and the destination address to a second storage service different from the first storage service and has the second storage service store them, An information processing device characterized by having the following features.

2. When the document data and metadata stored in the aforementioned storage unit are updated, The document data management unit transmits the updated document data to the first storage service according to the storage destination address, causing the first storage service to update the document data stored there. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the metadata management unit transmits the updated metadata to the second storage service to update the metadata stored in the second storage service.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the document data management unit monitors whether or not document data stored in the storage unit has been deleted, and if the document data stored in the storage unit has been deleted, it sends a request signal to the second storage service to cause the first storage service to delete the document data.

4. The metadata management unit receives the metadata and storage destination address stored in the second storage service from the second storage service, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the document data management unit receives document data stored in the first storage service from the first storage service according to the storage destination address received from the second storage service.

5. The metadata management unit receives the second metadata and the second storage destination address stored in the second storage service by another information processing device from the second storage service, and stores the received second metadata in the storage unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the document data management unit receives the second document data stored in the first storage service by another information processing apparatus according to the second storage destination address received from the second storage service and stores it in the storage unit.

6. The metadata management unit obtains first property information of document data stored in the first storage service from the second storage service at a predetermined timing. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the document data management unit calculates second property information of the document data stored in the storage unit at a timing different from the predetermined timing, and if the second property information differs from the first property information, it transmits the document data for which the second property information has been calculated to the first storage service to cause the first storage service to update it.

7. The second storage service is a service provided by the provider of the information processing device, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first storage service is a service provided by a provider different from the provider of the information processing apparatus.

8. The first storage service is object storage, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second storage service is a compute service.

9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first storage service and the second storage service are provided by different providers.

10. The document data and the metadata of the said document data are stored in association with each other. The document data is sent to the first storage service and stored in the first storage service, and the destination address of the document data is received from the first storage service. The metadata and the destination address are sent to a second storage service different from the first storage service and stored in the second storage service. An information processing method characterized by the following:

11. A control program for an information processing device having a storage unit that stores document data and metadata of the document data in association, The document data is sent to the first storage service and stored in the first storage service, and the destination address of the document data is received from the first storage service. The metadata and the destination address are sent to a second storage service different from the first storage service and stored in the second storage service. A control program characterized by causing the information processing device to perform the following action.

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