Management System

Abstract

We provide a management system that improves the ease of use for registering electronic files. [Solution] The management system comprises a network storage capable of managing electronic files and tasks, and a terminal device capable of communicating with the network storage via a network, wherein the terminal device includes a display unit that displays a function to register an electronic file to the network storage as a context menu item in response to a predetermined operation on the electronic file by the user, and an information transmission unit that transmits electronic information including at least one of file information relating to the electronic file and identification information that can identify the electronic file to the network storage in response to an item being selected in the context menu, and the network storage includes a generation unit that generates a registration screen that associates electronic files with tasks based on the electronic information transmitted from the terminal device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a management system.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a system that performs an authentication process using authentication information in response to a request from a client device for a URL of a web application, the request including the authentication information and information of an image file, and executes a predetermined process when the authentication process is successful.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When registering a task and an electronic file associated with the task in network storage, first the task is registered, and on the registration screen of the task, the electronic file is specified from a folder or the like and the electronic file is uploaded. As a result, the task is set and the electronic file associated with (linked to) the task is registered. Thus, in the conventional system, it is necessary to perform an operation of associating the task with the electronic file after registering the task. In this case, there is a possibility of associating an incorrect electronic file instead of the electronic file to be associated with the task. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the operability of registering the electronic file.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention aims to provide a management system capable of improving the operability of registering an electronic file.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) A management system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a network storage capable of managing electronic files and tasks, and a terminal device capable of communicating with the network storage via a network, wherein the terminal device includes a display unit that displays a function to register an electronic file to the network storage as an item in a context menu in response to a predetermined operation on the electronic file by the user, and an information transmission unit that transmits electronic information including at least one of file information relating to the electronic file and identification information that can identify the electronic file to the network storage in response to an item being selected in the context menu, and the network storage includes a generation unit that generates a registration screen that associates electronic files with tasks based on the electronic information transmitted from the terminal device.

[0007] In a management system according to one aspect of the present invention, the display unit of the terminal device displays a function to register an electronic file to network storage as a context menu item, based on a predetermined operation performed by the user on the electronic file. The information transmission unit of the terminal device then transmits electronic information to the network storage, including at least one of file information relating to the electronic file and identification information that can identify the electronic file, in response to the selection of an item in the context menu. The generation unit of the network storage generates a registration screen that associates the electronic file with the task based on the electronic information transmitted from the terminal device. In this way, the management system allows for task registration starting from a specified electronic file or an edited electronic file, even if the task has not been registered in advance. Therefore, the management system can avoid the incorrect electronic file being associated with a task during registration. Consequently, the management system can improve the operability of electronic file registration.

[0008] (2) In the management system described in (1) above, the network storage may include a screen transmission unit that transmits screen information related to the registration screen generated by the generation unit. In this configuration, the screen information is transmitted to a terminal device by the screen transmission unit, so that the terminal device can register an electronic file and a task.

[0009] (3) In the management system described in (1) or (2) above, the screen transmission unit may transmit screen information to a terminal device different from the terminal device that transmitted the electronic information. In this configuration, since the screen information is transmitted to a terminal different from the terminal that transmitted the electronic information, for example, the user of the terminal device to which the screen information is transmitted can perform approval processing, etc., on the registration screen.

[0010] (4) In any one of the management systems described in (1) to (3) above, the display unit may display a function to register one or more electronic files to network storage as a context menu item for one or more electronic files. In this configuration, multiple electronic files can be registered together.

[0011] (5) In any one of the management systems described in (1) to (4) above, the display unit may display tasks registered in network storage in the context menu. In this configuration, it is possible to check tasks that are already registered in network storage (registered) in the context menu. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, the operability of registering electronic files can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows the configuration of a management system according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows the configuration of the terminal device. [Figure 3]Figure 3 shows the configuration of the storage device. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows the configuration of the cloud server. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example of a context menu displayed on a terminal device. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a sequence diagram showing how to register a task. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows an example of a screen for specifying the destination folder for transfer. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows an example of a registration screen for registering tasks. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a sequence diagram showing the method for registering tasks related to other forms. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows a modified example of a context menu displayed on a terminal device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or equivalent elements will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0015] Figure 1 shows the configuration of a management system according to one embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the management system 1 comprises one or more terminal devices 3, a storage device (terminal device) 5, and a cloud server (network storage) 7. In the management system 1, task management can be performed on the cloud server 7. Data is stored (saved) synchronously between the storage device 5 and the cloud server 7.

[0016] The terminal device 3 can be a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like. The terminal device 3 can be operated by a user who has the authority to access the storage device 5 and the cloud server 7. By accessing the storage device 5, the terminal device 3 can upload data to the storage device 5 or operate the data stored in the storage device 5. By accessing the cloud server 7, the terminal device 3 can use a task management application (management system) provided by the cloud server 7.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the terminal device 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal device 3 includes a communication unit 30, a storage unit 31, a display unit 32, an operation unit 33, and a control unit (display unit, information transmission unit) 34.

[0018] The communication unit 30 communicates with the storage device 5 and the cloud server 7 via a network. The communication unit 30 communicates with the storage device 5, for example, by a LAN (Local Area Network: internal information communication network) that communicates based on a private IP address (local IP address). The communication unit 30 communicates with the cloud server 7, for example, by a WAN (Wide Area Network: wide area information communication network) provided by a communication carrier that can communicate based on a global IP address, that is, the so-called Internet.

[0019] The storage unit 31 stores data such as electronic files. The storage unit 31 can be a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0020] The display unit 32 can be a display. The operation unit 33 can be, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, or the like. The display unit 32 and the operation unit 33 may be a touch panel display.

[0021] The control unit 34 controls the operation of the terminal device 3. The control unit 34 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc.

[0022] The control unit 34 displays a function to register an electronic file to the cloud server 7 (storage device 5) as a context menu item based on a predetermined operation performed by the user on the electronic file. The predetermined operation could be, for example, an operation of the mouse, which is the operation unit 33. For example, when the mouse cursor is positioned over an electronic file and the mouse is right-clicked, the control unit 34 displays a context menu. The context menu displays an item for the function to register the electronic file to the cloud server 7 (storage device 5).

[0023] Figure 5 shows an example of a context menu displayed on terminal device 3. As shown in Figure 5, the context menu M displayed for electronic file F shows, for example, the name of the application provided by cloud server 7, "XXXXX". When the pointer is moved to "XXXXX", item I, "Work Registration (File Transfer)", is expanded and displayed.

[0024] In response to the selection (click) of item I in the context menu M, the control unit 34 transmits electronic information including at least one of file information relating to the electronic file F and identification information that can identify the electronic file to the storage device 5 or the cloud server 7. File information refers to the electronic file itself and may include not only the file data but also metadata such as the access date and time. Identification information is such as a file path or number used to identify the electronic file. If the electronic file F is stored in the storage unit 31 of the terminal device 3, the control unit 34 outputs file information relating to the electronic file F to the communication unit 30 and transmits electronic information including the file information to the storage device 5 via the communication unit 30. If the electronic file F is stored in the storage device 5, the control unit 34 transmits electronic information including identification information that can identify the electronic file F to the cloud server 7.

[0025] The storage device 5 may be, for example, a NAS (Network Attached Storage). The storage device 5 may also be, for example, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a server, etc. The storage device 5 can communicate with the terminal device 3 and the cloud server 7 via a network. The storage device 5 may consist of one device or multiple devices. When multiple devices are used, these devices are connected via a communication network such as the Internet or an intranet to logically construct a single storage device 5. Figure 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the storage device 5. As shown in Figure 3, the storage device 5 includes a communication unit 50, a storage unit 51, and a control unit 52.

[0026] The communication unit 50 communicates with the terminal device 3 and the cloud server 7 via the internet. The communication unit 50 receives electronic information transmitted from the terminal device 3 and outputs the electronic information to the storage unit 51. The communication unit 50 transmits the electronic information to the cloud server 7.

[0027] The storage unit 51 stores electronic information transmitted from the terminal device 3. The storage unit 51 may be an HDD or an SSD. The storage unit 51 also stores applications to be executed by the control unit 52 of the storage device 5.

[0028] The control unit 52 controls the operation of the storage device 5. The control unit 52 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The control unit 52 controls the storage device 5 based on a program. When data is stored in the memory unit 51, the control unit 52 transmits the data to the cloud server 7 via the communication unit 50. This synchronizes the data between the storage device 5 and the cloud server 7.

[0029] Cloud server 7 provides a task management application (management system). Figure 4 shows the configuration of cloud server 7. As shown in Figure 4, cloud server 7 comprises a communication unit 70, a storage unit 71, and a control unit (generation unit, screen transmission unit) 72.

[0030] The communication unit 70 communicates with the terminal device 3 and the storage device 5 via a network. The storage unit 71 stores various types of data. The storage unit 71 also stores a program that runs a task management application.

[0031] The control unit 72 controls the operation of the cloud server 7. The control unit 72 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc.

[0032] The control unit 72 generates a registration screen that associates the electronic file F with a task based on the electronic information transmitted from the terminal device 3. The control unit 72 transmits the screen information related to the generated registration screen to the terminal device 3. The control unit 72 may transmit the screen information to the terminal device 3 that transmitted the electronic information, or it may transmit it to a terminal device 3 other than the terminal device 3 that transmitted the electronic information.

[0033] Next, we will explain how to register a task in the management system 1. First, we will explain the case where the electronic file F is stored in the terminal device 3. Figure 6 is a sequence diagram showing how to register a task.

[0034] As shown in Figure 6, terminal device 3 displays context menu M for electronic file F (step S01). Specifically, as shown in Figure 5, the user positions the mouse pointer over the electronic file F to be registered and right-clicks the mouse. This displays context menu M. When the pointer is positioned over the name of the application provided by cloud server 7, "XXXXX", the item I "Work Registration (File Transfer)" is expanded and displayed. Note that electronic file F may be one or multiple files. If multiple electronic files F are to be registered, the context menu M is displayed with multiple electronic files F selected.

[0035] Next, as shown in Figure 6, terminal device 3 displays a screen for specifying the destination of the electronic file F (step S02). When "Work Registration (File Transfer)" is selected (clicked) in the context menu M, screen G1 for selecting the destination of the electronic file F in storage device 5 is displayed, as shown in Figure 7.

[0036] Next, as shown in Figure 6, terminal device 3 transmits (transfers) electronic information related to electronic file F to storage device 5 (step S03). Specifically, as shown in Figure 7, once the destination (folder) for the electronic file F in storage device 5 is specified and determined, the electronic information is transmitted to storage device 5.

[0037] Next, as shown in Figure 6, when the storage device 5 stores the electronic information transmitted from the terminal device 3, it performs a process to synchronize the electronic information with the cloud server 7 (step S04). Subsequently, the cloud server 7 generates a registration screen that associates the electronic file F with the task based on the electronic information (step S05). The cloud server 7 transmits the screen information related to the registration screen to the terminal device 3 (step S06). Figure 8 shows an example of a registration screen for registering a task. As shown in Figure 8, the electronic file F (in the example shown in Figure 8, "●●● Quotation.xlsx") is already registered on the registration screen G2. The user registers the task corresponding to the electronic file F on the registration screen G2 (step S07). When the task is registered, the terminal device 3 transmits the task information related to the task to the storage device 5 (step S08). Task information includes electronic files as management information for managing the progress of projects and work. When the storage device 5 stores the task information transmitted from the terminal device 3, it performs a process to synchronize the task information with the cloud server 7 (step S09).

[0038] Next, as shown in Figure 6, once task registration is complete, the cloud server 7 sends result information indicating the registration result to the terminal device 3 (step S10). As a result, the terminal device 3 displays a registration result such as "Task registration complete" (step 11). When task registration is complete, accessing the cloud server 7 from the terminal device 3 allows the user to view the management screen for that task in the application.

[0039] Next, we will explain the case where the electronic file F is stored in the storage device 5. Figure 9 is a sequence diagram showing the method for registering tasks related to other forms.

[0040] As shown in Figure 9, terminal device 3 accesses storage device 5 and displays context menu M for the electronic file F stored in storage device 5 (step S11). Subsequently, when "Work Registration (File Transfer)" is selected (clicked) in context menu M, storage device 5 sends electronic information containing identification information that can identify electronic file F to cloud server 7 (step S12).

[0041] Next, when the cloud server 7 receives electronic information, it generates a registration screen that associates the electronic file F based on the electronic information with the task (step S13). The cloud server 7 transmits the screen information related to the registration screen to the terminal device 3 (step S14). The user registers the task corresponding to the electronic file F on the registration screen G2 (step S15). When the task is registered, the terminal device 3 transmits the task information related to the task to the storage device 5 (step S16). When the storage device 5 stores the task information transmitted from the terminal device 3, it performs a process to synchronize the task information with the cloud server 7 (step S17).

[0042] Next, once the task registration is complete, the cloud server 7 sends result information indicating the registration result to the terminal device 3 (step S18). As a result, the terminal device 3 displays a registration result, such as "Task registration complete" (step S19). When task registration is complete, accessing the cloud server 7 from the terminal device 3 allows the user to view the management screen for that task in the application.

[0043] As described above, in the management system 1 according to this embodiment, the control unit 34 of the terminal device 3 displays a function to register the electronic file F to the cloud server 7 as an item in the context menu M, based on a predetermined operation performed by the user on the electronic file F. Then, in response to the selection of an item in the context menu M, the control unit 34 of the terminal device 3 transmits electronic information to the cloud server 7 that includes at least one of the file information relating to the electronic file F and identification information that can identify the electronic file F. The control unit 72 of the cloud server 7 generates a registration screen that associates the electronic file F with a task based on the electronic information transmitted from the terminal device 3. In this way, the management system 1 allows for task registration starting from a specified electronic file F or an edited electronic file F, even if the task has not been registered in advance. Therefore, the management system 1 can avoid the incorrect electronic file F being associated with a task and registered. Thus, the management system 1 can improve the operability of registering electronic files F.

[0044] Furthermore, in management system 1, the user selects the electronic file F to which the task is to be registered, and the task is registered starting from electronic file F. Therefore, in management system 1, compared to registering electronic file F after registering the task, the user can register electronic file F more intuitively.

[0045] While embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0046] In addition to the above embodiment, as shown in Figure 10, the context menu M may display tasks registered on the cloud server 7 (for example, task name "AAAAAA"). The registered tasks displayed in the context menu M are files associated with the user (for which the user has access rights). The registered tasks displayed in the context menu M may have a set number of items to display, or they may be recently used tasks, etc. By selecting a registered task displayed in the context menu M, it is possible to associate an electronic file with a task.

[0047] In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the cloud server 7 generates a registration screen and transmits screen information related to the registration screen to the terminal device 3 was described as an example. However, the cloud server 7 does not need to transmit screen information to the terminal device 3 after generating the registration screen. In other words, the cloud server 7 may only perform the registration of the electronic file F.

[0048] In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the storage device 5 and the cloud server 7 are different devices was described as an example. However, the storage device 5 and the cloud server 7 may be composed of the same device. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0049] 1...Management system, 3...Terminal device, 5...Storage device, 7...Cloud server, 34...Control unit (display unit, information transmission unit), 72...Control unit (generation unit, screen transmission unit), F...Electronic file.

Claims

1. A management system comprising network storage capable of managing electronic files and tasks, and a terminal device capable of communicating with the network storage via a network, The aforementioned terminal device is A display unit that displays a function to register the electronic file to the network storage as a context menu item based on a predetermined operation performed by the user on the electronic file, The system includes an information transmission unit that, in response to the selection of an item in the context menu, transmits electronic information, including at least one of file information relating to the electronic file and identification information that can identify the electronic file, to the network storage, The network storage includes a management system comprising a generation unit that generates a registration screen that associates the electronic file with the task based on the electronic information transmitted from the terminal device.

2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the network storage comprises a screen transmission unit that transmits screen information relating to the registration screen generated by the generation unit.

3. The management system according to claim 2, wherein the screen transmission unit transmits the screen information to a terminal device different from the terminal device that transmitted the electronic information.

4. The management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display unit displays a function for registering one or more of the electronic files to the network storage as an item in the context menu for one or more of the electronic files.

5. The management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display unit displays the tasks registered in the network storage in the context menu.

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