Document management device, document management system, document management method, and document management program

Abstract

To provide a document management apparatus which properly manages document data with an external apparatus.SOLUTION: When acquiring document data and transaction data from a transaction management server, a document management apparatus associates the document data with the transaction data, adds a time-stamp to the document data associated with the transaction data, and stores the document data. The document management apparatus can communicate with a data storage server having storage regions for each of recipients. Specifically, the document management apparatus is configured to: transmit document data to a storage region corresponding to a recipient of the document data; receive a document data acquisition notification from a user terminal of the recipient or a data storage server; and store an acquisition history of the document data acquired by the user terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a document management device, a document management system, a document management method, and a document management program, and more particularly to a document management device, a document management system, a document management method, and a document management program for managing document data related to electronic commerce. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a document management device (document management system) that stores document data relating to a transaction output from an external server (terminal) and manages the document data. This device is capable of registering document data obtained from an external server, storing the document data after assigning a timestamp to the document data to prove that the document data existed at a specified point in time, and searching document data using the transaction details contained in the document data as search criteria to extract the document data that is the subject of the search (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-34552 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2012-8992 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the document management device (document management system) as described above, it is desirable that document data, form data, and the like be transferred appropriately.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a document management device, a document management system, a document management method, and a document management program that are capable of transferring document data with the outside and appropriately managing the document data. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The above-mentioned problem is solved by the document management device of the present invention, which is a document management device that manages document data relating to a transaction output from a transaction management server that manages electronic commerce, comprising: a data acquisition unit that acquires transaction data relating to the electronic commerce output from the transaction management server and document data relating to the electronic commerce including the contents of the transaction data; a data association unit that associates the document data acquired by the data acquisition unit with the transaction data; a stamp assignment unit that assigns a timestamp to the document data; and a data storage unit that stores the document data with the timestamp assigned. Equipped The document management device is a destination of the document data. Corresponding to a data storage server having a storage area; a destination user terminal; and another document management device which is a destination of the document data and includes at least the same components as the data acquisition unit, the data association unit, the stamp assignment unit and the data storage unit, and which is authenticated as a communication partner by the document management device through an authentication process. Communication is possible, The document management device includes: The document data stored in the data storage unit is forwarded to a destination The user terminal Corresponding to The data storage server A data transmission unit that transmits data to the storage area; The user terminal which is a destination different from the other document management device authenticated by the authentication process, The document data itself to which the time stamp has been added by the stamp adding unit is From the storage area of ​​the data storage server an acquisition history storage unit for storing an acquisition history indicating the acquisition; Equipped This problem is solved by: This problem is solved by:

[0007] As described above, when the document management device acquires the transaction data and the document data from the transaction management server, the document management device associates the transaction data and the document data, assigns a timestamp to the document data associated with the transaction data, and stores the associated document data and transaction data. This makes it possible to appropriately manage the document data (document content included in the document data) output from the transaction management server. In addition, the document management device transmits document data to an external destination (user terminal) using the storage area of ​​the data storage server, and stores the fact that the destination has acquired the document data (acquisition history). This makes it possible to appropriately manage document data when transferring data to and from the external destination.

[0008] The above-mentioned problem is solved by the document management method of the present invention, which is executed by a computer that manages document data relating to a transaction output from a transaction management server that manages electronic commerce, the computer acquiring transaction data relating to the electronic commerce output from the transaction management server and document data relating to the electronic commerce including the contents of the transaction data, associating the acquired document data with the transaction data, assigning a timestamp to the document data, and storing the document data with the timestamp assigned, and Corresponding to a data storage server having a storage area; a user terminal of the destination, and another document management device which is the destination of the document data and which performs at least the same processes as acquiring the transaction data and the document data, associating the document data and the transaction data, assigning the time stamp, and storing the document data, and which is authenticated by the computer as a communication partner through an authentication process; The computer capable of communicating transmits the stored document data to a destination The user terminal Corresponding to The data storage server transmitting to said storage area; The user terminal, which is a destination different from the other document management device authenticated by the authentication process, The document data itself to which the timestamp is added is From the storage area of ​​the data storage server This problem is solved by storing an acquisition history indicating that the information has been acquired, and further executing the above.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a document management program for causing a computer as a document management device for managing document data relating to a transaction output from a transaction management server for managing electronic commerce to execute a process of acquiring transaction data relating to the electronic commerce output from the transaction management server and document data relating to the electronic commerce including the contents of the transaction data, a process of associating the acquired document data with the transaction data, a process of assigning a timestamp to the document data, and a process of storing the document data with the timestamp assigned, and Corresponding toa data storage server having a storage area; a user terminal of the destination, and another document management device which is the destination of the document data and which at least executes the same processes as the process of acquiring the transaction data and the document data, the process of associating the document data and the transaction data, the process of adding the time stamp, and the process of saving the document data, and which is authenticated by the computer as a communication partner through an authentication process; The document data stored in the computer that can communicate with the computer is transmitted to a destination of the document data. The user terminal Corresponding to The data storage server A process of transmitting the data to the storage area; The user terminal which is a destination different from the other document management device authenticated by the authentication process, The document data itself to which the timestamp is added is From the storage area of ​​the data storage server This problem is solved by further executing a process of storing an acquisition history indicating that the information has been acquired. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the document management device, the document management system, the document management method, and the document management program of the present invention, it is possible to appropriately manage document data when transferring the document data to and from the outside. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a document management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of a document management device and a transaction management server. [Diagram 3] 2 is a diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of a document management device, a data storage server, and a user terminal. [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of a document management device, a second document management device, and a second transaction management server. FIG. [Diagram 5] 2 is a diagram illustrating functions of a document management device and a transaction management server. [Figure 6] 2 is a diagram explaining the functions of a document management device, a data storage server, a user terminal, a second document management device, and a second transaction management server. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a menu screen. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a document list display screen. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a document details screen (preview display). [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a document details screen (history display). [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a document list display screen. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a document details screen (preview display). [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a document details screen (preview display). [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a document details screen (history display). [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a menu screen. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a document inquiry screen. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a menu screen. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 illustrates a document transmission screen. [Figure 19] FIG. 1 is a process flow diagram showing a document management method. [Figure 20] FIG. 1 is a process flow diagram showing a document management method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] <Overall configuration of document management system> Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, the document management system S of this embodiment includes a document management device 1 that manages "document data" output from an external server (output device), a database 100 that is connected to the document management device 1 and stores the document data, and a transaction management server 200 that is communicatively connected to the document management device 1 and outputs the document data to the document management device 1. The document management device 1 stores the document data in a database 100 described later depending on the external server (hereinafter also referred to as the external server; one example is the above-mentioned transaction management server 200) that outputs the "document data" and differences in output methods (differences in output data) depending on the communication terminal, and manages the output document data itself to ensure that the document data output from the external server has not been tampered with. The transaction management server 200 is a server that manages electronic commerce such as buying and selling of goods and provision of services, and manages transaction information related to the electronic commerce. The transaction management server 200 also stores information on transaction history (transaction history information) including transaction information related to the electronic commerce.

[0013] In addition, the document management system S further includes a data storage server 300 that is communicatively connected to the document management device 1 and stores “document data”, and a user terminal 400 that can transfer data to and from the document management device 1 via the storage area of ​​the data storage server 300. The document management device 1 (also referred to as the "first document management device") transfers data via a storage area of ​​a data storage server 300 to and from a user terminal 400 which is a counterparty in electronic commerce. As an example, as shown in Fig. 3, a first company may install a document management device 1, and a second company that is a business partner of the first company may install a user terminal 400 that handles electronic commerce, with each company managing "document data" related to electronic commerce individually (independently). In this case, the first company (document management device 1, transaction management server 200) transfers data with the second company (user terminal 400) via a data storage server 300 (storage area corresponding to the second company).

[0014] The document management system S can also connect, instead of the user terminal 400, a second document management device 500 connected to the document management device 1 and having the same functions as the document management device 1, and a second transaction management server 600 connected to the second document management device 500 and managing electronic commerce. 4, the second company, which has been exchanging document data with the document management device 1 using the user terminal 400, newly installs a second document management device 500 having the same configuration as the document management device 1. In other words, the environment has been changed to one in which document data is exchanged using the second document management device 500 instead of the user terminal 400. In this case, the document management device 1 of the first company and the second document management device 500 of the second company mutually identify each other by a process of authenticating the other party, and thus document data and the like relating to electronic commerce can be transmitted to and received from the identified other party without going through the data storage server 300. Of course, in an environment where the user terminal 400 is connected, the second document management device 500 and the second transaction management server 600 can also be connected.

[0015] "Document data" refers to document data related to transactions output from the transaction management server 200 that manages electronic commerce, and is electronic data (electronic documents) of documents used for transaction notifications, requests, claims, contracts, etc. Examples include estimates, purchase orders, delivery notes, invoices, receipts, contracts, etc. More specifically, it is electronic data of national tax-related ledgers (journal ledgers, purchase ledgers, fixed asset ledgers, etc.) and national tax-related documents (inventory lists, balance sheets, etc.). The format of the electronic data is not important, and it can be, for example, PDF format, text format, various document formats, as well as image formats such as JPEG and PNG, spreadsheet software formats, etc., but it is preferable that the format be a single format that can be recognized by various devices present in the document management system S. The document management device 1 makes it possible to store documents in the most suitable storage format, such as "a method of storing electronically created ledgers and documents as electronic ledgers (electronic ledger storage)," "a method of scanning and storing paper media (scanner storage)," and "a method of electronically storing electronically received transaction information (electronic transaction data storage)." Furthermore, the document management device 1 makes it possible to easily search for a document after it has been stored, and to check the transaction history of the document. Furthermore, a "transaction" refers to the process of providing or receiving goods or services between multiple parties, and there are various transaction formats, such as face-to-face sales and electronic commerce. Of these, electronic commerce is a transaction that takes place through electronic information communication on the Internet or a computer. In electronic commerce, the entire process, including the conclusion of the transaction and the creation of transaction data, can be completed electronically, without any human intervention whatsoever.

[0016] <<Communication between the document management device and the transaction management server and data storage server (document storage, transmission)>> 2, the document management device 1 is a device that provides a software service related to document management (document storage) to a transaction management server 200 that outputs "document data." The document management device 1 is, for example, a device related to cloud computing (cloud device) or a device that constitutes an on-premise system. In detail, the document management device 1 provides the server (terminal) that is the output source with mainly (1) a service of storing document data created by the server, (2) a service of querying and transmitting the stored document data, and (3) a service of storing document data received from the server (see FIG. 7). Specifically, the document management device 1 appropriately stores document data in accordance with the difference in the output method (difference in output data) with the server that is the output source, and manages the stored document data in a state in which the authenticity of the stored document data is objectively guaranteed. This "state in which the authenticity of the stored document data is objectively guaranteed" indicates that the document data absorbs the difference in the output method by which the document data was output from the output source, and stores the same document data as the document data output from the output source in the document management device 1 regardless of the difference, and is a state in which it is guaranteed that the output document data and the stored document data are the same even from the perspective of a third party (objectively). In other words, the guarantee of the authenticity of the document data indicates that it is guaranteed that the document data is the same before and after a specified process (the same applies below). The document management device 1 is capable of extracting the stored document data under specified search conditions, collating the extracted document data, and transmitting the extracted document data. More specifically, in managing the “document data” output from the output source, the document management device 1 acquires the “document data” and “transaction data” from the output source, associates these data, assigns a timestamp to the “document data”, and stores the “document data” and the “transaction data” in database 100.

[0017] "Transaction data" refers to data related to a transaction, and indicates information on the transaction contents (also referred to as "transaction content information") contained in "document data." Specifically, the transaction data indicates the "client name," "transaction date," "transaction amount," and other transaction contents (type of transaction document, transaction memo, etc.). The format of the transaction data is not important, and it can be, for example, CSV format or binary data, but it is preferable that the format be a single format that can be recognized by various devices present in the document management system S. The "transaction data" and the "document data" corresponding to the transaction data are stored in the database 100 in an associated state. The "transaction data" is data that is used as a search condition (search tag) when searching for specific document data from among a plurality of document data stored in the database 100, for example. In other words, "document data" is data used as evidence of a transaction, and "transaction data" is data used when verifying, searching, and aggregating document data.

[0018] A "time stamp" is something that proves that "document data (electronic document)" existed at the time stamped on it (proof of existence), and also proves that the document data has not been tampered with since that time (proof of non-tampering). A timestamp contains a hash value created based on the document data (the original electronic document) as well as time information to prove it. The hash value is unique information for each piece of document data. The time information is information that indicates the time to prove that the document has not been tampered with.

[0019] The database 100 stores (associates) the "document data" and the "transaction data" to be managed by the document management device 1. The document management apparatus 1 may be configured to include the database 100, or the document management apparatus 1 and the database 100 may be configured separately. In this database 100, documents are stored (preserved) in the most appropriate storage format, such as the above-mentioned "method of storing electronically created ledgers and documents as electronic ledgers (electronic ledger storage)," "method of scanning and storing paper media (scanner storage)," and "method of electronically storing transaction information received electronically (electronic transaction data storage)."

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the transaction management server 200 is a server that manages electronic commerce, outputs “document data” and “transaction data” to the document management device 1, and receives document management services from the document management device 1. The transaction management server 200 accesses a website managed by the document management device 1 and displays service contents related to document management on a display screen when the user logs in (by inputting a user ID and password). Specifically, after the user logs in, the menu screen shown in FIG. 7 is displayed, and the screen transition is made by accepting the selection of the desired user operation, whereby the user can receive the services of (1) storing document data created on the server, shown in FIG. 8 to FIG. 14, (2) querying and sending stored document data, or (3) storing document data received from the server, shown in FIG. 15 to FIG. 18.

[0021] The transaction management server 200 stores and manages all information related to electronic commerce, such as the type of product or service, the transactor involved in the transaction, the transaction date, and the transaction amount. The transaction management server 200 is capable of creating "document data" and "transaction data" related to the electronic commerce described above and verifying the electronic commerce. The transaction management server 200 is also capable of receiving "document data" and "transaction data" related to the electronic commerce from other devices and verifying the electronic commerce. The transaction management server 200 is capable of outputting (transmitting) this data to the document management device 1, as well as outputting the data to a pre-specified storage area.

[0022] The transaction management server 200 is a device related to cloud computing or an on-premise device, similar to the document management device 1. This transaction management server 200 is linked to the document management device 1 ("first link" described later), and outputs "transaction data" and "document data" in a predetermined format (common format) agreed upon with the document management device 1. More specifically, the transaction management server 200 cooperates with the document management device 1 (first cooperation), and outputs and stores transaction data and document data in a specified format in a common cloud storage (a storage area on the cloud). This enables the document management device 1 to read out the transaction data and document data stored in the storage area and execute a specified process. In other words, the document management device 1 can obtain the "transaction data" related to electronic commerce and the "document data" related to the electronic commerce output from the transaction management server 200. The transaction management server 200 may output data upon a specific user operation or upon batch processing at a pre-specified timing. In addition, the transaction management server 200 may output the "transaction data" and "document data" to a shared storage area provided in the document management device 1, and the document management device 1 may read the "transaction data" and "document data" from the shared storage area. Of course, the above shared storage area may be provided in the transaction management server 200.

[0023] As a result, the "transaction data" created in the electronic commerce completed by the transaction management server 200 and the "document data" corresponding to the transaction data are associated with each other in advance. The document management device 1 guarantees that both data are data output by the transaction management server 200, and also guarantees that the two data are related to each other before storing them in the database 100. In other words, when the document management device 1 manages the "document data" output from the transaction management server 200, it cooperates with the transaction management server 200 (first cooperation), and since no user changes or data update procedures are performed, it becomes possible to perform automated processing (semi-automated processing) from obtaining to saving the "document data" under specified conditions.

[0024] The above-mentioned cooperation between the transaction management server 200 and the document management device 1 indicates a state in which an authentication process (hereinafter also referred to as "first authentication process") is performed to authenticate the user (user) who uses these devices, and when the other party (user) who has been user-authenticated is identified on both sides, it is possible to transmit and receive information (data) required by that user. Hereinafter, this cooperation may also be referred to as "data cooperation." In particular, the cooperation between the transaction management server 200 and the document management device 1 refers to a state in which "transaction data" in a predetermined format and "document data" that constitutes a group of this transaction data can be transmitted and received to the authenticated user via a predetermined storage area. On the other hand, the "data unlinked state" is different from the above-mentioned data linking mode, in that the other party is simply identified by the other party identification information such as a URL or email address, and information is sent or received from the other party identification information, and is different from data transmission and reception that is performed by authenticating the other party on both sides. This "data unlinked state" is not limited to outputting or transmitting and receiving transaction data in a specified format, but is a state in which data in any data format can be transmitted and received to the document management device 1. This cooperation also applies to the cooperation between the document management apparatus 1 and the user terminal 400. That is, by authenticating a user using an external authentication server (SSO (Single Sign On) server) not shown, the authenticated user can receive data for himself or herself or send data by himself or herself using the transaction management server 200, the document management device 1, and the user terminal 400. This data linkage by user authentication is called "first linkage" and the state is called "first linkage state."

[0025] In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the document management device 1 is capable of communicating with a data storage server 300 having a storage area 301 for each destination of document data, and provides a software service in which the document data is transmitted to and stored in the corresponding storage area 301 for the destination user terminal 400, and the document data can be received by the user terminal 400. Specifically, when the document management device 1 receives an instruction from a user operation or a predetermined batch process, the document management device 1 transmits the document data to a corresponding storage area 301 of the data storage server 300 and stores the document data therein. As a result, the document data output by transaction management server 200 is stored in corresponding storage area 301 corresponding to user terminal 400, which is the destination of the document data.

[0026] The data storage server 300 is a server capable of communicating with the document management device 1, storing document data, and is provided with a dedicated corresponding storage area 301 corresponding to the other party (transmission destination) of data transfer. The "storage area" refers to a download site managed by the data storage server 300, and may be a cloud storage (online storage) or the like. Alternatively, it may be a data storage area for a file transfer service managed by the data storage server 300. The storage area can store transaction data and document data in a specified format. Furthermore, the transaction data and document data stored in the storage area are downloaded or read by various devices and the like and subjected to specified processing.

[0027] When the data storage server 300 stores the document data transmitted from the sender (document management device 1) in the storage area 301 of the destination (user terminal 400), it sends a storage notification of the document data to the user terminal 400. In addition, after the destination (user terminal 400) acquires the document data by downloading or reading it, the data storage server 300 transmits an acquisition notification (acquisition completion notification) to the source (document management device 1). Note that the user terminal 400 may transmit the document data acquisition notification to the source (document management device 1).

[0028] The data storage server 300 not only acquires document data with a time stamp from the document management device 1, but also communicates with destinations other than the document management device 1 and can acquire document data with or without a time stamp from those destinations. This "destination other than the document management device 1" refers to, for example, a computer equipped with an information sending and receiving tool for email or the like.

[0029] The user terminal 400 is an information terminal that is capable of communicating with the data storage server 300 and uses the data storage server 300 (storage area 301). The user terminal 400 is, for example, a computer such as a PC, a tablet terminal, or a smartphone. 3, the user terminal 400 can access a dedicated download site managed by the data storage server 300 and perform user login (by inputting a user ID and password) to refer to and receive document data stored in a dedicated storage area (hereinafter referred to as "corresponding storage area 301") assigned to the logged-in user. Document data can also be transmitted via the corresponding storage area 301.

[0030] As described above, the user terminal 400 receives the document data stored in the storage area 301 by accessing the corresponding storage area 301. After acquiring the document data, the user terminal 400 transmits an acquisition notification (receipt notification) of the document data to the document management device 1 via the data storage server 300. Note that the user terminal 400 may directly transmit the acquisition notification of the document data to the document management device 1. This allows the user terminal 400 to obtain the document data itself that has been stored in the data storage server 300 by the document management device 1. Furthermore, the document management device 1, which accepts the document data output by the transaction management server 200, stores the document data in the corresponding storage area 301 (the corresponding storage area of ​​the data storage server 300 that corresponds to the user terminal 400 to which the document data is to be sent), and the user terminal 400 can retrieve the document data from the corresponding storage area 301.

[0031] When user terminal 400 thus acquires the document data, it subsequently receives the document data via data storage server 300 and determines whether or not a timestamp has been added to the document data. If a timestamp has not been added to the document data, the user terminal 400 adds a timestamp of the time of acquisition to the document data. On the other hand, if the document data already has a timestamp added, the user terminal 400 may add an additional timestamp of the time of acquisition to the document data. This means that multiple timestamps are added to the document data. That is, as the time information of the time stamp, a plurality of different time stamps are added, including a time stamp when the document management apparatus 1 acquires the document data and a time stamp when the user terminal 400 acquires the document data.

[0032] With the above configuration, as shown in Fig. 2, when the transaction management server 200 sends "document data" and "transaction data" to the document management device 1, the document management device 1 stores the "document data" and "transaction data" in the database 100 and manages the document data with the authenticity guaranteed (the document data is managed by attaching a timestamp to it). Then, upon receiving a specified operation or request, as shown in Fig. 3, the document management device 1 sends the document data to the corresponding storage area 301 (storage area 301 corresponding to the user terminal 400) of the data storage server 300, and the data storage server 300 stores the document data itself (stores the document data with the authenticity guaranteed). Thereafter, the user terminal 400 accesses the corresponding storage area 301 accessible to the user of the user terminal 400 at any timing, and acquires the document data itself, that is, the document data output from the transaction management server 200 and time-stamped by the document management device 1. The document management device 1 saves an acquisition history indicating that the user terminal 400 has acquired the document data. In this way, the data sender (document management device 1) can grasp the history (communication history) of the document data that was output from the transaction management server 200 and transmitted to the data destination (user terminal 400) via the data storage server 300, and can hand over the document data with the authenticity of the data guaranteed. In particular, document data is transferred in two ways: from transaction management server 200 to data storage server 300 via document management device 1 (first transfer) as shown in Figures 2 and 3, and from data storage server 300 to user terminal 400 (second transfer) as shown in Figure 3. Although these are not processed as a single process, document data can be transferred with data authenticity always guaranteed. In other words, the "first transfer" and "second transfer" also guarantee that the document data before the "first transfer" and the document data after the "second transfer" are identical even when viewed from a third party (objectively).

[0033] <<Communication between a document management device and a second document management device (document transmission through cooperation)>> 4, the document management device 1 can also be connected to and linked ("second link" to be described later) with a second document management device 500 having the same configuration as the document management device 1, instead of the user terminal 400. In this case, transaction data and document data in a specified format can be output, sent, and received reciprocally, providing seamless processing. The second document management device 500 provides a software service that manages document data output from the second transaction management server 600. In other words, it has the same functions as the document management device 1. In this case, document data related to electronic commerce can be transmitted and received between the document management device 1 and the second document management device 500, and authentication processing is performed to mutually authenticate the communication counterparts. Then, document data can be transmitted and received between the authenticated counterparts (document management device 1, transaction management server 200), and data can be transmitted and received without going through the data storage server 300.

[0034] Specifically, a new second document management device 500 is introduced at the destination to which the document management device 1 sends document data, and when this second document management device 500 is connected, the second document management device 500 performs authentication processing with the document management device 1. After authentication, the second document management device 500 requests the document management device 1 to transmit document data addressed to the party using the second document management device 500, among the document data managed in the database 100. At this time, the document management device 1 transmits to the second document management device 500 the document data addressed to the party using the second document management device 500. When the second document management device 500 receives the document data from the document management device 1 , the second document management device 500 stores the document data in a database 501 .

[0035] In this way, when the document management apparatus 1 and the second document management apparatus 500 are connected and linked, it is possible to seamlessly realize output, transmission and reception of transaction data and document data in a predetermined format between them. For example, when the transaction management server 200 transmits "document data" and "transaction data" to the document management device 1, the document management device 1 stores the "document data" and "transaction data" in the database 100 and manages the document data with the authenticity of the document data guaranteed. In other words, the document data is managed by adding a timestamp. Next, the document management device 1 transmits the "document data" and "transaction data" to the second document management device 500 by accepting a specified operation or request (including a request from the second document management device 500 as shown above).

[0036] <Document management system hardware configuration> As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the document management device 1 is a computer equipped with a CPU as a data calculation and control processing device, a ROM, RAM, and HDD (SSD) as memory devices, and a communication interface for sending and receiving information data via the Internet. In addition to a main program that performs the functions required of a computer, a document management program is stored in the storage device (memory) of the document management device 1, and these programs are executed by a CPU (processor) to perform the functions of the document management device 1. Alternatively, they may be executed by a semiconductor integrated circuit or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) that implements a CPU. The database 100, the transaction management server 200, the data storage server 300, the user terminal 400, the second document management device 500, and the second transaction management server 600 are also computers having similar hardware configurations. The document management device 1 is connected to a scanning device 2 via wired or wireless communication. The transaction management server 200 is also connected to a scanning device 201 in the same manner.

[0037] <Document management system functions> As shown in Figure 5, from a functional standpoint, the document management device 1 has a memory unit 10 that stores various programs and data such as "document data" and "transaction data", as well as a data acquisition unit 11, a data registration unit 12, a data display unit 13, a data association unit 14, a stamp assignment unit 15, a data storage unit 16, an extraction unit 17, a comparison unit 18, a result notification unit 19, a transaction update unit 20, and a history recording unit 21 as its main components in order to execute the "function of storing document data created by the server". Moreover, the document management device 1 includes a data search unit 22, a data presentation unit 23, and an access information providing unit 24 in order to execute the "function of inquiring about stored document data." In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the document management device 1 is equipped with a data transmission unit 25, a notification receiving unit 26, an acquisition history storage unit 27, an authentication processing unit 28, a deletion instruction unit 29, a transmission prohibition instruction unit 30, and a prohibition control unit 31, in order to mainly execute the "function of transmitting stored document data." These are composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, HDD, communication interface, and various programs. The storage unit 10 temporarily stores "document data" and "transaction data" output from the transaction management server 200, etc. The temporarily stored "document data" and "transaction data" are registered, associated, time-stamped, and saved by the document management device 1, and then stored in the database 100 under the centralized management of the document management device 1 as appropriate.

[0038] Regarding the transaction management server 200, data storage server 300, user terminal 400 and second transaction management server 600, from a functional standpoint, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, their main components are memory units 210, 310, 410, 610 which store various programs and various data, communication units 211, 311, 411, 611 which send and receive various data, screen display units 212, 312, 412, 612 which display service contents related to document management, etc. on a screen, and operation execution units 213, 313, 413, 613 which accept user input or selection and execute operation processing. In addition, the data storage server 300 further includes a storage notification unit 314 which sends a storage notification to the destination when the document data transmitted from the sender is stored in the storage area 301, and an acquisition notification unit 315 which sends an acquisition completion notification to the sender after the document data is acquired by the destination. In addition, the user terminal 400 further includes an acquisition notification unit 414 that transmits an acquisition notification of the document data after acquiring the document data stored in the storage area 301, and a stamp assignment unit 415 that assigns a timestamp to the document data.

[0039] The second document management device 500 has the same functions and configuration as the document management device 1, and at least comprises the data acquisition unit 11, data association unit 14, stamp assignment unit 15 and data storage unit 16 of the document management device 1, and in addition to this configuration, it also comprises a memory unit 510, an authentication processing unit 511, a source identification unit 512, a data request unit 513, a data receiving unit 514, a data association unit 515, a stamp assignment unit 516 and a data storage unit 517. Alternatively, the second document management device 500 may have the same configuration as the data acquisition unit 11, data registration unit 12, data display unit 13, data association unit 14, stamp assignment unit 15, data storage unit 16, extraction unit 17, comparison unit 18, result notification unit 19, transaction update unit 20, history recording unit 21, data search unit 22, data presentation unit 23, access information assignment unit 24, data transmission unit 25, notification receiving unit 26, acquisition history storage unit 27, authentication processing unit 28, deletion instruction unit 29, transmission prohibition instruction unit 30 and prohibition control unit 31 of the document management device 1.

[0040] The following provides a detailed description of (1) the function of storing document data created by the server and (2) the function of querying and transmitting the stored document data, both of which are provided by the document management device 1. As for (3) the function of saving document data received from the server, a description thereof will be omitted.

[0041] <<(1) Storage of electronic documents created by the server (terminal)>> (1-1) A case will be described where "document data" and "transaction data" electronically created by the transaction management server 200 are output from the server. First, the data acquisition unit 11 acquires a group of “document data” and “transaction data” simultaneously output from the transaction management server 200 . To explain in more detail, the transaction management server 200 is linked (first link) with the document management device 1, and when it outputs "document data", it automatically outputs (simultaneously outputs) "transaction data" corresponding to the "document data". Moreover, the "transaction data" is "transaction data (for example, CSV data)" having a common format with the document management apparatus 1.

[0042] In this case, the data registration unit 12 automatically registers the "document data" and the "transaction data" in an associated state when the data acquisition unit 11 acquires both data. Then, the stamp assignment unit 15 assigns a timestamp to the "document data" associated with the "transaction data". Then, the data storage unit 16 stores the "document data" and the "transaction data" associated with each other. In other words, when storing the "document data" that is consistently created electronically in the transaction management server 200, cooperation (first cooperation) with the document management device 1 is established, making it possible to manage the "document data" and "transaction data" with their authenticity objectively guaranteed.

[0043] A specific description will be given below with reference to Figs. 7 to 10. First, upon receiving a login operation by a user via the transaction management server 200, the document management device 1 presents the menu screen 40 shown in Fig. 7. The menu screen 40 is a list screen that allows the user to select a desired option from a plurality of options. 7, a selection item 41 "Save electronic document created by server" is displayed at the top left, a selection item 42 "Query / send saved document" is displayed at the top right, and a selection item 43 "Save document received by server" is displayed at the bottom left. In more detail, the selection item 41 displays an item 41a "Import electronic document" and an item 41b "Register electronic document", the selection item 42 displays an item 42a "Query electronic document" and an item 42b "Send electronic document", and the selection item 43 displays an item 43a "Import electronic document" and an item 43b "Register electronic document".

[0044] Then, when the user selects the item 41a "Import electronic document" of the selection item 41 "Save electronic document created by server", the data acquisition unit 11 imports the "transaction data" and "document data" stored in the common cloud storage (specified storage folder). Alternatively, the data acquisition unit 11 may acquire the specified data by the user specifying the data to be imported (transaction data, document data, etc.).

[0045] Then, the data display unit 13 displays the document list display screen 50 shown in FIG. In Figure 8, at the top of the document list, the registration status is displayed as "Registered," the document name is "Invoice 22040101A," the document type is "Invoice," the client name is "Leaf Ichiro," the transaction date is "2022 / 4 / 1," the transaction amount is "194,000," the registrant is "Broad Taro," the timestamp is "2022 / 4 / 7," and the save date is "2022 / 4 / 7." In the case of a document whose registration status is “registered”, the “document data” and “transaction data” have already been associated with each other, a time stamp has been added, and the document has been stored in the database 100 . On the other hand, in the case of a document whose registration status is "provisionally registered (unregistered)", the "document data" and the "transaction data" are not (completely) associated, no timestamp is assigned, and the document is not saved (waiting state) and temporarily stored in the storage unit 10. In the case of "provisionally registered (unregistered)", only the "document data" has been imported, only the "transaction data" has been imported, or the "document data" and the "transaction data" have been imported but are not associated with each other and temporarily stored in the storage unit 10.

[0046] Then, when the user selects the document name "Invoice 22040101A", the data display unit 13 displays the document details screen 60 shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. In FIG. 9, a window 61 "Electronic Document Details" is popped up, with "Transaction Content Information" displayed in a display area 61a on the left and a preview of "Document Data (PDF Data)" displayed in a display area 61b on the right. Moreover, a list of "history information" is displayed in a display area 61c on the right side of Fig. 10. In other words, different information can be displayed in the display area on the right side of the window 61 by switching between tabs.

[0047] As explained above, in the case of (1-1), when the data acquisition unit 11 acquires both data, the data registration unit 12 (automatically) registers the “document data” and the “transaction data” in an associated state, the stamp assignment unit 15 assigns a timestamp to the “document data”, and the data storage unit 16 stores the “document data” and the “transaction data”. That is, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the document management device 1 can store the "electronic document (document data)" in the database 100 in a state in which it is associated with the "transaction data" without receiving a predetermined user operation or confirmation process by the user. (FIGS. 8 to 10 show the state after the electronic document has already been automatically saved in database 100.)

[0048] (1-2) Next, we will explain the case where, of the group of "document data" and "transaction data" that is composed of a single set, "transaction data" is output first from the transaction management server 200, and the "document data" output after that is scanned document data (document data that is output as a document by the server and created by digitizing the document). As an example, a case where document management using paper media (medium different from electronic media) is handled (analog handling case) will be described. It should be noted that if the "document data" is not scanned document data but is document data electronically created by a server, there is no need to perform the scanning process, character recognition process (OCR process), and matching process described below.

[0049] First, the data acquisition unit 11 acquires "transaction data" from the transaction management server 200, and the data registration unit 12 registers the "transaction data". To explain in more detail, the transaction management server 200 is linked (first link) with the document management device 1, and when "document data" is printed out to the outside, it automatically outputs "transaction data" corresponding to the "document data" to the document management device 1. Moreover, the "transaction data" is "transaction data (CSV data)" having a common format with the document management device 1.

[0050] Thereafter, when the transaction management server 200 acquires the "scanned document data", the data acquisition unit 11 accepts user operation through the transaction management server 200 to acquire the "scanned document data", and the data association unit 14 associates the "scanned document data" corresponding to the pre-registered "transaction data" with the transaction data. Then, triggered by character recognition processing (OCR processing) and confirmation processing by the user, the stamp assignment unit 15 assigns a time stamp to the "scanned document data" that is associated with the "transaction data" and whose transaction content has been confirmed. The data storage unit 16 then stores the "scanned document data" and the "transaction data" that are associated with each other. Here, the "character recognition process" refers to a process executed by an extraction unit 17 that extracts information on transaction contents (transaction content information) by performing character recognition from "scanned document data" created by digitizing a document into image data, a comparison unit 18 that compares the transaction content information extracted from the "scanned document data" with the transaction content information included in the "transaction data" associated with the "scanned document data", and a result notification unit 19 that notifies the comparison result (by displaying it on the display screen and sending it to a specified destination). The "confirmation process by the user" is a confirmation process determined by a user operation.

[0051] In this way, when storing the "scanned document data" that was printed out as a document from the transaction management server 200 and then created by digitizing the document, the "transaction data" that was previously imported and registered in the document management device 1 is first associated with the "scanned document data" that was imported later, in response to a user operation. Then, triggered by character recognition processing and user confirmation processing, a timestamp is added to the "scanned document data" and the "scanned document data" is stored. In other words, when saving "scanned document data" that is created by printing out the document and then digitizing it again, the authenticity between the "scanned document data" and the "transaction data" is not necessarily guaranteed. Therefore, a "user confirmation process" is required (data will not be saved by automatic processing).

[0052] A specific description will be given below with reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 11 to FIG. First, when a user selection of item 41a on menu screen 40 shown in FIG. 7 is accepted, data acquisition unit 11 first retrieves "transaction data" stored in a common cloud storage. At this point, the "scanned document data" is not stored.

[0053] Then, the data display unit 13 displays the document list display screen 50 shown in FIG. In Figure 11, at the top of the document list, the registration status "Provisional registration", document name "Invoice 23041101A", document type "Invoice", client name "Leaf Shiro", transaction date "2023 / 4 / 11", transaction amount "150,000", registrant "Broad Taro", timestamp "-", and save date "-" are displayed. In other words, the document name "Invoice 23041101A" is in a "provisionally registered" state, and only the "transaction data" of the document is registered. In other words, the document is waiting for the registration and association of the "document data" corresponding to the "transaction data" (standby state, standby state).

[0054] Then, when the user's selection operation of the document name "Invoice 23041101A" is accepted, the data display unit 13 presents the document details screen 60 shown in Figs. In FIG. 12, "Transaction Details Information" is displayed in a display area 61a on the left side of the window 61, while nothing is displayed in a display area 61b on the right side. In other words, it can be seen that although the "transaction data" for this document has been registered, the scanned document data has not yet been registered and is not associated with the transaction data.

[0055] Then, after the data acquisition unit 11 subsequently acquires the "scanned document data", the data association unit 14 accepts a user operation and associates the "scanned document data" with the "transaction data" that has already been registered. Regarding data association, the document management device 1 may associate the registered "transaction data" with the "scanned document data" stored in the cloud storage by matching the document ID or the client name, transaction date and time, and transaction amount, and the user may then perform a confirmation operation. Alternatively, data association may be performed by the user selecting the "scanned document data," or by the user dragging the "scanned document data" in FIG. 12, etc. When the data is associated, as shown in FIG. 13, "transaction details information" is displayed in a display area 61a of a window 61, and a preview of "document data" is displayed in a display area 61b on the right side.

[0056] Then, when the user operates the execute button 62 "F7 AIOCR" on the document details screen 60 in Fig. 13, the extraction unit 17, the collation unit 18, and the result notification unit 19 perform character recognition processing. It is also possible to perform character recognition processing (AIOCR processing) using AI (artificial intelligence) by using learning data as described later. Through this character recognition process, the result notification unit 19 presents the result of matching the transaction content information in the "transaction data" in the display area 61a with the transaction content information extracted from the "scanned document data" in the display area 61b.

[0057] Specifically, when the transaction details are matched (the transaction details match), the result notification unit 19 presents that fact (for example, the match result "transaction details match") and notifies the user of the match result. After the user performs a confirmation process, the result notification unit 19 accepts the user's operation of the execution button 63 "F12 timestamp + save", and the stamp assignment unit 15 assigns a timestamp to the "scanned document data" whose transaction details have been matched. The data storage unit 16 then stores the "scanned document data" and "transaction data" that are associated with each other. Alternatively, without accepting the operation of the execute button 63, the stamp assignment unit 15 may automatically assign a timestamp and the data storage unit 16 may automatically store both pieces of data when the user performs a confirmation process using the matching result (when the transaction details have been matched).

[0058] On the other hand, if the transaction details cannot be matched (if the transaction details do not match or the transaction details information is different), the result notification unit 19 will notify (display on the display screen) the transaction details that could not be matched. For example, if the transaction amount in display area 61a shown in FIG. 13 is "150,000" and the transaction amount extracted in display area 61b is "160,000," the transaction details that could not be matched (in the above example, the transaction amount in display area 61a and the transaction amount extracted in display area 61b are different) are notified. The user can recognize that the transaction amount in display area 61a is different from the transaction amount extracted in display area 61b as a result of the comparison, and when the user performs a confirmation process to accept this difference, transaction update unit 20 updates (overwrites) the transaction amount "150,000" in display area 61a with the transaction amount "160,000" extracted in display area 61b. Conversely, when the user performs a confirmation process to not accept this difference, no update is performed and the content originally displayed continues. Then, the data association unit 14 associates information (update information) on the transaction details after the user has confirmed the transaction details through a confirmation process with the "scanned document data." Then, upon receiving an operation of the execute button 63 by the user, the stamp adding unit 15 adds a timestamp to the "scanned document data". Then, the data saving unit 16 saves both data. Alternatively, the stamp adding unit 15 may add a timestamp and the data saving unit 16 may save both data in response to (automatically) a confirmation process performed by the user.

[0059] By the way, by switching tabs in the display area 61b on the right side of the document details screen 60 shown in Fig. 13, a list of "history information" is displayed in the display area 61c on the right side, as shown in Fig. 14. In the display area 61c, a list of history information recorded by the history recording unit 21 is displayed. More specifically, the history recording unit 21 records at least history information of user operations performed on the "document data" and "transaction data" output from the transaction management server 200, and update information for transaction details that could not be matched (different transaction details). In other words, the history recording unit 21 records history information of a series of processes performed on the "document data" and "transaction data". Specifically, as user operation history information, the display area 61c in FIG. 14 displays the updater "Broad Taro", the process "New", the history content "Provisional Registration", the process "AIOCR", and the history content "Transaction Content". As update information, the display area 61c in FIG. 14 displays the updater "-", the process "automatic update", and the history content "transaction amount". By doing so, even if the updated transaction details are saved as data in an incorrect state, the history of the incorrect update information can be recorded, allowing the chronological order to be traced back to the input record of the incorrect information. In other words, by recording the history information, traceability can be ensured.

[0060] As explained above, in the case of (1-2), although both data are output from the transaction management server 200, the authenticity between the "transaction data" and the "scanned document data" is not necessarily guaranteed (the scanned document data may have been altered). In other words, the data is not saved by automatic processing as in (1-1). Therefore, it is necessary to associate the "transaction data" that was previously imported and registered in the document management device 1 with the "scanned document data" that was imported later, triggered by a confirmation process by the user. Then, after character recognition processing and confirmation processing by the user, the stamp assignment unit 15 assigns a timestamp to the "scanned document data", and the data storage unit 16 stores the "scanned document data" and the "transaction data".

[0061] <<(2) Viewing and sending stored document data>> (2-1) A case where a "query" for predetermined document data is received through a user operation will be described. It should be noted that the second document management device 500 may accept an inquiry about the document data.

[0062] First, when a selection operation of the item 42a “Electronic document inquiry” of the selection item 42 “Inquire / send saved documents” on the menu screen 40 shown in FIG. 15 is accepted, the document management device 1 presents a document inquiry screen 70 shown in FIG. Although the document inquiry screen 70 shown in FIG. 16 already displays a list of document data, in reality, the list of document data is not displayed before the user operates the execute button 71 “Start Search”.

[0063] On the document inquiry screen 70, when the user inputs search items and operates the execute button 71 "start search", the document management device 1 starts a search based on the search items. More specifically, the data search unit 22 receives a search request for specific document data from the transaction management server 200, and searches among a plurality of document data stored in the database 100 for the document data to be referenced. The data search unit 22 searches for "document data" associated with the "transaction data" using information on the transaction details included in the "transaction data" as a search condition. The "transaction details information" that is the search condition is the client name, transaction date, and transaction amount, as shown in Figure 16. Other information includes the registration status, document type, and document name. Note that information on the saver, save date, registrant, and timestamp date may also be used as search candidates.

[0064] Then, when the target "document data" is extracted by the data search section 22, the data presentation section 23 presents the target "document data" on the display screen. The data presentation unit 23 presents the target "document data" and the transaction data associated with the document data on a display screen. More specifically, the data presentation unit 23 displays a list of the targeted document data, such as a document inquiry screen 70 shown in FIG. In Figure 16, at the top of the document (document data) list, the following is displayed: download "Download URL", registration status "Registered", document ID "*", document name "Invoice 22040101A", type "Invoice", client "Leaf Ichiro", access information "Link URL", transaction date "2022 / 4 / 1", transaction amount "194,000", registrant "Broad Taro", timestamp "2022 / 4 / 7", save date "2022 / 4 / 7", etc.

[0065] Furthermore, when a selection operation of the document name "Invoice 22041101A" by the user is accepted, the data presentation unit 23 presents a document details screen (not shown). On the document details screen, for example as shown in FIG. 9, the contents of "transaction data" are displayed in the left display area, and the contents of "document data" are displayed in the right display area. That is, the data presentation unit 23 presents the target "document data" and the "transaction data" associated with the document data through the document inquiry screen 70 shown in FIG. 16 and a document details screen (not shown).

[0066] Incidentally, in FIG. 16, access information for the targeted document data is displayed. This is when the access information granting unit 24 grants access information (such as a URL) to the "corresponding document data (original data)" that is stored in the transaction management server 200 and corresponds to the "document data" stored in the database 100. The “corresponding document data” is the original data of the document data created by the transaction management server 200 . For example, when a selection operation is received for the execute button 72 “Access Information” for the document name “Invoice 22041101A” in FIG. 16, the data presentation unit 23 accesses the “corresponding document data” stored in the transaction management server 200 and presents the contents of the corresponding document data on the display screen. By providing access information as described above, the connection between the "document data" and the "corresponding document data (original data)" can be easily understood. In addition, it can be confirmed that document management is being performed for the original data stored in the transaction management server 200, that the requirements of the Electronic Bookkeeping Act are met, and that tax benefits are available.

[0067] (2-2) A case where a "send (send request)" of predetermined document data is accepted through a user operation will be described. The request to transmit the document data may be received from the second document management apparatus 500.

[0068] First, when a selection operation of the item 42b “Send electronic document” of the selection item 42 “Query / Send saved document” of the menu screen 40 shown in FIG. 17 is accepted, the document management device 1 presents a document sending screen 80 shown in FIG. It should be noted that, on the document transmission screen 80 shown in FIG. 18, before the user operates the execution button 81 "start search", the list of document data is not displayed.

[0069] On the document transmission screen 80, when the user inputs search items and operates the execute button 81 "start search", the document management apparatus 1 presents the "document data" to be transmitted on the display screen. Furthermore, when a selection operation of the document name "Invoice 22041101A" by the user is accepted, the data presentation unit 23 presents a document details screen (not shown). After receiving user input and selection of destination information on the document details screen, when the execute button 83 "send document" is selected, the document management device 1 sends the "document data" and "transaction data" to the destination. Specific processing contents will be described below separately for the transmission mode (transmission pattern) shown in FIG. 3 and the transmission mode shown in FIG.

[0070] (2-2-1) Communication between the document management device and the data storage server (document transmission) 3, the document management device 1 is capable of communicating with a data storage server 300 having a storage area 301 for each destination of "document data." By transmitting document data to the data storage server 300, the document data becomes available for reception at the destination user terminal 400. More specifically, the data transmission unit 25 transmits the document data stored in the database 100 to the storage area 301 corresponding to the destination of the document data. When the document data is stored in the storage area 301 , the data storage server 300 (storage notification unit 314 ) transmits a storage notification to the user terminal 400 .

[0071] The user terminal 400 that has received the storage notification accesses the storage area 301 and acquires the document data. After acquiring the document data, the acquisition notification unit 414 transmits an acquisition notification to the document management device 1 via the data storage server 300. In other words, the document management device 1 (notification receiving unit 26) receives an acquisition notification of the document data by the user terminal 400 from the data storage server 300. Here, when the user terminal 400 acquires document data using the storage area 301, it determines whether or not the document data is time-stamped. Note that the document data sent from the document management device 1 is document data to which a time-stamp has been added, as described above. Specifically, when a time stamp has not been added to document data, the stamp adding unit 415 adds a time stamp to the document data and then stores the document data.

[0072] When the document management device 1 (notification receiving unit 26) receives an acquisition notification of document data from the data storage server 300, the acquisition history storage unit 27 stores an acquisition history indicating that the user terminal 400 has acquired the document data. In other words, the acquisition history storage unit 27 stores an acquisition history indicating that the user terminal 400 acquired the document data itself, which was output from the transaction management server 200 and to which a timestamp was added by the stamp adding unit 15. Therefore, the document management device 1 is able to grasp the history (communication history) of the document data output from the transaction management server 200 and transmitted to the user terminal 400, and can hand over the document data to the destination (other party) with the authenticity of the data guaranteed.

[0073] As described above, by using the data storage server 300 linked (first link) with the document management device 1, appropriate document data can be transferred between a company that has installed the document management device 1 and a company (user terminal 400) that has not installed the document management device 1. In addition, the amount of work required for document transfer can be reduced. In particular, by using the storage area 301 (download site) for each destination, the destination company (user terminal 400) can verify the time stamp. Also, the source company (document management device 1) can obtain the history of the destination downloading the document data and view the history information. In particular, even taking into account the two-stage process of storing the document data received from the transaction management server 200 by the document management device 1 in the data storage server 300 (expressed above as the "first transfer"), and the process of receiving the document data from its own storage area in the data storage server 300 by the user terminal 400 used at the destination (other party) of the document data (expressed above as the "second transfer"), the transfer of document data can be accomplished with the authenticity of the data always guaranteed. In other words, the "first transfer" and the "second transfer" also guarantee that the document data before the "first transfer" and the document data after the "second transfer" are identical even when viewed from a third party (objectively).

[0074] (2-2-2) Communication between the document management device and the second document management device (document transmission through cooperation) Next, as shown in Fig. 4, when the document management device 1 (authentication processing unit 28) is connected to the second document management device 500 at the destination, which includes at least the same components as the data acquisition unit 11, the data association unit 14, the stamp assignment unit 15, and the data storage unit 16, it performs negotiation processing with the second document management device 500 (including communication identification information for identifying the device in communication, security information such as a password used to allow or deny communication based on the communication identification information, and environmental information (company information, user information, location information, etc.) in which the second document management device 500 is installed, and also confirmation processing for confirming communication establishment information including confirmation of communication protocol between devices, communication speed, error correction method, etc.), and performs authentication processing to authenticate the device of the communication partner. This authentication processing is referred to as "second authentication processing". For example, a case may be assumed in which a second document management device 500 is newly installed in place of the user terminal 400 at the destination (user terminal 400) of the data storage server 300 shown in FIG.

[0075] Specifically, in the above-mentioned second authentication process, communication establishment information is transmitted from either the document management device 1 or the second document management device 500 to the other of the second document management device 500 and the document management device 1, and this communication establishment information is used to authenticate whether the device is a destination (other party) device for connecting the devices (first authentication process), and then communication is established using this communication establishment information to establish a state of linkage (hereinafter also referred to as "second linkage"). That is, when the devices are authenticated by the second authentication process, a state in which communication is established using guidance information is the second linkage state.

[0076] As described above, the authentication processing unit 28 performs authentication processing (first authentication processing) for authenticating a communication partner between the data storage server 300 and the second document management device 500. By the above-mentioned first authentication process, the second document management device 500 is linked to the data storage server 300. In addition, since the second document management device 500 is linked to the second transaction management server 600 for communication confirmation (first link), a link that enables seamless data transmission and reception between the document management device 1, the data storage server 300, and the second transaction management server 600 is established.

[0077] When the second authentication process is performed and the document management device 1 and the second document management device 500 are in a linked state, the document management device 1 transmits document data addressed to the second document management device 500 in response to a request from either device. This allows the second document management device 500 to acquire all document data addressed to itself from the document management device 1. At this time, the second document management device 500 records history information regarding the acquisition, including at least the acquisition date and time, the acquisition destination, the type of acquired data, and identification information of the acquired data itself. More specifically, in response to a request from either the document management device 1 or the second document management device 500, the document management device 1 (data transmission unit 25) transmits, to the second document management device 500, document data that is stored in the database 100 and is intended for a party using the second document management device 500, in response to a request from the second document management device 500. With regard to this transmission, the document management device 1 records history information that includes at least the transmission date and time, the transmission destination, the type of transmitted data, and identification information of the transmitted data itself.

[0078] When the second document management device 500 (data receiving unit 514) receives document data from the document management device 1, it confirms whether the hash value of the document data received directly from the document management device 1 is identical to the hash value of the document data received via the data storage server 300. For document data whose identity has been confirmed, the second document management device 500 or the document management device 1 deletes the document data from the storage area 301 of the data storage server 300 to prevent duplicate management. Furthermore, the second document management apparatus 500 or the document management apparatus 1 performs a process of prohibiting new storage of document data in the storage area 301 of the data storage server 300 . Furthermore, the second document management device 500 or the document management device 1 may add flag information or the like to the document data stored in the storage area 301, the flag information indicating that the same document is stored in the second document management device 500. A specific description will be given below.

[0079] When the second authentication process is performed between the document management device 1 and the second document management device 500 and the second cooperation is established, the document management device 1 performs processes by the deletion instruction unit 29, the transmission prohibition instruction unit 30, and the prohibition control unit 31. Specifically, the processes are as follows. Upon receiving a notification of document data acquisition from the destination (second document management device 500), the deletion instruction unit 29 instructs the data storage server 300 to delete the document data stored in the storage area 301 corresponding to the user terminal 400. By issuing a deletion instruction in this manner, it is possible to prevent duplicate management of document data. Furthermore, it is possible to confirm that the document data that remains undeleted through the document data deletion process is not data transmitted by the document management device 1. In addition, the deletion instruction unit 29 may instruct the deletion of the document data stored in the storage area 301 upon receiving a notification of acquisition of the document data from the destination (user terminal 400) even before the second collaboration process is performed between the document management device 1 and the second document management device 500.

[0080] Upon receiving a notification of acquisition of document data from the destination (second document management device 500), the transmission prohibition instruction unit 30 instructs the data transmission unit 25 to prohibit transmission of the document data to the storage area 301. By issuing such a transmission prohibition instruction, it is possible to prevent duplicate management of document data. In addition, the transmission prohibition instruction unit 30 may instruct to prohibit the transmission of document data to the storage area 301 upon receiving a notification of acquisition of document data from the destination (user terminal 400) even before the second collaboration process is performed between the document management device 1 and the second document management device 500.

[0081] The prohibition control unit 31 performs control to prohibit the transmission of document data to the storage area 301 corresponding to the destination (second document management device 500) when the authentication processing unit 28 performs the second authentication process with the second document management device 500 and the second cooperation is performed. By performing the transmission prohibition control in this manner, it is possible to forcibly prevent duplicate management of document data. Furthermore, this control makes it possible to confirm that the document data remaining in the storage area 301 has not yet been imported by the second document management device 500. In addition, this prohibition control unit 31 may also be configured to add flag information or the like to the document data stored in the storage area 301 of the second document management device 500, indicating that the same document is stored in the second document management device 500.

[0082] In addition, when a first collaboration process is performed between the second document management device 500 and the data storage server 300, the second document management device 500 can use the storage area 301 of the data storage server 300 to transfer data between other business partner terminals (other user terminals). Specifically, the second document management device 500 obtains document data that does not have a timestamp from another user terminal that uses the storage area 301, assigns a timestamp to the document data that does not have a timestamp, and stores the document data with the timestamp. Alternatively, the second document management device 500 can transmit document data with a time stamp to another user terminal by using the storage area 301. After transmitting the data, the second document management device 500 receives a notification of data acquisition from the other user terminal and stores the acquisition history. In other words, the second document management device 500 can store an acquisition history indicating that the document data itself, which was output from the second transaction management server 600 and given a timestamp, was acquired by another user terminal.

[0083] The above-mentioned linking process (authentication process) allows linking between the document management device 1 and the second document management device 500, enabling output, transmission and reception of transaction data and document data in a predetermined format, and realizing seamless processing. Furthermore, linking between the second document management device 500 and the data storage server 300 allows the second document management device 500 to transmit document data to another information terminal via the data storage server 300 with the authenticity guaranteed.

[0084] The document management system S can store document data appropriately according to the difference in the output method of the external server that outputs the document data. Also, the document data output from the external server can be managed with the authenticity guaranteed. In addition, when a company that has installed a document management device transfers document data related to a transaction with a company that has not installed a document management device, both parties can appropriately manage the document data. In other words, the convenience of document management is improved even for companies (users) that have not installed a document management device. In addition, it becomes easier for such companies to install new document management devices, and cooperation between document management devices can be promoted.

[0085] <Document management method> Next, the process of the document management program (document management method) executed in the document management system S will be described with reference to FIGS. The above program in this embodiment is a program for realizing the above-mentioned data acquisition unit 11, data registration unit 12, data display unit 13, data association unit 14, stamp assignment unit 15, data storage unit 16, extraction unit 17, comparison unit 18, result notification unit 19, transaction update unit 20, history recording unit 21, data search unit 22, data presentation unit 23, access information assignment unit 24, data transmission unit 25, notification receiving unit 26, acquisition history storage unit 27, authentication processing unit 28, deletion instruction unit 29, transmission prohibition instruction unit 30, and prohibition control unit 31 as functional components of a document management device 1 equipped with a memory unit 10, and the CPU (processor) of the document management device 1 executes this document management program. The storage unit 10 and database 100 of the document management device 1 store "document data," "transaction data," and the like.

[0086] FIG. 19 shows the flow of processing performed in the document management device, and shows the above-mentioned (1) "document management method" regarding the storage of electronic documents created by the transaction management server. FIG. 20 shows the flow of the process performed in the document management device, and shows the above (2) "document management method" related to inquiry and transmission of stored document data.

[0087] The process flow (1) of the document management method performed by the document management device 1 shown in Figure 19 begins with step 1 (S1) in which the data acquisition unit 11 acquires a group of "document data" and "transaction data" from the transaction management server 200.

[0088] Then, in step 2, if the document management device 1 (data acquisition unit 11) acquires the "document data" and the "transaction data" simultaneously (if it is determined that they have been acquired simultaneously) (step 2: Yes), the process proceeds to step 3. If it is not determined that they have been acquired simultaneously (step 2: No), the process proceeds to step 6.

[0089] Steps 3 to 5 correspond to the above-mentioned case (1-1), which is specifically a case in which transaction data and document data in a predetermined format are output together. In step 3, upon receipt of the "document data" and "transaction data" simultaneously output from the transaction management server 200, the data registration unit 12 automatically registers both data in the memory unit 10 in an associated state. Then, in step 4, the stamp applying unit 15 automatically applies a time stamp to the "document data" associated with the "transaction data." Then, in step 5, the data storage unit 16 automatically stores the associated “document data” and “transaction data” in the database 100. As described above, when the transaction management server 200 stores the "document data" that has been electronically created throughout the process, the transaction management server 200 cooperates with the document management device 1 and manages the "document data" and "transaction data" in a state where the authenticity of the "document data" and "transaction data" is objectively guaranteed. Therefore, after a group of "document data" and "transaction data" are acquired simultaneously, both data are automatically registered, a timestamp is automatically assigned to the document data, and both data are automatically stored. In the above case of (1-1), the process of FIG. 19 is completed through steps 1 to 5.

[0090] Steps 6 to 13 correspond to the above-mentioned case (1-2). Specifically, this is the case where the data acquisition unit 11 first acquires "transaction data" from the transaction management server 200, and then acquires "document data" corresponding to the "transaction data."

[0091] In step 6, the data acquisition unit 11 first acquires the "transaction data" output from the transaction management server 200, and in step 7, the data registration unit 12 registers the "transaction data". Thereafter, when the "transaction data" is stored in the storage unit 10 and is in a standby state, the data acquisition unit 11 acquires the "document data" in step 8. Then, in step 9, in response to the acquisition of the data, the data association unit 14 associates the "document data" with the "transaction data" that has been registered in advance.

[0092] Then, if the "document data" is scanned document data (step 10: Yes), the process proceeds to step 11, where the document management device 1 performs character recognition processing (OCR processing). More specifically, in step 11, the extraction unit 17 extracts information on transaction details by performing character recognition from the "scanned document data". Then, the matching unit 18 matches the information on transaction details extracted from the "scanned document data" with the information on transaction details included in the "transaction data". Then, the result notification unit 19 displays the matching result on the display screen. On the other hand, if the “document data” is not scanned document data but is document data electronically created by the server (step 10: No), the process proceeds to step 12 without going through the character recognition process in step 11.

[0093] Then, in step 12, in response to confirmation processing by the user, the stamp assignment unit 15 assigns a time stamp to the "document data" that is associated with the "transaction data" and whose transaction details have been confirmed. Then, in step 13, the data storage unit 16 stores the associated "document data" and "transaction data." As mentioned above, although both data are output from the transaction management server 200, there is no guarantee that the transaction details will match exactly between the "transaction data" and the "(scanned) document data", and the authenticity of the transaction data is not guaranteed (the document data may be processed when printed out, and the transaction data may be processed during character recognition processing). In other words, the data is not saved by automatic processing as in (1-1). Therefore, it is necessary to carry out a user confirmation process using the result of comparing the "transaction data" previously imported into the document management device 1 with the "(scanned) document data" imported later, and to associate the data. In addition, it is necessary to carry out a character recognition process, a user confirmation process, add a timestamp, and store the data. In the above case of (1-2), the process of FIG. 19 is completed through steps 1 to 2 and steps 6 to 13.

[0094] Next, a process flow (2) of the document management method performed by the document management device shown in FIG. 20 will be described. In this flow, first, the document management device 1 determines whether a second document management device 500 has been newly introduced (connected) at the destination of the document data and whether collaboration (second collaboration) is being established between the document management device 1 and the second document management device 500 (step 101). Specifically, the document management device 1 performs authentication processing (the above-mentioned second authentication processing) to authenticate the communication partner with the second document management device 500 by the authentication processing unit 28, and judges whether or not the document management device 1 is in a linked state with the second document management device 500 after the authentication processing. Note that the second document management device 500 may perform the above-mentioned authentication processing with the document management device 1. In addition, steps 101 to 107 correspond to the above-mentioned case (2-2-2), and steps 108 to 111 correspond to the above-mentioned case (2-2-1).

[0095] If it is determined that the document management device 1 and the second document management device 500 are linked (step 101: Yes), the process proceeds to step 102; if it is determined that the document management device 1 and the second document management device 500 are not linked (step 101: No), the process proceeds to step 108. In step 102, the data transmission unit 25 transmits document data for a destination using the second document management device 500 to the second document management device 500 in response to a request from the second document management device 500. This allows the second document management device 500 to obtain all document data for which the second document management device 500 is the destination from the document management device 1.

[0096] In step 103, the document management device 1 (acquisition history storage unit 27) records and stores history information regarding the document data (set of document data) sent to the second document management device 500, including the sending date and time, the sending destination, the type of the sent data, and identification information of the sent data itself.

[0097] In step 104, the document management device 1 determines whether the second document management device 500 has confirmed the identity of the document data (hash value of the document data) received directly from the document management device 1 and the document data (hash value) received via the data storage server 300. If the identity of the document data is confirmed (step 104: Yes), the process proceeds to step 105; if the identity of the document data is not confirmed (step 104: No), the process of FIG. 20 ends.

[0098] In step 105, upon receiving a notification of acquisition of document data from the destination (second document management device 500), the deletion instruction unit 29 instructs the data storage server 300 to delete the document data stored in the storage area 301 corresponding to the destination. The second document management device 500 may instruct the document data stored in the storage area 301 to be deleted.

[0099] In step 106, the prohibition control unit 31 performs control to prohibit new transmission of document data to the storage area 301 of the data storage server 300, triggered by the authentication processing unit 28 performing the authentication processing. The second document management device 500 may control the document management device 1 so as to prohibit new document data from being sent to the storage area 301.

[0100] In step 107, the document management apparatus 1 records and saves a history of data transfer (processing history) between the document management apparatus 1 and the second document management apparatus 500. After going through steps 101 to 107, the process of FIG. 20 is completed.

[0101] On the other hand, in step 108, the document management device 1 judges whether or not it is connected to the data storage server 300 and is performing cooperation (first cooperation) with the data storage server 300. If it is determined that the document management device 1 and the data storage server 300 are linked (step 108: Yes), proceed to step 109; if it is determined that the document management device 1 and the data storage server 300 are not linked (step 108: No), terminate the process in FIG. 20.

[0102] In step 109, data transmission unit 25 transmits the document data to be transmitted to storage area 301 corresponding to the destination of the document data (user terminal 400). At this time, the document management device 1 is capable of communicating with a data storage server 300 having a storage area 301 for each destination. The user terminal 400 has a user ID and a password for accessing the data storage server 300.

[0103] In step 110 , the notification receiving unit 26 receives a notification of acquisition of document data from the data storage server 300 or the user terminal 400 . Then, in step 111, the acquisition history storage unit 27 stores an acquisition history indicating that the user terminal 400 has acquired the document data. In other words, the acquisition history storage unit 27 stores an acquisition history indicating that the user terminal 400 has acquired the document data itself, which has been output from the transaction management server 200 and to which a time stamp has been added. Through the above steps 101, 108 to 111, the process of FIG. 20 is completed.

[0104] The document management method described above allows document data to be appropriately stored according to differences in output methods of the server (information terminal) that outputs the document data, etc. Also, when transferring document data to and from an external server (information terminal), the document data can be appropriately managed.

[0105] <Other embodiments> In the above embodiment, a document management program is stored in a recording medium readable by the document management device 1, and processing is performed by the document management device 1 reading and executing the program. Here, the recording medium readable by the document management device 1 refers to a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a semiconductor memory, etc. In addition, a dedicated web application may be started using a terminal (mobile terminal) serving as the document management device 1, and the document management program may be executed on a web browser.

[0106] In the above embodiment, the document management device, the document management system, the document management method, and the document management program according to the present invention have been mainly described. However, the above embodiment is merely an example for facilitating understanding of the present invention, and does not limit the present invention. The present invention can be modified or improved without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and the present invention naturally includes equivalents thereof. [Explanation of symbols]

[0107] Document Management System 1 Document management device (1st document management device) 2 Scanning Device 10 Storage section 11 Data Acquisition Section 12 Data Registration Section 13 Data display section 14 Data Association Section 15 Stamping Department 16 Data Storage Section 17 Extraction part 18 Matching section 19 Result Notification Department 20 Trade Update Department 21 History Record Section 22 Data Search Section 23 Data Presentation Section 24 Access information granting section 25 Data transmission section 26 Notification Receipt Department 27 Acquisition History Storage Unit 28 Authentication processing section 29 Deletion Instructions 30 Transmission prohibition instruction section 31 Prohibition control section 40 Menu screen 41~43 Selection items Items 41a, 41b, 42a, 42b, 43a, 43b 50 Document list display screen 60 Document Details Screen 61 Window 61a, 61b, 61c display area 62, 63 Execute button 70 Document list display screen 71, 72 Execute button 80 Document Details Screen 81, 82, 83 Execute button 100 Databases 200 Transaction Management Server 201 Scanning Device 210 Storage section 211 Communications Department 212 Screen display section 213 Operation Execution Unit 300 Data storage server 301 Corresponding storage area (storage area) 310 Storage section 311 Communications Department 312 Screen display section 313 Operation Execution Unit 314 Storage Notification Section 315 Acquisition Notification Department 400 User terminal 410 Storage section 411 Communications Department 412 Screen display section 413 Operation Execution Unit 414 Acquisition Notification Department 415 Stamping Department 500 Second document management device (another document management device) 501 Database 510 Storage section 511 Authentication processing unit 512 Source Identification Unit 513 Data Request Section 514 Data Receiving Department 515 Data Association Section 516 Stamping Department 517 Data Storage Department 600 Second transaction management server 610 Storage section 611 Communications Department 612 Screen display section 613 Operation Execution Unit

Claims

1. A document management device for managing transaction-related document data output from a transaction management server that manages electronic commerce, comprising: a data acquisition unit that acquires transaction data relating to an electronic commerce transaction and document data relating to the electronic commerce transaction including the contents of the transaction data, the transaction data being output from the transaction management server; a data association unit that associates the document data and the transaction data acquired by the data acquisition unit; a stamp adding unit that adds a time stamp to the document data; a data storage unit that stores the document data to which the time stamp is added, The document management device includes: a data storage server having a storage area corresponding to a destination of the document data; A destination user terminal; a destination of the document data, the destination of the document data including at least the same components as the data acquisition unit, the data association unit, the stamp assignment unit, and the data storage unit, and capable of communicating with another document management device that has been authenticated as a communication partner by the document management device through an authentication process; The document management device includes: a data transmission unit that transmits the document data stored in the data storage unit to the storage area of ​​the data storage server that corresponds to the user terminal that is the destination of the document data; The document management device further includes an acquisition history storage unit that stores an acquisition history indicating that the user terminal, which is a destination different from other document management devices authenticated by an authentication process, has acquired the document data itself, to which a timestamp has been assigned by the stamp assignment unit, from the storage area of ​​the data storage server.

2. The document management device includes: Upon receiving a notification of acquisition of the document data from the destination user terminal, 2. The document management device according to claim 1, further comprising a deletion instruction unit that issues an instruction to delete the document data stored in a storage area corresponding to the user terminal.

3. A document management system including a document management device that manages document data relating to transactions output from a transaction management server that manages electronic commerce, The document management device includes: a data acquisition unit that acquires transaction data relating to an electronic commerce transaction and document data relating to the electronic commerce transaction including the contents of the transaction data, the transaction data being output from the transaction management server; a data association unit that associates the document data and the transaction data acquired by the data acquisition unit; a stamp adding unit that adds a time stamp to the document data; a data storage unit that stores the document data to which the time stamp is added, The document management device includes: a data storage server having a storage area corresponding to a destination of the document data; A destination user terminal; a destination of the document data, the destination of the document data including at least the same components as the data acquisition unit, the data association unit, the stamp assignment unit, and the data storage unit, and capable of communicating with another document management device that has been authenticated as a communication partner by the document management device through an authentication process; The document management device includes: a data transmission unit that transmits the document data stored in the data storage unit to the storage area of ​​the data storage server that corresponds to the user terminal that is the destination of the document data; and an acquisition history storage unit that stores an acquisition history indicating that the user terminal, which is a destination different from the other document management device authenticated by the authentication process, has acquired the document data itself to which the time stamp has been added by the stamp adding unit from the storage area of ​​the data storage server. Document management system.

4. 1. A document management method executed by a computer that manages transaction-related document data output from a transaction management server that manages electronic commerce, comprising: The computer, acquiring transaction data relating to the electronic commerce transaction and document data relating to the electronic commerce transaction including the contents of the transaction data, the transaction data being output from the transaction management server; correlating the obtained document data and the obtained transaction data; providing a time stamp to the document data; storing the document data to which the time stamp has been added; a data storage server having a storage area corresponding to a destination of the document data, a user terminal of the destination, and a computer capable of communicating with another document management device which is the destination of the document data and which at least performs the same processes as acquiring the transaction data and the document data, associating the document data and the transaction data, providing the time stamp, and storing the document data, and which is authenticated by the computer as a communication partner through an authentication process; Transmitting the stored document data to the storage area of ​​the data storage server corresponding to the user terminal that is the destination of the document data; The document management method further includes storing an acquisition history indicating that the user terminal, which is a destination different from other document management devices authenticated by the authentication process, has acquired the document data itself, to which a timestamp has been added, from the storage area of ​​the data storage server.

5. A computer as a document management device for managing document data relating to transactions output from a transaction management server that manages electronic commerce, A process of acquiring transaction data relating to an electronic commerce transaction and document data relating to the electronic commerce transaction including the contents of the transaction data, the transaction data being output from the transaction management server; A process of associating the obtained document data with the transaction data; A process of adding a time stamp to the document data; and storing the document data to which the time stamp has been added; a data storage server having a storage area corresponding to a destination of the document data, a user terminal of the destination, and a document management device that is a destination of the document data and that executes at least the same processes as the processes of acquiring the transaction data and the document data, associating the document data and the transaction data, providing the time stamp, and storing the document data, and that is authenticated by the computer as a communication partner by an authentication process, the computer is capable of communicating with the document management device; A process of transmitting the stored document data to the storage area of ​​the data storage server corresponding to the user terminal which is the destination of the document data; The document management program further executes a process of saving an acquisition history indicating that the user terminal, which is a destination different from other document management devices authenticated by the authentication process, has acquired the document data itself, to which a timestamp has been assigned, from the storage area of ​​the data storage server.

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