Information processing device

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus capable of automatically determining a destination of storage of a digitized document to be stored from information in the document.SOLUTION: A service provider WA provides, for business proprietors registered for utilization, service to relay an exchange of a document file D between business proprietors. A document file D to be sent to each business proprietor is stored in a private, individual storage area SA secured on a storage ST. For an aggregate document file, putting together a plurality of document files captured from the business proprietor, one or more strings of characters are auto-recognized on each document file D constituting the same, so that division of document files D and determination of a storage site of a divided document file D are performed according to a result of the auto-recognition. The storage site is determined from within an individual storage area SA for the business proprietor for which the document file D is destined. Thus, each document file D constituting the aggregate document file is managed for its storage site according to a recognition result of one or more strings of characters.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a separate document associated with a document to be digitized is prepared, and the separate document includes a destination specifying area in which information specifying the storage destination where the associated document should be saved is displayed, and the associated document is saved in the destination destination (see, for example, Patent Document 1). By providing such a destination specifying area in the separate document or the document to be saved, the document to be saved can be saved in the destination destination. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-11698 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The destination to save via the destination specification area is specified by the user's choice. In other words, the user selects the destination from among a selection of destinations prepared in advance. Because the destination options are prepared in advance, the user not only has to select the destination, but also cannot save the document to a destination that is not one of the options. Because it depends on the user's choice, it is not possible to respond in a timely manner when a document to be saved arises. As a result, the conventional techniques have significant limitations in document storage and are not very versatile in terms of storage. The preservation of documents to be preserved can be considered as a service (including part of a service) provided to customers. Speed ​​is one of the factors used to evaluate the quality of a service. Speed ​​is easy to evaluate quantitatively, and customers are sensitive to it. Therefore, it is considered important to respond in a timely manner when documents to be preserved arise. In order to respond in a timely manner to the occurrence of documents to be saved and to determine an appropriate save destination, it is possible to extract necessary information from the documents and use it to determine the save destination. When various types or formats of documents are assumed, it is possible to prepare multiple dictionaries to appropriately extract the necessary information. It is also important to make it easier to prepare dictionaries.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus that can automatically determine the destination of a digitized document to be saved from information in the document. Another object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device that can more easily create a dictionary that enables necessary information to be extracted from documents to be stored. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The information processing device of the present disclosure includes an automatic recognition means that automatically recognizes character strings placed in an electronic document to be saved, and a storage destination determination means that refers to a dictionary that specifies one or more target character strings, which are character strings from among the character strings placed in the document that are used to determine a storage destination for the document, and automatically determines the storage destination using the automatic recognition results of the automatic recognition means for the character strings that respectively correspond to the target character strings. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The present invention can automatically determine the destination for storing a digitized document to be stored from information within the document. Furthermore, the present invention makes it easier to create a dictionary that enables extraction of necessary information from documents to be stored. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of an example of a service provided by a service provider company by an AP server according to an embodiment of the information processing device of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of document exchange that occurs between an ordering company and an order-receiving company when a transaction is made between the two companies. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system constructed for providing services by an AP server according to an embodiment of an information processing device of the present invention, and a network environment to which the system is connected. [Figure 4] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an AP server according to an embodiment of the information processing device of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5] 3 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration realized on an AP server according to an embodiment of the information processing device of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a mechanism for exchanging document files realized by a document processing control unit. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a web page that displays information about a non-contracted business operator who has registered for use based on the use request setting information. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a web page on which distribution management information can be set. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating examples of information related to storage of document files and their relationships. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a web page for dictionary registration. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating examples of character strings to be automatically recognized when the document is a purchase order. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a dictionary registration process. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of how document files are re-aggregated. [Figure 14]10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an automatic document capture process executed by a document processing control unit. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a web page screen on which a document file can be selected and the selected document file can be downloaded. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a Web page that allows document files of subsidiary documents to be registered. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the described embodiments are merely examples, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to these. Various modifications are also included within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of an example of a service (hereinafter referred to as "this service") provided by a service provider company by an AP (Application) server according to an embodiment of an information processing device of the present invention. The service provider WA provides a service (hereinafter referred to as the "Service") that enables document exchange by relaying the sending and receiving of documents over a network between multiple businesses, with at least one of the businesses needing to exchange documents as a customer. It is sufficient for at least one of the businesses to be a customer, i.e., a subscriber of the service provider WA, because it is anticipated that documents from one business will be relayed to all other businesses. In such cases, even if all the other businesses are not customers, documents from one subscriber business must be able to be received by all other businesses. As will be described in more detail later, automatic character string recognition is used to realize part of the document exchange described above. To enable this automatic recognition, businesses can register dictionaries for automatic recognition.

[0011] A business operator is an individual or an organization such as a company. Figure 1 shows two companies, Company A CA and Company B CB, as examples of business operators. Company B CB is an order-receiving company that manufactures, for example, product P and sells the manufactured product P as a commodity. Product P, which is a commodity, is delivered to the ordering company by shipping or other means. The commodity sold by Company B CB may also be a product purchased from another company. On the other hand, Company A CA is an ordering company that orders (purchases) Product P from Company B CB, which is manufactured and sold by Company B CB. To avoid confusion, product P will be referred to as "product P" below. Furthermore, Company A CA and Company B CB are both assumed to be customers, i.e., companies that have contracts with service provider WA.

[0012] Figure 2 is a diagram that explains an example of document exchange that occurs between an ordering company and an order-receiving company when a transaction is conducted between the two companies. Figure 2 also shows an example of the workflow from the signing of a contract between the ordering company and the order-receiving company regarding the purchase of product P sold by the order-receiving company to the completion of the transaction under that contract. Here, we will specifically explain the documents exchanged between the two companies with reference to Figure 2. In Figure 1, the ordering company is Company A, CA, and the order-receiving company is Company B, CB.

[0013] In Figure 2, the ordering company has three departments involved in the transaction: the legal department, the accounting department, and the ordering department. The receiving company has three departments involved in the transaction: the legal department, the accounting department, and the sales department. These departments are just examples, and the departments involved in the transaction will vary depending on the type of product P being traded, the organizational structure, etc.

[0014] The ordering department of the ordering company, after undergoing review by the legal department, concludes a contract with the sales department of the receiving company to purchase the required product P. The sales department of the receiving company, like the ordering department of the ordering company, also concludes a contract after undergoing review by the legal department. At this contracting stage, at least a contract document is exchanged between the ordering company and the receiving company.

[0015] The ordering department of the ordering company creates a purchase order in accordance with the details of the concluded contract and sends it to the sales department of the receiving company, thereby placing an order for Product P. The sales department of the receiving company processes the order and takes steps to deliver Product P requested in the order to the ordering company. For this reason, purchase orders are exchanged between the ordering company and the receiving company at the ordering stage.

[0016] The sales department of the order-receiving company, for example, decides on a delivery method for product P requested by a purchase order, and has product P delivered to the ordering company using the decided method. Before the delivery begins, a delivery note is created that shows product P to be delivered to the ordering company. The created delivery note is handed over to, for example, the ordering department of the ordering company when product P is delivered. After checking the delivery note, the ordering department then checks whether product P listed on the delivery note has actually been delivered and performs an inspection to receive product P. If this inspection confirms that product P listed on the delivery note has been delivered, the ordering department hands over a receipt to the order-receiving company. For this reason, at the delivery stage of product P, delivery notes and receipts are exchanged between the ordering company and the order-receiving company.

[0017] Upon receiving the receipt, the sales department of the order-receiving company creates and issues an invoice requesting payment for Product P. The issued invoice is handed over to the ordering department of the ordering company, which then requests payment of the price requested on the invoice from the accounting department. The price of Product P is then paid by the ordering company's accounting department.

[0018] The accounting department of the ordering company makes payment, for example, by having the receiving company transfer the payment to a specified account. When the payment is made in this way, the accounting department of the receiving company can confirm that the payment has been received by the ordering company by looking at the account statement. When the payment has been confirmed, the accounting department of the receiving company notifies the sales department that the payment has been received. The sales department then creates and issues a receipt and sends it to the ordering department of the ordering company. As a result, the ordering department of the ordering company receives the receipt that was sent. Thus, at the settlement stage after the delivery of product P, the receiving company sends an invoice to the receiving company, and then the receiving company sends a receipt to the receiving company. When the ordering company receives the receipt, the document exchange between the ordering company and the receiving company for one transaction is completed.

[0019] As such, multiple document exchanges are often conducted between companies in a single transaction. Until now, this document exchange has generally been carried out by mail or email. There are also service providers that offer services that replace document exchange by email (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This service makes it possible to exchange various documents by means other than mail or email.

[0020] The documents exchanged between the ordering company and the receiving company, as shown in Figure 2, are typically documents to be exchanged, and other documents are typically exchanged as needed. For example, when an ordering company issues a purchase order for a product, even if the purchase order is issued in accordance with the contract, the receiving company may return a document indicating this to the ordering company. Instead of a document, a message may be returned. It is also possible to return to the ordering company any unclear or incompatibilities regarding the purchase order in the form of a document. For this reason, documents exchanged between the ordering company and the receiving company can be broadly divided into documents deemed essential for the transaction and documents whose exchange becomes necessary for procedural or convenience reasons due to the delivery of the document. Hereinafter, the former will be referred to as "principal documents" and the latter as "subordinate documents." The term "document" is used when such a distinction is not necessary.

[0021] There is often a relatively long time between the exchange of one main document and the exchange of the next. For example, if a purchase order is issued in accordance with the contract, it is not necessarily issued immediately after the contract is concluded. On the other hand, if a subsidiary document needs to be exchanged, it is likely to be exchanged, or sent, relatively quickly after the exchange of the corresponding main document or subsidiary document. For this reason, this service associates subsidiary documents with main documents and supports the exchange of subsidiary documents.

[0022] When a transaction is conducted between the CA of Company A and the CB of Company B shown in Figure 1, it is assumed that various document exchanges will also take place between the CA of Company A and the CB of Company B, as explained with reference to Figure 2. This service can be used to realize all or some of these various document exchanges. This service realizes document exchange by sending and receiving documents over a network. For this reason, documents are handled as digitized document files D, that is, as data. Note that the file format of document file D is not particularly limited. For example, document file D may be a PDF (Portable Document Format) file, etc.

[0023] For example, if Company A CA purchases Product P from Company B CB through an order, Company B CB can issue an invoice to Company A CA requesting payment for Product P. When using this service, the invoice is created as document file D.

[0024] Document file D needs to be sent only to the business to which it is to be sent. Each business can use various terminals (information processing devices with communication functions, such as PCs (Personal Computers)) to use this service. For this reason, this service requires business operators who use this service to register for use, regardless of whether they are customers or not. As a result, use of this service is limited to business operators who have registered for use. Whether a business operator has registered for use or not is confirmed, for example, by requesting a user who connects a terminal to the service provider's WA to log in. Here, for convenience, it is assumed that logging in is performed by entering an ID (identifier) ​​and password.

[0025] For example, after delivery of product P, company B CB creates an invoice as document file D. The created document file D is either sent to service provider WA by a terminal used by an employee of company B CB, or is automatically accessed by service provider WA and imported into service provider WA. The automatic access is made to a storage location designated in advance by company B CB. During this automatic access, the storage location (storage destination) of each imported document file D, including the invoice, is automatically determined, and each imported document file D is stored in the determined storage location.

[0026] The service provider WA has one or more storages ST for storing document files D. This storage ST is, for example, mounted on or connected to the AP server, or mounted on or connected to another server that can communicate with the AP server.

[0027] In this storage ST, an individual storage area SA is secured for each business operator, which is a dedicated storage area for storing document files D. An individual storage area SA is prepared for each business operator, and only document files D intended to be sent to that business operator are stored in the individual storage area SA associated with that business operator. For example, the individual storage area SA for Company A CA stores only document files D intended to be sent to Company A CA. In this way, each individual storage area SA is used to store document files D to be sent to the corresponding business operator. As a result, document files D imported from Company B CB, which is a business operator, are stored in the individual storage area SA for Company A CA. Note that the number of document files D that can be imported at one time is not limited to one. Each individual storage area SA corresponds to a storage destination in a broad sense in this embodiment.

[0028] The destination of document file D from Company B's CB is either specified at the time of import or automatically recognized by the service provider WA. As a result, document file D imported from Company B's CB is stored in a separate storage area SA for Company A's CA. Note that automatic recognition can also be performed, for example, by extracting information other than the destination information from document file D. Since the information that can be extracted from document file D is primarily in the form of character strings, this service uses character strings. The information may also exist in the form of images other than character strings, such as one-dimensional or two-dimensional graphic patterns. Therefore, the representation form of the information is not particularly limited. The extracted information may be both character strings and images. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed here that the extracted information is only character strings.

[0029] As shown as an example of storage in Figure 1, if document file D is an aggregated document file in which multiple documents with different destinations have been aggregated (combined), this automatic recognition is used to divide document file D into each destination. That is, for each document that makes up the aggregated document file, a character string indicating the destination within that document is automatically recognized and the document is separated from the aggregated document file. The character string indicating the destination is also used to identify the division points when dividing document file D into each destination. As a result, if document file D is an aggregated document file, the data of the aggregated document file is divided by destination, and the data for each document obtained by the division is filed and stored as one document file D in the corresponding individual storage area SA. Here, a document file that is clearly obtained by division will be referred to as "divided document file D." A document file that is not clearly divided, or a document file for which it is not necessary to consider whether it has been divided or not, will be referred to as "document file D." "D" will also be used as the code for an aggregated document file. As a result, all document files that are the subject of exchange will be given the code "D."

[0030] When the service provider WA stores a document file D in the individual storage area SA, it notifies the business operator that assigned the individual storage area SA that the document file D has been newly stored. This notification is made, for example, by sending an email to the email address registered by the business operator, with a message in the body of the email informing the business operator that the document file D has been newly stored. In this service, the document file D for which such a notification is made is limited to the main document document file D.

[0031] This notification allows the business to which the document file D is to be sent to immediately become aware of the occurrence of a new document file D without connecting a terminal to the service provider WA. This makes it possible for the business to more reliably avoid overlooking the existence of a newly created document file D. This allows the business that is the sender of the document file D to use this service in the same way as sending a document by email or mail.

[0032] Some businesses may have documents that they would like to be sent in printed form, such as paper media. For example, some businesses may want to send invoices in printed form. For this reason, this service is also able to handle the sending of printed documents. The printed document is generated using document file D imported from the business. Even if the document is sent in printed form, since document file D is imported, the imported document file D is stored in an individual storage area SA, and a notification regarding this storage is also sent. Figure 1 shows that a printed copy of the contents of document file D is also sent by mail to Company A's CA.

[0033] In this service, the setting of whether or not to send a document in print is left to the business that sends the document file D. This is because it is thought that the sending business will confirm the wishes of the destination business before creating the document file D. It is also possible to allow the destination business to make this setting.

[0034] The document files D stored in each individual storage area SA can be viewed by the corresponding business operator. In addition, the business operator can arbitrarily select and download the necessary document files D from the stored document files D. The reason why any document file D can be downloaded at any time is to accommodate the business operator's convenience. The business operator can also allow the same document file D to be downloaded multiple times.

[0035] As described above, businesses may be required to take specific actions depending on the contents of document file D. This action may result in a document that should or is desirable to send to the sender of document file D. It is also possible that there may be some message that needs to be conveyed to the sender of document file D. For this reason, this service allows a business to which document file D is to be sent to send at least one of subsidiary document file D and a message to the sender of document file D. The upload from Company A's CA to service provider WA shown in Figure 1 represents the process by which Company A's CA, which has downloaded the main document file D from Company B's CB, sends at least one of subsidiary document file D and a message.

[0036] For example, if document file D is an invoice and the payment requested on the invoice is transferred to a financial institution, the business can receive a transfer statement from the financial institution. This transfer statement is a document that clearly shows that the business has made the payment. For this reason, a business that receives an invoice as document file D may request that the transfer statement be sent as document file D along with a message requesting confirmation of the transfer. This allows the service to support not only the sending of the main document file D, but also the sending and receiving of subsidiary document files D and messages after that sending.

[0037] Subordinate document file D and messages are stored in an individual storage area SA assigned to the destination business, i.e., the business that sent the main document file D. Since an individual storage area SA is allocated for each business, if there are N+1 individual storage areas SA, one business can send document file D to a maximum of N businesses. This means that one business can receive document file D from a maximum of N businesses. N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. This service also allows one business to have the same document file D sent to multiple businesses. Furthermore, a business can use the individual storage area SA like cloud storage by specifying itself as the destination. Taking this into consideration, one business can send document file D to a maximum of N+1 businesses.

[0038] Document files D, etc. stored in the individual storage area SA can be checked not only by the business operator to which the individual storage area SA is assigned, but also by the business operator that imported the document file D, etc. This is to enable the sending business operator to check whether the document file D was actually imported and processed appropriately. To prevent the sending business operator from obtaining more information than necessary, the only document files D that the sending business operator can check are the document files D imported from that business operator. In order to enable the checking of such document files D, the use of this service is limited to the logged-in business operator. The mechanism that enables checking of imported document files D will be described later.

[0039] Another document file D and a message sent from the CA of Company A to the CB of Company B are stored in a separate storage area SA for the CB of Company B, and the CB of Company B can download them at will, allowing the CB of Company B to check the document file D or the message from the CA of Company A.

[0040] When a subsidiary document file D or message is sent from Company B's CB to Company A's CA, it is also possible for Company A's CA to send a subsidiary document file D or message to Company B's CB. This means that this service supports the two-way exchange of subsidiary document files D and messages between businesses. Therefore, businesses that use this service can exchange all of the necessary document files D and messages with other businesses using only this service.

[0041] In this way, the Service provides a mechanism for exchanging document file D and even messages between businesses, but does not support the parts related to the creation of document file D. This is to avoid covering an area that businesses do not necessarily want, as described below, and to provide an environment in which more businesses can easily use the Service while keeping the cost of the Service low.

[0042] It is believed that most businesses using this service have already conducted business with other businesses and have established a system for exchanging documents with them. Therefore, most businesses will be affected in some way by the introduction of a document exchange-related service. For this reason, this service also places importance on minimizing the degree of the impact.

[0043] The degree of impact of a service being introduced is likely to increase the larger the service's coverage area. Many businesses are likely to re-do business with businesses they have done business with in the past. In particular, businesses that repeatedly do business with each other may have established rules for document exchange for convenience and other reasons. For example, document formats, input items, and input methods may be established as rules. If such rules exist, it is desirable to abide by them regardless of whether or not a service is introduced. Therefore, businesses considering introducing a service must consider the existence of such rules in addition to the degree of impact. This is because businesses considering introducing a service that cannot abide by such rules will have to hold discussions with the business that established the rules.

[0044] This service does not generally support the creation of document file D, but only the exchange of document file D. Therefore, there are essentially no restrictions on the document file D to be exchanged. There is essentially no need to change the format of document file D, nor is there any need to change the application program used to create document file D. For this reason, even if a business introduces this service, it will be able to create document file D in the same way as before, and will be able to abide by all or most of the document exchange agreements made with other businesses. Therefore, the degree of impact from introducing this service will be relatively small. Because the degree of impact is relatively small and the fees are low, the barriers to introduction for businesses to this service will be lower.

[0045] This service uses individual storage areas SA to send document files D to each business. The destination can be specified or identified by automatic recognition. Printed copies can also be sent. For this reason, whether or not to send printed copies can be set for each business. For businesses that send document files D, the introduction of this service will significantly reduce the work required to exchange documents with other businesses. Using automatic character string recognition to realize part of the document exchange will further reduce that work.

[0046] Hereinafter, a method for realizing this service illustrated in FIG. 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system constructed for providing services by an AP server according to an embodiment of the information processing device of the present invention, and a network environment to which the system is connected.

[0047] The system is constructed by connecting an AP server 1, which is an information processing device according to the present embodiment, to a DB (Data Base) server 2 and one or more printers 5 equipped with communication functions via, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network), thereby realizing a single website. In FIG. 3 , the AP server 1, DB server 2, and printer 5 are installed within the service provider WA, but they may also be provided as a cloud service. Given this, the installation locations and providers of the AP server 1, DB server 2, and printer 5 are not particularly limited. Furthermore, while the AP server 1 and DB server 2 are the primary information processing devices for providing this service, they may also include other information processing devices, such as a web server and / or a firewall. Multiple AP servers 1 and / or DB servers 2 may be installed. In this case, a load balancer may also be included. It is desirable to install multiple printers 5. This is because, when an aggregate document file D is imported, printing is often performed for multiple destinations.

[0048] The AP server 1 is directly or indirectly connected to the network N. Therefore, the AP server 1 can provide this service to users who use as terminals information processing devices that are capable of communicating via the network N. In most cases, the users are employees of the order-receiving company 3 or the ordering company 4 who have registered for use.

[0049] DB server 2 is a server that performs processing in response to requests from AP server 1. AP server 1 sends imported or uploaded document file D to DB server 2 for storage. Information related to this service other than document file D is stored in AP server 1. For this reason, AP server 1 provides this service using DB server 2. As a result, storage ST of service provider WA shown in Figure 1 corresponds to both storage that can be accessed by AP server 1 and DB server 2.

[0050] In Figure 3, the companies using this service are shown as order-receiving companies 3-1 to 3-L and ordering companies 4-1 to 4-K. Hereafter, for convenience, when there is no need to distinguish between them, the order-receiving companies will be numbered "3" and the ordering companies will be numbered "4." In Figure 1, order-receiving company 3 corresponds to Company B CB, and ordering company 4 corresponds to Company A CA.

[0051] This classification of companies is for convenience, and in reality, it is not always possible to clearly classify companies. This is because there are many companies that are both order-receiving companies 3 and ordering companies 4. However, for the sake of explanation, we will assume that companies are classified as either order-receiving companies 3 or ordering companies 4.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 3, the order-receiving company 3 has a system configured with a server 31 and multiple terminals 32 connected to a network 33. A storage area 36 is secured in the storage 35 installed on the server 31 to store document files D to be automatically imported. The storage area 36 was designated by the order-receiving company 3 itself as the location for automatically importing document files D. The reason for designating the storage area 36 is that the server 31 is always running. By designating the storage area 36 on the server 31, the order-receiving company 3 can automatically import document files D at any time. For convenience, this service allows the user to set not only the location for automatically importing document files D but also the timing of the import. The storage area 36 may be an area secured in the storage installed on the terminal 32 that is always running. The storage area 36 does not limit the storage 35 in which it resides or the information processing device that accesses the storage 35. To clearly distinguish the storage area 36 from others, it will hereinafter be referred to as the "import storage area 36."

[0053] Some documents exchanged between businesses may be exchanged periodically. For example, between businesses that repeatedly conduct transactions, it is common to decide the timing of sending invoices and to request the amount outstanding up to the determined timing in one or more invoices, partly to reduce the complexity of processing. Such an invoice document file D can be considered as the document file D to be stored in the capture storage area 36. This document file D is usually part of the aggregate document file D.

[0054] On the other hand, the ordering company 4 is equipped with one or more terminals 41. The terminals 41 are information processing devices capable of communicating with the AP server 1 via the network N. Employees of the ordering company 4 can use this service using these terminals 41. To distinguish this terminal 41 from the terminal 32 of the order-receiving company 3, this terminal will hereinafter be referred to as the "order-receiving terminal 41." The terminal 32 will hereinafter be referred to as the "order-receiving terminal 32." When such a distinction is not necessary, that is, when it is acceptable to use either the order-receiving terminal 41 or the order-receiving terminal 32, the terminal will be referred to as the "business operator terminal."

[0055] Unlike the order-receiving company 3, FIG. 3 does not show a server or the like for the ordering company 4. This is because, when documents are exchanged between businesses as shown in FIG. 2, it is unlikely that most ordering companies 4 will exchange documents on a regular basis. In other words, it is considered that there are relatively few cases in which an information processing device such as server 31 is involved in this service. However, FIG. 3 does not indicate that the ordering company 4 has not built a system using a server. Furthermore, both the ordering terminal 41 and the order-receiving terminal 32 do not have to be nodes of the systems established by the ordering company 4 and the order-receiving company 3, respectively. In other words, they may be portable terminals such as smartphones or tablet PCs that can be used anywhere. For this reason, both the order-receiving terminal 32 and the order-receiving terminal 41 may be personal property of employees.

[0056] Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an AP server according to an embodiment of the information processing device of the present invention. Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the AP server 1 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 4. Note that this example configuration is just one example, and the hardware configuration of the AP server 1 is not limited to this.

[0057] The AP server 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a bus 14, an input / output interface 15, an output unit 16, an input unit 17, a memory unit 18, two communication units 19 and 20, and a drive 21.

[0058] The CPU 11 executes various processes according to programs recorded in the ROM 12 and / or programs loaded from the storage unit 18 into the RAM 13. The application program that causes the AP server 1 to function, that is, the application program developed for providing the present service, is stored, for example, in the storage unit 18. The CPU 11 reads the application program into the RAM 13 and executes it, allowing the AP server 1 to provide the present service to the order-receiving company 3 and the ordering company 4.

[0059] The RAM 13 also stores data and the like necessary for the CPU 11 to execute various processes, including various programs executed by the CPU 11. The CPU 11, ROM 12, and RAM 13 are interconnected via a bus 14. An input / output interface 15 is also connected to this bus 14. An output unit 16, an input unit 17, a memory unit 18, two communication units 19 and 20, and a drive 21 are connected to the input / output interface 15.

[0060] The output unit 16 includes a display such as a liquid crystal display. The output unit 16 displays various images under the control of the CPU 11. The output unit 16 may be mounted on the AP server 1, or may be connected as needed. In other words, the output unit 16 is not an essential component.

[0061] The input unit 17 is configured to include various hardware buttons such as a keyboard. The configuration may also include one or more pointing devices such as a mouse. The operator can input various information via the input unit 17. This input unit 17 may also be built into the AP server 1, or may be connected as needed. In other words, the input unit 17 is not an essential component.

[0062] The storage unit 18 is, for example, a hard disk drive or an auxiliary storage device such as an SSD (Solid State Drive). Data with a large amount of data is stored in the storage unit 18. The storage unit 18 corresponds to one of the storages ST of the service provider company WA shown in FIG. 1.

[0063] The communication unit 19 enables communication with the information processing devices used by the order-receiving company 3 and the ordering company 4 via the network N. The server 31, order-receiving terminal 32, and ordering terminal 41 shown in FIG. 3 all correspond to those information processing devices. The communication unit 20 enables communication with the DB server 2. Hereinafter, to avoid confusion, the communication unit 19 will be referred to as the "terminal communication unit 19," and the communication unit 20 will be referred to as the "DB communication unit 20."

[0064] The drive 21 is a device to which removable media 25, such as a magnetic disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, or semiconductor memory card, can be attached or detached. The drive 21 can, for example, read information from the attached removable media 25 and write information to the removable media 25. As a result, a program recorded on the removable media 25 can be stored in the storage unit 18 via the drive 21. In addition, the removable media 25 attached to the drive 21 can be used as a copy destination or a transfer destination for various data stored in the storage unit 18.

[0065] The hardware resources of the AP server 1 are controlled by various programs, including application programs. As a result, the AP server 1 can provide this service to the order-receiving company 3 and the ordering company 4. The information processing device that automatically recognizes character strings to be recognized in the document file D and determines the storage location of the document file D, and the information processing device that registers a dictionary for automatic recognition of the character strings, are both realized by the AP server 1. The various programs include an OS (Operating System). The application programs for providing this service run on that OS. Hereinafter, to distinguish between the two information processing devices, the former will be referred to as the "document storage management device" and the latter as the "dictionary registration device."

[0066] The DB server 2 can have basically the same hardware configuration as the AP server 1. Therefore, a detailed description will be omitted here. However, it is desirable that the storage unit constituting the DB server 2 is equipped with a larger capacity storage. The storage unit may be equipped in the DB server 2, or may be connected to the DB server 2. Here, it is assumed that both the AP server 1 and the DB server 2 have only equipped storage units.

[0067] 5 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration realized on an AP server according to an embodiment of the information processing device of the present invention. Next, with reference to FIG. 5, an example of a functional configuration realized on the AP server 1 will be described in detail.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 11 of the AP server 1 has the following functional components: a distribution control unit 111, a company registration unit 112, an authentication unit 113, a document processing control unit 114, a data management unit 115, an automatic division unit 116, a setting management unit 117, an access control unit 118, a notification control unit 119, and a dictionary registration unit 120. These components are realized by the CPU 11 executing various programs, including the application programs. As a result, the memory unit 18 has a company registration information storage unit 181, a company master storage unit 182, a package information storage unit 183, an operation record information storage unit 184, an object list storage unit 185, a setting information storage unit 186, and a dictionary storage unit 187 for storing information. The document processing control unit 114, the data management unit 115, the automatic division unit 116, and the dictionary registration unit 120 are particularly important components for realizing document exchange through automatic character string recognition. The dictionary storage unit 187 stores a dictionary for automatic character string recognition.

[0069] The distribution control unit 111 exchanges data with the terminal communication unit 19, identifies an output destination to which data input from the terminal communication unit 19 should be passed, and passes the data to the identified output destination. In this example, the output destination to which the data is passed is one of the company registration unit 112, authentication unit 113, document processing control unit 114, and dictionary registration unit 120. As a result of the distribution control unit 111 passing the data to the output destination to which it should be passed, a function required for processing the data is operated.

[0070] The company registration unit 112 is a function for registering information about businesses that use this service. This information is company registration information, and is stored in a company registration information storage unit 181 secured in the memory unit 18. Most of the company registration information is information entered by businesses. However, some of this information is automatically generated by the company registration unit 112 by referring to a company master stored in a company master storage unit 182 secured in the memory unit 18.

[0071] As mentioned above, registration is required to use this service. Businesses that request registration are divided into those who are contracted with this service, i.e., businesses that are customers, and those that need to register in order to provide this service to one of their customers. Businesses that need to register do not have to sign a contract as customers. However, the content of the company registration information, i.e., the combination of main items that make up the company registration information, is the same regardless of the business classification. Hereafter, for convenience, businesses that are customers will be referred to as "contracted businesses" and businesses that are not customers will be referred to as "non-contracted businesses."

[0072] The company master is a file that compiles information about each company, etc. whose information is publicly available. Information about companies, etc. includes, for example, company code, corporate name, address, contact information, and industry type. In addition, information such as creation date and update date and time is added. Here, these are collectively referred to as "individual company master information." As a result, the company master is an aggregation of individual company master information. Furthermore, in the individual company master information, the word "company" is used to refer to the company, etc. stored in the company master.

[0073] The company code is identification information that can uniquely identify a publicly disclosed company and is also publicly available information. The corporate name, address, contact information, and industry are also all publicly available information. The creation date and time indicate the date and time when the company master individual information was added to the company master, and the update date and time indicate the date and time when the company master individual information was last updated.

[0074] On the other hand, the company registration information includes information such as a customer code, usage status, company name, department name, person in charge name, email address, address, creation date and time, and update date and time. The customer code is identification information that can uniquely identify a registered business. In this service, when a company whose company master individual information is stored in the company master registers, the company code in the company master individual information is used as the customer code. When a company whose company master individual information is not stored in the company master registers, the company registration unit 112 automatically generates unique identification information that is not used in either the company master individual information or the company registration information, and uses this as the customer code. Here, the customer code is assumed to be an authentication ID for logging in.

[0075] The usage status is information that indicates the usage status of the Service. Specifically, the usage status is information that indicates whether the business using the Service is a subscriber or not, whether the Service is currently being used, etc.

[0076] The company name, department name, person in charge name, email address, and address are all information entered by the company. By entering this information, the company can arbitrarily specify the recipient of the email notifying that a document file D to be sent has been created, the recipient of the printed matter when it is to be delivered by mail, etc.

[0077] The creation date and time indicates the date and time when the company registration information was added to the company registration information storage unit 181. The update date and time indicates the date and time when the company registration information was last updated. All of these are added or updated by the company registration unit 112.

[0078] Contracted businesses are primarily businesses that have decided to use this service. Businesses wishing to enter into a contract are expected to connect their business terminals to the AP server 1 of their own volition and register for use.

[0079] On the other hand, non-contracted businesses are businesses that have started using the Service due to the introduction of the Service by their business partners, etc. It is unlikely that they have prior knowledge of the Service. Furthermore, the information required for non-contracted businesses differs between contracted businesses and non-contracted businesses. For this reason, the Service provides a dedicated registration website for non-contracted businesses and sends emails to non-contracted businesses with embedded links to the dedicated website. To this end, contracted businesses are allowed to specify the email addresses of non-contracted businesses wishing to use the Service. In this way, the Service makes it easier for non-contracted businesses to use the Service.

[0080] The company registration unit 112 classifies businesses into either contracted businesses or non-contracted businesses, performs processing to have the businesses input the necessary information, and stores the business registration information in the company registration information storage unit 181. The document processing control unit 114 and notification control unit 119 send emails to request non-contracted businesses to access the dedicated site.

[0081] The authentication unit 113 performs authentication to confirm whether the business using this service is a registered business. It also manages the information required for authentication. For this purpose, the authentication unit 113 also transmits a web page for login. This page is transmitted when the business terminal is connected to the AP server 1 for reasons other than registration, including accessing a dedicated site, for example.

[0082] Here, the authentication information is assumed to be an authentication ID and a password. The authentication ID is assumed to be a customer code. The authentication unit 113 also performs processing to accommodate password changes as necessary. The authentication information may be managed separately from the company registration information, but here it is assumed to be included in the company registration information. In this assumption, the company registration information is updated by the authentication unit 113.

[0083] The document processing control unit 114 performs the main processing or control for providing this service. In addition to sending emails requesting access to the dedicated site, the document processing control unit 114 also enables the exchange of document files D between businesses and the registration of various setting information for that exchange.

[0084] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a mechanism for exchanging document files realized by the document processing control unit. 6, SS is a storage space for storing various data including document files D, which is realized by the AP server 1 and the DB server 2. This storage space SS is a space virtually realized by storage areas secured in the memory unit 18 of the AP server 1 and the memory unit 200 of the DB server 2. This storage space SS includes all of the individual storage areas SA secured in the storage ST shown in FIG.

[0085] Each individual storage area SA can be logically divided into multiple areas. The business operator can set the logical structure within the individual storage area SA. Figure 6 shows that multiple folders SB and SC are set in each individual storage area SA as areas. Folder SB is, for example, a root folder, and folder SC is a subfolder contained within folder SB, which is the root folder. The business operator can also set a hierarchical structure.

[0086] The invoice DS and contract DK are both document files D to be exchanged. After being imported, these document files D are stored in the individual storage area SA that corresponds to the specified or automatically recognized destination. The invoice DS and contract DK have different types (attributes) as document files D. Therefore, the invoice DS imported from Company B CB and addressed to Company A CA is stored in the "Accounting Department" folder SC, which is one of the subfolders SC created in the individual storage area SA for Company A CA. The contract DKs imported from Company C CC and addressed to Company A CA to Company C CC are each stored in the "President" folder SC created in each individual storage area SA. If you yourself are included in the destination, your own individual storage area SA can be used as a storage area for document files D.

[0087] Each folder that can be set in a hierarchical structure by companies A to C, CA to CC, becomes a storage destination for document file D. As a result, each folder becomes a candidate for a storage destination determined by automatic recognition of character strings in document file D. In other words, with this service, by automatically recognizing multiple character strings in document file D, one or more folders are treated as candidates for a storage destination determined by that document file D.

[0088] Each individual storage area SA serves as a display environment HK for the business operator to which it is assigned, allowing the business operator to check the document file D. This allows the business operator to check the document file D stored in accordance with the logical structure set in the individual storage area SA and download the document file D. This is regardless of whether the storage destination of the document file D was automatically determined by automatic recognition or not.

[0089] In the individual storage area SA of Company A's CA, access restrictions are set for both the "Accounting Department" folder SC and the "President" folder SC. As a result, only employees with access rights can view the stored document file D in both the "Accounting Department" folder SC and the "President" folder SC. This service also makes such access restrictions possible.

[0090] Individual storage areas SA are assigned to each business using this service, regardless of whether they have a contract or not. However, this service reserves a storage area for all non-contracted businesses, and the individual storage areas SA for each non-contracted business are reserved within that storage area. Therefore, the individual storage areas SA for each non-contracted business are treated like the "Accounting Department" folder SC or the "President" folder SC of Company A's CA in Figure 6.

[0091] 6, various setting information is referenced to realize the exchange of document file D. The various setting information is registered by storing it in setting information storage unit 186 secured in storage unit 18.

[0092] The various types of setting information include usage request setting information, storage setting information, import setting information, distribution management information, and notification management information. All businesses can register all setting information. Therefore, all setting information is linked, or associated, with one of the businesses. This association can be achieved by allocating a different storage area for each business, or by adding information that can uniquely identify the business, such as a customer code.

[0093] The usage request setting information allows a contracted business to specify non-contracted business operators to request the use of this service. To this end, the usage request setting information can be set by each contracted business operator as needed. The usage request setting information includes, for example, the customer code of the contracted business operator to be set, as well as information about the non-contracted business operator wishing to use this service, such as the business operator name, department name, and email address. There may be multiple pieces of information about non-contracted business operators.

[0094] The email with the embedded link information to the dedicated site is sent to the non-contracted business operator who entered the information. To do this, the document processing control unit 114 references the usage request setting information to be registered, passes the email address in the usage request setting information to the notification control unit 119, and causes the email with the embedded link information to the dedicated site to be sent. As a result, the non-contracted business operator can access the dedicated site through the received email and register for use, thereby using this service without signing a contract.

[0095] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a web page (screen) that displays information about non-contracted business operators who have registered for use based on the use request setting information. Contracted businesses are allowed to check the information actually entered by non-contracted businesses that they have requested to use this service. Figure 7 shows an example of the web page sent to a contracted business that requests information confirmation. When this request is received by the terminal communication unit 19, the received request is output from the terminal communication unit 19 to the CPU 11. The request input to the CPU 11 is passed to the document processing control unit 114 via the allocation control unit 111.

[0096] As a result, this web page is generated by the document processing control unit 114 and output to the terminal communication unit 19 via the distribution control unit 111, and then transmitted to the business terminal used by the contracted business. The company registration information and the usage request setting information are used to generate this web page. Note that a detailed explanation of the operations for requesting transmission of this web page will be omitted.

[0097] In FIG. 7, the information in the fields of customer code, consent, and receipt date and time is not information entered by the non-contracted business, but information automatically entered by the company registration unit 112 or document processing control unit 114. The receipt date and time is the date and time when the non-contracted business registered for use. For example, the creation date and time in the company registration information is presented to the contracted business as the receipt date and time. Consent is information indicating whether the non-contracted business will use this service, and "Yes" in FIG. 7 indicates that the non-contracted business will use this service. Businesses wishing to enter a contract are not required to enter information regarding this consent. Among the non-contracted businesses requested to use the service in the usage request setting information, non-contracted businesses that have not registered for use, or that have registered but whose usage status in the company registration information is not indicating that they are using this service, will have "No" displayed as the consent content.

[0098] By displaying a web page like the one shown in Figure 7, the contracted business that has registered the usage request setting information can check not only the non-contracted business operators that can use this service, but also the non-contracted business operators that do not wish to use this service. This allows the contracted business to properly exchange document file D with each non-contracted business operator, including non-contracted business operators that have not registered for use.

[0099] Return to the explanation of various setting information. The storage setting information specifies a logical hierarchical structure, such as a hierarchical structure of folders, as shown in Fig. 6 when storing document files D in the individual storage area SA. This storage setting information is information input by each business operator, and according to this storage setting information, document files D are automatically sorted by department, period, and / or type (attributes) of document file D, for example, and stored in the individual storage area SA.

[0100] Contracted businesses can also set access restrictions for each folder. For example, to set access restrictions, that is, to restrict which employees can access a folder, it is possible to set an access ID and password. Such access restrictions can also be set using the storage setting information.

[0101] The import setting information enables the AP server 1 to automatically import the document file D. To this end, the import setting information makes it possible to specify the import storage area 36, ​​the timing of import, and the timing at which the imported document file D can be sent. Only the document file D of the main document can be imported automatically.

[0102] It is assumed that the destination of the document file D stored in the import storage area 36 will be identified by automatic recognition of its contents. Therefore, the import setting information does not assume that the destination of the document file D will be specified.

[0103] In Figure 6, the invoice DS can use this automatic recognition. However, the contract DK is not expected to use automatic recognition, as it is possible that the same contract DK may be sent to multiple different recipients.

[0104] The requirements for exchanging document file D may not be the same for all businesses. For this reason, this service requires each business to register distribution management information, making it possible to accommodate differences in requirements between businesses. For this reason, the distribution management information allows the requirements of each business to be specified for each target business.

[0105] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a web page on which distribution management information can be set. When a request to set distribution management information is made from a business operator terminal used by the business operator, this request is received by terminal communication unit 19 and then passed to document processing control unit 114 via distribution control unit 111. As a result, a web page (screen) such as that shown in Fig. 8 is also generated and transmitted by document processing control unit 114.

[0106] This web page contains the following fields: customer code, company name, distribution type, distribution enabled, and user-created fields, and the contents of each field are displayed for each business. The web page uses each field to display the current content of distribution management information for each business. In practice, distribution management information is organized by business and managed as a distribution management information group.

[0107] The customer code and company name are items that are expected to be automatically entered from the company registration information. For this reason, this service provides a search function for businesses that have registered company registration information. This allows businesses to select from the businesses found by the search function a business to which they would like to add distribution management information, i.e., a business with which they would like to exchange document file D using this service.

[0108] The user-created fields indicate whether the operator has a contract or not. Figure 8 shows that all operators have a contract. The items of distribution type and distribution validity indicate the business's requests in exchanging document file D. These two items are the items to be input by the business.

[0109] The distribution type indicates the distribution method of the document file D for exchange. The content of "Web" indicates that the document file D is to be exchanged via the network N. "Mail" indicates that the document file D is to be exchanged in the form of a printed matter, such as by mail. Each business can input information into this field using, for example, a pull-down menu.

[0110] The "Distribution Enabled" item indicates whether or not this service will be used to exchange document file D. A check box is placed in this item column for each business. This allows information to be entered in this column by clicking the check box. Figure 8 shows that all businesses will use this service.

[0111] The notification management information is used to notify the recipient that a new main document file D has been created. In this service, this notification is sent via email. As a result, the notification management information can specify the template for the message to be inserted into the email body, the timing of sending the email, etc.

[0112] It is desirable that the message used for notification differ depending on the type of document file D. It is also desirable that the timing of sending the email differ depending on how the document file D is imported. If the document file D is imported automatically, it is desirable that the email be sent taking into consideration the timing when the document file D can be checked, and if not, it is desirable to send the email depending on the urgency of the document file D, etc. For this reason, this service allows you to specify message templates and the timing of sending the email depending on the type of document file D and the import method.

[0113] The document processing control unit 114 performs processing to respond to input of various setting information as described above. Any setting information that the business operator instructs to register is passed from the document processing control unit 114 to the setting management unit 117, which stores it in the setting information storage unit 186. The setting information stored in the setting information storage unit 186 is read by the setting management unit 117 at the instruction of the document processing control unit 114 and passed to the document processing control unit 114. This allows the business operator to not only add setting information to the setting information storage unit 186, but also change (update) the setting information stored in the setting information storage unit 186. The setting information that can be updated includes, for example, notification management information, import setting information, storage setting information, and delivery management information.

[0114] The document processing control unit 114 automatically imports the document file D in accordance with the import setting information. In addition, in response to a request from the business operator terminal, the document processing control unit 114 imports the document file D uploaded from the business operator terminal. The document processing control unit 114 changes the content of processing and control depending on the import method.

[0115] When importing a document file D uploaded from a business operator terminal, the document processing control unit 114 requires the business operator to input individual setting information that can specify the destination (addressee) of the document file D, storage conditions, etc. This is because the requests of the sender (sender) for the document file D uploaded from the business operator terminal are not always the same. In other words, this is to enable flexible response to various requests from the sender. The document file D sent from the business operator terminal and the individual setting information are passed from the document processing control unit 114 to the data management unit 115.

[0116] The storage conditions can specify, for example, the period during which downloading is permitted, the number of times downloading is permitted, etc. By specifying the storage conditions, the sender can prevent undesirable transmission of the document file D.

[0117] The data management unit 115 passes the document file D from the document processing control unit 114 to the access control unit 118, and requests the DB server 2 to store the document file D in a specified storage location. The individual setting information is used to identify the specified storage location. As a result, the access control unit 118 transmits, via the DB communication unit 20, the document file D and a request to the DB server 2 to store the document file D in the specified storage location.

[0118] The DB server 2 includes a memory unit 200 that is a storage for storing document files D. The memory unit 200 has a company-specific storage unit 201 that serves as a storage location for document files D for each business. The DB server 2 stores the received document file D in the company-specific storage unit 201 identified from the received request.

[0119] In addition to the data management unit 115, the access control unit 118 accesses the DB server 2 via the DB communication unit 20 in response to an instruction from the document processing control unit 114. The document file D transmitted from the DB server 2 in response to this instruction is passed to the data management unit 115 or document processing control unit 114 that issued the instruction.

[0120] The data management unit 115 stores the document file D in the DB server 2, generates package information for managing the document file D, and stores the generated package information in a package information storage unit 183 secured in the memory unit 18. The package information generated when storing the document file D includes entity information and storage information. When transmitting the document file D, distribution information is further generated as package information and stored in the package information storage unit 183. Hereinafter, package information will be used as a general term for all of this information.

[0121] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of information related to the storage of document files and their relationships. 9, the entity file JF is a file that is actually stored, and the document file D is an example of the entity file JF. The entity file JF also includes a file that stores messages sent by the business operator.

[0122] The package information is actually generated before the entity file JF is saved. The entity information JI is information for direct management of the entity file JF. This entity information JI includes, for example, the entity file ID, management status, storage location, file name, file type, file size, save date and time, and update date and time.

[0123] The entity file ID is identification information that can uniquely identify the entity file JF. The management status is information that indicates whether the entity file JF exists, whether the sending of the entity file JF is valid, etc. The storage location is information that indicates the storage location where the entity file JF is actually stored. All of these are generated by the data management unit 115.

[0124] The individual setting information KS or the storage setting information HS is referenced to identify the storage location. The individual setting information KS is that of the business that sent the actual file JF, and the storage setting information HS is that of the business that receives it. When the destination is identified by automatic recognition, the storage setting information HS is referenced, and when automatic recognition is not used to identify the destination, the individual setting information KS is also referenced. This determines the individual storage area SA where the actual file JF should be stored, and, for example, a folder within that individual storage area SA.

[0125] The file name, file type, and file size are all information obtained from the actual file JF. The save date and time and update date and time are both information added by the data management unit 115.

[0126] The storage information AI is information for managing the storage and exchange of the entity file JF. This storage information AI includes, for example, the storage information ID, entity file ID, sender company code, recipient company code, registration date and time, registered user ID, storage period, storage expiration date and time, scheduled publication date and time, publication expiration date and time, and maximum number of retrievals.

[0127] The storage information ID is identification information that can uniquely identify the storage information AI. The entity file ID is the entity file ID stored in the linked, i.e., associated, entity information JI. The sender company code is the customer code of the business that sent the entity file JF. The destination company code is the customer code of the business that makes the entity file JF available for download. The registration date and time is the date and time when the storage information AI was generated. The registered user ID is the customer code of the business that actually imported the entity file JF. Typically, the registered user ID matches the sender company code. The storage period is the period for which the storage information AI should be stored. The storage expiration date and time is the date and time when the storage information AI can be disposed of. The scheduled release date and time is the date and time when the entity file JF will be available for download. The release expiration date and time is the date and time when the entity file JF will no longer be available for download. The maximum number of times it can be acquired is the number of times the entity file JF can be downloaded.

[0128] The sender's company code and registered user ID are automatically identified when the entity file JF is imported. The recipient's company code is identified from the individual setting information KS when the entity file JF is imported from a business terminal. The storage period, storage expiration date and time, scheduled publication date and time, publication expiration date and time, and maximum number of retrievals can also be specified using the individual setting information KS.

[0129] The sender company code, registered user ID, and recipient company code are identified by referring to the company master KM or the company registration information KT. Although only one piece of company registration information KT is shown in Fig. 9, two or more pieces of company registration information KT may actually be referenced.

[0130] When the entity file JF is automatically imported, the recipient company code becomes information that can be identified by automatic recognition. The storage period, storage expiration date and time, scheduled publication date and time, publication expiration date and time, and maximum number of retrievals are information that can be specified by the storage setting information HS. Therefore, all of these are determined by referring to the storage setting information HS.

[0131] The storage information AI includes the information described above. This makes it possible to identify the associated entity information JI, and by referencing that entity information JI, the associated entity file JF can also be identified. By including the customer mode of the sending business as the sending company code, the sending business can confirm whether the entity file JF it sent has actually been properly imported. This confirmation can also be performed by the receiving business in accordance with the logical structure specified in the storage setting information.

[0132] The distribution information DI is generated by downloading the entity file JF or is information created in preparation for the download, and is used to manage the distribution of the entity file JF via download. This distribution information DI includes, for example, the distribution information ID, storage information ID, reception status, sender company code, recipient company code, distribution date and time, number of acquisitions, registration date and time, and update date and time.

[0133] In this information, the distribution information ID is identification information that can uniquely identify the distribution information DI. The storage information ID is the storage information ID stored in the storage information AI linked to this distribution information DI. The storage information AI associated with the distribution information DI can be identified by this storage information ID.

[0134] The reception status is information that indicates the reception status of the entity file JF by the recipient, and it is possible to check whether a download has occurred from the reception status. The distribution date and time is the date and time when the entity file JF was last downloaded. The number of times acquired is the number of times the entity file JF has actually been downloaded. The registration date and time is the date and time when the distribution information DI was registered. The update date and time is the date and time when the distribution information DI was updated. In the distribution information DI, the distribution date and time is updated when the entity file JF is downloaded, so the update date and time usually match the distribution date and time.

[0135] As mentioned above, this service allows the sender to set a limit on the number of times an entity file JF can be downloaded. This download limit is implemented using distribution information DI. The download limit itself can be specified in both the import setting information and the individual setting information KS.

[0136] The operation record information KI is information prepared to enable confirmation of various operations, including downloads to each entity file JF. In addition to, for example, a record ID and creation date and time, this operation record information KI stores operation content information indicating the content of the operation performed on the entity file JF for each operation performed on the entity file JF. The operation content information includes, for example, information such as the operation date and time, the operation type, and the saved information ID.

[0137] The operation date and time is the date and time when a management operation was performed on the entity file JF. The saved information ID makes it possible to uniquely identify the entity file JF on which the operation was performed. The operation type is information that indicates the type of operation that was performed. The type of operation includes not only downloading the entity file JF but also storing the entity file JF.

[0138] In this service, by storing the entity file JF, entity information JI, storage information AI, and distribution information DI are generated and stored as package information, and operation record information KI is updated. Distribution information DI and operation record information KI are updated as necessary by operations on the stored entity file JF. This makes it possible to download the entity file JF in a format that meets the sender's needs.

[0139] The package information and operation record information KI are also generated and updated by the data management unit 115. In addition to a package information storage unit 183 for storing package information, the memory unit 18 also has an operation record information storage unit 184 for storing operation record information KI. This allows the data management unit 115 to access the memory unit 18 and store the generated or updated package information or operation record information.

[0140] The data management unit 115 generates an object list representing downloadable document files D by business operator and attribute, and stores it in the object list storage unit 185 of the memory unit 18. The object list is a file that compiles, for example, for each downloadable document file D, information such as the storage information ID in the storage information AI, the actual file ID, the sender company code, the recipient company code, the publication deadline date and time, and the maximum number of times it can be obtained. When a downloadable document file D is stored or a document file D that is no longer available for download is generated, the data management unit 115 updates the corresponding object list.

[0141] The document processing control unit 114 passes the necessary information to the data management unit 115 and instructs it to generate or update package information. It also acquires the necessary package information or storage setting information HS through the data management unit 115 and performs control using the acquired information. In this way, the document processing control unit 114 imports the entity file JF, manages the imported entity file JF, and performs operations on the entity file JF, including downloads, in accordance with the sender's requests.

[0142] Package information is combined with the entity file JF and is essential information for managing the entity file JF. Therefore, the package information storage unit 183 for storing package information is a storage area shared by each individual storage area SA. In other words, each individual storage area SA is realized by the package information storage unit 183 and each company-specific storage unit 201 secured in the memory unit 200. Each individual storage area SA may be one or more logically divided areas, or may be one or more physically divided areas or storages.

[0143] When a document file D transmitted from a business operator terminal is imported, the document processing control unit 114 passes the document file D along with the individual setting information KS and, for example, the customer code identified at the time of login to the data management unit 115. The data management unit 115 then references the storage setting information HS of the delivery destination specified in the individual setting information KS to determine a storage location for the document file D, and causes the DB server 2 to store the document file D in the determined storage location via the access control unit 118. Meanwhile, the data management unit 115 further references the company master KM and company registration information KT to generate at least entity information JI and storage information AI, and update the operation record information KI.

[0144] The document processing control unit 114 refers to the capture timing setting information, accesses the capture storage area 36 specified by the capture setting information, and checks whether or not there is a document file D to be captured. If the document processing control unit 114 is able to confirm the document file D to be captured, it reads out and captures the document file D, and passes the captured document file D to the automatic division unit 116.

[0145] The automatic division unit 116 identifies the range of each document file D (divided document file D) that makes up the aggregate document file D by automatically recognizing character strings to be recognized, and divides each document file D from the aggregate document file D. The character strings to be recognized include those that represent the document type and those that represent the destination. These character strings are used to identify the range of the divided document file D and to determine the range of storage destinations for the divided document files D. The character strings to be recognized also include a character string for determining the storage destination from within that range. As a result, if the document file D is an aggregate document file D, the automatic division unit 116 divides the aggregate document file D by identifying the type and destination of the document file D by automatically recognizing character strings. The document files D obtained by such division are passed to the data management unit 115 as divided document files D. At this time, the results of the automatic recognition are also passed to the data management unit 115. The aggregate document file D is the main document file D, and the divided document files D divided from the aggregate document file D are also main document file D. As mentioned above, the target of automatic recognition does not have to be a character string. In other words, it can be an image or the like from which the required information can be obtained.

[0146] The location of the character string to be recognized varies depending on the document. For this reason, this service provides a dictionary for automatic recognition, identifies the character string to be recognized by referring to the dictionary, and automatically recognizes the identified character string. The dictionary storage unit 187 secured in the memory unit 18 is an area for storing registered dictionaries. The dictionary registration unit 120 is a function provided for registering dictionaries. Here, with reference to Figs. 10 to 12, dictionary registration by the dictionary registration unit 120 will be specifically described.

[0147] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a web page for dictionary registration. In this service, dictionary registration is made possible by having the user import a document to be automatically recognized, that is, a template for the document to be saved, and then perform the necessary operations on the imported document. The document imported as a template is the one the user considers desirable for automatic recognition with high accuracy. An image of the imported template document is placed in display area HR1 reserved on the web page. The web page also reserves display area HR2 for setting the character string to be recognized. The imported document to be automatically recognized corresponds to the first document.

[0148] In this service, the combination of character strings to be recognized varies depending on the type of document. This is because the method for determining the desired storage location for a business may differ depending on the type of document. Therefore, if the character strings to be recognized vary depending on the type of document, it will be possible to meet a wider range of business needs. When registering a dictionary, the user is prompted to select the character string to be recognized, that is, the character string to be identified in the image represented by the document file D. Since the character string to be recognized differs depending on the type of document, this service prompts a user who wishes to register a dictionary to select the document type and import a document (document file D) to be used as a template. As a result, the dictionary registration unit 120 reflects the result of the document type selection in the character string to be recognized. Since the document type is selected (specified), the dictionary registration unit 120 corresponds to the type specification means in the dictionary registration device of this embodiment.

[0149] The dictionary registration unit 120 automatically recognizes character strings placed in the document imported as document file D. The results of this automatic recognition are used to limit the range of character strings that the user can select. To achieve this limitation, the automatic recognition identifies the attributes of the character string in addition to the meaning it represents. For example, as shown in Figure 8, if a customer code is a character string represented only by multiple numbers, the customer code is considered to have an attribute represented by a numeric string, and character strings containing characters other than numbers are excluded from the customer code candidates.

[0150] Figure 10 assumes that the document is an invoice DS. A web page like the one shown in Figure 10 is created by the dictionary registration unit 120 after importing a document file D containing the invoice DS as a document, for example, through automatic recognition, and then sent to the order-receiving terminal 32 used by the user. This service requires the user to select the document name, date, and customer code as strings when registering the dictionary for the invoice DS. To this end, the side menu in the display area HR2 includes multiple buttons for selecting these strings. The user then clicks the button corresponding to the string they wish to select and selects the string to be selected. The string selected by the user is the target string. Multiple input boxes for specifying the string to be selected are also provided in the display area HR2.

[0151] The customer code is a character string that indicates the delivery address of document file D, which has invoice DS as the document, and therefore specifies the individual storage area SA where document file D should be stored. The document type of invoice DS specifies the folder in that individual storage area SA where document file D should be stored. The date can be used to change the subfolder where document file D is stored by period, when multiple subfolders with different target periods are set within that folder.

[0152] A character string in display area HR1 can be selected by inputting information into an input box arranged in display area HR2. This allows the user to establish a correspondence between the selected character string and the character string area in the document where that character string exists by inputting information into multiple input boxes. Selecting a character string is equivalent to establishing that correspondence. As a result, the user can select a character string area corresponding to a character string simply by identifying the character string actually to be placed in the character string area from within document file D. Therefore, by selecting a character string area, the character string existing in that character string area can be identified. Note that a character string area can also be selected by, for example, a normal character string selection operation. Automatic recognition identifies the character string area where each character string placed on the invoice DS exists. The three character string areas marked "MR" in Figure 10 are areas where character strings representing the document name, date, and customer code, respectively, exist. Therefore, all of the character string areas MR are selected by the user.

[0153] The character string "0001" is a character string representing a customer code, and corresponds to the first target character string in this embodiment. The user can select (specify) the customer code as the string to be selected by operating the "Customer Code" button on the side menu located in display area HR2. When the customer code becomes the string to be selected, "Customer Code" is automatically entered and displayed in the "Field Name" input box. "Data" is displayed in the "Type" input box. This "Data" indicates that the imported document has been imported as document file D. Therefore, "Data" is also automatically entered.

[0154] The form name input box displays "Invoice Multi." The input box displaying "Invoice Multi" has a button for displaying a pull-down menu. Therefore, "Invoice Multi" is the option that the user actually selected from the options in the pull-down menu. "Invoice Multi" indicates that one or more split document files D of the invoice DS can be split from the aggregate document file D. The SVF search code input box is used to specify the character string to be selected as the customer code. The "0001" placed in the input box specifies that the character string representing the customer code is "0001." This specification selects the character string region MR in the display area HR1, where "0001" is placed as the character string.

[0155] "All (search field)" is selected as the recognition page. This recognition page is an item for specifying the pages on which the automatic character string recognition results are valid, regardless of the type of document file D and aggregated document file D. The selection of "All (search field)" indicates that the automatic character string recognition results are valid on all pages. Therefore, when this selection is made, it is possible to split multiple divisional application files D from an aggregated document file D. "First page only" is selected when the automatic character string recognition results are valid only on the first page. In this case, even if it is an aggregated document file D, a maximum of one divided document file D of the invoice DS will be split.

[0156] The data type input box in the search field settings specifies the data type of the string to be selected. The "string" displayed in this input box represents a string of characters that does not specifically limit the string's attributes, meaning, or the type of characters that make up the string. This allows the characters that make up the string representing the customer code to be not only numbers, but also alphabets, kanji, or special characters.

[0157] The input box displaying the "character string" has a button for displaying a pull-down menu. Therefore, the "character string" is also an option that the user actually selects from the options in the pull-down menu. The selectable options, that is, the classification of the character string, are not particularly limited. Options may include, in addition to character strings, dates, numeric strings, etc. The character string "invoice" is a character string representing the document name, and corresponds to the second target character string in this embodiment. The character string area MR in which the character string "invoice" exists can be automatically identified by automatic recognition. This is because there are no other character strings that could conceivably represent the document name. Therefore, in the case of an invoice DS image such as that shown in FIG. 10, "invoice" can be automatically entered into the SVF search code input box. It is also possible to prevent the user from selecting a character string area in which the character string "invoice" does not exist as a document name.

[0158] The character string region MR containing the character string "1 / 12 / 1997" representing a date can also be automatically identified by automatic recognition. This is because this date is the date on which payment was requested via the invoice DS. Such dates, unlike other dates, are typically placed alone above the invoice DS. Because there is only one date placed in such a position, the character string region MR containing the character string "1 / 12 / 1997" can be automatically treated as a region containing a character string representing a date. In other words, this character string can be automatically displayed in the SVF search code input box. In the case of an invoice DS image such as the one shown in Figure 10, it is also possible to prevent the user from selecting character string regions containing character strings that are not considered to be dates, as with the character string "invoice."

[0159] In this way, the user selects a character string region MR corresponding to each character string. The selection result of each character string region MR is registered as a dictionary. The selection result of each character string region MR is expressed using, for example, position information indicating the position from a base point determined in an image representing a document, area information indicating the range of the character string region MR, and character string information indicating the type of character string present in the character string region MR. Information indicating the type of document is assigned as meta information together with, for example, the customer code of the business to which the user belongs. By using the customer code as meta information, it is possible to manage dictionaries registered by each business. Note that the information to be included in the dictionary and its configuration are not particularly limited.

[0160] The business to which the user registering the dictionary belongs may be either the sender or the recipient of the document file D. This is because not only may the format of the document file D created by the sender be approved by the recipient, but also vice versa. For this reason, both the sender and recipient can register the dictionary.

[0161] In this way, this service automatically recognizes character strings present in a template document, identifies the meaning expressed by the character string, the range in which the character string exists (character string region MR), and its attributes, and uses these identification results to allow the user to select a character string region MR. Because the automatic recognition results are used to select a character string region MR, users are provided with an environment in which they can easily and quickly register appropriate dictionaries. This is because automatic character string recognition simplifies the operation for users to select the desired character string, and the character string region of each character string in a document is automatically identified, eliminating the need to specify the character string region itself.

[0162] For example, a character string region MR for identifying a character string to be recognized in a document is automatically selected by selecting (specifying) the character string. However, the type of character string to be placed in the character string region MR must also be selected. This is necessary to determine whether the dictionary is applicable to the document. In other words, when applying a dictionary, it is necessary to check whether the region corresponding to each character string region MR contains a character string of the type that should be present in that region. This service allows users to specify the type of character string and the character string region MR corresponding to that character string through character string selection. This simplifies the operation for users to select the desired character string. Note that for some character strings, the character string region to be selected can be automatically identified, and an incorrect user selection can be overridden. This also allows users to easily and quickly register appropriate dictionaries. This also simplifies dictionary registration, or creation.

[0163] The number of registered dictionaries can become very large. The larger the number of dictionaries, the longer it takes to identify a dictionary to be applied to document file D. It is desirable to shorten this time as much as possible. In this service, as shown in FIG. 10, a user imports a document (document file D) for dictionary registration. For example, image analysis of the imported document may be performed to extract multiple feature points, and the extracted results may be stored in association with a dictionary. If such multiple feature points are stored, multiple feature points may be extracted from an image of a document to be automatically recognized, and the extracted multiple feature points may be compared with multiple existing feature points to identify the dictionary to be applied. The dictionary to be applied may be the dictionary most similar to the extracted multiple feature points, e.g., the dictionary with the highest similarity. When there are a large number of dictionaries, this allows for faster identification of the dictionary to be applied. Data representing the multiple feature points associated with each dictionary (hereinafter referred to as "feature point data") may be stored, for example, in a memory unit 18 for rapid access.

[0164] The dictionary registration unit 120 responds to operations performed by a user on a Web page such as that shown in Fig. 10. As a result, the content of this Web page is also updated by the dictionary registration unit 120. When dictionary registration is instructed, the dictionary registration unit 120 generates a dictionary using the selection result of the character string region MR and stores the generated dictionary in the dictionary storage unit 187 of the memory unit 18. As a result, the automatic division unit 116 can divide the aggregated document file D into divided document files D by referring to the dictionary stored in the dictionary storage unit 187.

[0165] As a result, many dictionaries are stored in the dictionary storage unit 187. For this reason, the automatic division unit 116 evaluates the recognition results of the character string to be recognized by referring to each dictionary, for example, and adopts the recognition results of the character string obtained by the dictionary with the highest evaluation. As a result, the automatic division unit 116 checks the optimal dictionary for each divided document file D, automatically recognizes the character string to be recognized by using the dictionary identified by the check, and divides the divided document file D from the aggregate document file D.

[0166] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of a character string to be automatically recognized when the document is a purchase order. In the example shown in Figure 11, the user is asked to select the document name, transaction number, and customer code as the character string. The three character string areas MR shown in Figure 11 are areas where any character string exists. Note that the purchase order DH is a document issued by the ordering company 4, unlike the invoice DS. Therefore, the user is an employee of the ordering company 4 and uses the ordering terminal 41.

[0167] As shown in Figure 11, the combination of character strings that the user selects, i.e., the combination of character strings to be automatically recognized, may vary depending on the type of document. The transaction number used instead of the date is identification information that can uniquely identify the purchase order form DH. If the transaction number is used, the storage location of the document file D can be changed depending on the transaction number. 10 and 11, all of the character strings that the user should select are on the same page, i.e., the first page, within document file D. Therefore, that page is treated as the beginning of the range of divided document files D. As a result, the range of one divided document file D is from that page to the last page, or the page located immediately before the first page of another divided document file D.

[0168] Documents, including invoices, DSs, and purchase orders, DHs, typically have different formats depending on the recipient. Standardizing the formats requires obtaining approval from each potential recipient. Therefore, when there are many recipients, this can be a very cumbersome process. Given these potential inconveniences, this service does not require standardization of the formats of documents, including invoices, DSs, and purchase orders, DHs. This is achieved by using character recognition to extract character strings that serve as document identification information, eliminating the need for format standardization. Because standardization of the formats of documents is not required, the impact of using this service is minimal for businesses that use it.

[0169] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the dictionary registration process. When a dictionary registration request is sent from the order-receiving terminal 32 or the order-placing terminal 41, the dictionary registration unit 120 executes a dictionary registration process as shown in FIG. 12. Here, this dictionary registration process will be explained in detail with reference to FIG. 12. The entity executing the process is assumed to be the dictionary registration unit 120. The user may be an employee of either the order-receiving company 3 or the order-placing company 4. For this reason, the terminal used by the user will be referred to as the "operator terminal."

[0170] First, in step S11, upon receiving a dictionary registration request, the dictionary registration unit 120 creates a web page for selecting the type of document for which the dictionary is to be registered, for example, and transmits the web page to the provider terminal used by the user. When the user selects a document type on the web page, the selection result is transmitted from the provider terminal to the AP server 1. As a result, the process proceeds to step S12, where the dictionary registration unit 120 creates a web page for importing, for example, a template document file, and transmits the web page to the provider terminal. When a document file D is specified on the web page and, for example, the user instructs transmission, the specified document file D is transmitted from the provider terminal to the AP server 1.

[0171] Upon receiving document file D, the process proceeds from step S12 to step S13, where dictionary registration unit 120 automatically recognizes character strings present in document file D, creates a web page as shown in Fig. 10, and transmits it to the carrier terminal used by the user. After transmission, the process proceeds to step S14.

[0172] In steps S14 to S19, the dictionary registration unit 120 performs processing to respond to the user's operation on the Web page. In step S14, the dictionary registration unit 120 determines whether an operation has been performed on the Web page. If the user performs some operation on the Web page, the operation content is notified from the provider terminal to the AP server 1. As a result, the determination in step S14 becomes YES, and the process proceeds to step S15. The determination process in step S14 is repeatedly executed until the user performs some operation.

[0173] In step S15, the dictionary registration unit 120 determines whether or not an operation, including the selection of a character string, has been performed on the display area HR2. If the user has performed an operation on the display area HR2, the determination in step S15 is YES, and the process proceeds to step S16. On the other hand, if the user has not performed an operation on the display area HR2, the determination in step S15 is NO, and the process proceeds to step S17.

[0174] In step S16, the dictionary registration unit 120 executes a process corresponding to the operation performed by the user on the display area HR2. After the process is executed, the process returns to step S14, thereby preparing for the next operation performed by the user. For example, when a user operates one of the buttons for selecting a character string arranged as a side menu, automatic recognition highlights the character string area MR associated with the character string selected by that button. The processing executed in step S16 includes such highlighting. This highlighting allows the user to recognize the character string area MR associated with the selected character string.

[0175] In step S17, the dictionary registration unit 120 determines whether or not the user has performed an operation on the display area HR1. If the user has performed that operation, the determination in step S17 is YES, and the process proceeds to step S16. If the user has not performed that operation, the determination in step S17 is NO, and the process proceeds to step S18.

[0176] Operations performed by the user on display area HR1 include operations to change the character string region MR in display area HR2 where the selected character string exists. When the user performs such an operation, the dictionary registration unit 120 highlights the character string region MR newly specified by the user's operation by executing the process in step S16. This allows the user to change the character string region MR associated with the selected character string.

[0177] In step S18, the dictionary registration unit 120 determines whether the user has performed an operation to instruct dictionary registration. This operation is, for example, a click on a button not shown in FIG. 10. If the user has performed this click operation, the determination in step S18 becomes YES and the process proceeds to step S19. If the user has not performed this click operation, the determination in step S18 becomes NO and the process returns to step S14.

[0178] In step S19, the dictionary registration unit 120 determines whether all of the character strings to be selected have been selected. If one or more of the character strings to be selected have not been selected, the determination in step S19 is NO, and the process returns to step S14. In this case, before proceeding to step S14, a pop-up or the like containing a message notifying the operator that there are character strings that have not been selected may be sent to the operator terminal. On the other hand, if all of the character strings to be selected have been selected, the determination in step S19 is YES, and the process proceeds to step S20.

[0179] In step S20, the dictionary registration unit 120 generates information for extracting character string regions MR associated with character strings to be selected from the document file D, and creates and registers a dictionary using the generated information. By this registration, the dictionary is added to the dictionary storage unit 187 secured in the memory unit 18. After the dictionary is registered, the dictionary registration process ends.

[0180] As described above, the information used to extract the character string region MR can include position information representing the position of the character string region MR, area information representing the range of the character string region MR, and character string information representing the type of character string associated with the character string region MR. A business may attempt to register a dictionary multiple times for documents of the same type and format. Furthermore, multiple businesses may end up with documents of the same type that are identical in format to the extent that they are considered identical. For this reason, it is necessary to prevent multiple dictionaries that match within the scope of what is considered identical from being registered. To achieve this, for example, in step S20, the dictionary registration unit 120 may compare the dictionary to be registered with existing dictionaries and prevent registration of any dictionary that matches within the scope of what is considered identical to any of the existing dictionaries. This may be achieved by allowing the user to select either overwriting the dictionary or canceling the dictionary registration. The determination of whether to register a dictionary may be made based on a document image. In this case, the determination may be made immediately after the document is imported. For this reason, the timing and method of determining whether to register a dictionary are not particularly limited. A component that performs this determination may be provided separately from the dictionary registration unit 120.

[0181] Note that a registered dictionary may have a de facto validity period. If the type of document for which the dictionary was registered is no longer in use, or if the format of the document is changed, the dictionary for that document may become unnecessary. In that case, a new dictionary must be registered. The minutiae data can be used to determine whether a new dictionary is necessary.

[0182] When all necessary dictionaries are registered, the feature points extracted from a document will show a high similarity to the feature points represented by any of the existing feature point data. Therefore, if existing feature point data showing a high similarity cannot be identified and it cannot be confirmed that an appropriate character string has been identified, it can be interpreted as meaning that a document that has not previously been subject to exchange has begun to be used for the first time. New documents also include documents whose formats have been changed. For this reason, in such cases, a request may be made to register a dictionary from the business from which the document was obtained, i.e., the business from which document file D was imported, or to have the business from which document file D was obtained. In response to the request, it may be possible to register a dictionary using the document already obtained. This allows the business to register the dictionary to be registered more reliably and in a timely manner. Note that a dictionary applicable to the new document may already exist. If such a dictionary already exists, dictionary registration will not be requested.

[0183] On the other hand, if the format of a document is changed, the multiple feature points represented by the feature point data associated with the dictionary intended for that document will not have the highest similarity. A dictionary that does not have the highest similarity can be said to be essentially unnecessary. For this reason, by monitoring the similarity of each dictionary, it is possible to identify not only the existence of dictionaries that should be registered, but also dictionaries that are considered unnecessary. It is not necessary to deal with, or delete, dictionaries that are deemed unnecessary immediately. For this reason, it is possible to present the dictionaries that are deemed unnecessary to the business operator who has registered them, and have the business operator delete the dictionaries that they actually consider unnecessary from the presented dictionaries. The above-mentioned function may be installed in the dictionary registration unit 120. When calculating the similarity rate and specifying the dictionary to be applied, the similarity rate is calculated by the automatic division unit 116. Therefore, the similarity rate may be passed from the automatic division unit 116 to the dictionary registration unit 120. In this way, when the similarity rate is used to apply the dictionary, it is possible to support appropriate management of the dictionary at each business. Note that the index calculated may be other than the similarity rate.

[0184] The dictionary registration unit 120 executes such dictionary registration processing, and the AP server 1 functions as a dictionary registration device that registers dictionaries. The dictionary storage unit 187 on the memory unit 18 stores dictionaries that each business operator considers necessary. Therefore, the dictionary registration unit 120 corresponds to all of the automatic recognition means, character string selection means, and dictionary generation means in the dictionary registration device of this embodiment.

[0185] This dictionary registration unit 120 enables the automatic division unit 116 to refer to the dictionary stored in the dictionary storage unit 187 and divide the aggregated document file D into divided document files D. The division is performed by automatically recognizing necessary character strings in the divided document files D. Therefore, the automatic division unit 116 is a component of the document storage management device that determines the storage destination of documents to be stored, such as divided document files D, and stores them. Specifically, it corresponds to the automatic recognition means in the document storage management device of this embodiment. The results of automatic character string recognition by the automatic division unit 116 are passed to the data management unit 115 and used to determine the storage destination of the divided document file D. Because the results of automatic recognition of character strings in the divided document file D are used to determine the storage destination, the data management unit 115 can determine the storage destination immediately after the divided document file D is passed on. In other words, the data management unit 115 can respond in a timely manner to the passed divided document file D. This means that the speed of document exchange in this service can be increased. The automatic division unit 116 and the data management unit 115 together correspond to the storage destination determination means in the document storage management device of this embodiment.

[0186] By registering the dictionary in the dictionary registration unit 120, the automatic division unit 116 can identify character strings to be recognized in each divided document file D in the aggregated document file D. By identifying the character strings, the automatic division unit 116 can appropriately divide each divided document file D that exists in the aggregated document file D.

[0187] The data management unit 115 references the results of automatic recognition of multiple character strings in the divided document file D together with the corresponding storage setting information HS and uses them to automatically determine the storage destination of the divided document file D. By using the results of automatic recognition of multiple character strings to determine the storage destination, in other words, by using multiple required pieces of information, it becomes possible to support a logical hierarchical structure such as that shown in Figure 6. The divided document file D can be automatically stored in a desired folder in the individual storage area SA, which has a hierarchical structure. Note that to identify the file to be stored in the individual storage area SA, only the customer code needs to be automatically recognized. For this reason, only one character string may be automatically recognized. However, the more character strings that are automatically recognized, the wider the range of possible storage destinations for the document file D.

[0188] The date is used to determine the storage location for the invoice DS document file D. As a result, storage locations for storing the invoice DS document file D, such as folders, are created for each target period. In such a folder, it is not certain that a folder in which the document file D should be stored exists. For example, if the document file D of an invoice DS is stored in folders by fiscal year, it is not certain that a folder for the fiscal year in which the document file D of the invoice DS should be stored exists. For this reason, after determining the storage destination of the document file D, the data management unit 115 checks whether the folder determined as the storage destination actually exists. If the result of the check is that the folder determined as the storage destination does not exist, the data management unit 115 creates a folder to serve as the storage destination and stores the document file D in the created folder. In this way, the data management unit 115 not only determines the storage destination of the document file D, but also creates the storage destination as needed. By creating a storage destination as needed, the document file D can be stored more reliably in the storage destination. This improves the convenience of storing the document file D.

[0189] For this reason, when multiple character strings are used to determine the storage destination, document files D exchanged between businesses can be managed in a manner desirable for the business to which the document files D are sent. Businesses can automatically organize document files D exchanged with other businesses according to the document files D, and this organization makes it easier to exchange document files D. Due to these advantages, using the results of automatic recognition of multiple character strings in document files D to automatically determine the storage destination is also effective in improving the quality of this service.

[0190] An aggregated document file D may contain multiple document files D with the same delivery destination. The more document files D there are, the more troublesome it becomes for the delivery destination business operator to handle the document files D. For this reason, in this embodiment, the data management unit 115 is configured to aggregate (re-aggregate) document files D as needed. As a result, the data management unit 115 corresponds to the re-aggregation means in the document storage and management device of this embodiment.

[0191] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of how document files are re-aggregated. Figure 13 shows an example of re-aggregating split document files D, which are split from the aggregated document file D by the automatic splitting unit 116, according to the destination of each split document file D, when an aggregated document file D created by CA of Company A is imported.

[0192] The automatic division unit 116 individually divides the divided document files D from the aggregated document file D. By this division, the destination and document type of each divided document file D are identified, and the divided document file D is passed along with the identified information to the data management unit 115. In Fig. 13, for ease of understanding, the divided document files D are shown grouped by destination.

[0193] The data management unit 115 refers to the information passed along with the divided document files D and re-aggregates the divided document files D in a way that reflects at least the delivery destination and document type, for example. In Fig. 13, because the documents in the divided document files D addressed to CB of company B are all the same type, the data management unit 115 has aggregated all of the divided document files D addressed to CB of company B into a single aggregated document file D. In contrast, the divided document files D addressed to CC of company C contain a mixture of two types of documents. Therefore, the data management unit 115 generates two aggregated document files D by aggregating the divided document files D into a single aggregated document file D according to document type.

[0194] In this way, by re-aggregating the divided document files D, each business can reduce the number of document files D that need to be downloaded. This improves convenience for each business, allowing them to more reliably and easily download the necessary document files D. By more reliably downloading the necessary document files D, the contents of all divided document files D can be more reliably confirmed. For the sending business, when sending invoices DS by mail, this prevents multiple mail items from being sent, thereby minimizing postage costs. For these reasons, combining document files D has advantages both in terms of work and management. Note that when re-aggregating divided document files D, restrictions may be imposed on the amount of data (file size), the number of pages, etc. In other words, re-aggregation of divided document files D may be performed within the scope that satisfies the restrictions.

[0195] When re-aggregating divided document files D of the same type, the data management unit 115 does not create entity information JI or the like until the re-aggregation is complete, or it updates the content of the entity information JI created based on the existence of one divided document file D as needed. This is because the file size in the entity information JI can ultimately be the total value of the file sizes of the re-aggregated divided document files D. Therefore, the re-aggregation of divided document files D does not complicate the processing executed by the data management unit 115 to a relatively small extent. Note that the creation of the aggregated document file D, that is, the actual re-aggregation (combining) of divided document files D, may be performed by the data management unit 115 or the DB server 2.

[0196] The data management unit 115 uses the information passed from the automatic division unit 116 to refer to the storage setting information HS corresponding to the delivery destination and determines the storage location of each divided document file D and each aggregated document file D. The storage location of each aggregated document file D is determined, for example, when the existence of one divided document file D is determined. The data management unit 115 generates package information for each divided document file D and each aggregated document file D, and adds operation content information for the number of document files D to the operation record information KI. It is also possible to prevent the divided document files D from being re-aggregated. Alternatively, the business operator may be able to select whether or not to re-aggregate them through settings. Also, the business operator may be able to select the destination business operator, document type, etc. to which the divided document files D should be re-aggregated.

[0197] When the document processing control unit 114 automatically imports the document file D, it generates and sends an email with a message inserted in the body notifying each recipient of the document file D that the document file D is available for download. The email is generated by the notification control unit 119 in response to an instruction from the document processing control unit 114.

[0198] As described above, the message to be inserted into the body of the email is specified by the import setting information. To this end, the import setting information includes, for example, information indicating the storage location of a file storing a message template. The document processing control unit 114 uses this information to read the message template, for example, from the storage unit 18, and pass it to the notification control unit 119. The document processing control unit 114 determines the timing of email transmission from the import setting information and specifies the timing to the notification control unit 119. The document processing control unit 114 also obtains company registration information KT for each recipient from the data management unit 115 and extracts information such as email addresses, registered names, and department names from the obtained company registration information KT. All of this extracted information is passed to the notification control unit 119. As a result, the notification control unit 119 generates an email for each recipient, inserting a message in the body of the email, which is a message template with the registered name and department name added. Each generated email is output from the notification control unit 119 to the terminal communication unit 19 via the sorting control unit 111 at the timing specified by the document processing control unit 114, and is then sent to the corresponding recipient.

[0199] The import timing setting information allows document file D (usually aggregate document file D) to be imported automatically at set intervals. Documents are often exchanged between businesses at set intervals. For example, most companies that receive orders for product P, such as Company B CB, typically request payment for the product P sold over a set period for each customer. Specifically, it is common for payment to be requested monthly, for example. This is because if payment were required for each transaction in which product P is sold, not only would the invoicing work for the receiving company become complicated, but the payment work for the ordering company would also become complicated.

[0200] When billing for product P at set intervals, the receiving company only needs to create one invoice DS. However, if there are many types of product P or if product P has been sold many times, creating one invoice DS can be tedious. This is because one invoice DS contains a large amount of information, and collecting and verifying the information required for one invoice DS requires a great deal of work. For this reason, even if the billing destination is the same business, an invoice DS is typically created each time the payment amount is determined, for example, for each transaction. As a result, an aggregated document file D is often split into multiple separate document files D with the same delivery address. This means that combining multiple separate document files D into an aggregated document file D is extremely effective in providing higher-quality services.

[0201] Since the combined divided document files D are treated as one aggregated document file D, it is assumed that the destinations of the divided document files D to be combined are the same. However, in addition to the destination, conditions that the divided document files D to be combined must satisfy may also be set. The conditions may be set based on one or more of the document type (attributes), date, and transaction number. The transaction number is identification information that can uniquely identify a transaction and is assigned by one of the businesses involved in the transaction. The conditions may be set by the service provider WA, or may be set arbitrarily by the business operator. In other words, for example, the business operator may prepare setting information for combining divided document files D as setting information that can be set arbitrarily. It is desirable to use at least a customer code to identify the recipient. In addition to the customer code, one or more of an email address, address, and department name may also be combined.

[0202] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the automatic document capture process executed by the document processing control unit. When automatically importing a target document file D (mainly an aggregate document file D) by referring to the import setting information, the document processing control unit 114 executes an automatic document import process, an example of which is shown in FIG. 14. This automatic document import process is executed, for example, every time a predetermined period of time has elapsed or every time a predetermined timing arrives. Here, the automatic document import process will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 14. It is assumed that the document processing control unit 114 executes the process. The automatic division unit 116 functions when the document processing control unit 114 executes this automatic document import process.

[0203] First, in step S31, the document processing control unit 114 reads out the capture setting information stored in the setting information storage unit 186. In the following step S32, the document processing control unit 114 selects one of the read capture setting information. Then, the process proceeds to step S33, where the document processing control unit 114 determines whether the capture timing specified by the selected capture setting information has arrived. If the current date and time is after the date and time specified by the capture timing, the capture timing has arrived, and the determination in step S33 is YES, and the process proceeds to step S34. If not, the determination in step S33 is NO, and the process proceeds to step S40.

[0204] In step S34, the document processing control unit 114 checks the files stored in the target folder specified by the import setting information as the import storage area 36. In the next step S35, the document processing control unit 114 determines whether or not the target document file D to be imported is present in the target folder. If one or more target document files D are present in the target folder, the determination in step S35 is YES and the process proceeds to step S36. If not, that is, if the target document file D is not present, the determination in step S35 is NO and the process proceeds to step S40. Since the target is mainly aggregated document files D, the target document files D will hereinafter be referred to as "aggregated document files D."

[0205] In step S36, document processing control unit 114 imports the target aggregate document file D by reading it. In the following step S37, document processing control unit 114 passes the imported aggregate document file D to automatic division unit 116 and instructs it to divide aggregate document file D into divided document files D by automatically recognizing multiple character strings. Meanwhile, data management unit 115 is instructed to store divided document files D obtained as a result of automatic recognition of multiple character strings, or the aggregate document file D obtained by re-aggregating divided document files D. As a result of such an instruction, each divided document file D and the aggregate document file D obtained by re-aggregating (merging) are automatically sorted by data management unit 115 and stored in company-specific storage unit 201. In this way, in step S37, document processing control unit 114 performs processing to automatically divide the imported aggregate document file D into divided document files D and store them by sorting. The automatic division unit 116 divides the aggregated document file D into divided document files D by referring to a dictionary. The dictionary to be actually referred to may be specified by calculating the similarity rate by storing feature point data as described above.

[0206] In the next step S38, the document processing control unit 114 instructs the data management unit 115 to generate package information. In the following step S39, the document processing control unit 114 sets up the notification control unit 119 for each stored divided document file D and each aggregated document file D to send an email to the business that is the destination of that document file D. As a result, the notification control unit 119 generates an email for each document file D notifying that a downloadable divided document file D or an aggregated document file D has been generated, in accordance with the contents of the import setting information set by the business that imported the aggregated document file D.

[0207] In step S40, the document processing control unit 114 determines whether or not there is any other selected import setting information. If there is any unselected import setting information, the determination in step S40 becomes YES and the process returns to step S32. As a result, one of the unselected import setting information is newly selected. On the other hand, if there is no unselected import setting information, the determination in step S40 becomes NO, and the automatic document import process ends here.

[0208] The distribution of the aggregate document file D imported by executing this automatic import process, that is, the sending of each divided document file D divided from the aggregate document file D, is managed by the distribution management information. In the distribution management information, it is also possible to set the sending of the document file D as a printed matter, as shown in FIG. 8. The printing of the divided document file D for sending as a printed matter may be performed by the document processing control unit 114, for example, in step S37. The printing can also be performed by the data management unit 115 by instructing the data management unit 115 to print by referencing the distribution management information. In response to this instruction, the data management unit 115 determines whether printing is necessary for each divided document file D and for each aggregate document file D, and causes printing to be performed according to the result of this determination.

[0209] When printing is to be performed, the data management unit 115 generates image data from each divided document file D, for example, and passes the generated image data to the access control unit 118 along with a command to instruct printing. As a result, the image data is sent to the printer 5 via the access control unit 118 and the DB communication unit 20, and is printed on a paper medium or the like by the printer 5. In the aggregate document file D, the image data generated from each of the multiple divided document files D is used for printing. Because the aggregate document file D is a file made up of multiple divided document files D, the term divided document file D is used here to include the aggregate document file D.

[0210] The printing of divided document files D may be performed by an operator's instruction. For example, specifying the storage location where divided document files D are stored corresponds to specifying the attributes of divided document files D. By specifying a target period, divided document files D stored in the specified storage location that were stored during that target period can be identified by referencing the entity information JI and storage information AI. This allows the operator to print the desired divided document file D at any time. The operator's instruction may be made by operating the input unit 17 shown in FIG. 4, or may be made from a terminal connected to the AP server 1 via a LAN. When instructions from a terminal are made possible, a request from the terminal is received by the DB communication unit 20 and passed to the document processing control unit 114 via the access control unit 118.

[0211] The aggregate document file D may also be sent from a business operator terminal. For this reason, the individual setting information KS may be made to be able to specify whether or not to enable identification of the destination by automatic recognition, the timing at which sending is enabled, etc. If such specification is made possible, most of the processing executed when importing the aggregate document file D will be similar to the automatic import processing described above.

[0212] Hereinafter, the processes executed by the document processing control unit 114 and the data management unit 115 will be further described with reference to the explanatory diagrams shown in FIGS. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a web page screen that allows a user to select a document file and download the selected document file. This web page displays information about document file D, which can be selected and downloaded in a table format, as shown in Figure 15. This information includes the file name, download, folder, and delivery date and time. The file name is the file name of document file D, and the folder represents the path to the folder in which document file D is stored. For example, the folder for the row with the file name "Lump Sum Invoice 202009-5.PDF" is "Lump Sum Invoice / 2020 / September." This indicates that document file D with this file name is stored in the "September" folder, which is a subfolder within the "2020" folder, which is a subfolder within the "Lump Sum Invoice" folder.

[0213] Additionally, "download" indicates whether the corresponding document file D has been downloaded or not. "Not yet" in FIG. 15 indicates that the download has not been performed. For document files D that have been downloaded, "Done" is displayed instead of "Not yet." The distribution date and time indicates the date and time when the document file D became available for distribution.

[0214] A check box is placed on each row. This check box is used to select the document file D to be downloaded. As shown in Figure 15, the web page has a button with the string "Bulk Download" placed on it to instruct the download. Each file name is a link button with embedded link information to the document file D. This allows document file D to be downloaded by clicking on any file name, or by operating one or more check boxes to display check marks, and then clicking the "Bulk Download" button. If the "Bulk Download" button is clicked when no check marks are displayed, all stored items HB with information placed thereon will be downloaded.

[0215] When a file name or the "Bulk Download" button is clicked, the document processing control unit 114 is notified of this by the business operator terminal. In response to this notification, the document processing control unit 114 causes the business operator terminal to display a pop-up PU1, as shown in FIG. 15, for confirming whether or not to actually proceed with the download. The pop-up PU1 contains an "OK" button for instructing the execution of the download and a "Cancel" button for instructing the cancellation of the download. This prompts the user who instructed the download to click one of the two buttons. Thus, the document processing control unit 114 actually downloads the specified document file D after confirming that the user has clicked the "OK" button.

[0216] When an operation to instruct downloading of document file D is performed on a web page, information indicating the selected document file D is transmitted from the business operator terminal as an object acquisition request along with a command requesting the download. In response to this request, document processing control unit 114 passes information indicating document file D to data management unit 115 and instructs it to extract the document file D specified by the information. As a result, data management unit 115 extracts document file D stored as a file in individual storage area SA and passes it to document processing control unit 114. As a result, document file D specified by the user is downloaded to the business operator terminal by document processing control unit 114.

[0217] The data management unit 115 passes the document file D to be downloaded to the document processing control unit 114, and also creates or updates distribution information DI by downloading the document file D. The created or updated distribution information DI is stored in the individual storage area SA.

[0218] If the document file D is downloaded for the first time, new distribution information DI is created, and if the download is the second or subsequent time, the existing distribution information DI is updated. When the distribution information DI is updated, the number of downloads is incremented. This allows the distribution information DI to confirm the download status of the corresponding document file D.

[0219] After creating or updating the distribution information DI, the data management unit 115 creates operation content information by the operation of downloading the document file D and adds the created operation content information to the operation record information KI, thereby recording the operation of downloading the document file D as a history.

[0220] As described above, if the document file D downloaded by the user is the main document file D, the Service supports the exchange of subsidiary document files D and messages. With this support, the Service supports the exchange of the main document file D as well as other desirable information transfers between businesses.

[0221] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a Web page that allows document files of subsidiary documents to be registered. This web page is created by specifying, for example, a dependent document file D or a destination for a message, and is sent to the business operator's terminal. This web page displays information about previously registered dependent document files D in a table format and includes an "Upload" button. Clicking the "Upload" button displays a pop-up PU2 that allows the user to specify the document file D to be registered (i.e., uploaded) and enter a message as a comment. When creating a web page like the one shown in FIG. 16 , the document processing control unit 114 transmits to the data management unit 115 at least information identifying the business operator to which the user belongs, information identifying the destination for the dependent document file D, and information identifying the type of dependent document. The document processing control unit 114 then obtains the necessary information from the data management unit 115 and creates the web page. The pop-up PU2 is also sent from the document processing control unit 114 to the business operator's terminal in response to a notification that the "Upload" button has been clicked.

[0222] As shown in Fig. 16, the pop-up PU2 has a display area HA1 in which information about the document file D designated for uploading is displayed in a table format. The pop-up PU2 also has an area HA2 reserved for designating the document file D, and an input box HA3 for entering comments. Two buttons are provided, each with the character strings "Upload" and "Close" written on it. A "Select File" button is provided in area HA2.

[0223] The document file D to be uploaded can be specified by dragging and dropping it into the document file D area HA2, or by clicking the "Select File" button and specifying the document file D. The information of the document file D specified in this way is displayed in the display area HA1.

[0224] A message can be input as a comment in the input box HA3 by displaying a cursor (not shown) in the box HA3, allowing the user to input a message they wish to convey to the recipient as a comment in the input box HA3.

[0225] An input box HA4 is also located above the pop-up PU2. This input box HA4 is used to specify the storage location of the specified document file D, etc. To make this specification easier, a pull-down button PB is located at the end of the input box HA4. This pull-down button PB is used to display a list of storage locations that the user can select as a pull-down menu. This allows the user to select the storage location of the specified document file D from among the storage locations displayed in the pull-down menu that is displayed when the pull-down button PB is clicked.

[0226] The "Upload" button is a button for instructing uploading of the specified document file D or the entered message. The "Close" button is a button for instructing to close the pop-up PU2. After selecting a storage destination and specifying at least one of the document file D and entering a message, clicking the "Upload" button uploads the specified document file D or message. The document processing control unit 114 stores the uploaded document file D or message in the individual storage area SA that includes the selected storage destination via the data management unit 115. The message is converted into a file and stored as a physical file JF. The file name is automatically generated using, for example, part of the message entered as a comment or the upload date and time. Package information is also generated separately.

[0227] Note that the subsidiary document file D and message uploaded from the destination may be stored in a storage location separate from the main document file D. For this purpose, the storage setting information HS may be capable of classifying documents into main documents and subsidiary documents and specifying a hierarchical logical structure for storing the document file D for each.

[0228] Both the document file D and the message (comment) uploaded in this way can be downloaded by the business designated as the recipient. By using extraction conditions that specify which document files D are to be targeted, the business can also specify the range of downloadable document files D and comments (messages). This allows, for example, a business that has sent an invoice DS, which is a main document, to check the subsidiary documents, such as a payment statement, and even messages, from the recipient. The exchange of such subsidiary document files D and messages is also realized by the document processing control unit 114.

[0229] In this embodiment, an individual storage area SA is prepared for each business operator, and the individual storage area SA is configured to select a storage destination for document files D, including divided document files D and aggregated document files D, from within the individual storage area SA. In the individual storage area SA, a storage location for document files D can be created as needed in accordance with the storage setting information HS. However, the storage destination does not have to be this individual storage area SA. The storage destination may be determined by selecting from a plurality of storage locations in storage prepared in advance by the business operator, for example. For this reason, the storage destination is not particularly limited.

[0230] In this embodiment, the set of character strings that can be selected by the user, that is, the set of character strings that can be specified in the dictionary, is determined depending on the document type. However, the set of character strings may be selectable by the business operator for each document type. In this case, the business operator can optimize the way document files D are stored for each document type. For this reason, the set of character strings that can be specified in the dictionary depending on the document type is not particularly limited.

[0231] Combining using character recognition may be performed on existing document files D rather than on divided document files D. For example, when downloading document files D, document files D extracted from a selected range or document files D that meet specified conditions may be combined, and the combined document file D may be downloaded. Automatic recognition may be used to identify document files D to be combined from among such existing document files D. When combining existing document files D, it is desirable to leave the existing document files D intact because the business operator may wish to combine other document files D. In such cases, the existing document files D may be combined by, for example, having the data management unit 115 pass the document files D to be subjected to character recognition to the automatic division unit 116. The storage destination of the combined document file D may be automatically determined, for example, by referring to the results of automatic recognition of multiple character strings present in each document file D. The storage destination may also be automatically determined based on the conditions of the document files D to be combined.

[0232] Since the existing document file D has been sent to the destination, the information to be recognized to identify the document file D to be combined does not need to include the customer code indicating the destination. However, the department name, email address, etc. may be included in the information. The document type, date, and transaction number may also be included in the information. The sender's customer code may also be included in the information. In addition, any character string that appears in common in the document files D to be combined may also be included in the information. By combining document files D, businesses can obtain a more desirable document file D (aggregated document file D) depending on the work content, etc. It is also possible to obtain an aggregated document file D that is optimal for the work. Combining reduces the number of document files D to be handled, making management easier. For these reasons, combining document files D has advantages in both work and management aspects. Therefore, combining document files D can be used to improve the quality of the services provided. When combining document files D, for example, it is possible to combine document files D of the same type. It is also possible to limit the range of document files D to be combined depending on the period. For example, in the case of an invoice DS, it is possible to combine document files D sent from each company in July, and use the combined aggregated document file D for making payments to each company.

[0233] The multiple character strings specified in the document file D are basically used to determine one storage location in the individual storage area SA to which the document file D is to be sent. There may be multiple storage locations to be determined. The number of storage locations to be determined may be changed depending on the multiple character strings. The multiple character strings may be used to determine another process using the document file D instead of or in addition to determining the storage location. An example of the other process is form recognition if the document is a form such as an invoice DS. The other process is not limited to this form recognition. [Explanation of symbols]

[0234] 1 AP server, 2 DB server, 3, 3-1 to L receiving order company, 4-1 to K ordering company, 11 CPU, 18, 200 memory unit, 111 distribution control unit, 112 company registration unit, 113 authentication unit, 114 document processing control unit, 115 data management unit, 116 automatic division unit, 117 setting management unit, 118 access control unit, 119 notification control unit, 120 dictionary registration unit, 181 company registration information storage unit, 182 company master storage unit, 183 package information storage unit, 184 operation record information storage unit, 185 object list storage unit, 186 setting information storage unit, 187 dictionary storage unit, 201 company-specific storage unit, CA Company A, CB Company B, CC Company C, D document file, SA individual storage area, ST storage, WA service provider

Claims

1. an automatic recognition means for automatically recognizing a character string that is placed in an electronic document to be saved and indicates a destination and a type of the document; If the document is part of an aggregated document in which a plurality of documents with different delivery destinations are aggregated, the document is separated from the aggregated document and stored according to the delivery destination and the type of the document that constitutes the aggregated document; a storage destination determination means for referring to a dictionary that specifies one or more target character strings, which are character strings used to determine a storage destination of the document from among the character strings arranged in the document, and the result of automatic recognition by the automatic recognition means of the character strings corresponding to the target character strings, and automatically determining the storage destination for each of the delivery destinations of the document; An information processing device comprising:

2. a re-aggregating means for re-aggregating the divided documents by referring to the storage destination determined for each document by the storage destination determination means; The information processing device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

Images