JP2018010544A - Data providing system, image output device, server, data providing method, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user, even when a new version of data is added to a server after creation of a document for accessing the data, to use the new version of the data more easily than the prior art.SOLUTION: Every time receiving a file from an in-house server 2A, if the file is downloaded for the first time or the file is updated after the previous download, an image forming apparatus 1 uploads the file to an external server 2B, and creates a printed matter for accessing the file in the external server 2B. Every time receiving the file, the external server 2B attaches a version number to the file and stores the file, and when being accessed from a terminal device 3, transmits a list of the version numbers to the terminal device 3 and transmits, to the terminal device 3, the file including the version number designated by the terminal device 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for providing data to a terminal device via a server.

  Conventionally, a technique for printing a document including a hyperlink on paper by replacing the hyperlink with a two-dimensional bar code has been proposed. This two-dimensional barcode is an image showing this hyperlink. Alternatively, the document may be printed by adding the two-dimensional barcode to the margin near the hyperlink.

  The user can access the link destination of the hyperlink by photographing the two-dimensional barcode printed on the paper with a smartphone or a tablet computer.

  By the way, when the link destination is a resource (for example, a web page) in the intranet, it may not be accessible from outside the intranet.

  Therefore, the following method has been proposed. When the hyperlink link destination device is a storage server that provides data only to devices within the same LAN, the PC acquires content from the storage server. Then, the content is transmitted to another storage server that is open to the public network. The PC receives a URL or URL-related information for acquiring content as a reply to transmission, and synthesizes the URL with document data (Patent Document 1).

JP-A-2015-106251

  Incidentally, in the storage that provides data to the devices in the LAN described in Patent Document 1, the same data as the data transmitted to other storage servers that are open to the public network may be updated. Then, the updated data may be stored in the other storage server as a new version of data.

  However, in the document generated before the update, the user cannot access the updated data from the outside. The document for accessing the updated data must be generated again. Or you have to tell me the URL of the updated data.

  In view of such a problem, the present invention makes it easier than before to create a new version of data even when a new version of the data is added to the server after the generation of a document for accessing the data. Is intended to be usable by the user.

  A data providing system according to an aspect of the present invention is a data providing system including an image output device provided in a first network and a server provided in a second network different from the first network. The image output apparatus includes: an input unit that inputs a document in which a hyperlink to content data for reproducing content is input; and the hyperlink from the document every time the document is input by the input unit. Each time the hyperlink is detected by the detecting means, a receiving means for receiving the content data based on the hyperlink, and every time the content data is received by the receiving means , Updated after the content data was last received by the receiving means Determining means for determining whether or not the content data has been updated, and when the content data is received by the receiving means for the first time, the content data is stored in the server. Uploading means, and an output means for outputting the document together with a content identifier corresponding to the content data, the server each time the content data is transmitted from the image output device, A content data storage unit that stores the content data in association with a unique version identifier, and a list of the version identifiers of each of the content data stored in the content data storage unit is stored in association with the content identifier. List storage means; When the content identifier is indicated by a terminal device, a list transmission unit that transmits the list corresponding to the content identifier to the terminal device, and any one of the version identifiers from the list is transmitted from the terminal device. Provision means for transmitting content data stored in the content data storage means in association with the designated version identifier of the content data to the terminal device when designated.

  Instead of the above-mentioned means, the server stores the content data each time the content data is transmitted from the image output device, and the content identifier is indicated from the terminal device. In this case, the content data stored in the content data storage unit at the end of the content data corresponding to the content identifier may be provided to the terminal device.

  According to the present invention, even when a new version of the data is added to the server after the document for accessing the data is generated, the user can use the new version of the data more easily than before. it can.

It is a figure which shows the example of the whole structure of a document sharing system. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the hardware constitutions of an external server. It is a figure which shows the example of the hardware constitutions of a terminal device. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a functional structure of an external server. It is a figure which shows the example of a functional structure of a terminal device. It is a figure which shows the example of a 1st document. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of addition of the two-dimensional barcode to a 2nd document. It is a figure which shows the example of a management table. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of a provision target determination process. It is a figure which shows the example of a version list screen. It is a sequence diagram which shows the example of the flow of a process of each apparatus in a 1st case. It is a sequence diagram which shows the example of the flow of a process of each apparatus in a 1st case. It is a sequence diagram which shows the example of the flow of a process of each apparatus in a 2nd case. It is a sequence diagram which shows the example of the flow of a process of each apparatus in a 2nd case. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the overall processing flow in the image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of the whole process in an external server. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of the whole process in a terminal device. It is a flowchart explaining the modification of the whole process flow in a terminal device. It is a figure for demonstrating the modification of the addition of the two-dimensional barcode to a 2nd document.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of the document sharing system 100. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the external server 2B. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the terminal device 3.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the document sharing system 100 includes an image forming apparatus 1, an internal server 2A, an external server 2B, a plurality of terminal devices 3, an internal line 41, an external line 42, and the like.

  The document sharing system 100 is used in organizations such as companies, government offices, and schools. Hereinafter, a case where the document sharing system 100 is used in a certain company will be described as an example.

  According to the document sharing system 100, a document file can be shared by a plurality of employees (users) of a company. Furthermore, the user can view the document file even when the user is outside the company.

  Hereinafter, each of the plurality of terminal devices 3 may be described separately as “terminal device 3A”, “terminal device 3B”, “terminal device 3C”,. In the present embodiment, “document” means a document or a document. Therefore, a document may include not only a character string but also various images such as charts, illustrations, and photographs. Or a document may be comprised only from images other than a character string.

  The image forming apparatus 1, the in-house server 2A, the terminal device 3A, the terminal device 3B, and the in-house line 41 are provided on the same intranet. The image forming apparatus 1, the in-house server 2 </ b> A, the terminal device 3 </ b> A, and the terminal device 3 </ b> B can communicate via the in-house line 41.

  The in-house line 41 is a so-called LAN (Local Area Network) line, and includes a router, a firewall, a wireless base station, a hub, a twisted pair cable, and the like.

  The external server 2B is provided in a network other than the intranet described above. The terminal device 3C is used outside the company and connected to a network other than the intranet described above. The outside server 2B and the terminal device 3C can communicate via the outside line 42. As the external line 42, the Internet or a mobile phone line is used.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 1 can communicate with the external server 2B by connecting to the external line 42 via the firewall and router of the internal line 41.

  However, the firewall severely restricts access from outside. Therefore, the terminal device 3C cannot access the image forming apparatus 1 and the in-house server 2A.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10a, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 10b, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 10c, an auxiliary storage device 10d, a touch panel display 10e, and an operation key panel 10f. , NIC (Network Interface Card) 10g, modem 10h, scan unit 10i, print unit 10j, finisher 10k, and the like.

  The touch panel display 10e displays a screen showing a message for the user, a screen for the user to input a command or information, a screen showing a result of processing executed by the CPU 10a, and the like. Further, the touch panel display 10e sends a signal indicating the touched position to the CPU 10a.

  The operation key panel 10f is a so-called hardware keyboard, and includes a numeric keypad, a start key, a stop key, a function key, and the like.

  The NIC 10g communicates with other devices using a protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol).

  The modem 10h exchanges image data with a fax terminal using a protocol such as G3.

  The scan unit 10i reads an image written on a sheet set on the platen glass and generates image data.

  In addition to the image read by the scan unit 10i, the print unit 10j prints an image received from another device by the NIC 10g or the modem 10h on a sheet.

  The finisher 10k performs post-processing as necessary on the printed matter obtained by the print unit 10j. The post-processing includes a staple binding process, a punch hole forming process, a folding process, and the like.

  The ROM 10c or the auxiliary storage device 10d stores a program for realizing each function such as copying described above.

  Furthermore, a document sharing program 10P (see FIG. 5) is stored in the ROM 10c or the auxiliary storage device 10d. The document sharing program 10P is a program for allowing users in the office and users outside the office to share document files.

  These programs are loaded into the RAM 10b as necessary and executed by the CPU 10a. A hard disk, SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like is used as the auxiliary storage device 10d.

  The external server 2B is a file server, and includes a CPU 20a, a RAM 20b, a ROM 20c, a mass storage device 20d, a NIC 20e, and the like as shown in FIG.

  The NIC 20e communicates with the image forming apparatus 1 and the terminal device 3C using a protocol such as TCP / IP.

  A file providing program 20P (see FIG. 6) is stored in the ROM 20c or the mass storage device 20d. The file providing program 20P is a program for providing a file to a user outside the company.

  The file providing program 20P is loaded into the RAM 20b and executed by the CPU 20a. A hard disk or SSD is used as the mass storage device 20d.

  The internal server 2A is also a file server in the same manner as the external server 2B. The basic hardware configuration is the same as that of the external server 2B, as shown in FIG. As the in-house server 2A, a commercially available file server such as NAS (Network Attached Storage) may be used.

  The terminal device 3 is a client for using the functions provided by the image forming apparatus 1, the in-house server 2A, and the outside server 2B. A printer driver for the image forming apparatus 1 is installed in the terminal device 3.

  As the terminal device 3, a personal computer, a tablet computer, a smartphone, or the like is used. Hereinafter, a case where a smartphone is used as the terminal device 3 will be described as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal device 3 includes a CPU 30a, a RAM 30b, a ROM 30c, a flash memory 30d, a touch panel display 30e, a plurality of operation buttons 30f, a wireless LAN communication device 30g, a mobile phone communication device 30h, a digital camera 30i, and the like. Composed.

  The touch panel display 30e displays various screens. In the present embodiment, in particular, a document is displayed based on a file downloaded from the external server 2B. The touch panel display 30e detects the touched position and notifies the CPU 30a of the position.

  The operation buttons 30f are a button for returning to a so-called home screen, a button for adjusting the volume, a button for switching on / off the power, and the like.

  The wireless LAN communication device 30g performs communication based on a wireless LAN standard, that is, an IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 standard.

  The cellular phone communication device 30h performs communication based on a standard such as CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) 2000, W-CDMA (Wideband-CDMA), or LTE (Long Term Evolution).

  The digital camera 30i captures an image and generates image data. In the present embodiment, it is particularly used for photographing a two-dimensional barcode.

  A document browsing program 30P (see FIG. 7) is stored in the ROM 30c or the flash memory 30d. The document browsing program 30P is a program for downloading a document file from the external server 2B and allowing the user to browse the document.

  The document browsing program 30P is loaded into the RAM 30b and executed by the CPU 30a.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the external server 2B. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the terminal device 3B.

  Next, a mechanism for sharing a document file will be described with reference to FIGS.

  According to the document sharing program 10P, the document data acquisition unit 101, the hyperlink detection unit 102, the download unit 103, the file attribute extraction unit 104, the file attribute storage unit 105, the update presence / absence determination unit 106, the upload unit 107, and the like illustrated in FIG. A notification receiving unit 121, a notification data storage unit 122, a two-dimensional barcode generation unit 123, a print image generation unit 124, a document printing unit 125, and the like are realized in the image forming apparatus 1.

  According to the file providing program 20P, the document file receiving unit 201, the document file storage unit 202, the management table generation unit 203, the management table storage unit 204, the management table update unit 205, the storage location notification unit 206, and the access reception unit illustrated in FIG. 231, provided file determination unit 232, first document file transmission unit 233, file request reception unit 234, second document file transmission unit 235, and the like are realized in external server 2 </ b> B.

  According to the document browsing program 30P, the two-dimensional barcode acquisition unit 301, the two-dimensional barcode analysis unit 302, the document file request unit 303, the first file reception unit 304, the document display control unit 305, and other version selection shown in FIG. A reception unit 306, another version request unit 307, a second file reception unit 308, a display document switching unit 309, and the like are realized in the terminal device 3.

[Preparation]
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the first document 71. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of adding a two-dimensional barcode 73 to the second document 72.

  In the in-house server 2A, a file 51 for displaying or printing a document as shown in FIG. 8 is stored in advance. The file 51 is saved when the user prepares using the in-house terminal device 3 (in the example of FIG. 1, the terminal device 3A or the terminal device 3B) and uploads it to the in-house server 2A. The user can store the files 51 of the plurality of documents in the in-house server 2A.

  Further, the user prepares a printed matter 62 on which a document as shown in FIG. 9A is printed. Alternatively, a file 52 for displaying or printing this document is prepared.

  Hereinafter, the document in which the file 51 is stored in the internal server 2A is referred to as “first document 71”, and the document indicated in the file 52 or the printed material 62 is referred to as “second document 72”.

  The second document 72 includes a hyperlink 72a indicating the storage location and file name of any one of the files 51. The hyperlink 72a includes a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) indicating the storage location and file name of the file 51.

  The user can rewrite the first document 71 as appropriate using the terminal device 3 in the company. Then, the file 51 of the first document 71 stored in the in-house server 2A is updated according to the contents of rewriting.

  As the format of the file 51, a PDF (Portable Document Format), a text format, a JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group), a format dedicated to word processing software (for example, a DOC format), or the like is used. The same applies to the file 52.

[Upload of file 51 to external server 2B]
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the management table 58.

  As described above, access from the external terminal device 3 (for example, the terminal device 3C) to the internal server 2A is prohibited by the firewall of the internal line 41. Therefore, the user cannot use the file 51 stored in the in-house server 2A when outside the office.

  Therefore, each unit of the image forming apparatus 1 (see FIG. 5) and each unit of the external server 2B (see FIG. 6) perform the following process for enabling the file 51 to be used even when the user is outside the company. Do as follows.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, the document data acquisition unit 101 acquires the image data of the second document 72 as follows. The user sets the printed material 62 in the scan unit 10 i of the image forming apparatus 1 and inputs a copy command.

  Then, the document data acquisition unit 101 causes the scan unit 10i to read the second document 72 from the printed material 62, and generates image data. This image data is the image data of the second document 72.

  Alternatively, the user operates the application of the terminal device 3A, opens the file 52, and inputs a print command. Then, the terminal device 3A converts the file 52 into PDL (Page Description Language) data by the printer driver and transmits it to the image forming apparatus 1.

  Then, the document data acquisition unit 101 acquires this PDL data as image data of the second document 72.

  The hyperlink detection unit 102 detects a hyperlink from the second document 72 based on the image data acquired by the document data acquisition unit 101. As a result, in this example, the hyperlink 72a is detected. The hyperlink may be detected by a known method. For example, a character string including a predetermined keyword such as “http: //” or “file: //” may be detected as a hyperlink.

  The download unit 103 downloads the file 51 corresponding to the storage location and file name indicated by the hyperlink (hyperlink 72a in this example) detected by the hyperlink detection unit 102 from the in-house server 2A. Hereinafter, a case where the file 51A is downloaded as the file 51 will be described as an example.

  When the download unit 103 downloads the file 51A, the file attribute extraction unit 104 extracts the attribute of the file 51A. For example, the date and time when the file 51A was updated is extracted as an attribute. Alternatively, the hash value of the file 51A is calculated and extracted as an attribute.

  Then, after the processing by the update presence / absence discriminating unit 106 described below is executed, the extracted attribute, the URL of the file 51A, the date and time (download date and time) when the file 51A was downloaded, and a file identification code to be described later are shown. Data is stored as attribute data 57 in the file attribute storage unit 105.

  The update presence / absence determination unit 106 determines whether or not the file 51A is downloaded for the first time by the download unit 103. If it has not been downloaded for the first time, it is further determined whether or not the file 51A has been updated by the download unit 103 since the file 51A was previously downloaded. Here, a determination method will be described.

  If the attribute data 57 indicating the URL of the file 51A (that is, the hyperlink detected by the hyperlink detection unit 102) is not stored in the file attribute storage unit 105, the update presence / absence determination unit 106 downloads the file 51A for the first time. It is determined that it has been done. Then, a unique file identification code is issued, and attribute data 57 is generated and stored in the file attribute storage unit 105.

  If the file 51 </ b> A has been downloaded, the update presence / absence discriminating unit 106 extracts the attribute data 57 of the file 51 </ b> A stored in the file attribute storage unit 105. That is, the attribute data 57 indicating the URL of the file 51A is extracted. If there are a plurality of such attribute data 57, the one with the newest download date is extracted.

  The update presence / absence discriminating unit 106 compares the attribute indicated in the extracted attribute data 57 with the attribute extracted by the file attribute extraction unit 104, and if the two do not match, the file 51A is updated after the previous download. It is determined that If the two match, it is determined that they have not been updated.

  In any case, the update presence / absence discriminating unit 106 determines the attribute extracted by the file attribute extracting unit 104, the URL of the file 51A, the date and time when the file 51A was downloaded, and the file identification code indicated in the attribute data 57. Is generated and stored in the file attribute storage unit 105 as new attribute data 57.

  The upload unit 107 uploads the file 51A to the external server 2B as follows when it is determined by the update presence / absence determination unit 106 that the file 51A is downloaded for the first time or updated after the previous download.

  The upload unit 107 determines the storage location (directory) and file name of the file 51A in the external server 2B. These may be determined based on a predetermined rule. Or you may make a user specify.

  However, the combination of storage location and file name must be unique. That is, it must not be currently used.

  Then, the upload unit 107 transmits the file 51A together with the save request data 53 to the external server 2B.

  The save request data 53 indicates the print date and time, the file identification code of the file 51A, and the determined save location and file name.

  The printing date and time is the date and time when the user inputs a copy command or a printing command. Alternatively, the date and time when the printing process by the document printing unit 125 described later is completed may be predicted, and the predicted date and time may be used as the printing date and time.

  As described above, according to the processing of the upload unit 107 or the like, a plurality of files 51A having different versions can be uploaded to the external server 2B. Hereinafter, a case will be described as an example where the version numbers “1”, “2”, “3”,...

  In the external server 2B, when the document file receiving unit 201 receives the file 51A and the save request data 53 from the image forming apparatus 1, the save request data 53 is stored in the save location (directory) indicated by the save request data 53. Is stored in the document file storage unit 202. If the storage location does not exist yet, the storage location is generated.

  When the file 51A is saved (stored) in the document file storage unit 202, the management table generation unit 203 or the management table update unit 205 executes processing for generating or updating the management table 58.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the management table 58 shows the version number, the storage location in the document file storage unit 202, and the storage date and time for each version of the file 51A. However, it is desirable to use the print date and time indicated in the save request data 53 as the save date and time. Hereinafter, a case where this print date and time is used as the save date and time will be described as an example.

  Furthermore, the management table 58 is associated with the file identification code of the file 51A.

  When the document file receiving unit 201 receives the file 51 </ b> A and the save request data 53, the management table generating unit 203 still has the management table 58 corresponding to the file identification code indicated in the save request data 53 in the management table storage unit 204. If not stored, the management table 58 is generated and stored in the management table storage unit 204. At this point, nothing is shown in the management table 58. Then, information relating to the storage of the file 51 in the document file storage unit 202 this time, that is, a record indicating the URL of the file 51A and the storage date and time is added to the management table 58.

  On the other hand, when the management table 58 corresponding to the file identification code indicated in the save request data 53 is already stored in the management table storage unit 204, the management table update unit 205 stores the URL of the file 51A in the management table 58. A record indicating the storage date and time is added to the management table 58.

  The management table 58 of the file 51 other than the file 51A is also generated by the above processing and stored in the management table storage unit 204.

  The storage location notification unit 206 transmits storage location notification data 54 indicating information including the storage location and identifier (for example, the file name of the management table 58) of the management table 58 of the file 51A to the image forming apparatus 1. Hereinafter, a case where data indicating a URL including a storage location and an identifier is transmitted as the storage location notification data 54 will be described as an example. The file identification code of the file 51A may be used as the identifier of the management table 58.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, the notification receiving unit 121 receives the storage location notification data 54 from the external server 2B. Then, the storage location notification data 54 is stored in the notification data storage unit 122.

  When other storage location notification data 54 indicating the same file identification code is already stored in the notification data storage unit 122, the notification reception unit 121 deletes the other storage location notification data 54 from the notification data storage unit 122. To do. That is, only the latest storage location notification data 54 is stored in the notification data storage unit 122 for one file identification code.

[Edit and print second document 72]
The two-dimensional barcode generation unit 123 generates a two-dimensional barcode 73. As the two-dimensional barcode standard, an existing standard, for example, a QR (Quick Response) code standard is used.

  The information shown in the two-dimensional barcode 73 is determined as follows depending on whether or not the file 51A is uploaded to the external server 2B by the upload unit 107.

  When the file 51A is uploaded, the URL indicated in the storage location notification data 54 transmitted from the external server 2B and the printing date and time described above are displayed.

  On the other hand, when the file 51A is not uploaded, the URL indicated in the storage location notification data 54 of the file 51A in the storage location notification data 54 stored in the notification data storage unit 122 and the above-described printing date and time are indicated. It is.

  The print image generation unit 124 generates a print image 74 by superimposing the two-dimensional barcode 73 on the margin of the second document 72.

  Then, the document printing unit 125 controls the print unit 10j so that the image 74 is printed on white paper. Thereby, the printed matter 64 as shown in FIG. 9B is generated.

  The printed matter 64 is delivered to a user who needs to use the file 51A outside the company. Note that a plurality of printed materials 64 may be generated and delivered to each of a plurality of users.

[Use of file 51 from outside the company]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of a provision target determination process. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the version list screen 7L.

  The user can use the file 51 from outside the company by photographing the printed matter 64 with the terminal device 3. Hereinafter, processing of each unit of each device will be described by taking as an example a case where the user operates the terminal device 3C to use the file 51A.

  The user puts the two-dimensional barcode 73 of the printed matter 64 in the range of photographing by the digital camera 30i of the terminal device 3C. Then, the shutter button is pressed.

  Then, in the terminal device 3, the two-dimensional barcode acquisition unit 301 acquires image data of the two-dimensional barcode 73 by causing the digital camera 30 i to capture the two-dimensional barcode 73.

  When the image data is acquired by the 2D barcode acquisition unit 301, the 2D barcode analysis unit 302 analyzes the image data to specify the URL and the printing date / time indicated in the 2D barcode 73.

  When the URL is specified by the two-dimensional barcode analysis unit 302, the document file request unit 303 requests a document file from the external server 2B based on the URL. Specifically, access to the management table 58 indicated by the URL is requested. At this time, the storage location and identifier of the management table 58 indicated in the URL are designated to the external server 2B. Furthermore, the specified printing date and time is notified to the external server 2B.

  In the external server 2B, the access receiving unit 231 receives a request for access to the management table 58 and the printing date and time from the terminal device 3C.

  Then, the provided file determining unit 232 determines a file to be provided to the terminal device 3C based on the management table 58 and the printing date and time according to the procedure shown in FIG.

  When only one record is stored in the management table 58 (Yes in # 701 in FIG. 11), the provided file determination unit 232 determines the file 51 (in this example, specified by the URL indicated in the record). The file 51A) is determined as the file to be provided (# 702).

  When a plurality of records are stored in the management table 58 (No in # 701 in FIG. 11), the provided file determination unit 232 displays the print date and time notified from the terminal device 3C and the save date and time indicated in each record. Are collated (# 703).

  If there is a record whose save date matches the print date (Yes in # 704), the file 51A specified by the URL indicated in the record is determined as the file to be provided (# 705).

  On the other hand, if there is no matching record (No in # 704), the record whose storage date is older than the print date is extracted, and the record with the latest storage date is selected from the extracted records. Then, the file 51A specified by the URL indicated in the selected record is determined as the file to be provided (# 706).

  The first document file transmission unit 233 reads the file 51 (the file 51A in this example) determined by the provision file determination unit 232 as the file to be provided from the document file storage unit 202 and transmits the file 51 to the terminal device 3C.

  When there are a plurality of records in the management table 58, the first document file transmission unit 233 further transmits list data 59 for displaying the version list screen 7L as shown in FIG. 12 to the terminal device 3C.

  On the version list screen 7L, a version list 7La, a message 7Lb, a switching button 7Lc, and the like are arranged.

  The version list 7La indicates a version number and a storage date / time for each version of the file 51A. The version list 7La can be generated by omitting the URL from the information shown in the management table 58.

  The message 7Lb indicates that the version of the file 51A received by the first file receiving unit 304 (that is, the version of the file 51A specified in step # 705 or # 706), a version newer than this version or the latest version is external. This is a message notifying that it is stored in the server 2B and that it can be switched to another version. How to use the switching button 7Lc will be described later.

  In the terminal device 3C, the first file receiving unit 304 receives the file 51 (in this example, the file 51A). Further, when the list data 59 is transmitted, it is received.

  When the file 51A is received by the first file receiving unit 304, the document display control unit 305 displays the first document 71 as shown in FIG. 8 on the touch panel display 30e based on the file 51A.

  The user can display the first document 71 based on another version of the file 51A as follows.

  The user performs a predetermined operation on the terminal device 3C. For example, the touch panel display 30e is double-tapped.

  Then, the other version selection accepting unit 306 executes a process for accepting selection of another version as follows.

  The other version selection accepting unit 306 displays the version list screen 7L (see FIG. 12) on the touch panel display 30e based on the list data 59 received together with the file 51A. The version list screen 7L may be displayed over the first document 71.

  Here, the user selects any version by touching a column (row) corresponding to the version. Then, the switching button 7Lc is touched. Then, the other version selection receiving unit 306 receives the version selected by the user.

  The other version request unit 307 requests the received version of the file 51A by transmitting request data 55 indicating the version number of the version to the external server 2B.

  In the external server 2B, the file request receiving unit 234 receives the request data 55. Then, the second document file transmission unit 235 reads the version file 51A having the version number indicated in the request data 55 from the document file storage unit 202 and transmits it to the terminal device 3C. The storage location of this version of the file 51A can be found by referring to the management table 58.

  In the terminal device 3C, the second file receiving unit 308 receives the file 51A from the external server 2B as reply data to the request data 55.

  When the second file receiving unit 308 receives the file 51A, the display document switching unit 309 replaces the first document 71 displayed before with the first document 71 based on the file 51A. It is displayed on the touch panel display 30e.

  13 to 14 are sequence diagrams illustrating an example of the flow of processing of each device in the first case. 15 to 16 are sequence diagrams illustrating an example of the flow of processing of each device in the second case.

  Next, the flow of each device process of the image forming apparatus 1, the in-house server 2A, the outside server 2B, and the terminal device 3 will be described based on two cases.

  In the first case, a certain file 51 is downloaded by the image forming apparatus 1 for the first time, uploaded to the external server 2B, and provided to an external user. In this case, each device executes processing according to the procedure shown in FIGS.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 acquires the image data of the second document 72 (see FIG. 9A) (# 711 in FIG. 13), the image forming apparatus 1 detects the hyperlink 72a from the second document 72 (# 712). Then, the file 51 is requested to the internal server 2A based on the hyperlink 72a and downloaded (# 713, # 714).

  Upon receipt of the request from the image forming apparatus 1 (# 731), the in-house server 2A transmits the file 51 relating to the request to the image forming apparatus 1 (# 732). Hereinafter, a case where the file 51A is transmitted as the file 51 from the in-house server 2A to the image forming apparatus 1 will be described as an example.

  The image forming apparatus 1 determines whether or not the file 51A is downloaded for the first time (# 715).

  In this case, since the image forming apparatus 1 has downloaded the file 51A for the first time, the upload destination (storage location) and the file name are determined (# 716), and the file 51A is uploaded to the external server 2B (# 717). At this time, the storage request data 53 is also transmitted to the external server 2B.

  When the external server 2B receives the file 51A and the save request data 53 (# 741), it saves the file 51A according to the save request data 53 (# 742).

  Furthermore, since the external server 2B does not yet have the management table 58 (see FIG. 10) of the file 51A, it creates and stores it (# 743). Then, the storage location and identifier of the management table 58 are notified by transmitting the storage location notification data 54 to the image forming apparatus 1 (# 744).

  In step # 714, the image forming apparatus 1 downloads the file 51A from the in-house server 2A, extracts the attribute of the file 51A, and generates and stores the attribute data 57 (# 718).

  Furthermore, when the image forming apparatus 1 receives the storage location notification data 54 (# 719), the image forming apparatus 1 generates a two-dimensional barcode 73 (# 720). The two-dimensional barcode 73 shows the printing date and time, the URL of the management table 58, and the like.

  Then, the image forming apparatus 1 adds the two-dimensional barcode 73 to the second document 72 (# 721) and prints it on white paper (# 722 in FIG. 14). Thereby, the printed matter 64 as shown in FIG. 9B is generated.

  The user goes on a business trip with the printed matter 64. Then, when it becomes necessary to browse the file 51 </ b> A, the two-dimensional barcode 73 is photographed by the terminal device 3 of its own. Hereinafter, a case where the terminal device 3C is used as the terminal device 3 will be described as an example.

  When the terminal device 3C images the two-dimensional barcode 73 and generates image data of the two-dimensional barcode 73 (# 751), by analyzing the two-dimensional barcode 73, the URL and the two-dimensional barcode 73 shown in FIG. The printing date is specified (# 752).

  The terminal device 3C requests a document file to the external server 2B based on the specified URL (# 753). At this time, the specified print date and time is notified to the external server 2B.

  When the external server 2B receives the request from the terminal device 3C (# 745), it determines the file 51 to be provided to the terminal device 3C (# 746), and transmits it to the terminal device 3C (# 747). The determination method is as described in FIG. As a result, in this case, since the external server 2B stores (stores) only one version of the file 51A, the file 51A is transmitted.

  Upon receiving the file 51A (# 754), the terminal device 3C displays the first document 71 (see FIG. 8) based on this (# 755).

  The second case is a case in which a certain file 51 is already downloaded by the image forming apparatus 1 and uploaded to the external server 2B, and after that, the file 51 is updated and then downloaded again and uploaded to the external server 2B. . In this case, each device executes processing according to the procedure shown in FIGS.

  When the internal server 2A receives the rewriting content for the first document 71 (# 761 in FIG. 15), the in-house server 2A updates the file 51 of the first document 71 (# 762).

  Hereinafter, a case where the file 51A is updated will be described as an example. In addition, it is assumed that only one file 51A before update has already been uploaded to the external server 2B by the processing shown in FIGS. Further, it is assumed that a hyperlink to the file 51A is written as a hyperlink 72a in the second document 72 (see FIG. 9A).

  The file 51A is provided from the in-house server 2A to the image forming apparatus 1 by the same processing as the processing of steps # 711 to # 714 and the processing of # 731 to # 732 in the first case (# 771 to # 774, # 763- # 764).

  The image forming apparatus 1 determines whether or not the file 51A has been downloaded for the first time, and further determines whether or not the file 51A has been updated since the previous download (# 775). In this case, it is determined that it has been updated.

  Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 determines the upload destination (storage location) and file name (# 776), and uploads the file 51A to the external server 2B (# 777). At this time, the storage request data 53 is also transmitted to the external server 2B.

  As in the first case, the external server 2B receives the file 51A and the save request data 53 (# 791), and saves the file 51A according to the save request data 53 (# 792).

  Thereby, the file 51A of each of the two versions is stored in the external server 2B.

  Since the management table 58 (see FIG. 10) of the file 51A is already provided, the external server 2B adds the version number and URL of the file 51A to the management table 58 (# 793). Then, the storage location and identifier of the management table 58 are notified by transmitting the storage location notification data 54 to the image forming apparatus 1 (# 794).

  Similar to steps # 718 to # 722 in the first case, the image forming apparatus 1 generates and stores the attribute data 57 (# 778), receives the storage location notification data 54 (# 779), and receives the second data. The document 72 is printed together with the two-dimensional barcode 73 (# 779 to # 782). Thereby, the printed matter 64 as shown in FIG. 9B is generated.

  As in the first case, the user goes on a business trip with the printed matter 64. Then, when it becomes necessary to browse the file 51 </ b> A, the two-dimensional barcode 73 is photographed by the terminal device 3 of its own. Hereinafter, a case where the terminal device 3C is used as the terminal device 3 will be described as an example.

  The terminal device 3C images the two-dimensional barcode 73 (# 801) in the same manner as steps # 751 to # 753 in the first case, and specifies the URL and the printing date and time indicated by the two-dimensional barcode 73 (# 802), the external server 2B is requested for a document file based on the specified URL (# 803). At this time, the specified print date and time is notified to the external server 2B.

  When the external server 2B receives the request from the terminal device 3C (# 795), the file 51A to be provided to the terminal device 3C is determined by the method described in FIG. 11 (# 796), and is transmitted to the terminal device 3C. (# 797). In this case, the external server 2B stores a plurality of versions of the file 51A. Therefore, in particular, the file 51A to be provided to the terminal device 3C is determined by the processing of steps # 703 to # 706 in FIG. Further, the list data 59 is transmitted together with the file 51A.

  When receiving the file 51A and the list data 59 (# 804), the terminal device 3C displays the first document 71 (see FIG. 8) based on the file 51A (# 805).

  When the user performs a predetermined operation, the terminal device 3C displays the version list screen 7L (see FIG. 12) based on the list data 59 (# 806).

  When the user selects any version, the terminal device 3C accepts the selection (# 807), and transmits data (request data 55) indicating the version number of the selected version to the external server 2B. The file 51A of that version is requested (# 808).

  When the external server 2B receives the request data 55 (# 798), the external server 2B transmits the version file 51A of the version number indicated in the request data 55 to the terminal device 3C (# 799).

  When the terminal device 3C receives the file 51A (# 809), the terminal device 3C displays the first document 71 of this version based on the file 51A instead of the first document 71 displayed previously (# 809). # 810).

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the overall processing flow in the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the overall processing flow in the external server 2B. FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the overall processing flow in the terminal device 3B.

  Next, the overall processing flow of each of the image forming apparatus 1, the external server 2B, and the terminal device 3 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  The image forming apparatus 1 executes processing according to the procedure shown in FIG. 17 based on the document sharing program 10P.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 receives an input of a predetermined command, the image forming apparatus 1 acquires the image data of the second document 72 (see FIG. 9A) by scanning the printed matter 62 or receiving it from the terminal device 3 (see FIG. 9A). # 821 in FIG.

  The image forming apparatus 1 detects the hyperlink 72a from the second document 72 (# 822), and downloads the file 51 specified by the hyperlink 72a from the internal server 2A (# 823).

  The image forming apparatus 1 determines whether or not the download based on the hyperlink 72a is the first time (# 824). If it is the first time (Yes in # 825), the storage location and file name of the file 51 are set. The file 51 is uploaded to the external server 2B (# 829). At this time, the storage request data 53 indicating the determined contents is transmitted to the in-house server 2A.

  On the other hand, if the download based on the hyperlink 72a is not the first time (No in # 825), the image forming apparatus 1 determines whether or not the file 51 has been updated since the previous download of the file 51 (#). 826).

  If updated (Yes in # 827), the image forming apparatus 1 uploads the file 51 to the external server 2B (# 829). At this time, the storage request data 53 indicating the determined contents is transmitted to the in-house server 2A. If it has not been updated, do not upload.

  The image forming apparatus 1 extracts the attribute of the file 51 and stores attribute data 57 indicating the extracted attribute and the like (# 830).

  When the file 51 is uploaded (Yes in # 831), the storage location notification data 54 is transmitted from the external server 2B, and the image forming apparatus 1 receives and stores it (# 832). Then, a two-dimensional barcode indicating the URL indicated in the storage location notification data 54 (that is, the URL of the management table 58 of the file 51) and the printing date and time of the second document 72 is generated as a two-dimensional barcode 73. (# 833).

  On the other hand, if the file 51 has not been uploaded (No in # 831), the saved storage location notification data 54 is read (# 834), and the URL indicated in the storage location notification data 54 and the second A two-dimensional barcode indicating the printing date and time of the document 72 is generated as a two-dimensional barcode 73 (# 835).

  Then, the image forming apparatus 1 prints the second document 72 with the two-dimensional barcode 73 generated in step # 833 or # 835 added (# 836, # 837). As a result, a printed matter 64 as shown in FIG. 9B is obtained.

  The external server 2B executes processing according to the procedure shown in FIG. 18 based on the file providing program 20P.

  When the external server 2B receives the file 51 and the storage request data 53 from the terminal device 3 (Yes in # 841 in FIG. 18), the external server 2B stores the file 51 based on the storage request data 53 (# 842).

  When the management table 58 (see FIG. 10) of the file 51 is not yet provided (No in # 843), the external server 2B generates this management table 58 (# 844).

  Then, the external server 2B adds the version number, URL, and save date / time of the file 51 saved in step # 842 to the management table 58 (# 845), and stores the data indicating the URL of the management table 58 in the save location notification data 54. To the terminal device 3 (# 846).

  Alternatively, when the terminal device 3 has accessed based on the URL of the management table 58 (Yes in # 847), the external server 2B provides this terminal device 3 among the versions shown in the management table 58. The power version is determined (# 848), and the determined version of the file 51 is transmitted to the terminal device 3 (# 849). The determination method is as described above with reference to FIG.

  When there are a plurality of versions in the management table 58 (Yes in # 850), the external server 2B further transmits the list data 59 to the terminal device 3 (# 851).

  Alternatively, when the request data 55 is received, that is, when the file 51 is requested from the terminal device 3 (Yes in # 852), the file 51 is transmitted to the terminal device 3 (# 853).

  The external server 2B performs steps # 842 to # 848, steps # 848 to # 851, and step # 853 based on data received from other devices until the service is stopped. Run as appropriate.

  The terminal device 3 executes processing according to the procedure shown in FIG. 19 based on the document browsing program 30P.

  The terminal device 3 identifies the URL and the printing date and time indicated by the two-dimensional barcode 73 by photographing and analyzing the two-dimensional barcode 73 from the printed matter 64 (# 861, # 862 in FIG. 19).

  Then, the terminal device 3 accesses the external server 2B based on the URL (# 863). At this time, the external server 2B is notified of the printing date and time.

  Then, since the file 51 is transmitted from the external server 2B, the terminal device 3 receives the file 51 (# 864) and displays the first document 71 based on the file 51 (# 865).

  In step # 864, the list data 59 may also be received. In this case, when the user performs a predetermined operation (Yes in # 866), the terminal device 3 displays the version list screen 7L (see FIG. 12) based on the list data 59 (# 867).

  When the user selects a version different from the version displayed in step # 865 (Yes in # 868), the terminal device 3 requests the external server 2B for the selected version of the file 51 (# 869). At this time, data indicating the version number of the version is transmitted as request data 55 to the external server 2B.

  Then, the terminal device 3B receives the version of the file 51 from the external server 2B (# 870), and displays the version of the first document 71 (# 871).

  According to the present embodiment, even when a new version of the file 51 is added to the external server 2B after receiving the printed matter 64, the user can access the file 51 more easily than before.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a modification of the overall processing flow in the terminal device 3B. FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining a modified example of adding the two-dimensional barcode 73 to the second document 72.

  In the present embodiment, the provided file determination unit 232 of the external server 2B, if a plurality of versions are indicated in the management table 58 accessed by the terminal device 3, if there is a version whose save date matches the print date, The file 51 is determined as a file to be provided to the terminal device 3. If there is no such version, a file with a storage date older than the printing date is extracted, a file with the latest extracted storage date is selected, and a file 51 corresponding to the selected storage date is selected as a file to be provided. Were determined. However, even when a plurality of versions are indicated, the latest version of the file 51 may be determined as a file to be provided to the terminal device 3.

  In this case, the terminal device 3B does not display the version list screen 7L (see FIG. 12) after the user performs a predetermined operation, but receives the file 51 and the list data 59 from the external server 2B. Before displaying the first document 71, the version list screen 7L may be displayed. Specifically, the processing may be performed according to the procedure shown in FIG.

  The processes in steps # 881 to # 884 in FIG. 20 are the same as the processes in steps # 861 to # 864 in FIG.

  If the file 51 received in step # 884 is not the latest version (latest version) (No in # 885), the terminal device 3 displays the version list screen 7L (# 886). The external server 2B may notify the terminal device 3 whether or not it is the latest version. Alternatively, the terminal device 3B may determine based on the list data 59.

  When the user selects a version different from the version of the file 51 received in step # 884 (Yes in # 887), the terminal device 3 requests the terminal device 3B to obtain the selected version of the file 51 and acquires it. (# 888, # 889), the first document 71 is displayed based on the acquired file 51 (# 890).

  When the user selects the version of the file 51 received in step # 884 (No in # 887) and when this file 51 is the latest version (Yes in # 885), the terminal device 3 is based on this file 51. The first document 71 is displayed (# 891). Thereafter, when the user performs a predetermined operation, the terminal device 3 may proceed to step # 886 to display the version list screen 7L.

  In the present embodiment, the two-dimensional barcode 73 and the management table 58 indicate the printing date and time, but instead of the printing date and time, the date and time (update date and time) when the file 51 was updated may be indicated. In this case, when the image forming apparatus 1 downloads the file 51 from the in-house server 2A, the update date of the file 51 is notified from the in-house server 2A. Then, a two-dimensional barcode 73 indicating the notified update date is generated and printed. Further, when the file 51 is uploaded to the external server 2B, the update date and time is notified to the external server 2B. The external server 2B writes the notified update date and time together with the version number of the file 51 in the management table 58.

  Further, after photographing the two-dimensional barcode 73, the terminal device 3 notifies the external server 2B of the update date and time instead of the print date and time. When providing the file 51 to the terminal device 3, the external server 2 </ b> B determines which version of the file 51 should be provided to the terminal device 3 based on the update date and time instead of the print date and time.

  In the present embodiment, the external server 2B transmits the list data 59 together with the file 51 to the terminal device 3, but only the list data 59 may be transmitted first. In this case, the file 51 of the version selected by the user from the version list screen 7L may be transmitted to the terminal device 3 thereafter.

  The terminal device 3 may display the first document 71 and the version list screen 7L side by side.

  In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 detects a hyperlink represented by a character string such as a hyperlink 72 a as a hyperlink from the second document 72. However, as shown in FIG. 21A, an icon 72b in which a hyperlink is set may be arranged in the second document 72 instead of a character string. In this case, the in-house server 2A may delete the icon 72b from the second document 72 and place the two-dimensional barcode 73 as shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, when the file 51 is updated in the in-house server 2A, the file 51 is downloaded by the image forming apparatus 1 and then stored in the external server 2B. However, it may be stored in the external server 2B immediately after being updated without waiting for downloading. However, in this case, the date and time saved in the document file storage unit 202 of the external server 2B is recorded in the management table 58 as the saved date and time.

  In the present embodiment, the document sharing system 100 uses a file for reproducing the first document 71 as the file 51. However, a file for reproducing audio or a moving image may be used.

  In the present embodiment, the external server 2B transmits the list data 59 to the terminal device 3 when there are a plurality of versions, but may also transmit the list data 59 when there is only one version.

  In addition, the document sharing system 100, the image forming apparatus 1, the in-house server 2A, the outside server 2B, the configuration of the whole or each part of the terminal device 3, the contents of processing, the processing order, the table configuration, the screen configuration, etc. It can be appropriately changed in accordance with the purpose.

100 Document sharing system (data provision system)
1 Image forming device (image output device)
101 Document data acquisition unit (input means)
102 Hyperlink detection unit (detection means)
103 Download unit (reception means)
106 Update presence / absence determination unit (discrimination means)
107 Upload section (upload means)
125 Document printing section (output means)
10j Print unit (output means)
2B External server (server)
202 Document file storage unit (content data storage means)
204 Management table storage unit (list storage means)
233 First document file transmission unit (list transmission unit, second provision unit)
235 Second document file transmission unit (providing means)
51 files (content data)
58 Management table 72a Hyperlink 72 Second document (document)
73 Two-dimensional barcode (identification image)

Claims (17)

A data providing system comprising: an image output device provided in a first network; and a server provided in a second network different from the first network,
The image output device includes:
An input means for inputting a document with a hyperlink to content data for reproducing the content;
Detecting means for detecting the hyperlink from the document each time the document is input by the input means;
Receiving means for receiving the content data based on the hyperlink each time the hyperlink is detected by the detecting means;
A discriminating unit that discriminates whether or not the content data has been updated after being received by the receiving unit last time, each time the content data is received by the receiving unit;
An uploading unit that transmits the content data to the server when the content data is updated by the determining unit and when the content data is first received by the receiving unit;
Output means for outputting the document together with a content identifier corresponding to the content data;
With
The server
Content data storage means for storing the content data in association with a unique version identifier each time the content data is transmitted from the image output device;
List storage means for storing a list of the version identifiers of each of the content data stored in the content data storage means in association with the content identifiers;
A list transmission means for transmitting the list corresponding to the content identifier to the terminal device when the content identifier is indicated by the terminal device;
The content stored in the content data storage unit in association with the specified version identifier of the content data when any one of the version identifiers is specified from the terminal device from the list Providing means for transmitting data to the terminal device;
Comprising
A data providing system characterized by that. The output means outputs the document by printing it on a sheet together with an identification image representing the content identifier.
The data providing system according to claim 1. Each time the content data is received by the receiving means, the output means prints, as the identification image, an image indicating the print date and time of printing the document together with the content identifier,
The upload means transmits, to the server, date and time data indicating the print date and time when the output means prints the identification image as the content data is received by the receiving means.
In the list, the version identifier of the content data is associated with the print date and time indicated in the date and time data transmitted together with the content data from the image output device,
The server
Second providing means for transmitting the content data relating to the version identifier corresponding to the printing date and time notified from the terminal device to the terminal device;
Comprising
The data provision system according to claim 2. When the content data related to the version identifier corresponding to the printing date and time notified from the terminal device is not stored in the content data storage unit, the second providing unit prints immediately before the printing date and time. Transmitting the content data related to the version identifier corresponding to the date and time;
The data provision system according to claim 3. Each time the content data is received by the receiving means, the output means prints an image indicating the date and time when the content data was updated together with the content identifier as the identification image,
The upload means transmits date and time data indicating the update date and time of the content data together with the content data to the server,
In the list, the version identifier of the content data is associated with the update date and time indicated in the date and time data transmitted together with the content data from the image output device,
The server further includes:
Second providing means for transmitting the content data related to the version identifier corresponding to the update date and time notified from the terminal device to the terminal device;
Comprising
The data provision system according to claim 2. A data providing system comprising: an image output device provided in a first network; and a server provided in a second network different from the first network,
The image output device includes:
An input means for inputting a document with a hyperlink to content data for reproducing the content;
Detecting means for detecting the hyperlink from the document each time the document is input by the input means;
Receiving means for receiving the content data based on the hyperlink each time the hyperlink is detected by the detecting means;
A discriminating unit that discriminates whether or not the content data has been updated after being received by the receiving unit last time, each time the content data is received by the receiving unit;
An uploading unit that transmits the content data to the server when the content data is updated by the determining unit and when the content data is first received by the receiving unit;
Output means for outputting the document together with a content identifier corresponding to the content data;
With
The server
Content data storage means for storing the content data each time the content data is transmitted from the image output device;
Providing means for transmitting content data stored in the content data storage means at the end of the content data corresponding to the content identifier to the terminal device when the content identifier is indicated from the terminal device;
Comprising
A data providing system characterized by that. The output means outputs the document by printing it on a sheet together with an identification image representing the content identifier.
The data providing system according to claim 6. The output means prints the document by deleting the hyperlink from the document;
The data provision system according to any one of claims 2 to 5 and 7. The identification image is a two-dimensional barcode.
The data provision system according to any one of claims 2 to 5, 7, and 8. The identification image further indicates an address for accessing the server.
The data provision system in any one of Claims 2-5 and 7-9. An image output apparatus provided in a first network and capable of accessing a server provided in a second network different from the first network,
An input means for inputting a document with a hyperlink to content data for reproducing the content;
Detecting means for detecting the hyperlink from the document each time the document is input by the input means;
Receiving means for receiving the content data based on the hyperlink each time the hyperlink is detected by the detecting means;
A discriminating unit that discriminates whether or not the content data has been updated after being received by the receiving unit last time, each time the content data is received by the receiving unit;
An uploading unit that transmits the content data to the server when the content data is updated by the determining unit and when the content data is first received by the receiving unit;
Output means for outputting the document together with a content identifier corresponding to the content data;
An image output apparatus comprising: A server that is accessed from an image output device provided in a first network and provided in a second network different from the first network,
Content data storage means for storing content data in association with a unique version identifier each time content data for reproducing content is transmitted from the image output apparatus together with a content identifier for identifying the content data When,
List storage means for storing a list of the version identifiers of each of the content data stored in the content data storage means in association with the content identifiers;
A list transmission means for transmitting the list corresponding to the content identifier to the terminal device when the content identifier is indicated by the terminal device;
The content stored in the content data storage unit in association with the specified version identifier of the content data when any one of the version identifiers is specified from the terminal device from the list Providing means for transmitting data to the terminal device;
The server characterized by having. A server that is accessed from an image output device provided in a first network and provided in a second network different from the first network,
Content data storage means for storing the content data each time content data for reproducing the content is transmitted from the image output device together with a content identifier for identifying the content data;
Providing means for transmitting content data stored in the content data storage means at the end of the content data corresponding to the content identifier to the terminal device when the content identifier is indicated from the terminal device;
The server characterized by having. A data providing method for providing data to a terminal device by an image output device provided in a first network and a server provided in a second network different from the first network,
The image output device includes:
Get a document with a hyperlink to the content data to reproduce the content,
Each time the document is acquired, the hyperlink is detected from the document,
Each time the hyperlink is detected, the content data is received based on the hyperlink,
Each time the content data is received, it is determined whether or not the content data has been updated after the previous reception,
When it is determined that the content data has been updated, and when the content data is received for the first time, the content data is transmitted to the server,
Outputting the document together with a content identifier corresponding to the content data;
The server
Each time the content data is transmitted from the image output device, the content data is stored in the content data storage means in association with a unique version identifier,
A list of the version identifiers of each of the content data stored in the content data storage means is stored in the list storage means in association with the content identifier;
When the content identifier is indicated from the terminal device, the list corresponding to the content identifier is transmitted to the terminal device,
The content stored in the content data storage unit in association with the specified version identifier of the content data when any one of the version identifiers is specified from the terminal device from the list Sending data to the terminal device,
A data providing method characterized by the above. A computer program used in an image output apparatus, provided in a first network and capable of accessing a server provided in a second network different from the first network,
In the image output device,
Execute a process to obtain a document with a hyperlink to the content data to reproduce the content,
Each time the document is acquired, a process for detecting the hyperlink from the document is executed,
Each time the hyperlink is detected, the content data is received based on the hyperlink.
Each time the content data is received, a process for determining whether or not the content data has been updated after being received last time is executed.
When it is determined that the content data has been updated, and when the content data is received for the first time, a process of transmitting the content data to the server is executed,
Causing the document to be output together with a content identifier corresponding to the content data;
A computer program characterized by the above. A computer program used for a server, which is accessed from an image output device provided in a first network and provided in a second network different from the first network,
On that server,
Each time content data for reproducing content is transmitted from the image output apparatus together with a content identifier for identifying the content data, the content data is stored in the content data storage unit in association with a unique version identifier. Let the process run,
Causing the list storage unit to store a list of the version identifiers of the content data stored in the content data storage unit in association with the content identifier;
When the content identifier is indicated from the terminal device, the list corresponding to the content identifier is transmitted to the terminal device,
The content stored in the content data storage unit in association with the specified version identifier of the content data when any one of the version identifiers is specified from the terminal device from the list Execute a process of transmitting data to the terminal device;
A computer program characterized by the above. A computer program used for a server, which is accessed from an image output device provided in a first network and provided in a second network different from the first network,
On that server,
Each time content data for reproducing content is transmitted from the image output device together with a content identifier for identifying the content data, a process for storing the content data in a content data storage unit is executed.
When the content identifier is indicated from the terminal device, the content data stored in the content data storage means at the end of the content data corresponding to the content identifier is transmitted to the terminal device.
A computer program characterized by the above.

Images