JP2006140812A - Information processing apparatus and data transmission program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing apparatus capable of more easily and surely transmitting data by specifying a storage destination on the basis of uncertain data and also automatically sharing an unshared folder when storing data in a folder set in an external terminal. <P>SOLUTION: This information processing apparatus having a communication function for communicating with an external terminal is provided with a means for using a prescribed network protocol to acquire information about a folder set by an external terminal side as a data storage destination, a means for specifying a folder as a storage destination of file data on the basis of the acquired information, a means for creating an automatic sharing signal for sharing the specified folder with the external terminal, and a means for transmitting to the external terminal the automatic sharing signal and the file data to be stored in the folder shared on the basis of the automatic sharing signal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus connected to an external terminal via a network so that predetermined data can be transmitted and received, and a data transmission program executed by the information processing apparatus.

  In recent years, in an office or the like, it is usual to construct a network in which a plurality of information processing terminals, printers, and multifunctional multifunction devices are connected. Between configurations connected to a network, various types of data can be transmitted to and received from each other via a network bus. For example, data can be moved between information processing terminals, or print data can be sent from an information processing terminal to a printer. It is possible to transmit and execute print output, or to transmit and save scan data created based on a document in the multi-function multifunction peripheral to the information processing terminal. As an example, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-281225 discloses an image forming system including a plurality of multi-function multifunction devices and a plurality of information processing terminals connected to a network. Here, mainly disclosed is an improved technique for transmitting file data created using a scanner function in a multi-function multifunction peripheral to an information processing terminal.

JP 2002-281225 A

  By the way, when data is exchanged between configurations connected to a network, more specifically, file data created on the multifunctional multifunction device side is transmitted to the information processing terminal, and the information processing terminal side that is the transmission destination When storing in a folder that is set to, the multifunctional device only has indefinite information that cannot specify the final storage destination as information on the information processing terminal that is the transmission destination or the folder that is the storage destination. It may not be obtained. For example, a folder shortcut when a user of a multi-function multifunction peripheral is requested to transmit and store file data created using a scan function from one of information processing terminal users connected to the network. You may only be able to tell me indefinite information such as folder names.

Conventionally, in such a case, by directly confirming with the user of the information processing terminal that is the requester, information related to the information processing terminal that is the transmission destination and the folder that is the data storage destination is acquired, and the information processing terminal Needed to identify the folder. Furthermore, if a folder is specified but is not shared with the data transmission source, it is communicated to the user of the information processing terminal where the folder is set, and the folder is shared. It was necessary to encourage.
At present, file data is generally sent as an email attachment. In this case, there is a limit to the amount of file data that can be attached to an email, and no password is set. There was a problem that the file data could be viewed by a third party.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above technical problem. When data is transmitted to an external terminal and stored in a folder set in the external terminal, a transmission destination and a storage destination are specified based on uncertain information. In addition, for a folder that is not shared, an information processing device that enables easier and more reliable data transmission by automatically sharing the folder, and data executed by the information processing device An object is to provide a transmission program.

  Therefore, the invention according to claim 1 of the present application is set on the external terminal side as the storage destination of the file data in an information processing apparatus having a communication function for communicating with an external terminal via a network so that file data can be transmitted and received. Folder information acquisition means for acquiring information relating to the specified folder using a predetermined network protocol, and folder specification means for specifying a folder as a storage destination of the file data based on the information acquired by the folder information acquisition means An automatic sharing signal generating means for generating an automatic sharing signal for sharing the folder specified by the folder specifying means with the external terminal, and the automatic sharing signal and the automatic sharing for the external terminal. File data to be stored in a shared folder based on the conversion signal It is obtained by said to have a means.

  The invention according to claim 2 of the present application is the invention according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the external terminals are connected to a network, and the information processing apparatus further includes keyword input means for inputting a predetermined keyword. Automatic search signal creation means for creating an automatic search signal for causing the external terminal to search for a folder related to the keyword input via the keyword input means from among the folders set on the external terminal side, and As a result of a search based on an automatic search signal, when a folder related to the keyword is detected on the external terminal side, an automatic operation that causes the external terminal to return information having a hierarchical structure to indicate the location of the detected folder And an automatic reply signal creating means for creating a reply signal.

  Furthermore, in the invention according to claim 3 of the present application, in the invention according to claim 2, further, an external terminal for executing search processing based on the automatic search signal is selected from the external terminals connected to the network. It has a selection means.

  Furthermore, the invention according to claim 4 of the present application is the file data in the folder shared by the external terminal based on the automatic sharing signal according to any one of claims 1-3. After storing the file, the shared folder is provided with an automatic sharing cancellation signal generating means for generating an automatic sharing cancellation signal for canceling the sharing of the shared folder.

  Furthermore, in the invention according to claim 5 of the present application, in any one of the inventions according to claims 1 to 4, when the external terminal further shares a folder based on the automatic sharing signal, It is characterized by having an automatic exclusive control signal generating means for generating an automatic exclusive control signal for executing exclusive control for restricting access from a third party to the shared folder.

  Furthermore, the invention according to claim 6 of the present application provides an information processing apparatus having a communication function for communicating with an external terminal via a network so that file data can be transmitted and received, and the external terminal side as the storage destination of the file data. A folder information acquisition step for acquiring information related to the folder set in step 1 using a predetermined network protocol, and a folder specification step for specifying a folder as a storage destination of the file data based on the information on the folder. An automatic sharing signal creation step for creating an automatic sharing signal for sharing the folder with the external terminal, and a folder shared with the external terminal based on the automatic sharing signal and the automatic sharing signal. And a transmission step for transmitting file data to be stored in the file. It is over data transmission program.

  According to the invention of claim 1 of the present application, when storing data in a folder set in an external terminal, a storage location is specified based on indefinite information, and a folder that is not shared is automatically specified. By sharing the data, it is possible to transmit data more easily and reliably.

  Further, according to the invention according to claim 2 of the present application, even when an external terminal in which a folder as a file data storage destination exists is not specified, each external terminal connected to the network is searched for a folder, The folder can be specified by returning the search result.

  Furthermore, according to the invention according to claim 3 of the present application, for example, when the location of an external terminal where a folder as a storage destination of file data exists can be predicted, any of the external terminals connected to the network is By arbitrarily selecting a search execution target, the time required to specify a folder as a file data storage destination can be shortened.

  Furthermore, according to the invention of claim 4 of the present application, the safety of the file data can be ensured by releasing the sharing of the folder after the file data is stored.

  Furthermore, according to the invention of claim 5 of the present application, while the folder is temporarily shared for storing the file data, access to the folder from a third party is prohibited, thereby preventing the file data. Safety can be improved.

  Furthermore, according to the invention according to claim 6 of the present application, when storing data in a folder set in the external terminal, the storage destination is specified based on indefinite information, and is not shared. Automatic sharing of folders enables easier and more reliable data transmission.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, a multifunction multifunction peripheral (hereinafter referred to as MFP: Multifunction Peripheral) is taken up as the information processing apparatus described in the claims.
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a network including an MFP and a plurality of information processing terminals according to an embodiment of the present invention. The network 1 includes an MFP 10 having a plurality of functions such as a printer function, a facsimile function, a copy function, and a scanner function, and a plurality of information processing terminals (hereinafter referred to as PCs) 2A and 2B such as a personal computer. . Each device is connected to each other via a network bus 3 so that data can be transmitted and received. In this network 1, for example, file data created by reading an original with the MFP 10 is transmitted to the PCs 2A and 2B to be displayed or stored on the PCs 2A and 2B, or document data and images processed by the PCs 2A and 2B. File data such as data can be transmitted to the MFP 10 and printed on the MFP 10 side.

  Although not particularly illustrated, the network 1 may be connected to the Internet via the network bus 3. In this case, the MFP 10 transmits the file data created based on the document to, for example, a remote PC on another network via the Internet, receives the file data from the PC via the Internet, and prints out based on the received file data. It is also possible to do. In addition, the configuration of the network 1 actually includes configurations other than the configuration shown in FIG. 1 such as a proxy server, a mail server, and a router, but these are omitted here.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a basic configuration of the MFP 10 connected to the network 1. The MFP 10 basically executes a variety of instructions based on a predetermined program, and the like, the CPU 12 that controls each component in the MFP 10 in sequence, the ROM 13 that stores the program that is the basis of the sequence control by the CPU 12, A RAM 14 that temporarily stores work data necessary for program execution and file data transmitted from the outside, a touch panel type operation unit 15 that allows a user to operate the apparatus and input various settings, and a document For example, a scanning unit 16 that acquires image data in a bitmap format, for example, a printing unit 17 that performs printing on paper based on print file data, a paper feeding unit 18 that feeds paper to the printing unit 17, Network interface for sending and receiving various data such as print file data to the outside Card has a 19 ( "NIC" in the figure), the. These components are connected to each other via a bus 20 so that data can be transmitted and received.

  In the present embodiment, a program that is a basis for sequence control by the CPU 12 is stored in, for example, the ROM 13 of the MFP 10. The program is stored in an external recording medium such as a CD-ROM 21 or a floppy (registered trademark) disk 22. It may be stored and read out in a timely manner via a CD-ROM or floppy disk drive (not shown) attached to the MFP 1.

  As described above, in the network 1, the file data created by the MFP 10 can be transmitted to the PCs 2A and 2B and stored in the folder set on the PCs 2A and 2B. In this case, the transmission destination (reception) In some cases, only indefinite information (for example, a folder shortcut or a folder name) that cannot specify the PC that is the transmission destination of the file data or the folder that is the storage destination can be obtained. In this embodiment, in such a case, the MFP 10 identifies the transmission destination and the storage destination from the indeterminate information, and automatically shares the folder for a folder that is not shared. Enables easier and more reliable data transmission

  For example, although the PC (one of all PCs connected to the network 1) that is the destination of file data from the MFP 10 is specified, the file data storage destination among the folders set in the PC If the folder to be specified is not specified, the MFP 10 acquires information about the folder as the file data storage destination set on the PC side using a predetermined network protocol, and based on the acquired information, the file data A folder as the storage destination of the file is specified, and an automatic sharing signal for causing the PC to share the specified folder is created. Further, when the specified folder is not shared with the MFP 10, the MFP 10 transmits an automatic sharing signal to the PC, shares the folder based on the automatic sharing signal, and then performs file sharing. Send and store data. As the network protocol, conventionally known FTP (File Transfer Protocol) or SMB (Server Message Block) can be used.

  In addition to the folder that stores the file data, if the PC that is the transmission destination of the file data from the MFP 10 is not specified, the MFP 10 can further input a keyword related to the folder via the operation unit 15. Then, an automatic search signal for causing the PC to search for a folder related to the input keyword from the folders set on each PC side is created. Further, when a folder related to the keyword is detected on the PC side as a result of the search based on the automatic search signal, the MFP 10 displays information (path) having a hierarchical structure to indicate the location of the detected folder on the PC. Create an automatic reply signal to reply.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, for example, when the file data is highly confidential data, the MFP 10 shares the file data after it is stored in the shared folder in order to ensure the safety of the file data. An automatic sharing cancellation signal that causes the PC to cancel sharing of the created folder is created. In order to improve the safety of file data, the MFP 10 causes the PC to execute exclusive control for restricting access from a third party to the shared folder when the folder is shared. Create

  Note that an agent format or a script format can be adopted as the format of the automatic sharing signal, automatic search signal, automatic reply signal, automatic sharing cancellation signal, and automatic exclusive control signal created by the MFP 10.

In the following, three examples (embodiments 1 to 3) will be taken and processing executed by the MFP 10 and the PC in each embodiment will be described.
Example 1.
In the first embodiment, the PC that is the transmission destination of the file data from the MFP 10 is specified, but the folder that stores the file data is not specified among the folders set on the PC side. is there. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of processing executed by the MFP 10 in the first embodiment. In this process, first, it is determined whether or not there has been an instruction to execute file data transmission (# 11). As a result, if it is determined that there is no such instruction, # 11 is executed again, while the above instruction is issued. If it is determined that there is a folder list, a folder list showing a list of folders existing in the PC is requested (# 12). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the folder list is received from the PC (# 13). As a result, if it is determined that it has not been received, # 13 is executed again. On the other hand, if it is determined that it has been received, a folder list is subsequently displayed on the operation unit 15 ( # 14).

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not a folder as a file data storage destination has been selected by the user from the folder list (# 15). As a result, if it is determined that the folder is not selected, # 15 is executed again. On the other hand, if it is determined that the folder is selected, the selected folder is continuously shared with a specific PC. A folder sharing agent is created to make it (# 16). After creation, the folder sharing agent is transmitted to the specific PC (# 17). Starting with this folder sharing agent, in each of the first to third embodiments, the format of the automatic sharing signal, automatic search signal, automatic reply signal, automatic sharing release signal, and automatic exclusive control signal created by the MFP 10 is as follows. The agent format shall be adopted.

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not a folder sharing completion notification has been received from the PC that is the transmission destination of the folder sharing agent (# 18). As a result, when it is determined that the completion notification has been received, the file data is continuously transmitted (# 19), and the processing is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the completion notification has not been received, it is subsequently determined whether or not a notification indicating that “the folder does not exist” has been received from the PC that is the transmission destination of the folder sharing agent. Judgment is made (# 20). As a result, when there is no notification that “the folder does not exist”, the process returns to # 18 and the subsequent steps are repeated. On the other hand, when a notification that “the folder does not exist” is received, a warning is displayed to the user in the operation unit 15 (# 21), and the process returns to # 15, and subsequent steps Is repeated.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of processing executed by the PC in which the folder that stores the file data exists in accordance with the processing on the MFP 10 side shown in FIG. In this process, first, it is determined whether a folder list is requested from the MFP 10 (# 31). As a result, if it is determined that the folder list is not requested, # 31 is executed again. On the other hand, if it is determined that the folder list is requested, the folder list is transmitted accordingly. (# 32). Thereafter, it is determined whether a folder sharing agent is received from the MFP 10 (# 33). As a result, if it is determined that the folder sharing agent has not been received, # 33 is executed again. On the other hand, if it is determined that the folder sharing agent has been received, the received folder continues. It is determined whether or not the folder specified in the sharing agent exists in the PC (# 34).

  As a result of # 34, when it is determined that the folder does not exist in the PC, a notification that “the folder does not exist” is transmitted (# 39), and the process returns to # 33, and the subsequent steps are performed. Repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the folder exists in the PC, the folder is continuously shared (# 35). After the sharing is completed, a folder sharing completion notification is transmitted (# 36). Further, it is determined whether or not file data has been received from the MFP 10 (# 37). As a result, if it is determined that the file data has not been received, # 37 is executed again, while the file data is not received. If it is determined that the file has been received, then the file data is stored in the shared folder (# 38). The process is thus completed.

  As described above, according to the processing on the MFP 10 side in the first embodiment, although the PC that is the transmission destination of the file data is specified, the folder that is the storage destination of the file data is the folder set in the PC. If not specified, a folder list can be acquired from the PC and a folder to be stored can be specified. If the specified folder is not shared, the folder can be shared by creating a folder sharing agent and sending it to the PC. Thereby, simple and reliable data transmission from indefinite information is possible.

Example 2
The second embodiment is an example in which the PC that is the transmission destination of the file data from the MFP 10 is not specified in addition to the folder that is the storage destination of the file data. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of processing executed by the MFP 10 in the second embodiment. In this process, it is first determined whether or not there has been an instruction to execute file data transmission (# 41). As a result, if it is determined that there is no such instruction, # 11 is executed again. If it is determined that there is a folder search agent, a folder search agent for causing the PC connected to the network 1 to search for a folder is created (# 42). After the creation, the folder search agent is sequentially transmitted to the PC connected to the network 1. Here, the PC that is the transmission destination of the folder search agent may be arbitrarily selected from the PCs connected to the network 1. For example, when the location of a PC in which a folder as a file data storage destination exists can be predicted, by selecting one of the PCs connected to the network 1, the folder as the file data storage destination is specified. The time required to do so can be shortened.

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not there is a reply from the destination of the folder search agent (# 44). As a result, if it is determined that there is no reply, # 44 is executed again. If it is determined that there is, it is subsequently determined whether or not the reply contents indicate that “the folder exists” (# 45). As a result, if it is determined that the content of the reply indicates that “the folder does not exist”, it is further determined whether or not there is a reply from all the PCs existing on the network, that is, the folder search is performed on all the PCs. It is determined whether or not the processing has been completed (# 51). As a result, if it is determined that the folder search is not completed on all PCs, the process returns to # 44 and the subsequent steps are repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the folder search has been completed on all the PCs, a warning message to the user that the corresponding folder does not exist is displayed on the operation unit 15 (# 52), # Returning to 41, the subsequent steps are repeated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined as a result of # 45 that the reply content indicates that “the folder exists”, the folder that stores the file data is identified and recognized (# 46). In this embodiment, when a folder exists, information (path) having a hierarchical structure is returned from the PC that is the reply source to indicate the location of the folder, and the MFP 10 identifies the folder based on the information. . Thereafter, a folder sharing agent for sharing the folder is created in the PC in which the specified folder exists (# 47), and after creation, the folder sharing agent is transmitted to the PC ( # 48).

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not a folder sharing completion notification is received from the PC that is the transmission destination of the folder sharing agent (# 49). As a result, when it is determined that the completion notification has been received, the file data is continuously transmitted (# 50), and the processing is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the completion notification has not been received, it is subsequently determined whether or not a notification indicating that “the folder does not exist” has been received from the PC that is the transmission destination of the folder sharing agent. Judgment is made (# 53). As a result, if there is no notification that “the folder does not exist”, the process returns to # 49 and the subsequent steps are repeated. On the other hand, when a notification that “the folder does not exist” is received, a warning is displayed to the user in the operation unit 15 (# 54), and the process returns to # 41, and the subsequent steps Is repeated.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of processing executed by the PC in which the folder that stores the file data exists in accordance with the processing on the MFP 10 side shown in FIG. In this process, it is first determined whether or not a folder search agent has been received (# 61). As a result, if it is determined that the folder search agent has not been received, # 61 is executed again, If it is determined that the folder search agent has been received, the folder is subsequently searched based on the received folder search agent (# 62).

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not a specific folder exists (# 63). As a result, when it is determined that the folder does not exist, a notification that “the folder does not exist” is transmitted, and the processing ends. Is done. On the other hand, if it is determined that the folder exists, a notification that “the folder exists” is transmitted (# 64). Thereafter, it is determined whether a folder sharing agent is received from the MFP 10 (# 65). As a result, if it is determined that the folder sharing agent has not been received, # 65 is executed again. On the other hand, if it is determined that the folder sharing agent has been received, the folder is continuously shared. (# 66). After the sharing is completed, a folder sharing completion notification is transmitted (# 67). Further, it is determined whether or not file data has been received from the MFP 10 (# 68). As a result, if it is determined that the file data has not been received, # 68 is executed again, while the file data is not received. If it is determined that the file has been received, then the file data is stored in the shared folder (# 69). The process is thus completed.

  As described above, according to the processing on the MFP 10 side in the second embodiment, in addition to the folder serving as the file data storage destination, even when the PC that is the transmission destination of the file data from the MFP 10 is not specified, it is connected to the network. By causing each PC to search for a folder and returning the search result, the folder can be specified.

Example 3
As described in connection with the first or second embodiment, the third embodiment is shared by the MFP 10 while the specified folder is shared with the MFP 10 that is the transmission source of the file data. This is an example in which file data safety is ensured by exclusive access to a folder from a third party. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of processing executed by the MFP 10 in the third embodiment. In this process, first, steps corresponding to steps # 11 to # 15 in FIG. 3 according to the first embodiment described above or steps # 41 to # 46 in FIG. Is executed (# 71). Next, a folder sharing agent for sharing the folder in a PC in which a folder as a file data storage destination exists, and an access restriction agent for restricting access to the shared folder to the PC Is created (# 72). Also, a sharing cancellation agent for causing the PC to cancel sharing of the folder is created (# 73).

  Next, the folder sharing agent and the access restriction agent are transmitted to the PC having the folder where the file data is stored (# 74). In addition, the file data is transmitted to the PC (# 75). After that, it is determined whether or not the data transmission is completed (# 76). As a result, if it is determined that the data transmission is not completed, # 76 is executed again, while the data transmission is completed. If it is determined, the sharing cancellation agent is transmitted (# 77). The process is thus completed.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart of processing executed by the PC in which the folder that stores the file data exists in accordance with the processing on the MFP 10 side shown in FIG. In this process, first, steps up to specifying a folder corresponding to steps # 31 to # 32 in FIG. 4 according to the first embodiment or steps # 61 to # 64 in FIG. 6 according to the second embodiment. Is executed (# 81). Thereafter, it is determined whether a folder sharing agent and an access restriction agent are received from the MFP 10 (# 82). As a result, if it is determined that the folder sharing agent and the access restriction agent have not been received, # 82 is executed again. On the other hand, if it is determined that the folder sharing agent and the access restriction agent have been received. Then, it is determined whether or not reception of file data has been started (# 83).

  As a result of # 84, when it is determined that the reception of the file data is not started, # 83 is executed again. On the other hand, when it is determined that the reception of the file data is started, accordingly, The folder is shared and access to the shared folder is restricted (# 84). Thereafter, the file data is stored in the shared folder (# 85). Then, it is determined whether or not a sharing cancellation agent has been received from the MFP 10 (# 86). If it is determined that the sharing cancellation agent has not been received, access from the third party to the shared folder is made. After the restriction (# 88), the process returns to # 86 and the subsequent steps are repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined as a result of # 86 that a sharing cancellation agent has been received from the MFP 10, the sharing of the folder is canceled (# 87). The process is thus completed.

  As described above, according to the processing on the MFP 10 side in the third embodiment, the safety of the file data can be ensured by releasing the sharing of the folder after the file data is stored. In addition, while the folder is temporarily shared for storing the file data, it is possible to further improve the safety of the file data by prohibiting access to the folder by a third party.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, and it is needless to say that various improvements and design changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. In the embodiment described above, the MFP 10 is taken up as the information processing apparatus described in the claims. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can also be applied to, for example, a PC connected to a network. .

1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a network including an MFP and a plurality of information processing terminals according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of an MFP. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of processing executed by the MFP when an information processing terminal that is a transmission destination of file data is specified but a folder that is a storage destination of file data is not specified. 4 is a flowchart of processing executed by an information processing terminal in which a folder serving as a file data storage destination exists in accordance with processing on the MFP side shown in FIG. 3. 10 is a flowchart of processing executed by the MFP when an information processing terminal that is a transmission destination of file data is not specified in addition to a folder that is a storage destination of file data. 6 is a flowchart of processing executed by an information processing terminal in which a folder serving as a file data storage destination exists in accordance with processing on the MFP side illustrated in FIG. 5. 4 is a flowchart of processing executed by the MFP 10 to ensure file data safety. 8 is a flowchart of processing executed by an information processing terminal in which a folder serving as a file data storage destination exists in accordance with processing on the MFP side shown in FIG. 7.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Network, 2A, 2B ... Information processing terminal, 10 ... MFP, 12 ... CPU, 13 ... ROM, 14 ... RAM, 15 ... Operation part, 16 ... Scanning part, 17 ... Printing part, 18 ... Paper feed part, 19 ... NIC, 20 ... bus, 21 ... CD-ROM, 22 ... floppy disk.

Claims (6)

In an information processing apparatus having a communication function for communicating with an external terminal so that file data can be transmitted and received via a network,
Folder information acquisition means for acquiring information about a folder set on the external terminal side as a storage destination of the file data using a predetermined network protocol;
A folder specifying unit for specifying a folder as a storage destination of the file data based on the information acquired by the folder information acquiring unit;
Automatic sharing signal creating means for creating an automatic sharing signal that causes the external terminal to share the folder identified by the folder identifying means;
Transmission means for transmitting to the external terminal the automatic sharing signal and file data to be stored in a shared folder based on the automatic sharing signal. Information processing device. Multiple external devices are connected to the network,
The information processing apparatus further includes:
A keyword input means for inputting a predetermined keyword;
Automatic search signal creating means for creating an automatic search signal for causing the external terminal to search for a folder related to the keyword input via the keyword input means from among the folders set on each external terminal side;
As a result of the search based on the automatic search signal, when a folder related to the keyword is detected on the external terminal side, the external terminal is caused to return information having a hierarchical structure to indicate the location of the detected folder. 2. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising automatic reply signal creating means for creating an automatic reply signal.   3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising selection means for selecting an external terminal for executing search processing based on the automatic search signal from the external terminals connected to the network. .   Further, after the file data is stored in the shared folder based on the automatic sharing signal in the external terminal, the automatic sharing for creating the automatic sharing cancellation signal for releasing the sharing of the shared folder The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a release signal creating unit.   Further, when the external terminal is made to share a folder based on the automatic sharing signal, an automatic exclusive control signal for creating an exclusive control signal that restricts access from a third party to the shared folder is automatically created. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an exclusive control signal creating unit. In an information processing apparatus having a communication function for communicating with an external terminal via a network so that file data can be transmitted and received,
A folder information acquisition step of acquiring information on a folder set on the external terminal side as a storage destination of the file data using a predetermined network protocol;
A folder specifying step for specifying a folder as a storage destination of the file data based on the information on the folder;
An automatic sharing signal creation step for creating an automatic sharing signal for sharing the identified folder with the external terminal;
A data transmission program for causing the external terminal to execute the transmission step of transmitting the automatic sharing signal and file data to be stored in a folder shared based on the automatic sharing signal.

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