Data management device, data management system and data management method

• US 8,601,026 B2
• Filed: 11/29/2006
• Issued: 12/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Kikuchi, Toru
• Primary Examiner(s): DWIVEDI, MAHESH H
• Application Number:
  US11/564,762
• Publication Number:
  US 20070130198A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,561 Days
• Field of Search: 707/9, 707/781, 707/783, 707/785
• US Class Current: 707/781
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6218 to a system of files or objects, e.g. local or distributed file system or database
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

Contents can be opened to a suitable group by a simple operation. A data management method allows a plurality of users to browse stored data. The method includes setting association of first data which is previously set to be opened and at least one second data. Third groups to which these second data is opened are determined based on first groups of the first data set to be opened and second groups to which a user setting the association belongs. Then, the second data are opened to a user who belongs to the third groups.

Claims

1. A data management device storing data, managing a plurality of users as a group and opening the data to a user who belongs to a designated group, the data management device comprising:

an association setting unit configured to set association between first data which is previously set to be opened by a first user and at least one of second data;

a determination unit configured to determine, from a plurality of first groups to which the first data is set to be opened, at least one group in common with one or more groups to which the first user setting association belongs; and

an opening unit configured to open the second data to a second user belonging to the at least one group in common determined by the determination unit, after the association setting is performed by the setting unit,

wherein the association setting unit is configured to set the at least one group in common determined by the determination unit as a group to which the second data is set to be opened, such that the second user belonging to the at least one group in common is allowed to open the second data, and wherein determination of the at least one group in common by the determination unit, and setting of the at least one group in common by the association setting unit as the group to which the second data is set to be opened, is performed upon opening of the first data by the first user, such that updating of the at least one group in common between openings of the first data by the user is avoided.

2. The data management device according to claims 1, wherein the association setting unit allows a user having the second data to set the association, and

wherein the determination unit determines the group to which the user having the second data belongs.

3. The data management device according to claim 1, further comprising:

an association hold unit configured to hold the association setting, wherein the opening unit opens the association setting with the first data as well as the second data.

4. A data management system comprising:

a management device storing data, managing a plurality of users as a group and opening the data to a user who belongs to a designated group;

a plurality of information processing devices coupled to the data management device through a network; and

an association setting unit configured to set association between first data which is previously set to be opened by a first user and at least one of second data;

wherein the management device includes a determination unit configured to determine, from a plurality of first groups to which the first data is set to be opened, at least one group in common with one or more groups to which the first user belongs,

wherein the information processing device includes an opening unit configure to open the second data to a second user belonging to the at least one group in common determined by the determination unit, after the association setting is performed by the setting unit, and

wherein the association setting unit is configured to set the at least one group in common determined by the determination unit as a group to which the second data is set to be opened, such that the second user belonging to the at least one group in common is allowed to open the second data, and wherein determination of the at least one group in common by the determination unit, and setting of the at least one group in common by the association setting unit as the group to which the second data is set to be opened, is performed upon opening of the first data by the first user, such that updating of the at least one group in common between openings of the first data by the user is avoided.

5. A method for managing data performed by a data management device storing data, managing a plurality of users as a group and opening the data to a user who belongs to a designated group, the method comprising:

setting association between first data which is previously set to be opened by a first user and at least one of second data;

determining, from a plurality of first groups to which the first data is set to be opened, at least one group in common with one or more groups to which the first user belongs; and

opening the second data to a second user belonging to the at least one group determined to be in common, after the association between the first data and the at least one of second data is set,

wherein the at least one group determined to be in common is set as a group to which the second data is set to be opened, such that the second user belonging to the at least one group in common is allowed to open the second data, and wherein determination of the at least one group in common as the group to which the second data is set to be opened, is performed upon opening of the first data by the first user, such that updating of the at least one group in common between openings of the first data by the user is avoided.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the setting allows a user having the second data to set the association, and

wherein the determining comprises determining the group to which the user having the second data belongs.

7. The method according to claim 5, further comprising:

holding the association setting, wherein the opening comprises opening the association setting with the first data as well as the second data.

8. A computer-readable recording medium storing instructions for causing the computer to perform the method according to claim 5.