JP2014170440A - Processing control system, data processing system, processing control method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify the designation of processing conditions in processing to be executed on the basis of processing conditions.SOLUTION: A processing control system having one or more apparatuses for performing predetermined processing based on processing conditions to data to be processed includes: processing condition identification information generation means for, when accepting the processing conditions, generating processing condition identification information for identifying processing conditions on the basis of the processing conditions; processing conditions storage means for storing the processing conditions and the processing condition identification information in association; and processing means for, when accepting the processing condition identification information, performing the processing to the data to be processed on the basis of the processing conditions corresponding to the processing condition identification information stored in the processing condition storage means.

Description

  The present invention relates to a processing control system, a data processing system, a processing control method, and a program.

  Generally, when performing printing, it is necessary to perform print settings such as duplex / single-sided printing and monochrome / color printing. However, although there are print settings that are frequently used for the user, there is a problem in that it takes time to perform the print settings each time printing is performed.

  Therefore, in Patent Document 1, an authentication code is assigned every time a print request is made to the printer system for the purpose of realizing protection of print output from the printer without performing user registration in the printer in advance. Thus, a technique has been disclosed that can authenticate whether print output is possible without previously performing user registration in the printer system.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a barcode corresponding to setting values prepared in advance for print setting items for the purpose of performing image selection and print settings in a simple method in a printing apparatus capable of direct printing. A bar code table on which bar codes corresponding to operations related to printing are printed is provided, and a technique is described in which print settings are made by reading the bar codes described in the bar codes.

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the job and job identification information are stored in association with the authentication information given to the job, and the authentication information is matched when the authentication information input by the user matches. However, since the information regarding the print setting is not stored, the above problem cannot be solved.

  Also, with the technique described in Patent Document 2, print settings that are frequently used for each user are not managed, and thus the above problem cannot be solved. Furthermore, since the technique described in Patent Document 2 requires a code reader that reads a barcode, it cannot be applied to an image forming apparatus such as a general-purpose printer or multifunction peripheral.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to make it easy to specify processing conditions in processing executed based on processing conditions.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the processing control system is a processing control system having one or more devices that performs predetermined processing on processing target data based on processing conditions, and when the processing conditions are received, Processing condition identification information generating means for generating processing condition identification information for identifying the processing conditions based on the processing conditions, processing condition storage means for storing the processing conditions and the processing condition identification information in association with each other, and the processing conditions And processing means for performing the processing on the processing target data based on the processing conditions corresponding to the processing condition identification information stored in the processing condition storage means when the identification information is received.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to easily specify the processing conditions in the processing executed based on the processing conditions.

It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the printing system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the other structure of the printing system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the outline of operation | movement of the printing system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a hardware block diagram of an example of the computer system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a function structure of the printing system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the information memorize | stored in user management information DB in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the information memorize | stored in the process target information management DB in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an operation procedure of login processing of the printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the login screen displayed on a client terminal. It is a figure which shows an example of the print setting screen etc. which are displayed on a client terminal, and a screen transition. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an operation procedure of a print setting code issuance process of the printing system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the data list screen displayed on a client terminal. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the operation | movement procedure of the printing process (when an authentication code is designated) of the printing system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a login screen displayed on the image forming apparatus and a screen transition from the login screen. FIG. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the operation | movement procedure of the printing process (when an authentication code is not designated) of the printing system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the information memorize | stored in user management information DB in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the information memorize | stored in the process target information management DB in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the workflow processing system in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the outline of operation | movement of the workflow processing system in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “embodiments”) will be described with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
[System configuration]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The printing system 1 includes client terminals 10a,... 10n (referred to as “client terminal 10” if they are not distinguished from each other) and image forming apparatuses 20a. ), A print server 40, an authentication server 50, a database 60, and a mail server 70. The print server 40, the authentication server 50, and the database 60 are included in the print control system 30. The client terminal 10, the image forming apparatus 20, the print server 40, the authentication server 50, the database 60, and the mail server 70 are connected to a network N1 such as a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network).

  Note that the printing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1, and may have the configuration illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of another configuration of the printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The printing system 1 shown in FIG. 2A includes a private network N2 such as an intra-office network and a public network N3 represented by a cloud service connected via a network N4 such as the Internet. Yes. The network N2 to which the client terminal 10 and the image forming apparatus 20 are connected is connected to the network N4 via the firewall F1. A print server 40, an authentication server 50, and a database 60 are connected to the network N3. A mail server 70 is connected to the network N4. In FIG. 2B, the authentication server 50 of the print control system 30 is connected to the network N4. Thus, the authentication server 50 is a gateway device in the print control system 30. The printing system 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention operates in the same manner as the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1 even in the configuration illustrated in FIG.

  Returning to FIG.

  The client terminal 10 is an external device that transmits data to the print control system 30 and receives data from the print control system. The client terminal 10 is an example of a terminal device, and is, for example, a personal computer (PC) or a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. The client terminal 10 can be realized by an information processing apparatus (computer system) equipped with a general OS or the like. The client terminal 10 has a wireless or wired communication function. The client terminal 10 transmits the data to be printed in the image forming apparatus 20 to the print server 40 by uploading using a web page or sending an email. In the first embodiment of the present invention, data to be printed by the image forming apparatus 20 transmitted from the client terminal 10 to the print server 40 is referred to as print target data (processing target data). Note that transmission of print target data from the client terminal 10 to the print server 40 is also referred to as input of a print job. Further, the client terminal 10 transmits information (hereinafter simply referred to as “print setting”) indicating the contents of the print setting, which is a processing condition applied in the process of the print target data, to the print server 40. Note that the print settings in the first embodiment of the present invention are information applied at the time of printing such as single-sided / double-sided printing, monochrome / color printing, aggregation presence / absence, and are also referred to as printing conditions or printing attributes.

  The image forming apparatus 20 is an output apparatus having an image forming function, such as a printer that prints (outputs) print data or a multifunction peripheral (MFP). The image forming apparatus 20 has a wireless or wired communication function. The print data is data obtained by executing predetermined processing on print target data in the print server 40. The predetermined process for the print target data is, for example, a process for converting the print target data into PDL (Page Description Language). The print data is generated based on print settings applied to the print target data.

  The print server 40 included in the print control system 30 is an example of an output control device that controls an output device such as the image forming device 20. The print server 40 receives print target data and print settings from the client terminal 10 by uploading a job using a Web page, sending an email, or the like. The print server 40 stores the received print target data and print settings in the database 60. Note that the print server 40 may accumulate print target data in an internal storage or database. In addition, the print server 40 transmits a data list that is a list of bibliographic information (file names, etc.) of data to be printed to the image forming apparatus 20.

  The authentication server 50 included in the print control system 30 is an example of an authentication device. The authentication server 50 receives a login request from the client terminal 10 or the image forming apparatus 20 and performs user authentication.

  The database included in the print control system 30 is a database that stores authentication information such as a user name and a password of a user who uses the print system 1, print target data transmitted from the client terminal 10, print settings, and the like.

  The mail server 70 is a computer that transfers electronic mail. For example, an e-mail with a predetermined destination address transmitted by the client terminal 10 is accumulated in the mail server 70 and acquired by the print control system 30.

  Note that the print server 40, the authentication server 50, and the database 60 of the printing system 1 in FIG. 1 may be integrated into a single computer. Further, the print server 40, the authentication server 50, and the database 60 may be realized by being distributed to a plurality of computers.

  Further, at least a part of the functions of the print server 40 and the authentication server 50 may be provided in the image forming apparatus 20. For example, the printing system 1 in FIG. 1 may be configured such that at least a part of the functions of the print server 40 and the authentication server 50 are provided in the image forming apparatus 20 so that at least a part of the print server 40 and the authentication server 50 is deleted.

[System operation overview]
Next, an outline of the operation of the printing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an outline of the operation of the printing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the user (user A) operates the client terminal 10 to transmit print target data and print settings to the print server 40 of the print control system 30 (S1). Here, the name (file name) of the print target data is, for example, “file 2.doc”. For example, “double-sided / monochrome” is set as the print setting.

  When the print server 40 receives the print target data and the print settings, the print server 40 issues an authentication code “0002” corresponding to the print target data “file 2.doc”. The authentication code is print target data identification information for identifying print target data used for specifying the print target data. Further, the print server 40 issues a print setting code “002” corresponding to the received print setting “duplex / monochrome” (S2). The print server 40 stores the user, the received print target data, and the issued authentication code in the database 60 in association with each other. Further, the print server 40 stores the received print setting and the issued print setting code in the database 60 in association with each other (S3). In the example of FIG. 3, the database 60 includes, for example, an authentication code “0001” associated with the print target data “file 1.doc” and a print setting code “duplex / color” associated with the print setting “duplex / color”. “001” is stored in advance. The print server 40 transmits the issued authentication code “0002” and print setting code “002” to the client terminal 10 (S4).

  Next, the user A inputs the authentication code and the print setting code on the code input screen displayed on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus 20 in order to print the print target data (S5). Here, the authentication code “0002” issued to the print target data “file 2.doc” transmitted from the client terminal 10 in step S1 is input as the authentication code. As the print setting code, the print setting code “001” associated with the print setting “duplex / color” stored in the database 60 in advance is input. The input authentication code “0002” and print setting code “001” are transmitted from the image forming apparatus 20 to the print server 40 (S6).

  The print server 40 acquires, from the database 60, the print target data “file 2.doc” corresponding to the received authentication code “0002” and the print setting “duplex / color” corresponding to the received print setting code “001”. . Then, the print server 40 performs data processing (print data generation) based on the print target data and print settings (S7). Then, the print server 40 transmits the generated print data to the image forming apparatus 20 (S8).

  The image forming apparatus 20 executes “double-sided / color” printing of “file 2” based on the received print data (S9).

  Through the above operation procedure, the printing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention registers the print setting designated in advance by the user in the print control system 30 and issues a print setting code corresponding to the print setting. Then, the user inputs the print setting code in the image forming apparatus 20 that performs printing, and transmits the print setting code from the image forming apparatus 20 to the print control system 30, whereby the print setting corresponding to the print setting code is applied. Print the print data.

  Thereby, the user can simply call the print settings registered in advance in the print control system 30, apply the print settings, and perform printing.

  The transmission of the print setting code to the print control system 30 is not limited to the case where the print setting code is input at the image forming apparatus 20. For example, the print setting code is input at the client terminal 10 or the like, The print setting code may be directly input to the print server 40 of the print control system 30. In this case, the image forming apparatus 20 used by the user, that is, the image forming apparatus 20 that is the transmission destination of the print data is designated.

[Hardware configuration]
The client terminal 10, the print server 40, the authentication server 50, and the mail server 70 shown in FIG. 1 are realized by a computer system having a hardware configuration as shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of the computer system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  A computer system 1000 shown in FIG. 4 includes an input device 1001, a display device 1002, an external I / F 1003, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 1004, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 1005, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1006, a communication I / O. F1007, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 1008, and the like are connected to each other via a bus B.

  The input device 1001 includes a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and the like, and is used by a user to input each operation signal. The display device 1002 includes a display and the like, and displays a processing result by the computer system 1000.

  The communication I / F 1007 is an interface that connects the computer system 1000 to the network N1 or N2. Thereby, the computer system 1000 can perform data communication via the communication I / F 1007.

  The HDD 1008 is a non-volatile storage device that stores programs and data. The stored programs and data include, for example, an OS that is basic software for controlling the entire computer system 1000, application software that provides various functions on the OS, and the like. The HDD 1008 manages stored programs and data using a predetermined file system and / or DB (database).

  The external I / F 1003 is an interface with an external device. The external device includes a recording medium 1003a. Accordingly, the computer system 1000 can read and / or write the recording medium 1003a via the external I / F 1003. The recording medium 1003a includes a flexible disk, a CD (Compact Disk), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), an SD memory card (SD Memory card), a USB memory (Universal Serial Bus memory), and the like.

  The ROM 1005 is a nonvolatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that can retain programs and data even when the power is turned off. The ROM 1005 stores programs and data such as BIOS (Basic Input / Output System), OS settings, and network settings that are executed when the computer system 1000 is activated. The RAM 1004 is a volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that temporarily stores programs and data.

  The CPU 1006 is an arithmetic device that realizes control and functions of the entire computer system 1000 by reading a program and data from a storage device such as the ROM 1005 and the HDD 1008 onto the RAM 1004 and executing the processing.

  The client terminal 10, the print server 40, the authentication server 50, and the mail server 70 according to the first embodiment of the present invention can implement various processes as described later depending on the hardware configuration of the computer system 1000.

  FIG. 5 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 20 illustrated in FIG. 5 includes a controller 2233, an operation panel 232, an external I / F 233, a communication I / F 234, a printer 235, a scanner 236, and the like.

  The controller 2233 includes a CPU 2331, a RAM 2332, a ROM 2333, an NVRAM 2334, an HDD 2335, and the like. The ROM 2333 stores various programs and data. The RAM 2332 temporarily stores programs and data. The NVRAM 2334 stores setting information, for example. The HDD 2335 stores various programs and data.

  The CPU 2331 reads out programs, data, setting information, and the like from the ROM 2333, the NVRAM 2334, the HDD 2335, and the like onto the RAM 2332 and executes processing, thereby realizing control and functions of the entire image forming apparatus 20.

  The operation panel 232 includes an input unit that receives input from the user and a display unit that performs display. The external I / F 233 is an interface with an external device. The external device includes a recording medium 233a. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus 20 can read and / or write the recording medium 233a via the external I / F 233. Examples of the recording medium 233a include an IC card, a flexible disk, a CD, a DVD, an SD memory card, and a USB memory.

  The communication I / F 234 is an interface that connects the image forming apparatus 20 to the network N1. As a result, the image forming apparatus 20 can perform data communication via the communication I / F 234.

  The printer 235 is a printing device for printing print data on paper. A scanner 236 is a reading device for reading image data from a document.

  The image forming apparatus 20 according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention can realize various processes as described later with the above hardware configuration.

[Function configuration]
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the printing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

<Client terminal>
The client terminal 10 includes an input reception unit 11, a display control unit 12, a login request unit 13, a print setting code issue request unit 14, a print setting code reception unit 15, a print target data transmission unit 16, an authentication code reception unit 17, and the like. . Each function is realized by the CPU executing a program and cooperating with hardware.

  The input receiving unit 11 receives input by a user operation such as a touch panel touch operation, a keyboard input operation, or a mouse operation. For example, the input receiving unit 11 receives authentication information such as a user ID and a password, designation of print target data, and input of print settings from the user.

  The display control unit 12 performs display output of information for the user. For example, the display control unit 12 displays a UI (User Interface) screen for inputting login and print settings.

  The login request unit 13 makes an authentication request for the user to use the printing system 1. Specifically, the login request unit 13 generates an authentication request based on the organization code, the user name, and the password, which are authentication information notified from the input reception unit 11, and sends the generated authentication request via the print server 40. To the authentication server 50. The organization code included in the authentication information is identification information for identifying an organization such as a company to which the user belongs. And the login request | requirement part 13 will display the screen based on an authentication result on the display control part 12, if the authentication request response containing an authentication result is received. The authentication method is not limited to password authentication, and may be performed by, for example, IC card authentication or biometric authentication.

  When the print setting code issuance request unit 14 receives a print setting designation by the user from the input receiving unit 11, the print setting code issuance request unit 14 issues a print setting code issuance request for acquiring a print setting code associated with the designated print setting. Send to the print server 40. The print setting code is print setting identification information associated with each user and print setting issued by the print server 40. The print setting code issuance request includes print settings designated by the user.

  The print setting code receiving unit 15 receives the print setting code transmitted from the print server 40 and causes the display control unit 12 to display the received print setting code.

  When the print target data transmission unit 16 receives the designation of the print target data from the user from the input reception unit 11, the print target data transmission unit 16 transmits the designated print target data to the print server 40. The print target data transmission unit 16 transmits the print target data to the print server 40 by Web upload using a Web page or transmission of an email attached with the print target data. The print target data transmission unit 16 transmits the print setting code together with the print target data when the print setting code is received in the same session (when the login state is maintained) before the print target data is specified. .

  The authentication code receiving unit 17 receives the authentication code transmitted from the print server 40 and causes the display control unit 12 to display the received authentication code. The authentication code is identification information that is issued by the print server 40 and uniquely identifies print target data in the print server 40. By inputting the authentication code in the image forming apparatus 20, the user does not specify the print target data from the print target data list (data list), and print data corresponding to the print target data associated with the authentication code. Can be printed by the image forming apparatus 20.

<Print server>
The print server 40 includes a session management unit 401, a print setting code issue request receiving unit 402, a print setting code issuing unit 403, a print setting code transmitting unit 404, a print target data receiving unit 405, an authentication code issuing unit 406, and an authentication code transmitting unit. 407, a mail acquisition unit 408, a data list acquisition request reception unit 409, a data list generation unit 410, a data list transmission unit 411, a print data acquisition request reception unit 412, a data processing unit 413, a print data transmission unit 414, and the like. Each function is realized by the CPU executing a program and cooperating with hardware.

  The session management unit 401 manages a session with the client terminal 10 and the image forming apparatus 20. When user authentication in the authentication server 50 is successful, the session management unit 401 performs session management using a token in subsequent communication between the client terminal 10 or the image forming apparatus 20 and the print server 40.

  When receiving the print setting code issuance request from the client terminal 10, the print setting code issuance request accepting unit 402 performs a print setting code issuance process corresponding to the print setting included in the print setting code issuance request. Request to 403.

  The print setting code issuing unit 403 issues (generates) a print setting code corresponding to the print setting included in the print setting code issue request. The print setting code is generated so as to be uniquely identified in the print control system 30 in association with the print setting. Note that the print setting code may be generated so as to be unique for each user. The print setting code issuing unit 403 stores the user information management DB 61 in association with the user and the print setting.

  The print setting code transmitting unit 404 transmits the print setting code issued by the print setting code issuing unit 403 to the client terminal 10.

  The print target data receiving unit 405 receives the print target data transmitted from the client terminal 10 and notifies the authentication code issuing unit 406 of the received print target data. When the print target data receiving unit 405 receives the print setting code together with the print target data, the print target data receiving unit 405 notifies the authentication code issuing unit 406 of the print target data and the print setting code. When the client terminal 10 transmits a mail to output the print target data attached to the mail or the mail text to be output, the print target data receiving unit 405 receives the print target data from the mail acquisition unit 408. To do.

  The authentication code issuing unit 406 issues (generates) an authentication code associated with the print target data such that the received print target data is uniquely identified. The authentication code issuing unit 406 stores the print target data and the authentication code in the processing target information management DB 62 in association with each other. When a print setting code is notified together with the print target data from the print target data receiving unit 405, the print setting code is stored in association with the print target data. Then, the authentication code issuing unit 406 notifies the authentication code transmitting unit 407 of the issued authentication code.

  The authentication code transmitting unit 407 transmits the authentication code issued by the authentication code issuing unit 406 to the client terminal 10.

  The mail acquisition unit 408 periodically polls the mail server 70 to acquire a mail having a predetermined transmission destination address (domain) for using the printing system 1. Then, the mail acquisition unit 408 notifies the print target data reception unit 405 of the output file and the mail text attached to the acquired mail.

  When receiving a data list acquisition request from the image forming apparatus 20, the data list acquisition request receiving unit 409 causes the data list generation unit 410 to generate a data list screen information corresponding to the user who has made the data list acquisition request. Request.

  The data list generation unit 410 refers to the processing target information management DB 62, generates screen information of the data list corresponding to the user who has made the data list acquisition request, and transmits the transmission processing of the generated data list screen information to the data list. Request to section 411. The screen information of the data list is described in, for example, an HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) format.

  The data list transmission unit 411 transmits the screen information of the data list generated by the data list generation unit 410 to the image forming apparatus 20.

  When receiving the print data acquisition request transmitted from the image forming apparatus 20, the print data acquisition request reception unit 412 requests the data processing unit 413 to execute processing based on the received print data acquisition request. The print data acquisition request includes an authentication code for specifying print target data to be processed or a print target data name and a print setting code specified in the data list.

  The data processing unit 413 refers to the user information management DB 61 and the processing target information management DB 62 and performs predetermined processing on the print target data. The predetermined processing for the print target data is, for example, conversion processing to print (PDL) data based on print settings.

  The print data transmission unit 414 transmits the print data that has been subjected to predetermined processing by the data processing unit 413 to the image forming apparatus 20.

<Authentication server>
The authentication server 50 includes an authentication processing unit 51 and the like. The above functions are realized by the CPU executing a program and cooperating with hardware.

  Upon receiving an authentication request from the client terminal 10 or the image forming apparatus 20 via the print server 40, the authentication processing unit 51 refers to the user information management DB 61 and performs authentication processing. Specifically, the authentication processing unit 51 determines whether or not the organization code, user name and password included in the authentication request match the organization code, user name and password stored in the user information management DB 61. . The authentication processing unit 51 authenticates the authentication result indicating the authentication success via the print server 40 when the organization code, the user name, and the password match, and the authentication result indicating the authentication failure when they do not match. The request is transmitted to the client terminal 10 or the image forming apparatus 20 that has made the request.

<Database>
The database 60 includes a user information management DB 61 and a processing target information management DB 62. The user information management DB 61 and the processing target information management DB 62 are configured by a memory device, a storage device such as an HDD, or an external recording medium.

  The user information management DB 61 stores information about the user as shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of information stored in the user management information DB 61. As shown in FIG. 7, the user management information DB 61 includes “organization code”, “user name”, “password”, “print setting 1”, “print setting code”, “print setting 2” corresponding thereto, It has a data item such as a corresponding “print setting code”. “Organization code” is organization identification information for identifying the organization to which the user belongs. “User name” and “password” are information for identifying a user. “User name” is information for identifying a user. “Password” is not an indispensable item. The “user name” may be a card number of an electronic medium (for example, an IC card) possessed by the user, an employee number that is identification information in the organization to which the user belongs, or the like. The “user name” and “password” associated with the “organization code” are unique, but may be duplicated if the “organization code” is different. “Print setting 1” and “print setting 2” are setting information applied to the print target data, and are print settings such as single-sided / double-sided printing, monochrome / color printing, presence / absence of aggregation, and the like. Note that the print settings stored in the user management information DB 61 are not limited to two print settings per user as shown in FIG. 7, and a plurality of print settings may be stored. “Print setting code” is print setting identification information for uniquely identifying the print setting issued by the print setting code issuing unit 403.

  The processing target information management DB 62 stores information relating to print target data and the like that are processing targets as shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of information stored in the processing target information management DB 62. As shown in FIG. 8, the processing target information management DB 62 “processing target data ID”, “organization code”, “user name” that uniquely identifies the print target data that is the processing target in the processing target information management DB 62. , Data items such as “print target data name”, “print setting code”, and “authentication code”. “Organization code” and “user name” are the “organization code” of the organization to which the user who transmitted the print target data belongs and the name of the user. “Print target data name” is the name of print target data that is bibliographic information of the print target data, and is also referred to as a file name. The “print target data name” is linked to the storage destination of the main body of the print target data. The “print setting code” is a print setting code corresponding to the print setting applied to the print target data. The “print setting code” is not set when the print setting for the print target data is not specified from the client terminal 10. The “authentication code” is an authentication code corresponding to print target data.

<Mail server>
The mail server 70 includes a mail transfer unit 71 and the like. The above functions are realized by the CPU executing a program and cooperating with hardware.

  The mail transfer unit 71 transmits an email sent from the email sender using SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) to a mailbox with a predetermined destination email address for using the printing system 1.

<Image forming apparatus>
The image forming apparatus 20 includes an input reception unit 21, a display control unit 22, a login request unit 23, a data list acquisition request unit 24, a data list reception unit 25, a print data acquisition request unit 26, a print data reception unit 27, and an output unit 28. Etc. Each function is realized by the CPU executing a program and cooperating with hardware.

  The input receiving unit 21 controls the operation panel 232 and receives an input by a user operation such as a touch panel touch operation or a keyboard input operation. For example, the input receiving unit 21 receives input of authentication information such as a company code, a user ID, and a password, an instruction for executing printing, and the like from the user.

  The display control unit 22 controls the operation panel 232 to display and output information to the user. For example, the display control unit 22 displays a UI screen for using the printing system 1. In addition, when the image forming apparatus 20 includes a display that is externally connected, the display control unit 22 may display information on the display.

  The login request unit 23 makes an authentication request for the user to execute printing in the image forming apparatus 20. Specifically, the login request unit 23 generates an authentication request based on the organization code, the user name, and the password that are the authentication information notified from the input reception unit 21, and the generated authentication request is sent to the print server 40. To the authentication server 50. When the login request unit 23 receives an authentication request response including an authentication result indicating an authentication failure, the login request unit 23 causes the display control unit 22 to display information indicating the authentication failure. On the other hand, when the authentication request response includes information indicating successful authentication, the login request unit 23 requests the data list acquisition request unit 24 to execute a data list acquisition process. Authentication The authentication process is not limited to password authentication, and may be performed by IC card authentication or biometric authentication. Further, in the first embodiment of the present invention, by inputting an authentication code in the image forming apparatus 20, it is possible to specify and print print target data without performing password authentication.

  When the authentication is successful, the data list acquisition request unit 24 generates a data list acquisition request for acquiring a data list that is a list of print target data names from the print server 40 and transmits the data list acquisition request to the print server 40.

  The data list receiving unit 25 receives screen information of the data list transmitted from the print server 40.

  When the print data acquisition request unit 26 receives a print execution instruction from the user from the input reception unit 21, the print data acquisition request unit 26 generates a print data acquisition request for acquiring print data and transmits the print data acquisition request to the print server 40. The print data acquisition request includes the authentication code input by the user or the print target data name and the print setting code selected from the data list.

  The print data receiving unit 27 receives the print data transmitted from the print server 40 and requests the output unit 28 to print the received print data.

  The output unit 28 controls the printer 235 to print the received print target data.

[Process details]
Next, details of processing of the printing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. The processing of the printing system 1 in the first embodiment of the present invention is roughly divided into the following (1) to (3).

(1) Login process for using the printing system 1 (2) Print setting code issuance process (3) Print process using the print setting code Hereinafter, each operation of (1) to (3) is shown in a sequence diagram. This will be explained based on this.

(1) Login Process FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation procedure of the login process of the printing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Note that the login process shown in FIG. 9 is an authentication process performed to use the printing system 1. If the login is successful, the printing system 1 can be used.

  First, when the client terminal 10 receives an operation or the like by the user, the client terminal 10 displays a login screen 900 shown in FIG. 10 (S101). The login screen 900 is a Web UI displayed by a Web browser. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a login screen 900 displayed on the client terminal 10. The login screen 900 includes an “Organization ID” input field 9001 for inputting an organization code, a “User ID” input field for inputting a user name, a “Password” input field for entering a password, and a button for executing login processing. “Login” button 9004 and “Cancel” button 9005 are included.

  Returning to FIG. 9, when the user presses the “login” button 9004 after inputting the organization code, user name, and password on the login screen 900 (S102), the input reception unit 11 causes the login request unit 13 to execute login processing. Request. The login request unit 13 transmits an authentication request including the input organization code, user name, and password to the print server 40 (S103).

  When the session management unit 401 of the print server 40 receives the authentication request, the received authentication request is transferred to the authentication server 50 (S104).

  Upon receiving the authentication request, the authentication processing unit 51 of the authentication server 50 acquires information stored in the user information management DB 61 corresponding to the organization name, user name, and password included in the received authentication request (S105, S106). An authentication process is performed (S107). Specifically, the authentication processing unit 51 determines whether the password corresponding to the organization code and the user name included in the received authentication request matches the password acquired from the user information management DB 61, and performs the authentication process. Do. The authentication processing unit 51 determines that the authentication is successful when the organization code, the user name, and the password match. On the other hand, if the user name and the password do not match, the authentication processing unit 51 determines that the authentication has failed. Then, the authentication processing unit 51 transmits an authentication result as a response to the authentication request to the print server 40 (S108).

  When the session management unit 401 of the print server 40 receives the authentication request response including the authentication result, the received authentication result is transmitted to the client terminal 10 (S109). If the authentication is successful, the session management unit 401 transmits Cookie to the client terminal 10 together with the authentication result.

  When the authentication result included in the received authentication request response is information indicating failure, the login request unit 13 of the client terminal 10 displays an authentication NG screen including information indicating that authentication has failed on the display control unit 22. It is displayed (S110a).

  On the other hand, if the authentication result included in the authentication request response received by the login request unit 13 of the client terminal 10 is information indicating success, the print control screen 901 shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the display control unit 22 (S110b). ). FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print setting screen displayed on the client terminal 10 and screen transitions. As shown in FIG. 11, the print setting screen 901 includes a “data transmission” screen display button 9011 and a “data list” screen display button 9012 for switching the screen mode, and a “file” reference field for designating print target data. 9013, a print setting designation field 9014, a “setting” button 9015, and a “send” button 9016 are included. A “setting” button 9015 is a button that is pressed when the designated print setting is transmitted to the print server 40. A “Send” button 9016 is a button that is pressed when the designated print target data is sent to the print server 40. If the “send” button is pressed when print settings are designated, the designated print settings are also sent together with the print target data. In the example of FIG. 11, the print setting items included in the print setting designation field 9014 are “single / double-sided”, “color / monochrome”, and “aggregation” (presence / absence). For example, optional information such as the presence / absence of a staple and the presence / absence of a punch may be added.

(2) Print Setting Code Issuance Processing Next, processing for issuing a print setting code in the print server 40 will be described. FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an operation procedure of a print setting code issuance process of the printing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The operation shown in FIG. 12 is an operation after step S110b shown in FIG. 10, and is executed in the same session (a state where login is maintained). That is, the user who is communicating from the client terminal 10 to the print server 40 is specified. The operation procedure shown in FIG. 12 will be described with reference to the screen example shown in FIG.

  First, when the user designates print settings in the print setting designation field 9014 on the print setting screen 901 and presses the “set” button 9015 (S111), the input receiving unit 11 sends the print setting code issuance request unit 14 to the print setting code issue request unit 14. Request execution of issue request processing. The print setting code issuance request unit 14 generates a print setting code issuance request including the designated print setting and transmits it to the print server 40 (S112).

  When the print setting code issuance request receiving unit 402 of the print server 40 receives the print setting code issuance request via the session management unit 401, the print setting code issuance request is issued by the print setting code issuing unit 403. The print setting code issuing unit 403 issues a print setting code corresponding to the print setting included in the print setting code issue request (S113). Next, the print setting code issuing unit 403 registers the user, the print setting, and the print setting code in the user information management DB 61 in association with each other (S114, S115, S116). Then, when the print setting code issuing unit 403 notifies the issued print setting code to the print setting code transmitting unit 404, the print setting code transmitting unit 404 transmits the print setting code to the client terminal 10 (S117).

  When receiving the print setting code, the print setting code receiving unit 15 of the client terminal 10 causes the display control unit 22 to display the print setting code display screen 902 shown in FIG. 11 (S118). On the print setting code display screen 902, the issued print setting code 9021 and a “file” reference field 9023 for designating print target data, a “return” button 9024, and “Send” which is pressed when sending the print target data. A button 9025 is included.

  Returning to FIG. 12, when the user designates print target data in the “file” reference field 9023 on the print setting code display screen 902 and presses the “send” button 9025 (S119), the input receiving unit 11 prints the print target data. The transmission unit 16 is requested to transmit the print target data to the print server 40. The print target data transmission unit 16 transmits the print target data to the print server 40 (S120).

  When receiving the print target data via the session management unit 401, the print target data receiving unit 405 of the print server 40 causes the authentication code issuing unit 406 to execute an authentication code issuing process. The authentication code issuing unit 406 issues an authentication code corresponding to the received print target data (S121). Next, the authentication code issuing unit 406 registers the user, the print target data, and the authentication code in the processing target information management DB 62 in association with each other (S122, S123, S124). Then, when the authentication code issuing unit 406 notifies the issued authentication code to the authentication code transmitting unit 407, the authentication code transmitting unit 407 transmits the authentication code to the client terminal 10 (S125).

  Upon receiving the authentication code, the authentication code receiving unit 17 of the client terminal 10 displays the authentication code display screen 903 shown in FIG. 11 on the display control unit 22 (S126). The authentication code display screen 903 includes an issued authentication code 9031 and a “return” button 9032.

  Through the operation procedure described above, the printing system 1 can cause the print server 40 that has received the print settings transmitted from the client terminal 10 to issue a print setting code. Similarly, the print server 40 can issue an authentication code for print target data.

  In the print setting code / authentication code display screen 904 shown in FIG. 11, the print target data is specified in the “file” reference field 9013 on the print setting screen 901, and the print setting is specified in the print setting specification field 9014. Then, the screen changes when the “Setting” button 9015 is pressed. In this case, the print target data transmission unit 16 of the client terminal 10 transmits print settings to the print server 40 together with the print target data. In the print server 40, the authentication code transmitting unit 407 transmits the print setting code issued by the print setting code issuing unit 403 and the authentication code issued by the authentication code issuing unit 406 to the client terminal 10. The function sharing in each of the client terminal 10 and the print server 40 is not limited to the above.

  When a “data list” button 9052 on the print setting screen 901 is pressed, a data list screen 905 shown in FIG. 13 is displayed. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the data list screen 905 displayed on the client terminal. The data list screen 905 includes a “data transmission” button 9051, a “data list” button 9052, a “job list” 9053 in which jobs corresponding to the print target data transmitted by the user are displayed, and a “print setting code” input field 9054. Further, a “setting change” button 9055 for changing the print setting code to be applied and a “delete” button 9056 for deleting the job are included. In the “print setting code” input field 9054, when a print setting code corresponding to a job (print target data) has been issued in advance, the issued print setting code is displayed as a default value. Based on the data list screen 905, the print setting code applied to the print target data can be changed even after the print target data is transmitted.

(3) Print Processing Using Print Setting Code Next, print processing using the print setting code in the printing system 1 will be described. Note that a case where an authentication code is used for specifying print target data and a case where a normal login process is performed in the image forming apparatus 20 (a case where no authentication code is used) will be described separately.

(3-1) When an Authentication Code is Designated FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an operation procedure of print processing (when an authentication code is designated) of the printing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. is there. The operation shown in FIG. 14 is the operation after step S126 shown in FIG. 12, and the print setting code and the authentication code have already been issued.

  A login screen 911 shown in FIG. 15 is displayed as an initial screen on the operation panel 232 of the image forming apparatus 20 or an externally connected display (S201). FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a login screen 911 displayed on the image forming apparatus 20 and a screen transition from the login screen. The login screen 911 includes an “organization ID” input field 9111 for inputting an organization code, a “User ID” input field 9112 for inputting a user name, a “Password” input field 9113 for inputting a password, an authentication code, and a print setting code. The button includes a “code input” button 9114 and a “login” button 9115 that are pressed when transitioning to a code input screen for inputting.

  When the user presses the “code input” button 9114 on the login screen 911 (S202), the display control unit 22 displays the code input screen 912 shown in FIG. 15 (S203). The code input screen 912 includes an “authentication code” input field 9121, a “print setting code” input field 9122, and an “execution button” 9123 for instructing execution of printing.

  When the user inputs the authentication code and the print setting code in the “authentication code” input field 9121 and the “print setting code” input field 9122 on the code input screen 912 and presses the “execute button” 9123 (S204), The input reception unit 11 requests the print data acquisition request unit 26 to execute print data acquisition processing. The print data acquisition request unit 26 transmits a print data acquisition request including the input authentication code and print setting code to the print server 40 (S205).

  The print data acquisition request reception unit 412 of the print server 40 requests the data processing unit 413 to perform processing based on the received print data acquisition request. The data processing unit 413 acquires print target data corresponding to the authentication code included in the print data acquisition request from the processing target information management DB 62 (S206, S207, S208). Next, the data processing unit 413 acquires the print setting corresponding to the print setting code included in the print data acquisition request from the user information management DB 61 (S209, S210, S211). Then, the data processing unit 413 generates print data based on the acquired print target data and print settings (S212). The generated print data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 20 by the print data transmission unit 414 (S213).

  When the print data receiving unit 27 of the image forming apparatus 20 receives the print data transmitted from the print server 40, the print data receiving unit 27 requests the output unit 28 to execute print processing based on the print data. The output unit 28 executes print processing based on the print data (S214).

  By the operation procedure described above, the printing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention performs processing based on the print setting corresponding to the print setting code to the print target data by using the print setting code issued in advance. Can print.

  Further, according to the printing system 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention, by using the authentication code associated with the print target data and the user, the input authentication is performed without performing the authentication process in the image forming apparatus 20. Data to be printed corresponding to the code can be specified and printed.

(3-2) When normal login processing is performed (when an authentication code is not used)
FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an operation procedure of a printing process (when an authentication code is not specified) of the printing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 16, the same step number is assigned to the same process as that shown in FIG. 14, and the detailed description thereof is omitted.

  A login screen 911 is displayed on the operation panel 232 of the image forming apparatus 20 (S201).

  On the login screen 911, the user inputs an organization code, a user name, and a password in an “organization ID” input field 9111, a “User ID” input field 9112, and a “Password” input field 9113, respectively, and a “login” button 9115 is clicked. When pressed (S301), the input reception unit 21 requests the login request unit 23 to execute login processing. The login request unit 23 transmits an authentication request including the input organization code, user name, and password to the print server 40 (S302).

  When the session management unit 401 of the print server 40 receives the authentication request, the received authentication request is transferred to the authentication server 50 (S303).

  Upon receiving the authentication request, the authentication processing unit 51 of the authentication server 50 acquires information stored in the user information management DB 61 corresponding to the organization name, user name, and password included in the received authentication request (S304, S305). Then, an authentication process is performed (S306). The authentication processing executed by the authentication processing unit 51 is the same as the processing in step S107 shown in FIG. Then, the authentication processing unit 51 transmits an authentication result as a response to the authentication request to the print server 40 (S307).

  When the session management unit 401 of the print server 40 receives the authentication request response including the authentication result, the received authentication result is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 20 (S308). Note that, when the authentication is successful, the session management unit 401 transmits Cookie to the image forming apparatus 20 together with the authentication result.

  The subsequent processing is processing when authentication is successful. When authentication fails, a screen including information indicating the authentication failure is displayed by the display control unit 22 of the image forming apparatus 20.

  If the authentication result included in the received authentication request response is information indicating success, the login request unit 23 of the image forming apparatus 20 notifies the data list acquisition request unit 24 of successful authentication. The data list acquisition request unit 24 transmits a data list acquisition request, which is a list of print target data names of the logged-in user, to the print server 40 (S309).

  When the data list acquisition request reception unit 409 of the print server 40 receives the data list acquisition request, the data list generation unit 410 executes processing based on the data list acquisition request. The data list generation unit 410 acquires a list of print target data names corresponding to the logged-in user from the processing target information management DB 62 (S310, S311, S312), and the acquired data list is transmitted to the data list transmission unit 411. To the image forming apparatus 20 (S313).

  When the data list receiving unit 25 of the image forming apparatus 20 receives the data list, the display control unit 22 displays the data list screen 913 shown in FIG. 15 including the data list. The display control unit 22 displays the data list screen 913 on the operation panel 232 or the like (S314). By operating this data list screen 913, the user can change the print settings in the image forming apparatus 20 to be used from the print settings specified in the client terminal 10.

  The user designates a job (print target data) to be printed from the “job list” 9113 corresponding to the print target data list on the data list screen 913, and inputs the print setting code in the “print setting code” input field 9132. After that, when the “execute button” 9134 is pressed (S315), the input receiving unit 21 instructs the print data acquisition request unit 26 to perform print data acquisition processing corresponding to the specified print target data. The print data acquisition request unit 26 generates a print data acquisition request including the designated print target data name and print setting code, and transmits it to the print server 40 (S316).

  The print data acquisition request reception unit 412 of the print server 40 requests the data processing unit 413 to perform processing based on the received print data acquisition request. The data processing unit 413 acquires the print target data corresponding to the print target data name included in the print data acquisition request from the processing target information management DB 62 (S317, S318, S319).

  Subsequent processes are the same as those in steps S209 to S214 shown in FIG.

  According to the operation procedure described above, the printing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention performs normal user authentication without using an authentication code for specifying print target data, and specifies print target data based on the data list. Even with this method, printing can be executed using the print setting code.

  As described above, according to the printing system 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention, the print control system 30 (print server 40) issues (generates) the print setting code based on the print setting transmitted from the client terminal 10. The issued print setting code is transmitted to the client terminal 10. Then, the user inputs a print setting code in the image forming apparatus 20 or the client terminal 10 that performs printing, and transmits the print setting code to the print server 40, thereby processing the print target data based on the print setting corresponding to the print setting code. (Generate print data). As a result, the user can perform, for example, printing using the print settings frequently used by the user with a simple operation without taking the trouble of performing the print setting work each time printing is performed.

  Further, according to the printing system 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention, the print setting code is generated without being associated with the print target data. Accordingly, a print setting code desired by the user can be set for each piece of print target data.

Further, according to the printing system 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention, the print control system 30 (print server 40) generates an authentication code associated with the print target data and the user transmitted from the client terminal 10. The authentication code is transmitted to the client terminal 10. The user can specify the print target data to be printed in the print server 40 by inputting the authentication code in the image forming apparatus 20 or the client terminal 10 that performs printing and transmitting it to the print server 40. In this manner, the user can print the print data corresponding to the print target data associated with the authentication code directly on the image forming apparatus 20 without specifying the print target data from the print target data list (data list). .
[Second Embodiment]
In the printing system 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, transmission of print target data (job input) to the print control system 30 is performed by mail transmission. It should be noted that the printing of data to be printed by mail and printing is called mail printing. The print target data transmitted by mail includes a file attached to the mail (attached file) and a mail text.

  In the user information management DB 61 in the second embodiment, information is stored in a configuration as shown in FIG. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of information stored in the user management information DB according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 17, in the user information management DB 61 of the second embodiment, the “print setting code application target for mail printing” data is added to the user information management DB 61 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. An item is added. “Mail printing print code application target” is information for designating a target to which the print setting code is applied when the print target data is transmitted by mail. Specifically, “E-mail print setting code application target” includes any of “Body”, “Attached file”, “Body / attached file” and “No” set when the print setting code is not used. Is set. The “email printing print setting code application target” is information registered in advance by the user.

  Further, the processing target information management DB 62 in the second embodiment stores information in a configuration as shown in FIG. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of information stored in the processing target information management DB 62 according to the second embodiment of this invention. As illustrated in FIG. 18, in the processing target information management DB 62 of the second embodiment, a “print setting code” is set for each “print target” that is a target for mail printing. Note that “print target” and “print setting code” in the processing target information management DB 62 of the second embodiment are associated with “print setting code application target at the time of mail printing” in the user information management DB 61 shown in FIG. It is set based on. Specifically, in the example of FIG. 18, for example, the user name “UserA” has “printing code application target when printing mail” (see FIG. 17) as “text / attached file”. When the print server 40 acquires the print target corresponding to the process target data ID “1”, the print target corresponding to the process target data ID “2” is divided into “attachment file 1”. It is stored in the information management DB 62. Similarly, the “print setting code application target at the time of mail printing” (see FIG. 17) of the user name “UserB” is “attached file”, so that the print target is the processing target data ID “3” in FIG. The print setting code for “Body” is not set.

  As described above, in the printing system 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, when mail printing is performed, the mail text is based on the “print setting code application target for mail printing” (see FIG. 17) registered in advance. / Whether to apply print settings corresponding to the print setting code for the attached file can be set.

Note that the image forming apparatus 20 is not limited to a printer or a multifunction peripheral, and may be a copier, a scanner, a projector, or the like. For example, in the case of a projector, the output setting (print setting) is information indicating the number of pages to be displayed in one screen to be projected. In this way, the printing system 1 operates even with an output device other than the image forming apparatus 20, and can obtain the same effect as that of the image forming apparatus 20.
[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a workflow processing system in the third embodiment of the present invention. The workflow processing system 2 according to the third embodiment includes a client terminal 10, an image forming apparatus 20, a projector 200, a display 300, an application server 90, an authentication server 50, a database 60, and a mail server 70. Have. The application server 90, the authentication server 50, and the database 60 are included in the workflow execution control system 80.

  The workflow execution control system 80 is a system that manages a workflow (processing flow) having one or more processes and performs processing based on a predetermined workflow on data (processing target data) that is a processing target of the workflow.

  The application server 90 included in the workflow execution control system 80 is a computer that manages a workflow and executes processing based on a predetermined workflow.

  The projector 200 is an example of an output device that projects data.

  The display 300 is a display such as liquid crystal or organic EL (Electro Luminescence), and is an example of an output device that displays and outputs data.

  Other than the above, the apparatus is the same as the apparatus included in the printing system 1 of the first embodiment.

  Next, an outline of the operation of the workflow processing system 2 in the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an outline of the operation of the workflow processing system 2 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the user (user A) operates the client terminal 10a to transmit image data (processing target data) and workflow information to the application server 90 of the workflow execution control system 80 (S1a). Here, the name (file name) of the image data (processing target data) is, for example, “image 4.jpg”. In the workflow information, for example, a workflow “e-mail transmission after conversion to PDF file” is set. The input of the processing target data to the workflow execution control system 80 is not limited to the case where it is transmitted from the client terminal 10. For example, an image scanned by the image forming apparatus 20 such as an MFP It may be transmitted to the server 90.

  When the application server 90 receives the image data (processing target data) and the workflow information, the application server 90 issues an authentication code “0004” corresponding to the image data (processing target data) “image 4.jpg”. Further, the application server 90 issues a workflow code “004” corresponding to the received workflow information “converted into a PDF file and then sent by email” (S2a). Then, the application server 90 stores the user, the received image data (processing target data), and the issued authentication code in the database 60 in association with each other. Further, the application server 90 stores the user, the received workflow information, and the issued workflow code in association with each other in the database 60 (S3a). The application server 90 transmits the issued authentication code “0004” and workflow code “004” to the client terminal 10a (S4a).

  Next, the user A inputs an authentication code and a workflow code on the code input screen displayed on the screen of the client terminal 10b (S5a). Here, the authentication code “0004” issued to the image data (processing target data) “image 4.jpg” transmitted from the client terminal 10a in step S1 is input as the authentication code. As the workflow code, the workflow code “001” associated with the workflow information “print data is generated and then directly printed by the image forming apparatus A” stored in advance in the database 60 is input. The input authentication code “0004” and workflow code “001” are transmitted from the client terminal 10b to the application server 90 (S6a).

  The application server 90 reads from the database 60 the processing object data “image 4.jpg” corresponding to the received authentication code “0004” and the workflow information “print data generated after the print data is generated, corresponding to the received workflow code“ 001 ”. "Direct printing with A" is acquired.

  Then, the application server 90 performs data processing (execution of workflow) on the processing target data (S7a). As a specific process for executing a workflow based on the workflow code “001”, first, the application server 90 generates print data from the processing target data “image 4.jpg” (S7a1). Next, the application server 90 transmits the generated print data to the image forming apparatus 20 (apparatus name “image forming apparatus A”) (S7a2). Then, the image forming apparatus 20 (apparatus name “image forming apparatus A”) executes print processing based on the received print data.

  As described above, the workflow processing system 2 according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention registers the workflow information designated by the user in the workflow execution control system 80 and issues a workflow code corresponding to the workflow information. Then, the user inputs a workflow code from an output device such as the client terminal 10 or the image forming apparatus 20, and the workflow corresponding to the workflow code is executed on the processing target data. Thereby, the user can easily call a workflow used in the past and execute the workflow.

  The printing system 1 and the workflow processing system 2 are examples of a data processing system that performs predetermined processing on processing target data. The service is an example of a service that outputs a job, and the printing system 1 is an example of a job printing system. Therefore, the printing system 1 is applied not only to a service that performs a predetermined process on a scanned document and distributes a created distribution document as described in the first embodiment of the present invention, but also to a service that performs print output, for example. it can.

As described above, the functions of the print control system 30 and the workflow execution control system 80 may be implemented in a single device or may be distributed and implemented in a plurality of devices.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Print system 2 Workflow processing system 10 Client terminal 11 Input reception part 12 Display control part 13 Login request part 14 Print setting code issue request part 15 Print setting code reception part 16 Print target data transmission part 17 Authentication code reception part 20 Image forming apparatus DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Input reception part 22 Display control part 23 Login request part 24 Data list acquisition request part 25 Data list reception part 26 Print data acquisition request part 27 Print data reception part 28 Output part 30 Print control system 40 Print server 401 Session management part 402 Print Setting code issue request receiving unit 403 Print setting code issuing unit 404 Print setting code sending unit 405 Print target data receiving unit 406 Authentication code issuing unit 407 Authentication code sending unit 408 Mail acquisition unit 409 Data list acquisition request receiving unit 4 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Data list production | generation part 412 Print data acquisition request reception part 413 Data processing part 414 Print data transmission part 50 Authentication server 51 Authentication processing part 60 Database 61 User information management DB
62 Processing target information management DB
70 Mail Server 71 Mail Transfer Unit 80 Workflow Execution Control System 90 Application Server

JP 2001-312388 A JP 2007-237488 A

Claims (10)

A processing control system having one or more devices for performing predetermined processing based on processing conditions for processing target data,
Processing condition identification information generating means for generating processing condition identification information for identifying the processing condition based on the processing condition when receiving the processing condition;
Processing condition storage means for storing the processing condition and the processing condition identification information in association with each other;
Processing control having processing means for performing the processing on the processing target data based on the processing conditions corresponding to the processing condition identification information stored in the processing condition storage means when the processing condition identification information is received system. Processing condition receiving means for receiving the processing condition transmitted from an external device;
The processing control system according to claim 1, further comprising processing condition identification information transmitting means for transmitting processing condition identification information corresponding to the processing condition generated by the processing condition identification information generating means to the external device. Data identification information generating means for generating data identification information for identifying the processing target data based on the processing target data when the processing target data is received;
Processing target data storage means for storing the processing target data and the data identification information in association with each other;
3. The process control according to claim 1, wherein when the data identification information is received, the processing unit performs the process on the processing target data corresponding to the data identification information stored in the processing target data storage unit. system. Processing target data receiving means for receiving the processing target data transmitted from an external device;
The processing control system according to claim 3, further comprising: a data identification information transmitting unit that transmits data identification information corresponding to the processing target data generated by the data identification information generating unit to the external device. The processing condition is a print setting which is a printing condition,
5. The processing control system according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit performs print data generation processing based on the print setting for the processing target data. 6. The processing condition is a processing flow having one or more processes,
The processing control system according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit performs the processing on the processing target data according to the processing flow. The processing condition storage means stores whether or not the processing condition is applied to each of a body of the mail and a file attached to the mail when the processing target data is transmitted by mail,
The processing unit performs the processing on the processing target data based on whether the processing condition stored in the processing condition storage unit is applied or not when the processing target data is transmitted by mail. The processing control system according to any one of claims 6 to 7. A processing control system having one or more devices that performs predetermined processing based on processing conditions for processing target data, an external device that instructs execution of the processing, and an output device that outputs data on which the processing has been performed A data processing system comprising:
The external device is
A processing condition transmission means for transmitting the processing condition to the processing control system;
The processing control system includes:
Processing condition identification information generating means for generating processing condition identification information for identifying the processing condition based on the processing condition when the processing condition transmitted by the processing condition transmitting means is received;
Processing condition storage means for storing the processing condition and the processing condition identification information in association with each other;
When receiving the processing condition identification information, processing means for performing the processing on the processing target data based on a processing condition corresponding to the processing condition identification information stored in the processing condition storage means;
Data transmission means for transmitting the data processed by the processing means to the output device;
The output device is
A data processing system comprising output means for outputting the data transmitted by the data transmission means. A processing control method in which one or more devices included in a processing control system that performs predetermined processing based on processing conditions for processing target data controls the processing,
A processing condition identification information generating step for generating processing condition identification information for identifying the processing condition based on the processing condition when the device receives the processing condition;
A processing condition storage step in which the device stores the processing condition and the processing condition identification information in association with each other;
When the device receives the processing condition identification information, a processing step of performing a predetermined process on the processing target data based on the processing condition corresponding to the processing condition identification information stored in the processing condition storage step A processing control method comprising: A program executed by one or more devices included in a processing control system that performs predetermined processing based on processing conditions for processing target data,
Said equipment,
Processing condition identification information generating means for generating processing condition identification information for identifying the processing condition based on the processing condition when the processing condition is received;
Processing condition storage means for storing the processing condition and the processing condition identification information in association with each other;
When receiving the processing condition identification information, a program that functions as a processing unit that performs a predetermined process on the processing target data based on a processing condition corresponding to the processing condition identification information stored in the processing condition storage unit .

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