JP6269012B2 - Information processing system, information processing apparatus, and information processing program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing apparatus, and an information processing program.

  In Patent Document 1, it is an object to make it possible to easily or automatically select an appropriate alternative device according to a user by a simple program, and in response to the occurrence of an error that interrupts a job, The image forming apparatus that can continue the job is selected and selected on the basis of the table indicating the presence / absence of each function of the image forming apparatus and whether the function can be executed and the apparatus selection priority order corresponding to the error handle instruction of the user ID of the job. If the apparatus determination mode is automatic, the image forming apparatus in the ready state that has the highest apparatus selection priority is continued. When the image forming apparatus is determined and the apparatus determining mode is manual, the arrangement order of the image forming apparatus candidates to be continued with the job on the operation panel is selected. Causes is determined based on the above order, the background color of the icon corresponding to the ready state candidate, discloses that made different from the candidate that of background color corresponding to the not ready state.

  Patent Document 2 discloses an image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus control method, and a computer program that realize substitution processing when connected to a network to which an image forming apparatus having post-processing machines having different functions is connected. An object of the present invention is to provide a job management unit that manages a job request of a job that forms an image on a medium and that is input from a host device, and information about the post-processing device that the image forming device has Post-processing machine information management means for managing information on other post-processing machines included in other image forming apparatuses connected via a network, and when the job request is accepted, the other post-processing machine Based on the function information and the information on the function of the post-processing machine, information on a selection screen that prompts selection of post-processing is generated, and the information on the selection screen is output to the host device. It is disclosed having a screen information generation unit.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228867 has an object to improve user convenience when transferring a job from an image forming apparatus to another image forming apparatus, and an image connected to a plurality of other image forming apparatuses via a network. A function presenting means for presenting a request function for a transfer job to be transferred from the image forming apparatus, a function for requesting a transfer job and a function provided in the other image forming apparatus, The transfer destination candidate presenting means for searching for and presenting the transfer job request function among a plurality of other image forming apparatuses, and the remaining part when the transfer job request function is partially reduced. And a transfer destination candidate re-presenting means for presenting another image forming apparatus having the above request function.

JP 2009-100322 A JP 2010-2441099 A JP 2009-274319 A

The present invention relates to an information processing system that allows a processing device being operated by an operator to download another processing device or a program for performing the processing to the processing device when the specified processing cannot be performed , An object is to provide an information processing apparatus and an information processing program.

The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.
The invention of claim 1 is a storage means for storing, as list information, a first function installed in a processing apparatus and a second function installed in another processing apparatus, and an operator of the processing apparatus An accepting unit that accepts an instruction that is a combination of functions that can be used by the operator from the processing device, and whether or not a function included in the instruction accepted by the accepting unit can be processed by the processing device. A first determination unit that determines whether or not the processing device is unable to process by the first determination unit; a second determination unit that determines that the other processing device should be requested; An information processing apparatus having a transmission means for transmitting the determination result by the first determination means or the second determination means to the processing apparatus, and acquiring the list information stored in the storage means; The processing equipment Presenting means for presenting the first function and the second function as a list to an operator who operates the first function and the second function presented to the presenting means An information processing system comprising: an instruction form creating means for creating an instruction form for instructing the processing apparatus using the above function.
The invention according to claim 2 is the information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the combination of functions available to the operator is determined according to the type of the operator.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, when it is determined by the first determination means that the processing apparatus cannot perform processing, the second determination means should request the other processing apparatus or perform the function. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether to download the program to the processing device.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the second determination means includes printing in the instruction, and printing is performed by the other processing device, the processing device to the other processing device. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the determination is performed based on a processing time including a travel time of the first to third.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, an accepting unit that accepts an instruction that is a combination of processes that can be instructed by the operator through the operation of the processing device from the processing device, and an instruction that is accepted by the accepting unit The first determination means for determining whether or not the processing can be processed by the processing device, and another processing device when the first determination means determines that the processing device cannot process the processing. Alternatively, a second determination unit that determines whether to download a program for performing the processing to the processing device, and a transmission unit that transmits the determination result by the first determination unit or the second determination unit to the processing device. And the second determination means includes a printing time included in the instruction, and when printing is performed in the other processing device, the second determination means calculates a travel time from the processing device to the other processing device. Including It was based on the processing time, which is an information processing apparatus and performs determination.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the second determination means compares the time required for downloading the program to the processing device and performing the processing and the time required for causing another processing device to perform the processing. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the determination is performed.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the second determination means determines whether or not the processing apparatus can be equipped with hardware having the processing function, and the transmission means is the second determination means. depending if it is determined to be equipped with the hardware, which is an information processing apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that transmitting the effect that proposes to mount the hardware.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage means for storing, as list information, a first function installed in a processing apparatus and a second function installed in another processing apparatus. An accepting unit that accepts from the processing device an instruction that is a combination of functions that can be used by the operator through an operation of the device, and a function included in the instruction accepted by the accepting unit When it is determined by the first determination unit that determines whether or not processing can be performed by the processing apparatus and the first determination unit that processing cannot be performed by the processing apparatus, it is determined that the other processing apparatus should be requested And a computer that is a processing device, wherein the computer serving as the processing device is configured to function as a transmission unit that transmits the determination result obtained by the second determination unit and the first determination unit or the second determination unit to the processing device. Presenting means for acquiring the list information stored in the means and presenting the first function and the second function as a list to an operator operating the processing device; An information processing program for causing a function to serve as an instruction creation unit for creating an instruction for instructing the processing device using the first function and the second function, .
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the computer is received by the receiving unit that receives an instruction that is a combination of processes that can be instructed by the operator from the processing unit by the operation of the operator on the processing unit. The processing in the given instruction is a first determination unit that determines whether or not the processing device can process, and when the first determination unit determines that the processing device cannot process, A second determination unit that determines whether to download the processing device or a program for performing the processing to the processing device, and a determination result by the first determination unit or the second determination unit is transmitted to the processing device. to function as a transmission means, said second determination means, the indication includes a print in the case where printing is performed in the other processing unit, said other processing from the processing device Based on the processing time including the Time to location, an information processing program and performs determination.

According to the information processing system of the first aspect, when the user creates and executes the instruction, it is not necessary to care whether the function is prepared in the processing device.
According to the information processing system of the second aspect, the combination of functions available to the operator can be determined according to the type of the operator.
According to the information processing system of claim 3, when it is determined that processing cannot be performed by the processing device, it is determined whether to request another processing device or to download a program for performing the function to the processing device. it can.
According to the information processing system of claim 4, when printing is included in the instruction and printing is performed by another processing apparatus, the processing time including the movement time from the processing apparatus to the other processing apparatus is included. A determination can be made based on
According to the information processing apparatus of the fifth aspect , when the specified process cannot be performed by the processing apparatus operated by the operator, another processing apparatus or a program for performing the processing can be downloaded to the processing apparatus. .

According to the information processing device of claim 6 , the determination can be made by comparing the time required for downloading the program to the processing device and performing the processing with the time required for causing the other processing device to perform the processing. it can.

According to the information processing apparatus of the seventh aspect , when it is determined that the hardware for performing the processing targeted by the processing apparatus can be installed, it can be transmitted that the hardware is proposed to be installed. .

According to the information processing program of the eighth aspect, when the user creates and executes the instruction, it is not necessary to care whether the function is prepared in the processing device.
According to the information processing program of the ninth aspect , if the processing device operated by the operator cannot perform the specified processing, the processing device can download another processing device or a program for performing the processing. .

It is a conceptual module block diagram about the structural example of this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process example by this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process example by this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the process example by this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a data structure of an image forming apparatus detailed table. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure example of a function detailed table. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a data structure of the function table which can be utilized for every user. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a data structure of a user management table | surface. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a data structure of a group management table. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a data structure of a function execution processing speed table. It is explanatory drawing which shows the process example by this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the process example by this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware structural example of the computer which implement | achieves this Embodiment.

Hereinafter, an example of a preferred embodiment for realizing the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a conceptual module configuration diagram of a configuration example of the present embodiment.
The module generally refers to components such as software (computer program) and hardware that can be logically separated. Therefore, the module in the present embodiment indicates not only a module in a computer program but also a module in a hardware configuration. Therefore, the present embodiment is a computer program for causing these modules to function (a program for causing a computer to execute each procedure, a program for causing a computer to function as each means, and a function for each computer. This also serves as an explanation of the program and system and method for realizing the above. However, for the sake of explanation, the words “store”, “store”, and equivalents thereof are used. However, when the embodiment is a computer program, these words are stored in a storage device or stored in memory. It is the control to be stored in the device. Modules may correspond to functions one-to-one, but in mounting, one module may be configured by one program, or a plurality of modules may be configured by one program, and conversely, one module May be composed of a plurality of programs. The plurality of modules may be executed by one computer, or one module may be executed by a plurality of computers in a distributed or parallel environment. Note that one module may include other modules. Hereinafter, “connection” is used not only for physical connection but also for logical connection (data exchange, instruction, reference relationship between data, etc.). “Predetermined” means that the process is determined before the target process, and not only before the process according to this embodiment starts but also after the process according to this embodiment starts. In addition, if it is before the target processing, it is used in accordance with the situation / state at that time or with the intention to be decided according to the situation / state up to that point. When there are a plurality of “predetermined values”, they may be different values, or two or more values (of course, including all values) may be the same. Further, the description having the meaning of “do B when it is A” is used to mean “determine whether or not it is A and do B when it is judged as A”. However, the case where it is not necessary to determine whether or not A is excluded.
In addition, the system or device is configured by connecting a plurality of computers, hardware, devices, and the like by communication means such as a network (including one-to-one correspondence communication connection), etc., and one computer, hardware, device. The case where it implement | achieves by etc. is included. “Apparatus” and “system” are used as synonymous terms. Of course, the “system” does not include a social “mechanism” (social system) that is an artificial arrangement.
In addition, when performing a plurality of processes in each module or in each module, the target information is read from the storage device for each process, and the processing result is written to the storage device after performing the processing. is there. Therefore, description of reading from the storage device before processing and writing to the storage device after processing may be omitted. Here, the storage device may include a hard disk, a RAM (Random Access Memory), an external storage medium, a storage device via a communication line, a register in a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and the like.

  The monitoring server 180, which is the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, controls processing of a plurality of image forming apparatuses 100. As shown in the example of FIG. 1, the function list management module 185, the processing execution device A determination module 190 and an image forming apparatus monitoring module 195 are included. The monitoring server 180 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100a, the image forming apparatus 100b, the image forming apparatus 100c, and the like via a communication line. The image forming apparatus 100a is connected to the Internet 199 such as the monitoring server 180, the image forming apparatus 100b, and the image forming apparatus 100c via a communication line. Here, the communication line may be wireless, wired, or a combination thereof. Examples of the image forming apparatus 100 include a multifunction peripheral (an image processing apparatus having two or more functions such as a scanner, a printer, a copying machine, and a fax machine), a copying machine, a fax machine, a scanner, and a printer. . The image forming apparatus 100b and the image forming apparatus 100c have a module configuration equivalent to that of the image forming apparatus 100a. However, the functions of the process execution module 150 differ depending on the model, installed hardware, software, and the like. For example, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 100a can perform full-color and monochrome printing, but the image forming apparatus 100b can perform monochrome printing (cannot perform full-color printing). It is.

The image forming apparatus 100 a includes a user interface 105, a function list presentation module 110, a function list acquisition module 115, a processing selection module 120, a processing result display module 125, an instruction form processing module 130, and a processing speed holding module 165. The instruction form processing module 130 includes an instruction form creation module 135, an instruction form analysis module 140, a process management module 145, a process execution module 150, an external cooperation process module 155, and a process request module 160. The instruction form processing module 130 is connected to the processing speed holding module 165. The instruction form processing module 130 creates an instruction form based on the user's operation and performs control according to the instruction form, or requests other image forming apparatus 100 to perform the process. .
The user interface 105 is connected to the function list presentation module 110, the process selection module 120, and the process result display module 125. The user interface 105 is an interface part operated by the user. For example, there are a display as an output device, a key as an input device that receives a user operation, a touch panel that integrates the output device and the input device, and the like.

The function list presentation module 110 is connected to the user interface 105 and the function list acquisition module 115. The function list presentation module 110 presents a list of available functions for each user managed by the monitoring server 180. For example, in order to operate the image forming apparatus 100a, the user logs in to the image forming apparatus 100a to identify the user and display a list of functions that can be used by the user. The user ID of the user is passed to the function list acquisition module 115 and the function list corresponding to the user is received from the function list acquisition module 115. As long as the process identifies a user, in addition to login, reading of an ID card storing a user ID, face authentication, fingerprint authentication, and the like may be performed.
The function list acquisition module 115 is connected to the function list presentation module 110 and the function list management module 185 of the monitoring server 180. The function list acquisition module 115 acquires a function list corresponding to the user ID acquired from the function list presentation module 110 from the function list management module 185 of the monitoring server 180 and passes it to the function list presentation module 110.

The processing selection module 120 is connected to the user interface 105 and the instruction creation module 135 of the instruction processing module 130. The process selection module 120 selects a process for creating an instruction based on a user operation. Based on the user's operation, a function is selected from the function list presented by the function list presentation module 110. Moreover, you may provide the order of a process about the selected function. Then, the next process may be performed on the result of the previous process.
The instruction creation module 135 is connected to the process selection module 120 and the instruction analysis module 140. The instruction creation module 135 creates an instruction based on the function selected by the process selection module 120. Here, the instruction sheet is a file described so as to execute a function. For example, there is a document described in XML (extensible Markup Language). In addition to XML, HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) or the like may be used.
The instruction document analysis module 140 is connected to the instruction document creation module 135, the process management module 145, and the process execution device determination module 190 of the monitoring server 180. The instruction analysis module 140 analyzes the instruction created by the instruction creation module 135 and identifies the function described in the instruction. For example, it has a function as a parser that parses an HTML description.

The processing result display module 125 is connected to the user interface 105 and the processing management module 145 of the instruction processing module 130. The processing result display module 125 receives the execution result according to the instruction form from the processing management module 145 and displays it on the user interface 105.
The process management module 145 is connected to the process result display module 125, the instruction form analysis module 140, the process execution module 150, and the external cooperation process module 155. The process management module 145 manages how to analyze the analysis result by the instruction analysis module 140. Based on the result determined by the process execution device determination module 190 of the monitoring server 180, one of the process execution module 150, the external cooperation processing module 155, the process request module 160, or a combination thereof is caused to perform processing. Then, processing results are received from them and passed to the processing result display module 125.

The process execution module 150 is connected to the process management module 145. The process execution module 150 executes the instructed process. In other words, the processing execution module 150 is a module that executes the functions of the image forming apparatus 100a. For example, a printer having a printing function, a scanner having an image reading function, and a communication device having a mail transmission function. The image forming apparatus 100 is configured by a computer or the like having a file format conversion function.
The external cooperation processing module 155 is connected to the processing management module 145 and is connected to the Internet 199. When it is determined that the current image forming apparatus 100a cannot process the external cooperation processing module 155, the external cooperation processing module 155 downloads a program for performing the processing from another information processing apparatus (program storage apparatus) via the Internet 199, It is installed in the image forming apparatus 100a and executes processing. For example, when a function of a program that is not installed in the image forming apparatus 100a is designated, the program is installed and the function is processed. Examples of programs to be installed include a format conversion program corresponding to a new format.
The processing request module 160 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100b, the image forming apparatus 100c, and the like via a communication line. The processing request module 160 requests processing from other image forming apparatuses 100b and 100c connected via the network. When it is determined that the image forming apparatus 100a cannot process the image forming apparatus 100a, the other image forming apparatus 100 having the function is requested to perform the process, and the processing result is received.
The processing speed holding module 165 is connected to the instruction form processing module 130 and the processing execution device determination module 190 of the monitoring server 180. The processing speed holding module 165 holds the processing speed of each module (module for each function of the processing execution module 150) mounted on the image forming apparatus 100. For example, the printing speed of a printer is applicable.

The monitoring server 180 monitors functions, usage statuses, processing speeds, and the like of a plurality of image forming apparatuses 100 (image forming apparatus 100a, image forming apparatus 100b, image forming apparatus 100c, etc.).
The function list management module 185 is connected to the function list acquisition module 115 and the process execution device determination module 190 of the image forming apparatus 100a. The function list management module 185 manages a list of functions that can be used for each user in the plurality of image forming apparatuses 100. For example, an available function table 700 for each user described later is managed.

The processing execution device determination module 190 is connected to the instruction form analysis module 140 of the image forming apparatus 100a, the processing speed holding module 165, the function list management module 185, and the image forming apparatus monitoring module 195. The outline of the processing performed by the processing execution device determination module 190 is as follows. Based on the usage status, performance, and the like of the image forming apparatus 100, the processing in the instruction sheet is requested to another image forming apparatus 100, or a program is downloaded from the Internet 199. Determine whether to download.
First, an instruction that is a combination of processes that can be instructed by the user is received from the image forming apparatus 100a by a user operation on the image forming apparatus 100a. Then, it is determined whether or not the process in the received instruction can be processed by the image forming apparatus 100a (first determination result). If it is determined that the image forming apparatus 100a cannot process the image forming apparatus 100a, it is determined whether to download another processing apparatus (image forming apparatus 100b, image forming apparatus 100c, etc.) or a program for performing the processing to the image forming apparatus 100a (second). Judgment result). The first determination result or the second determination result is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 100a. Thereafter, the process management module 145 of the image forming apparatus 100a causes the process execution module 150, the external cooperation processing module 155, the process request module 160, or a combination thereof to perform processing according to the determination result.
Further, the processing execution device determination module 190 compares the time required to download the program to the image forming apparatus 100a and perform the target process with the time required to cause the other image forming apparatus 100 to perform the process. It may be determined. Specifically, the process with the shorter processing time is selected to perform the process.
The process execution device determination module 190 determines whether or not the image forming apparatus 100a can be equipped with hardware having the function of the target process, and if it is determined that the hardware can be installed, Send a suggestion to install hardware. Thereafter, the user interface 105 of the image forming apparatus 100a presents a proposal to that effect. The user who browsed the proposal can know that the hardware can be installed, and can consider whether or not to purchase the hardware. A determination as to whether or not hardware can be installed is made using a table prepared in advance corresponding to a model that can be installed for each hardware.
The image forming apparatus monitoring module 195 is connected to the processing execution device determination module 190, and is connected to the image forming apparatus 100b, the image forming apparatus 100c, and the like via a communication line. The image forming apparatus monitoring module 195 monitors the usage status of the image forming apparatus 100. The processing execution device determination module 190 determines not only the image forming apparatus 100 having a coping function but also the image forming apparatus 100 suitable for performing the function based on the usage status of the image forming apparatus 100. In order to do this, the usage status of the other image forming apparatus 100 is acquired.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of processing according to this embodiment. This flowchart example shows processing until the function list is acquired and displayed.
In step S202, the function list acquisition module 115 requests the monitoring server 180 to acquire a function list that can be used by the target user (the user who intends to create the instruction).
In step S204, the function list management module 185 of the monitoring server 180 searches for an available function list for each user. For example, the available function table 700 for each user is searched. The usable function table 700 for each user will be described later.

In step S206, the function list management module 185 returns the search result to the function list acquisition module 115 of the image forming apparatus 100a.
In step S <b> 208, the function list presentation module 110 displays the function list result on the user interface 105.
The process shown in the example of FIG. 2 will be described later with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of processing according to this embodiment. This flowchart example shows processing for analyzing each instruction and executing each processing.
In step S302, the process selection module 120 selects a process for creating instructions from the user interface 105 based on the user's operation.
In step S304, the instruction creation module 135 creates an instruction based on the selected process. An instruction sheet 1100 shown in the example of FIG.
In step S306, the instruction analysis module 140 analyzes the generated instruction. As a result of analyzing the instruction, a process (function) to be executed is acquired.

The processing target (image forming apparatus 100 to be processed) is selected by the processing from step S308 to step S328. This selection process is repeated for the number of functions in the instruction sheet.
In step S310, the process management module 145 selects one process from the analysis result. If there are multiple processes in the instruction sheet, they are acquired in order.
In step S <b> 312, the instruction sheet analysis module 140 passes the name of “process” to the process execution device determination module 190 of the monitoring server 180.
In step S314, the process execution device determination module 190 of the monitoring server 180 determines whether or not the process exists in the target image forming apparatus 100 (the image forming apparatus 100 that created the instruction sheet). Proceed to step S316, otherwise proceed to step S318. The function list management module 185 is used for this determination.

In step S316, the process execution device determination module 190 returns a value as “process execution module 150” because the target image forming apparatus 100 can process the process.
In step S318, the process execution device determination module 190 determines an optimal image forming apparatus 100 other than the target image forming apparatus 100. For this determination, the monitoring result by the image forming apparatus monitoring module 195 is used.
In step S320, the process execution device determination module 190 selects another image forming apparatus 100 (the image forming apparatus 100 determined in step S318) or program download as a determination result.
In step S322, the process execution device determination module 190 passes the determined process target (the processing apparatus in step S316 or step S320) to the process management module 145 of the image forming apparatus 100.
In step S324, the process management module 145 requests one of the process execution module 150, the external cooperation process module 155, and the process request module 160 for the process. That is, the processing target passed in step S322 (the processing execution module 150 in the case of step S316, the external cooperation processing module 155 in the case of downloading a program in the case of step S320, and the other image forming apparatus 100 in the case of step S320). If so, the processing request module 160) performs processing.
In step S 326, any of the processing execution module 150, the external cooperation processing module 155, and the processing request module 160 that has performed the processing returns a processing result to the processing management module 145.

In step S330, the process management module 145 passes the final result from the execution result of each process to the process result display module 125.
In step S <b> 332, the processing result display module 125 displays the final result on the user interface 105.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a processing example (mainly the processing shown in the example of FIG. 2) according to the present embodiment. Here, there are two users (user 400A, user 400B), one (user 400A) is an administrative user belonging to the administrator group, and the other (user 400B) is a normal user belonging to the general group. is there.
There are three image forming apparatuses (the image forming apparatus 100a, the image forming apparatus 100b, and the image forming apparatus 100c), and there are a plurality of functions that are respectively mounted.
The monitoring server 180 monitors the three image forming apparatuses (the image forming apparatus 100a, the image forming apparatus 100b, and the image forming apparatus 100c), and notifies each image forming apparatus 100 of the monitoring result.
The image forming apparatus 100a has six functions: print (full color), print (black and white), external access cooperation, format conversion (DW document), format conversion (PDF document), and mail notification. There are six functions 420A that can be used: print (full color), print (black and white), external access linkage, format conversion (DW document), format conversion (PDF document), and mail notification. , Print (black and white), and mail notification.
The image forming apparatus 100b has two functions, print (black and white) and format conversion (DW document), and among these, the function 420A that can be used by the user 400A and the function 420B that can be used by the user 400B are print (monochrome). And format conversion (DW document).
The image forming apparatus 100c has seven functions, namely, print (monochrome), external access cooperation, format conversion (DW document), format conversion (PDF document), format conversion (Office document), mail notification, and URL delivery. Among these, there are seven functions 420A that can be used by the user 400A: print (monochrome), external access cooperation, format conversion (DW document), format conversion (PDF document), format conversion (Office document), e-mail notification, and URL delivery. There are five functions 420B that can be used by the user 400B: print (monochrome), external access cooperation, format conversion (DW document), format conversion (PDF document), and mail notification.
Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 100a, the image forming apparatus 100b, and the image forming apparatus 100c, as a usable function list 410A, print (full color), print (monochrome), external access cooperation, format conversion (DW document), format conversion ( (PDF document), format conversion (Office document), e-mail notification, and URL delivery, and when the user 400A performs the operation 412A on the image forming apparatus 100b, these eight functions are presented as usable. In the image forming apparatus 100a, the image forming apparatus 100b, and the image forming apparatus 100c, the available function list 410B includes print (monochrome), external access cooperation, format conversion (DW document), format conversion (PDF document), and mail. When there are five notifications and the user 400B performs the operation 412B on the image forming apparatus 100b, these five functions are presented as usable. That is, even if no function is prepared in the image forming apparatus 100 operated by the user, a processing function that can be instructed by the other image forming apparatus 100 by the user is also presented. The monitoring server 180 performs monitoring and notification 432A, monitoring and notification 432B, and monitoring and notification 432C for the image forming apparatus 100a, the image forming apparatus 100b, and the image forming apparatus 100c, respectively, and the user 400A and the user 400B form an image. Functions that can be used in the apparatus 100a, the image forming apparatus 100b, and the image forming apparatus 100c are acquired, and the user 400A and the user 400B operate any one of the image forming apparatus 100a, the image forming apparatus 100b, and the image forming apparatus 100c. When it is performed, it is presented as a process that can be instructed by the user 400A and the user 400B. For example, when the user 400B opens an instruction creation screen on the image forming apparatus 100b, a list of functions available on the instruction creation screen is displayed. The functions that the user 400B can use only with the image forming apparatus 100b are two functions of “print (monochrome) and format conversion (DW)”. However, the user 400B can use the three image forming apparatuses 100 to which the monitoring server 180 is connected via a network. Since the functions that can be used are managed, three types of “external access linkage”, “format conversion (PDF)”, and “mail notification” are additionally displayed, and a total of five functions are displayed on the instruction creation screen. Become.

The monitoring server 180 has an image forming apparatus detail table 500, a function detail table 600, an available function table 700 for each user, a user management table 800, and a group management table 900.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the image forming apparatus detail table 500. The image forming apparatus detail table 500 includes a machineId column 510, a name column 515, a version column 520, a CPU column 525, an intranet column 530, an internet column 535, a functionIds column 595, and the like. The image forming apparatus detail table 500 manages the name, version, function ID (functionId), and the like using the machine ID (machineId) of the image forming apparatus 100 as a key.
The machineId column 510 stores information (machine ID) for uniquely identifying the image forming apparatus 100 in the present embodiment. The name column 515 stores the name of the image forming apparatus. The version column 520 stores the version of the control program for the image forming apparatus. The CPU column 525 stores the CPU in the image forming apparatus. For example, the speed ratio for the basic CPU is stored. The intranet field 530 stores the transfer rate of the intranet to which the image forming apparatus is connected. The internet column 535 stores the transfer rate of the Internet to which the image forming apparatus is connected. The functionIds column 595 stores information (function ID) for uniquely identifying the function of the image forming apparatus. Note that one function ID may be stored.
For example, in FIG. 5, the machine ID is “000001”, the name of the image forming apparatus is “mfpA”, the version of the control program is “1.10.2”, the CPU is described, and the connection The transfer rate in the intranet is 100 Mbps, the transfer rate in the connected Internet is 50 Mbps, and there are function IDs: 001, 003, 004, 005, and 007 as its functions.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the function detail table 600. The function detail table 600 includes a functionId column 610, a name column 620, an installerUrl column 630, an installerSize column 640, and an installTime column 650. The function detail table 600 manages the name, installer placement destination URL, installer size, and installation time using the function ID as a key.
The functionId column 610 stores a function ID. The name column 620 stores the name of the function. The installerUrl field 630 stores the installation destination URL of the installer of the function. The installerSize column 640 stores the size of the installer. The installTime column 650 stores the time for installing the function.
For example, in FIG. 6, there is “external access cooperation” as the function ID: 003, and the installer placement URL is “http://www.aaa.co.jp/download/device/externalkit” The size module is 700 KB. That is, when the external cooperation processing module 155 installs the function of “external access cooperation”, it is only necessary to access and install the placement destination URL. Therefore, if the monitoring server 180 determines that the program should be installed, the monitoring server 180 transmits the contents of the installerUrl field 630 of the corresponding function to the image forming apparatus 100. Further, “print (full color / black and white)” indicates that the installer placement destination URL is unnecessary.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the usable function table 700 for each user. The usable function table 700 for each user has a userId column 710 and an availableFunctions column 720, and manages a user ID and a function that can be used by the user of the user ID. In the present embodiment, the userId column 710 stores information (user ID) for uniquely identifying a user. The availableFunctions column 720 stores functions available to the user. The information stored in the availableFunctions column 720 is a combination of a machine ID and a function ID, and “00000: 001” can use “print (full color / monochrome)” that is the function ID “001” of the machine ID “000001”. It is shown that. That is, a user with the user ID “0001” has “print (full color / monochrome)” (000001: 001) with the machine ID “000001” as the usable functions. The function list management module 185 receives the user ID from the function list acquisition module 115 of the image forming apparatus 100, extracts the function corresponding to the user ID from the usable function table 700 for each user, and acquires the function list acquisition module. Return to 115.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the user management table 800.
The user management table 800 has a userId column 810 and a name column 820. The user management table 800 manages user information. The userId column 810 stores a user ID. The name column 820 stores the name of the user.
For example, FIG. 8 shows that the user ID: 0001 is the name “userA”.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the group management table 900. The group management table 900 has a groupId column 910, a name column 920, a title column 930, and a userIds column 940. The group management table 900 manages group information. The groupId column 910 stores information (group ID) for uniquely identifying a group in the present embodiment. The name column 920 stores the name of the group. The title column 930 stores the title of the group. The userIds column 940 stores user IDs of users belonging to the group.
For example, in FIG. 9, groupId: 001 is “administrators”, the title is the administrator group, and the user who belongs to the user ID is “0001”.

  The processing speed holding module 165 of the image forming apparatus 100 has a function execution processing speed table 1000, for example. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the function execution processing speed table 1000. The function execution processing speed table 1000 has a functionId column 1010, a name column 1020, and a performance column 1030. The functionId column 1010 stores a function ID. The name column 1020 stores the name of the function. The performance column 1030 stores performance when the function is executed by the image forming apparatus 100. For example, in FIG. 10, there is “format conversion (PDF document)” as the function ID: 005, and the performance is as follows: size: 1 MB for 3 seconds, size: 5 MB for 10 seconds, size: 50 MB for 30 seconds It is shown that. The processing speed holding module 165 passes the function execution processing speed table 1000 to the processing execution device determination module 190 of the monitoring server 180. The processing execution device determination module 190 acquires the function execution processing speed table 1000 of each image forming apparatus 100, compares the function execution processing speed table 1000, and executes the functions in the instruction sheet, for example, at the fastest speed. The image forming apparatus 100 to be processed is selected.

Next, processing from analyzing the instruction sheet to executing each function will be described.
Assume that an instruction sheet 1100 as shown in the example of FIG. 11 is created by the operation of the user 400B. The instruction 1100 includes processing 1: format conversion (PDF document) 1110, processing 2: external access cooperation 1120, processing 3: printing (monochrome) 1130 in this order. Specifically, a document registered in the image storage area by fax or scan execution is converted into PDF, registered in an external cloud service, and finally printed in black and white by the image forming apparatus 100 in which an instruction is set Is to do.

1. Process 1: Format Conversion (PDF Document) 1110 The image forming apparatus 100 capable of executing the process 1: format conversion (PDF document) 1110 is an image forming apparatus 100c as shown in the example of FIG. However, in this case, it is determined whether to execute the image forming apparatus 100c or to download the format conversion program from the program storage device on the Internet 199 and execute it. For example, if it is found that the latter is faster, it is executed on the image forming apparatus 100b in operation. Note that the process of determining whether to execute another image forming apparatus 100c or to download and execute the image forming apparatus 100b will be described later.
2. Process 2: External Access Cooperation 1120 Process 2: The image forming apparatus 100 that can execute the external access cooperation 1120 is an image forming apparatus 100c as shown in the example of FIG. In this case, it is determined whether to execute the image forming apparatus 100c or to download the format conversion program from the program storage device on the Internet 199 and execute it. For example, if it is found that the former is faster, the processing is requested to the image forming apparatus 100c.
3. Process 3: Printing (Monochrome) 1130 Since it can be executed by the image forming apparatus 100b in operation, the image forming apparatus 100b performs the process as it is.

A specific example of a determination process for determining whether to execute another image forming apparatus 100 or to download and execute the target image forming apparatus 100 will be described below.
A. The processing time required when executed by another image forming apparatus 100 is calculated based on the following equation.
(Processing time) = (Content transfer time) + (Processing execution time)
Specific examples are shown below.
As an example of content transfer time, if the content capacity is 100M and the transfer speed is 40Mbps,
When measured as 1 MB = 8 × 10 ^ 6 bits (total bits) / (number of transfer bits per second), the content transfer time is
(8 × 100 × 10 ^ 6) / (40 × 10 ^ 3 × 10 ^ 3) = 20 seconds The transfer speed uses the intra column 530 or the Internet column 535 (mainly the intra column 530) of the image forming apparatus detail table 500.
Next, as an example of calculation of processing execution time in another image forming apparatus 100, the following is performed.
As the initial value of the conversion speed, the theoretical value described in the function execution processing speed table 1000 is used. For example, the processing time of 1 MB is 3 seconds or the like.
The monitoring server 180 may measure the actual processing time of the image forming apparatus 100 and record it as a log. For example, when the format conversion process is executed a plurality of times in the image forming apparatus 100c, the processing time is measured. Then, a statistical value of the processing time (for example, average value, median value, mode value, etc.) is calculated. Using the past measurement results (content capacity and processing time) in addition to the theoretical value of the initial value, the target content (100M) using an approximate curve of processing speed (see the graph shown in the example of FIG. 12) The processing time at is calculated.

B. The processing time required for downloading and executing is calculated based on the following formula.
(Processing time) = (Installer download time) + (Installation time) + (Processing execution time)
As an example of the installer download time, when the module size is 1M (installerSize column 640 of the function detail table 600) and the transfer speed is 40 Mbps,
(8 × 10 ^ 6) / (40 × 10 ^ 3 × 10 ^ 3) = 0.2 seconds
Next, the module installation time is extracted from the installTime column 650 of the function detail table 600.
Then, the processing execution time after installation is calculated using the processing time in the other image forming apparatus 100 and the CPU speed. For example, the ratio of the CPU speed of another image forming apparatus 100 whose processing time is already known to the processing speed of the target image forming apparatus 100 (CPU column 525 in the image forming apparatus detail table 500) is used. That is, the processing time in the other image forming apparatus 100 is divided by the CPU speed ratio. Specifically, when the CPU speed of the target image forming apparatus 100 is twice that of the other image forming apparatus 100, the processing time in the other image forming apparatus 100 is 7.5 seconds. And calculate.
As a result of these calculations, the processing time when executed by another image forming apparatus 100 and the processing time when downloaded and executed by the target image forming apparatus 100 are compared, and the processing is completed in a short time. Select.

In the above-described embodiment, the download destination is the program storage device on the Internet. However, the program storage device for the image forming apparatus 100 on the intranet may be used.
In the above-described embodiment, the processing speed is measured for one function, but the download module may be a combination of a plurality of functions as follows.
Format conversion package (DW document, PDF document, Office document)
Alternatively, format conversion (DW document) and mail notification package In this case, the time from download to installation at the package level (a plurality of programs) may be calculated by adding the time in each program.
In the above-described embodiment, the target image forming apparatus 100 has completed black-and-white printing, but post-processing may be requested to another image forming apparatus 100. If there is a print instruction in the instruction sheet, and printing is performed with an image forming apparatus 100 other than the target image forming apparatus 100 (the image forming apparatus 100 operated by the user), the print is performed. The installation position of the image forming apparatus 100 is presented. The installation position of the image forming apparatus 100 may be provided by providing an installation position column in the image forming apparatus detail table 500. When the image forming apparatus 100 selected as the image forming apparatus 100 to be printed is far from the target image forming apparatus 100 (when the distance is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold), the processing time is set as the target. The travel time from the existing image forming apparatus 100 to the image forming apparatus 100 to be printed may be included. Note that latitude and longitude are described as the installation position column provided in the image forming apparatus 100, and the movement distance may be calculated. Further, the travel time may be obtained by dividing the travel distance by a predetermined walking speed.
In addition, the instruction book creation module 135 may check (validate) whether there is a contradiction depending on the processing order when the instruction book is created.
The executed instruction may be recorded, and a past instruction may be used (copied) when creating a new instruction. The past instructions may be limited to those created by the user who creates the instructions, or may be instructions created by other users. In addition, when an instruction book created by another user is presented, only functions that can be used by the user who wants to create the instruction book may be displayed.
Of course, when the image forming apparatus 100 is newly installed, necessary information is added to the image forming apparatus detail table 500, the function table 700 that can be used for each user, and the like so that the user can use it.

  A hardware configuration example of the information processing apparatus (the image forming apparatus 100 and the monitoring server 180) according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The configuration shown in FIG. 13 is configured by a personal computer (PC), for example, and shows a hardware configuration example including a data reading unit 1317 such as a scanner and a data output unit 1318 such as a printer.

  The CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1301 includes various modules described in the above-described embodiments, that is, the user interface 105, the function list presentation module 110, the function list acquisition module 115, the process selection module 120, the process result display module 125, Executes processing according to a computer program that describes the execution sequence of each module such as the instruction processing module 130, processing speed holding module 165, function list management module 185, processing execution device determination module 190, image forming apparatus monitoring module 195, etc. It is a control part.

  A ROM (Read Only Memory) 1302 stores programs used by the CPU 1301, calculation parameters, and the like. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 1303 stores programs used in the execution of the CPU 1301, parameters that change as appropriate during the execution, and the like. These are connected to each other by a host bus 1304 including a CPU bus.

  The host bus 1304 is connected to an external bus 1306 such as a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect / Interface) bus via a bridge 1305.

  A keyboard 1308 and a pointing device 1309 such as a mouse are input devices operated by an operator. The display 1310 includes a liquid crystal display device or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), and displays various types of information as text or image information.

  An HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 1311 has a built-in hard disk, drives the hard disk, and records or reproduces a program executed by the CPU 1301 and information. The hard disk includes an image forming apparatus detail table 500, a function detail table 600, an available function table 700 for each user, a user management table 800, a group management table 900, a function execution processing speed table 1000, a processing program, and a processing target. Images and the like are stored. Further, various computer programs such as various other data processing programs are stored.

  The drive 1312 reads data or a program recorded on a removable recording medium 1313 such as a mounted magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, and reads the data or program as an interface 1307 and an external bus 1306. , The bridge 1305, and the RAM 1303 connected via the host bus 1304. The removable recording medium 1313 can also be used as a data recording area similar to a hard disk.

  The connection port 1314 is a port for connecting the external connection device 1315 and has a connection unit such as USB and IEEE1394. The connection port 1314 is connected to the CPU 1301 and the like via the interface 1307, the external bus 1306, the bridge 1305, the host bus 1304, and the like. A communication unit 1316 is connected to a communication line and executes data communication processing with the outside. The data reading unit 1317 is, for example, a scanner, and executes document reading processing. The data output unit 1318 is, for example, a printer, and executes document data output processing.

  Note that the hardware configuration of the image processing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 13 shows one configuration example, and the present embodiment is not limited to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 13, and the modules described in the present embodiment are executed. Any configuration is possible. For example, some modules may be configured with dedicated hardware (for example, Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), etc.), and some modules are in an external system and connected via a communication line Alternatively, a plurality of systems shown in FIG. 13 may be connected to each other via communication lines so as to cooperate with each other. Further, it may be incorporated in a copying machine, a fax machine, a scanner, a printer, a multifunction machine or the like.

The program described above may be provided by being stored in a recording medium, or the program may be provided by communication means. In that case, for example, the above-described program may be regarded as an invention of a “computer-readable recording medium recording the program”.
The “computer-readable recording medium on which a program is recorded” refers to a computer-readable recording medium on which a program is recorded, which is used for program installation, execution, program distribution, and the like.
The recording medium is, for example, a digital versatile disc (DVD), which is a standard established by the DVD Forum, such as “DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-RAM,” and DVD + RW. Standard “DVD + R, DVD + RW, etc.”, compact disc (CD), read-only memory (CD-ROM), CD recordable (CD-R), CD rewritable (CD-RW), Blu-ray disc ( Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc), magneto-optical disk (MO), flexible disk (FD), magnetic tape, hard disk, read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable and rewritable read-only memory (EEPROM (registered trademark)) )), Flash memory, Random access memory (RAM) SD (Secure Digital) memory card and the like.
The program or a part of the program may be recorded on the recording medium for storage or distribution. Also, by communication, for example, a local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wired network used for the Internet, an intranet, an extranet, etc., or wireless communication It may be transmitted using a transmission medium such as a network or a combination of these, or may be carried on a carrier wave.
Furthermore, the program may be a part of another program, or may be recorded on a recording medium together with a separate program. Moreover, it may be divided and recorded on a plurality of recording media. Further, it may be recorded in any manner as long as it can be restored, such as compression or encryption.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Image forming apparatus 105 ... User interface 110 ... Function list presentation module 115 ... Function list acquisition module 120 ... Process selection module 125 ... Processing result display module 130 ... Instruction sheet processing module 135 ... Instruction sheet creation module 140 ... Instruction sheet analysis module 145 ... Process management module 150 ... Process execution module 155 ... External cooperation processing module 160 ... Process request module 165 ... Process speed holding module 180 ... Monitoring server 185 ... Function list management module 190 ... Process execution device determination module 195 ... Image forming apparatus monitoring Module 199 ... Internet

Claims (9)

  Storage means for storing, as list information, a first function installed in a processing apparatus and a second function installed in another processing apparatus;
  An accepting means for accepting an instruction that is a combination of functions available to the operator from the processing device by an operation of the operator on the processing device;
  First determination means for determining whether or not a function included in the instruction received by the reception means can be processed by the processing device;
  A second determination unit that determines that the other processing device should be requested when it is determined by the first determination unit that processing cannot be performed by the processing device;
  A transmission unit that transmits a determination result by the first determination unit or the second determination unit to the processing device;
  An information processing apparatus having
  Presenting means for acquiring the list information stored in the storage means and presenting the first function and the second function as a list to an operator operating the processing device;
  An instruction form creating means for creating an instruction form for giving an instruction to the processing apparatus using the first function and the second function, which is presented to the presenting means;
  The processing apparatus comprising:
  An information processing system consisting of   The combination of functions available to the operator is determined according to the type of operator.
  The information processing system according to claim 1.   If the second determination means determines that the processing apparatus cannot process the first determination means, the second determination means should request the other processing apparatus or download a program for performing the function to the processing apparatus. To decide
  The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2.   The second determination unit includes a process including a travel time from the processing device to the other processing device when printing is included in the instruction and printing is performed by the other processing device. Make a decision based on time
  The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A receiving unit that receives an instruction from the processing device that is a combination of processing that can be instructed by the operator by the operation of the processing device;
A first determination unit that determines whether or not the processing in the instruction received by the reception unit can be processed by the processing device;
A second determination unit that determines whether to download another processing device or a program for performing the processing to the processing device when the first determination unit determines that the processing device cannot perform processing;
A transmission unit that transmits a determination result by the first determination unit or the second determination unit to the processing device ;
The second determination unit includes a process including a travel time from the processing device to the other processing device when printing is included in the instruction and printing is performed by the other processing device. An information processing apparatus that performs determination based on time . The second determining means compares the time required for downloading the program to the processing device and performing the processing and the time required for causing another processing device to perform the processing. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5 , characterized in that: The second determination means determines whether or not the processing device can be equipped with hardware having the function of the processing,
The transmission unit, wherein when it is determined to be equipped with the hardware by the second determination means according to claim 5 or and transmits the effect that proposes to mount the hardware 6 The information processing apparatus described in 1.   A computer that is an information processing device
  Storage means for storing, as list information, a first function installed in a processing apparatus and a second function installed in another processing apparatus;
  An accepting means for accepting an instruction that is a combination of functions available to the operator from the processing device by an operation of the operator on the processing device;
  First determination means for determining whether or not a function included in the instruction received by the reception means can be processed by the processing device;
  A second determination unit that determines that the other processing device should be requested when it is determined by the first determination unit that processing cannot be performed by the processing device;
  Transmission means for transmitting the determination result by the first determination means or the second determination means to the processing device
  Function as
  A computer that is a processing device
  Presenting means for acquiring the list information stored in the storage means and presenting the first function and the second function as a list to an operator operating the processing device;
  An instruction form creating means for creating an instruction form for giving an instruction to the processing device using the first function and the second function, which is presented to the presenting means.
  To act as
  Information processing program. Computer
A receiving unit that receives an instruction from the processing device that is a combination of processing that can be instructed by the operator by the operation of the processing device;
A first determination unit that determines whether or not the processing in the instruction received by the reception unit can be processed by the processing device;
A second determination unit that determines whether to download another processing device or a program for performing the processing to the processing device when the first determination unit determines that the processing device cannot perform processing;
Function as a transmission means for transmitting a determination result by the first determination means or the second determination means to the processing device ;
The second determination unit includes a process including a travel time from the processing device to the other processing device when printing is included in the instruction and printing is performed by the other processing device. Make a decision based on time
An information processing program characterized by that .

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