JP2008052561A - Electronic approval system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem that when there are users executing not only electronic data processing but also physical processing in an approval processing process of an electronic document requiring the approval of a plurality of users, a conventional system cannot reflect the approval results of physical approvers (can not list up approval seals). <P>SOLUTION: The electronic approval system comprises: a means having an electronic document, its matter identifier and the approver information of each approver for approving the electronic document and capable of registering/storing approval certificate data corresponding to an approver's identifier in the approver information; a means for determining whether a user is a present approver in an approve processing flow or not; a means for updating the electronic document by adding the approve certificate data of the present approver which is previously registered or input at present; a means for updating the approver information by reflecting the processing contents of the present approver; and a means for notifying the updated electronic document and the approver information to a succeeding approver for executing approval after the present approver. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  It relates to an electronic approval system.

  Prior to the introduction of the electronic approval system, which has become widespread in recent years, the business form in which payment is made using documents such as documents printed on a print medium such as paper is the main. If the approver confirms the contents of the document and presses an approval mark in a predetermined column, the approval process of the approver is completed.

  Further, when a plurality of approval / settlementers are set in a document that requires such approval processing, there is a column for performing a seal or signature as a certificate approved by each approver.

  Such a print medium-based document such as paper is normally circulated in order from the lower rank to the higher rank, and is approved and settled, and the seal and signature fields are filled.

  When the seal field is finally filled, the approval / settlement is completed and it is considered that the formal approval procedure has been taken for the contents described in the document.

  In contrast to the conventional approval processing using a document printed in this way, in the electronic approval system, it has been described on the document of a physical document on an electronic data processing device such as a personal computer connected via a network. Circulate an electronic document in which the contents of the case, the seal column, and the signature column are digitized.

  In the client / server type electronic approval system, for example, in a client PC as shown in FIG. 2 operated by each user, the matter data stored in the database on the file server on the network is displayed on the display unit by the application. Is displayed.

  Each user refers to the case data using an application on the client PC, decides whether or not to approve it, and inputs the decision result into a corresponding approval column using an input device such as a keyboard. To do.

  This approval result is reflected in the database on the file server and updated. Other users can check the target matter data and the current situation on other personal computers on the network, and if the user is an approver, can enter approval or non-approval decisions.

  In the case of the non-client / server method, the electronic document approved by the approver is passed to the personal computer that can be received and operated by the next approver via a network or memory device, and the approval process is also executed. Is done.

  In any system, the approval / settlement is completed when all the persons in charge enter the approval, and it is considered that the formal approval procedure has been taken for the contents described in the document. It is the same as the case of.

As a conventional example, for example, when a paper voucher is stamped, this is detected via a switch. When a stamp is detected, the principal identifier and the voucher identification information are transferred to a higher-level electronic approval system, and the approval voucher for the electronic voucher is transferred. Are also displayed in synchronization with each other, and when an approval mark is pressed on a paper slip, the information is read and the mark is displayed in the approval mark column of the corresponding electronic slip (see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-348738

<Problem 1>
Physical approval alternative: An approver who does not have an electronic approval method on the PC applies the same processing contents as the physical processing (such as seal) to the electronic document and passes it to the next approver In the conventional document approval system The process of performing the approval process using a physical document printed on a print medium such as paper and the process of performing the approval process using an electronic document are independent and cannot be used together. That is, in order to perform electronic approval, an electronic data processing device and an application that can perform approval processing on an electronic document are required. Therefore, a user who does not have such an environment cannot participate in the electronic approval processing process.

  Also, in the physical approval process, all the physical approval marks must be pressed on the physical document, and it does not make sense to electronically approve only a part of the process.

  Therefore, if there are users who cannot perform electronic approval among the approvers existing in the approval process, all of them must adopt the approval process by physical documents, and many users can perform electronic approval. Even if there is an environment, there are cases where the electronic approval system cannot be used.

<Problem 2>
Physical processing on electronic document: When some physical processing (attachment of receipt, etc.) is required for the electronic document, processing on the document on which physical processing has been performed is incorporated into the electronic approval processing flow.

  Further, the conventional electronic approval processing system cannot cope with a case where physical processing needs to be performed on the electronic document in the approval processing process. That is, since all processing is performed as electronic data in the processing process, for example, in the process of approving the withdrawal slip, the actual receipt of the approver A is attached to the withdrawal slip, and the next approver is If there is a processing flow in which the user's own approval processing is performed after confirming a receipt (not a copy) that is actually attached, the conventional electronic approval processing flow cannot be used.

<Problem 3>
Approver information is added to the output document: Only the physical document after physical approval is used, and the approval flow including the approver information is advanced.

  In order to solve the above problems 1 and 2 and include the approval process in the physical document in the electronic approval process, it is necessary to transmit the approver information peculiar to the electronic approval process in some form even during the physical document process. Don't be. In other words, in the physical approval process, it is the basis for authenticity that approval certification data such as a signature or seal exists on a normal document and is physically placed directly on the corresponding document. Electronic images (including copy images) are generally not considered valid authorization data.

  On the other hand, in the electronic approval process, since all data including the original document is digitized, the data for approval certification existing on the electronic document itself does not guarantee the validity of the document. I don't get it. Therefore, what verifies the approval processing of the electronic data is not a visible image on the electronic document, but requires a means for proving that the user who processes the electronic document is an effective approver.

  Usually, as a means to guarantee the authenticity of electronic approval performed on an electronic document, information on the approver and the situation at the time of approval, which is included in the electronic data itself or held as separate data, is used. Is common. That is, when a user performs an approval process on an electronic document, an identifier and necessary information as an approver are input, and the electronic approval system compares the input information with the approver information attached to the electronic document. In addition to confirming the right or wrong of the approver authority, the status when the approval process is actually performed is added to the approver information as the approval status data for the case. The next approver and other users use the electronic document and the approver information incidental thereto to determine the authenticity of the electronic document.

  In the case where the physical approval process is mixed with the electronic approval process, which is a problem of the present invention, the approver information for judging and guaranteeing the authenticity of the electronic document cannot be transmitted during the physical approval process.

<Problem 4>
Restrictions at the time of output: Security is maintained by setting operation restrictions when performing physical processing.

  In the case where physical approval processing is mixed with electronic approval processing, which is an issue of the present invention, it is necessary to output an electronic document when performing physical approval, so an unofficial document that has not been approved is output. It will exist as a thing. Further, even a user who does not have the electronic approval authority can view the contents by display / output.

  FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a processing flow of a general electronic approval system.

  The creator of the electronic document, the primary approver, and the final approver are set. The electronic document created by the creator who performs the processing first on the client PC in FIG. The creator's signature or the like is added as electronic data and becomes an approval (creation) symbol. Further, separately from the electronic document, a case for assuring the authenticity of the electronic document and approver information data are generated, and data linked to the electronic document is configured.

  After completion of creation, electronic data is exchanged with the next approver (primary approver) via a network or a memory device.

  The primary approver who has received the electronic document and the approver information similarly performs approval processing according to his / her authority in the client PCs 202 and 204 and adds an approval symbol image to the primary approver column. At this time, information of the primary approver is added to the approver information.

  Similarly, electronic data is transferred to the next approver (final approver), and when all the operations (creation / approval) are completed, the electronic document becomes an official document for which the approval process has been officially completed.

  Thereafter, by using the approver information corresponding to the electronic document, it is possible to verify the authenticity and approval history of the electronic document.

  In order to complete the electronic approval processing flow as described above, it is necessary that all workers have an electronic data processing environment in which an electronic document can be operated and electronic approval can be performed.

  However, as described in Problem 1, some approvers on the processing flow do not have the above environment, or physical processing for an electronic document occurs on the processing flow as described in Problem 2. In the approval process, the electronic approval system cannot be used, and a conventional physical approval process must be performed.

  FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram in the case where there is an approver who cannot perform electronic approval on the way. Even if the electronic document passed from the creator to the primary approver is physically stamped, it cannot be transferred to the next final approver as an electronic document. Is not described, and the approver information is not updated. Therefore, the final approver cannot perform electronic approval, and the approval process is not completed.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides:
It has the approver information of the electronic document and its case identifier and each approver who approves it,
Means for registering and holding approval certification data corresponding to the approver identifier in the approver information;
Means for determining whether the user is the current approver in the approval process flow;
Means for updating the electronic document by adding the data for proof of approval of the current approver registered in advance or input on the spot;
A means for updating the approver information to reflect the processing of the current approver,
And means for notifying the updated electronic document and the approver information to the next approver who should approve after the current approver.

In the electronic approval system,
Means for the user to input an identifier; means for determining whether the user is the current approver from the input identifier and the attribute information of the current approver included in the approver information;
It is characterized by having.

In the electronic approval system,
A means for holding arrangement information such as type and embedding position in the approver information for information added by each approver to the electronic document,
Means for calculating the size of the registration or input approval certification data within the predetermined range of the electronic data from the embedded information, and enlarging / reducing the image data so as to be the size;
It is characterized by having.

In the electronic approval system,
Means for identifying the data for approval certification held by the device from the identifier of the current approver;
Means for synthesizing the approval proof data resized to a predetermined position of the electronic document into a predetermined position of the electronic document;
It is characterized by having.

In the electronic approval system,
Means for retaining the identifier of the next approver and the destination address in the approver information;
Means for obtaining the destination address and transmitting the electronic document updated by the current approver to the next approver;
It is characterized by having.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides:
It has approver information which is attribute information of each approver who approves the electronic document and its case identifier,
Means for determining whether the user is the current approver in the approval process flow;
Means for deciding whether to display an electronic document or output to a print medium for a user who is determined to be the current approver;
Means for reading a print medium output document such as paper that has been physically processed by the current approver,
Means for updating the electronic document reflecting the change of the physical processing part added by the current approver;
A means for updating the approver information to reflect the processing of the current approver,
Means for notifying the updated approver of the updated electronic document data and the approver information;
It is characterized by having.

In the electronic approval system,
Means for the user to input an identifier; means for determining whether the user is the current approver from the input identifier and the current approver information of the approver information;
It is characterized by having.

In the electronic approval system,
For the approver who performs physical processing, means for holding permission information regarding output of electronic documents, content display, etc. in the approver information,
Means for determining whether or not an electronic document output operation is permitted by the current approver using the permission information;
It is characterized by having.

In the electronic approval system,
When an approver who performs physical processing is permitted to output an electronic document, display contents, etc., a means for holding the restrictions / conditions of the permitted operation contents in the approver information;
Means for determining the type of electronic document output operation by the current approver using the restriction / condition information;
It is characterized by having.

In the electronic approval system,
A means for holding the arrangement information of the type and the embedding position in the approver information for the information that each approver physically adds to the document output on a print medium such as paper;
Means for identifying information physically added by each approver from the embedded information from a print medium output document image such as read paper, and reflecting it in an electronic document;
An electronic approval system characterized by comprising:

In the electronic approval system,
Means for retaining the identifier of the next approver to approve after the current approver and the destination address in the approver information;
When the current approver outputs the electronic document again, means for recording the notification information to the next approver on a print medium such as paper together with the matter identifier of the electronic document;
Means for acquiring the transmission destination address when a print medium document such as paper subjected to physical processing is read, and transmitting the electronic document updated by the current approver to the next approver;
It is characterized by having.

In the electronic approval system,
As each approver information, means for holding in the approver information whether or not to permit an output operation on a print medium such as paper, and when the output operation is performed, the identifier of the current approver and the approval Means for determining whether or not to output from the user information;
It is characterized by having.

In the electronic approval system,
As each approver information, means for holding in the approver information whether or not to permit a display operation on a display medium such as a display, and when the display operation is performed, the identifier of the current approver and the approval Means for determining whether or not display is possible from the user information;
It is characterized by having.

In the electronic approval system,
When the current approver performs an output operation on a print medium such as paper,
A means of identifying an area that reflects the physical processing permitted to the current approver;
Means for printing part or all of the contents of the electronic document excluding the area invisible or indecipherable contents;
It is characterized by having.

As an effect of the present invention, an approver having no electronic approval means on a PC can perform processing contents equivalent to physical processing (such as a seal) on an electronic document and pass it to the next approver. Further, as another effect of the present invention, when some physical processing (such as attachment of a receipt) is required for an electronic document, it is possible to incorporate processing on the document that has been subjected to physical processing into the electronic approval processing flow.

  Furthermore, as another effect of the present invention, it is possible to advance the approval flow including the approver information only with the physical document after the physical approval.

  Furthermore, as another effect of the present invention, security can be maintained by providing operation restrictions when performing physical processing.

(Example 1)
Examples according to claims 1 to 5 will be described in detail below.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a printing apparatus with a storage function in which the present invention functions.

  The printing apparatus includes an image input unit 100 such as a scanner, an operating environment setting unit 101 such as a UI panel, an image processing unit 102 such as a video controller, an external storage device 103 such as an HD, and an image transmission / reception such as a network I / F board and fax. And an image output unit 105 such as a printer. The above assumes a combined printing apparatus in which a printer connected to the host computer 116, a copy provided with a scanner, a fax, and the like are integrated, but not all are required as a configuration of the present invention.

  The data processing unit 102 includes an input unit I / F 110, a setting unit I / F 111, an output unit I / F 112, a transmission / reception I / F 113, and a storage device I / F 114. By an internal bus, the data processing / control program ROM 106, data It is connected to a ROM 107, a CPU 108, a RAM 109 as an internal storage area, a timer (clock function) 115, and the like.

  Input data is taken into the data processing unit 102 by scanning an image with the image input unit 100 such as a scanner or by receiving print data sent via an external host computer, external fax or network via the transmission / reception unit 104. It is.

  The print data captured in 102 is processed according to the operating environment set in 101 or the operating environment information included in the external print data, and the processed print data is printed according to the target operation. When printing is performed by the apparatus, the data is passed to 105, when the print data is transmitted to the external network, 104, and when stored in the printing apparatus, 103 is passed.

  When the print data is processed in 102, the program is read from the program ROM 106 according to the processing operating environment acquired via 111 while using the information in the data ROM 107 as necessary, and the processing is performed using the internal storage area 109 or the like. Execute.

  FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an electronic approval system including the image processing apparatus, and shows a configuration of a client (PC / image processing apparatus) having various connection forms with a shared server.

  The shared server 101 is connected to the client PC (1) 102 and the client image processing apparatus (2) 103 via a network, and is locally connected to the client PC (3) 104, via respective connection paths. The electronic document data and approver information data managed and stored on the shared server 101 are accessed, and when necessary, downloading to the client and uploading to the shared server are performed.

  FIG. 5 shows a processing flow according to the present invention when the primary approver does not have an electronic approval environment.

  The primary approver who has received the electronic document and the approver information from the creator inputs both data into the image processing apparatus (203 in FIG. 2) having the electronic approval system function according to the present invention. Further, the approver identifier corresponding to the electronic document is registered by linking to the item of the electronic document, and an approval certification image (an imprint image or the like) which is approval symbol data is registered. In the image processing apparatus, after confirming that the registered user is an appropriate approver of the electronic document case, the registered approval certification image is placed in a predetermined location of the electronic document in accordance with the user's approval processing execution command. At the same time, the status is changed to indicate that the primary approval has been made for the approver information.

  Further, if the approver information includes data destination information for the next approver (final approver), the data is transmitted to the next approver via the network.

  Thereby, when the primary approver does not have the electronic approval environment, the approval process can be performed by using the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

  (1) of FIG. 7 shows user registration data held in the image processing apparatus that implements the electronic approval system according to the present invention.

  FIGS. 7 (2) and 7 (3) show the case and the approver information data for realizing the electronic approval system according to the present invention.

  8 to 10 are flowcharts for explaining the processing shown in this embodiment.

  FIG. 8A shows a user registration process for performing an approval process.

  First, a user name is registered in step S1001 with respect to the image processing apparatus, and in step S1002, a case identifier corresponding to the electronic document (corresponding to a code described in “case ID” in FIG. 7) is set as the case identifier in step S1003. The corresponding approver identifier (corresponding to the code described in “Approver ID” in FIG. 7) is registered, and the approval certification image (FIG. 7) added as symbol data when the approval is executed in S1004. (Corresponding to the image designated by the “approval certificate image”), and the update is validated in S1005.

  In step S1006, it is determined whether or not registration is performed for a case of a different electronic document. If registration is continued, the process returns to step S1002 and continues. If you do not wish to continue, the registration ends.

  As a result, information for identifying an approver for each item and performing alternative electronic approval is stored in the image processing apparatus.

  FIG. 8B is a flowchart showing the basic approval process in the present embodiment.

  The current work (approver) that has received the electronic document and approver information from the previous worker (approver) inputs the registered user name to the image processing apparatus in S2001, and the approver information data to the image processing apparatus in S2002. to download. In step S2003, it is determined whether or not the user has any work authority as the current approver from the user registration name and the content of the approver information input earlier.

  This approver determination will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  The case identifier A of the current electronic document is acquired in S3001, the approver identifier B registered for each user corresponding to A is acquired in S3002, and the current approver identifier C for A is acquired from the approver information in S3003.

  In step S3004, B and C are compared. If B = C, the current user is determined to be the current approver of the electronic document, and if B ≠ C, the current user is determined not to be the authority to approve the electronic data. The process returns to S2004.

  Returning to FIG. 8B, if it is determined in S2004 that the user does not have the authorization authority, the process ends without performing any processing. If the user is determined to be the current approver, the electronic document is subsequently received. When the user performs an approval process on the electronic document in S2006, an electronic document update process is executed in S2007.

  This approver determination will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 9B and 10A.

  In FIG. 10A, when electronic document update is started, approval proof data D corresponding to the case A registered in the image apparatus is acquired in S5001, and the process proceeds to additional information arrangement calculation processing in S5002.

  This arrangement calculation process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 9B, a resizing process is performed to synthesize an approval certification image corresponding to the case A registered in the image processing apparatus by the user on the electronic document.

  In S4001, the arrangement setting for the additional information is acquired from the approver information corresponding to the case A. This additional information arrangement setting indicates that additional information (type / arrangement) is included in the approver information described in (3) of FIG.

  In the example of (3) in FIG. 7, the type of additional information is “seal”, and the arrangement is set to print an image of 3 cm square on an X coordinate = 20 mm / Y coordinate 50 mm portion on the paper. Therefore, from this arrangement information, the approver certificate data image registered in advance in the image processing apparatus is enlarged or reduced as necessary in S4002, and the print position is determined as G.

  Returning to FIG. 10 (a), when the additional information arrangement processing is completed, in S5003, the registered approval certification data is synthesized and added to G (additional information arrangement position) of the original electronic document, and the right side of FIG. Return to S2008.

  In step S2008, the approver information is updated. Here, the status of the case information in (3) of FIG. 7 is advanced (from “waiting for primary approval” to “waiting for final approval”), and the (approval) work date of the current approver is updated.

  When the electronic document and the approver information are updated as described above, data transfer to the next approver is performed in S2009.

  The data transfer to the next approver will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 10B, the identifier H of the next approver (final approver in this example) in the case A is acquired in S7001, and the data receiving address I of H is acquired in S7002. (Here, it is possible to provide a function such as inquiring to the server when there is no data receiving address)
For the address I acquired in step S7003, the primary approved electronic document and the approver information are passed via the network or via a memory device, and the process ends.

  By realizing the processing function, an operator who does not have an electronic approval environment can execute the approval process while riding the electronic approval process flow.

(Example 2)
Examples according to claims 6 to 14 will be described in detail below.

  FIG. 6 shows a processing flow according to the present invention when the primary approver needs to perform some physical processing on the electronic document.

  The primary approver who has received the electronic document and the approver information from the creator inputs both data into the image processing apparatus (203 in FIG. 2) having the electronic approval system function according to the present invention. In the image processing apparatus, after confirming that the registered user is an appropriate approver of the electronic document case, the electronic document is output to a print medium such as paper in accordance with the user's output processing execution command.

  The user (approver) executes physical processing (signature seal, attachment of receipt, etc.) on the output paper document.

  At this time, in the output paper document, the approver information attached to the electronic document is printed in some form (encrypted data, watermark data, etc.), and all the information held in the electronic approval processing flow is all included.

  A paper document that has been subjected to physical processing by the current approver is re-converted into an electronic document by being read again by the image processing apparatus. At this time, the approver information on the paper document is also decrypted.

Data transfer to the next approver can be performed by a paper document, or can be read into an image processing apparatus and converted into electronic data for transmission processing. (If the approver information contains data destination information for the next approver (final approver), the data is sent to the next approver via the network.)
As a result, the primary approver can put the data in the electronic approval processing flow again after performing physical processing on the electronic document.

  (1) of FIG. 7 shows user registration data held in the image processing apparatus that implements the electronic approval system according to the present invention, as in the first embodiment.

  Similarly, FIGS. 7 (2) and 7 (3) show the case and the approver information data for realizing the electronic approval system according to the present invention.

  11 to 12 are flowcharts for explaining the processing shown in the present embodiment.

  FIG. 11A is a flowchart showing basic approval processing in the present embodiment.

The current work (approver) that has received the electronic document and the approver information from the previous worker (approver) inputs the registered user name to the image processing apparatus in S8001, and the approver information data to the image processing apparatus in S8002. to download. In step S8003, it is determined whether or not the user has any work authority as the current approver from the user registration name and the content of the approver information input earlier. (Same as Example 1)
If the current approver is not determined in this approver determination, no processing can be performed on the electronic document, and document data is passed to the next approver in S8009 or returned to the previous approver. To do.

  If it is determined in step S8004 that the user is the current approver, an electronic document is received in step S8005, and it is determined whether an approval process is performed in step S8006.

  When not performing, it transfers to S8009 and passes document data to the next approver.

  If approval is to be made, the electronic document is output to a print medium such as paper in S8007.

  This electronic document output process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  When an electronic document is output in S8007, the current project identifier A is acquired in S9001, and the current approver identifier in A is acquired in S9002. In S9003, work information J permitted for the current approver C is acquired.

  From these pieces of information, the current approver determines in step S9004 whether or not the electronic document can be printed. If not, the process returns to step S8008. In this case, physical processing is not performed and only approval processing is performed.

  If possible, output processing of an electronic document and approver information is performed in S9005.

  In this electronic document output process, in FIG. 12C, the accompanying approver information is printed on the electronic document data in S1201 in a state that cannot be decoded by watermarking or encryption.

  As a result, all the information taken over as electronic data is transferred / saved on the print medium.

  Returning to FIG. 11B, the process proceeds from S9005 to S9006, and electronic document output is executed.

  At this time, if the electronic document item A has restrictions on processing such as output, it is necessary to limit the processing in S9006.

  This part will be described with reference to FIG.

  In S1001, processing restriction information for the electronic document is acquired from the case information of A, and it is determined in S1002 whether there is a restriction.

  If there is no limit, normal output processing is performed in step S8008.

  If there is a restriction, the output data is reconstructed in S1003 according to the restriction contents. The restriction at this time is, for example, that the content is not leaked from the output material, so that part or all of the document content is changed to an unreadable form, or a secondary pattern cannot be used by adding a background pattern or the like to the output data. And so on.

  Which restrictions are provided can be set by adding items as item information items as shown in FIG.

  In step S1003, the output data is reconstructed according to the above, and then output processing is performed in step S8007.

  Thus far, the current approver finishes outputting the electronic document.

  Returning to FIG. 11A, the current approver can perform physical processing such as signature stamping or attaching a receipt to the physical document such as paper output in S8007 in S8008.

  In S8009, the physical document after the physical processing is delivered to the next approver. At this time, the physical document can be delivered as it is and the next approver can be a re-electronic document. It is also possible for the person to re-read the physical document with the image processing apparatus to make it the most electronic and to transmit it as an electronic document as it is.

  In step S8010, the current approver or the next approver who has received the physical document re-creates the electronic document in step S8011.

  This part will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S1101, the current approver C determines whether or not updating (physical processing) of the electronic document is permitted. If not, the processing does not need to be performed (including approval), and the process ends. .

  If it is permitted, an arrangement process regarding impossibility information (same as S5002) is performed in S1102.

  From the arrangement information, the position G where some information is added by the current approver C is specified for the read data of the reread physical document, and whether or not data is added to this portion is checked in S1103. To do.

  If the information according to the permission information is added, the process ends. If not, the process ends with a warning that information is missing.

  As a result, the physical processing performed on the electronic document by the current approver is converted into electronic data again by the current approver or the next approver and processed according to the electronic approval processing flow.

  In other words, it is possible to use both electronic approval and physical approval by processing a physical seal or attaching a receipt to an electronic document and re-documenting it while ensuring the authenticity of these processing. It becomes possible.

1 shows a configuration of an image processing apparatus that implements an electronic approval system according to the present invention. 2 shows a configuration of a client (PC and image processing apparatus) having various connection forms with a shared server. A general electronic approval processing flow is shown. The case where there exists an approver who cannot perform an electronic approval process in the electronic approval process flow is shown. The electronic approval / physical approval mixed process in Example 1 of this invention is shown. The electronic approval / physical approval mixed process in Example 2 of this invention is shown. The specific example of approver information for implement | achieving this invention is shown. It is a flowchart explaining the process shown in Example 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the process shown in Example 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the process shown in Example 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the process shown in Example 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the process shown in Example 2 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Scanner 101 Environment setting part 102 Data processing / control part 103 Internal storage area part 104 Data transmission / reception part 105 Image output part 106 Program ROM
107 Data ROM
108 CPU
109 RAM
110 Input section I / F
111 Setting section I / F
112 Output unit I / F
113 Transmission / reception unit I / F
114 Storage unit I / F
115 Timer 116 Host computer

Claims (14)

It has the approver information of the electronic document and its case identifier and each approver who approves it,
Means for registering and holding approval certification data corresponding to the approver identifier in the approver information;
Means for determining whether the user is the current approver in the approval process flow;
Means for updating the electronic document by adding data for approval of the current approver registered in advance or input on the spot;
A means for updating the approver information to reflect the processing of the current approver,
An electronic approval system, comprising: means for notifying the updated electronic document and the approver information to a next approver who should approve after the current approver. In the electronic approval system according to claim 1,
Means for the user to input an identifier; means for determining whether the user is the current approver from the input identifier and the attribute information of the current approver included in the approver information;
An electronic approval system characterized by comprising: In the electronic approval system according to claim 1,
A means for holding the placement information in the approver information for the information that each approver adds to the electronic document;
Means for calculating the size of the registration or input approval certification data within the predetermined range of the electronic data from the embedded information, and enlarging / reducing the image data so as to be the size;
An electronic approval system characterized by comprising: In the electronic approval system according to claims 1 and 3,
Means for identifying the data for approval certification held by the device from the identifier of the current approver;
Means for synthesizing the approval proof data resized to a predetermined position of the electronic document into a predetermined position of the electronic document;
An electronic approval system characterized by comprising: In the electronic approval system according to claim 1,
Means for retaining the identifier of the next approver and the destination address in the approver information;
Means for obtaining the destination address and transmitting the electronic document updated by the current approver to the next approver;
An electronic approval system characterized by comprising: It has approver information which is attribute information of each approver who approves the electronic document and its case identifier,
Means for determining whether the user is the current approver in the approval process flow;
Means for deciding whether to display an electronic document or output to a print medium for a user who is determined to be the current approver;
Means for reading a print medium output document that has been physically processed by the current approver,
Means for updating the electronic document reflecting the change of the physical processing part added by the current approver;
A means for updating the approver information to reflect the processing of the current approver,
Means for notifying the updated approver of the updated electronic document data and the approver information;
An electronic approval system characterized by comprising: In the electronic approval system according to claim 6,
Means for the user to input an identifier; means for determining whether the user is the current approver from the input identifier and the current approver information of the approver information;
An electronic approval system characterized by comprising: In the electronic approval system according to claim 6,
For the approver who performs the physical processing, means for holding the permission information in the approver information,
Means for determining whether or not an electronic document output operation is permitted by the current approver using the permission information;
An electronic approval system characterized by comprising: The electronic approval system according to claim 9,
If the approver who performs the physical processing is permitted, means for holding the restrictions / conditions of the permitted operation content in the approver information,
Means for determining the type of electronic document output operation by the current approver using the restriction / condition information;
An electronic approval system characterized by comprising: In the electronic approval system according to claim 6,
A means for holding information on the type and embedding position arrangement in the approver information for the information that each approver physically adds to the document output to the print medium;
Information physically added by each approver from the embedded information, identified from the read print medium output document image, and reflected on the electronic document;
An electronic approval system characterized by comprising: In the electronic approval system according to claim 6,
Means for retaining the identifier of the next approver to approve after the current approver and the destination address in the approver information;
Means for recording notification information to the next approver on the print medium together with the case identifier of the electronic document when the current approver outputs the electronic document again;
Means for acquiring the transmission destination address when a print medium document subjected to physical processing is read, and transmitting the electronic document updated by the current approver to the next approver;
An electronic approval system characterized by comprising: In the electronic approval system according to claim 6,
As each approver information, a means for holding in the approver information whether or not an output operation on the print medium is permitted, and when an output operation is performed, from the identifier of the current approver and the approver information Means for determining whether output is possible;
An electronic approval system characterized by comprising: In the electronic approval system according to claim 6,
As each approver information, a means for holding in the approver information whether or not to permit a display operation on the display medium, and when a display operation is performed, from the identifier of the current approver and the approver information Means for deciding whether to display,
An electronic approval system characterized by comprising: In the electronic approval system according to claim 6,
When an output operation on the print media is performed by the current approver,
A means of identifying an area that reflects the physical processing permitted to the current approver;
Means for printing part or all of the contents of the electronic document excluding the area invisible or unreadable in the contents;
An electronic approval system characterized by comprising:

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