JP2008077238A - Workflow management system, workflow management method and workflow management program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a workflow management system, a workflow management method and a workflow management program that can effectively utilize the convenience of paper documents in a dynamic workflow by embedding visible and/or invisible information for accurate recognition of information on paper documents in page space information. <P>SOLUTION: The workflow management system 100, in which a management server SV having a database 117 manages tasks constructing a dynamic workflow and handles information on paper documents as workflow information, has a print data generation means for adding predetermined information to related information about the tasks stored in the database 117 to generate print data on the task-related information, and a workflow information printing means for printing the print data generated by the print data generation means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a workflow management system that manages a constructive workflow.

  A workflow management system using a personal computer (PC) on a network is a workflow management system configured by a server / client system as shown in Patent Document 1, and a workflow is processed by processing in a computer network. I manage. In such a system, it is difficult for a paper document to form part of the workflow. In view of the above problems, Patent Document 2 proposes a system that allows a paper document to be included in a part of a workflow and permits processing such as stamping (approval processing) to be performed on paper. This focuses on the difference between an electronic document and a paper document as a medium. By processing both in parallel, a difference in characteristics between media is overcome and a system incorporating a paper document is realized. However, devices other than personal computers on the network (hereinafter referred to as “PCs”) function only as media converters, and have device characteristics that can process these media (electronic documents and paper documents). The optimized workflow has not been optimized.

  When a workflow is realized in a network composed of different types of devices (for example, PC, Printer, Facsimile, scanner and multi-function printer (MFP)), those devices are implemented. Due to the difference in characteristics, a single workflow has multiple means of realization. When the user selects a device, the workflow management system needs to select an appropriate one from the plurality of realizing means. Therefore, it is necessary to dynamically select and configure the workflow.

  Patent Document 3 or 4 discloses a method for dynamically determining a workflow. However, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 3 or 4 does not support a workflow in the above-described network composed of different types of devices.

  As described above, in the above-described workflow management system, it is difficult to realize a workflow for inputting information described in a paper document by making use of device characteristics. As a result, from a printer, a facsimile machine, a multifunction peripheral (MFP), etc. The output paper document information cannot be handled as valid information in the workflow, the information cycle is interrupted, and the convenience of paper cannot be fully utilized in the workflow management system.

  Therefore, the applicant, as a workflow management system that considers device dependency, adjusts and displays the workflow abstraction level depending on the input / output characteristics of multiple image devices on the network. A technology that integrates a flexible workflow that enables configuration changes and image equipment (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-054877), OCR (Optical Character Reader), A workflow technique (for example, see Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-028591) using an image watermark (watermarking) has been proposed.

In a flexible workflow, many additional tasks occur during task execution and are registered in the system. In that case, efficient operation of the system must be considered. Tasks are not only dynamically generated, but also executed by the user, and both electronic and paper documents are created as the deliverables. Since these documents are the deliverables of tasks, it is reasonable to manage them in association with tasks. Therefore, a method of scanning paper documents and managing them in association with tasks has been proposed.
JP 2002-245214 A JP 2000-003402 A JP 2000-259736 A JP-A-8-212486

  However, the functions for scanning paper documents and managing them in association with tasks are realized using OCR, and the performance of the functions depends on the recognition accuracy of OCR, so the functions are automated using the results of OCR. Has the problem of limitations.

  As described above, in the conventional workflow management system, it is difficult to input paper document information to the system and handle it as workflow information. New information is added to the paper document output from the system and then input to the system again. The information cycle that could not be performed was cut off, and the convenience of paper (for example, intuitive addition of information regardless of the environment) could not be effectively utilized in the workflow management system.

  In the present invention, in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, in a dynamic workflow, visible and / or invisible information for accurately recognizing information of a paper document is embedded in the paper information, thereby improving the convenience of the paper document. It is an object to provide a workflow management system, a workflow management method, and a workflow management program that can be effectively utilized.

  In order to achieve the above object, a workflow management system according to the present invention is a workflow management system that manages tasks constituting a dynamic workflow by a management server having a database and handles paper document information as workflow information. Print data generating means for adding predetermined information to task related information stored in the database and generating print data of the task related information, and a workflow for printing the print data generated by the print data generating means And an information printing means.

Accordingly, the workflow management system of the present invention effectively embeds the convenience of a paper document by embedding visible and / or invisible information for accurately recognizing the information of the paper document in paper information in a dynamic workflow. It can be used for.
In order to achieve the above object, the workflow management system of the present invention has a watermark creating means for creating print data of visible or invisible information in the print data generating means, and the task related information stored in the database. When generating print data, the watermark creating means uses the watermark creation means to identify information, information to identify related information to be printed, information to identify the user who has instructed printing, information to identify the printed image forming apparatus, print The print data is generated by adding at least one of the information specifying the date and time to the related information of the task as visible or invisible information.

  As a result, the workflow management system of the present invention provides information for specifying a task, information for specifying related information to be printed, information for specifying a user who has instructed printing, information for specifying a printed image forming apparatus, and date and time of printing. It is possible to generate print data of task related information (attached document) to which at least one of the specified information is added as visible or invisible information.

  In order to achieve the above object, the workflow management system of the present invention provides information on tasks, information on printing, information on users when printing the print data generated by the print data generation unit by the workflow information printing unit. Among them, it has a workflow information print recording means for storing at least one of them in the database.

  As a result, the workflow management system of the present invention can manage a record of the workflow information printed by the workflow management system.

  In order to achieve the above object, the workflow management system of the present invention performs a predetermined encoding process on the user authentication information used when the management server authenticates a user by the print data generation unit, and The creation means adds the user authentication information subjected to the encoding process to the user information as invisible information to generate print data.

  Accordingly, the workflow management system of the present invention can generate print data in which confidential information such as user authentication information is added to user information in a highly confidential state.

  In order to achieve the above object, the workflow management system of the present invention provides a print data of a task information list in which a check column for recording a progress state for each task is provided by the print data generation unit, and the task information is listed. Is generated.

  Thereby, the workflow management system of the present invention can generate print data of a task information list provided with a check column for recording a progress state for each task.

  In order to achieve the above object, the workflow management system according to the present invention scans the paper document when the paper document on which the related information of the task is printed is input to the workflow management system by the image reading unit. An image reading unit for generating the scan image, and a task related to the scan image based on the predetermined information extracted from the scan image read by the image reading unit, and the scan image as the related information of the specified task Is stored in the database.

  Thus, the workflow management system of the present invention can automatically input paper document information as relevant task related information (attached document) to the system and manage it as workflow information.

  In order to achieve the above object, the workflow management system of the present invention includes an image processing unit that performs predetermined image processing on the scanned image read by the image reading unit in the workflow information storage unit, and the image processing unit. The feature extraction is performed based on a feature extraction unit that reads out the predetermined information that is visible or invisible information added by the print data generation unit and a predetermined comparison index. Feature comparison means for judging the degree of similarity between the image feature extracted by the means and the image feature of the image indicating the task related information stored in the database, and the predetermined feature read by the feature extraction means Based on the information and the related information of the task having a high similarity determined by the feature comparison means, And having a task specifying unit that down image to identify the associated task.

  Thus, the workflow management system of the present invention can automatically identify related tasks by reading information of paper documents.

  In order to achieve the above object, the workflow management system of the present invention is characterized in that, in the workflow information storage means, the feature comparison means causes image characteristics of an image indicating image characteristics of a scanned image and related information of tasks stored in the database. And the information described in the portion having the difference is stored in the data verse as comment information of the related information of the task.

  Thus, the workflow management system of the present invention automatically inputs the newly added information in the paper document information as comment information of the relevant task related information (attached document) and manages it as workflow information. be able to.

  To achieve the above object, the workflow management system of the present invention, when a paper document of user information including the user authentication information as invisible information is input to the workflow management system by the image reading unit, the feature extraction unit The user authentication information added by the print data generation unit is read from the extracted image feature, and authentication processing is performed based on the read user authentication information.

  Thereby, the workflow management system of the present invention can read the information of the paper document and perform user authentication.

  In order to achieve the above object, the workflow management system according to the present invention, when a paper document in which a progress state is recorded in a check column for each task in the task list is input to the workflow management system by the image reading unit, Read the information indicating the progress status of each task from the image features extracted by the feature extraction means, and update the information indicating the progress status of the information of the corresponding task based on the read information indicating the progress status of each task. It is characterized by doing.

  Thereby, the workflow management system of the present invention can read the information of the paper document and update the progress status of the task.

  In order to achieve the above object, the management server of the present invention includes a database that manages tasks constituting a dynamic workflow and an image forming apparatus that inputs information of a paper document as a scanned image to the workflow management system. A management server that adds predetermined information to the task related information stored in the database and generates print data of the task related information; and the print data generated by the print data generation unit Based on the print data transmitting means for transmitting data to the image forming apparatus and the predetermined information extracted from the scanned image input from the image forming apparatus, the task related to the scanned image is identified and identified. Workflow information storage means for storing the scanned image in the database as task-related information; Characterized in that it.

  In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is connected to a workflow management system that manages tasks constituting a dynamic workflow by a management server equipped with a database and handles paper document information as workflow information. An image forming apparatus that receives an image reading unit that scans the paper document and generates a scanned image, a print data reception unit that receives print data transmitted from the management server, and a print data reception unit. And workflow information printing means for printing the print data.

  As a result, the management server and the image forming apparatus of the present invention embed visible and / or invisible information for accurately recognizing information on a paper document in a dynamic workflow, thereby embedding the convenience of the paper document. Can be used effectively.

  Also, information on paper documents can be automatically input to the system as relevant information (attached documents) of appropriate tasks and managed as workflow information.

  In order to achieve the above object, the management server of the present invention has a watermark creation means for creating print data of visible or invisible information in the print data generation means, and prints task related information stored in the database. When generating data, the watermark creating means uses the watermark creation means to identify information, information to identify related information to be printed, information to identify the user who instructed printing, information to identify the printed image forming apparatus, Print information is generated by adding at least one of the information specifying the date and time to the related information of the task as visible or invisible information.

  As a result, the management server of the present invention specifies information for specifying a task, information for specifying related information to be printed, information for specifying a user who has instructed printing, information for specifying a printed image forming apparatus, and date and time of printing. It is possible to generate print data of task related information (attached document) to which at least one of the information to be added is added as visible or invisible information.

  In order to achieve the above object, the management server of the present invention, when printing the print data generated by the print data generation unit by the workflow information printing unit included in the image forming apparatus, information on tasks, information on printing And a workflow information print recording means for storing at least one of the information about the user in the database.

  As a result, the management server of the present invention can manage the record of the workflow information printed by the workflow management system.

  In order to achieve the above object, the management server of the present invention performs a predetermined encoding process on the user authentication information used when the management server authenticates the user by the print data generation unit, and generates the watermark The user authentication information subjected to the encoding process is added to the user information as invisible information by means to generate print data.

  Thus, the management server of the present invention can generate print data in which confidential information such as user authentication information is added to user information in a highly confidential state.

  In order to achieve the above object, the management server of the present invention provides print data of a task information list in which a check column for recording a progress state for each task is provided by the print data generation unit, and the task information is listed. It is characterized by generating.

  As a result, the management server of the present invention can generate print data of a task information list provided with a check column for recording the progress status of each task.

  In order to achieve the above object, the management server of the present invention includes: an image processing unit that performs predetermined image processing on a scan image read by the image reading unit included in the image forming apparatus in the workflow information storage unit; Extracting image features from the image processed by the image processing means and reading the predetermined information that is visible or invisible information added by the print data generating means, based on a predetermined comparison index And feature comparison means for judging the degree of similarity between the image feature extracted by the feature extraction means and the image feature of the image indicating the related information of the task stored in the database, and read by the feature extraction means. On the basis of the predetermined information and the related information of the task having a high similarity determined by the feature comparison unit, And having a task specifying unit which scanned images to identify the associated task.

  As a result, the management server of the present invention can automatically identify related tasks by reading the information of the paper document.

  In order to achieve the above object, the management server of the present invention is configured such that, in the workflow information storage unit, the feature comparison unit includes an image feature of a scan image and an image feature of an image indicating task-related information stored in the database. The difference is detected, and the information described in the portion having the difference is stored in the data verse as comment information of the related information of the task.

  Thus, the management server of the present invention automatically inputs the newly added information in the paper document information as comment information of the relevant information (attached document) of the appropriate task and manages it as workflow information. Can do.

  In order to achieve the above object, the management server according to the present invention, when a paper document of user information including the user authentication information as invisible information is input to the management server by an image reading unit included in the image forming apparatus, The user authentication information added by the print data generation unit is read from the image feature extracted by the extraction unit, and authentication processing is performed based on the read user authentication information.

  As a result, the management server of the present invention can read the information of the paper document and perform user authentication.

  To achieve the above object, the management server of the present invention inputs a paper document in which a progress state is recorded in a check column for each task in the task list to the management server by an image reading unit included in the image forming apparatus. In this case, the information indicating the progress status of each task is read from the image feature extracted by the feature extraction means, and the progress status of the information of the corresponding task is indicated based on the read information indicating the progress status of each task. It is characterized by updating information.

  Thereby, the management server of the present invention can read the information of the paper document and update the progress status of the task.

In order to achieve the above object, a workflow management method in a management server of the present invention manages a task constituting a dynamic workflow and an image forming apparatus that inputs information of a paper document as a scanned image to the workflow management system. A workflow management method in a management server having a database, wherein predetermined information is added to task related information stored in the database, and print data generation procedure for generating print data of the task related information;
A print data transmission procedure for transmitting the print data generated by the print data generation procedure to the image forming apparatus;
A workflow for identifying a task related to the scanned image based on the predetermined information extracted from the scanned image input from the image forming apparatus, and storing the scanned image in the database as related information of the identified task. And an information storage procedure.

  To achieve the above object, a workflow management method in an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is a workflow management system that manages tasks constituting a dynamic workflow by a management server having a database and handles paper document information as workflow information. A workflow management method in an image forming apparatus connected to an image reading procedure for scanning the paper document and generating a scanned image; and a print data receiving procedure for receiving print data transmitted from the management server; A workflow information printing procedure for printing the print data received by the print data receiving procedure.

  Accordingly, the workflow management method in the management server and the image forming apparatus of the present invention embeds visible and / or invisible information for accurately recognizing information of a paper document in a dynamic workflow, thereby embedding paper information. The convenience of documents can be used effectively.

  Also, information on paper documents can be automatically input to the system as relevant information (attached documents) of appropriate tasks and managed as workflow information.

  In order to achieve the above object, a workflow management program in a management server according to the present invention includes a database for managing tasks constituting a dynamic workflow and an image forming apparatus for inputting paper document information to the workflow management system. A workflow management program in the management server, the computer adding predetermined information to the task related information stored in the database, and generating print data of the task related information; and Based on predetermined information extracted from a scan image read by an image reading unit included in the image forming apparatus and a print data transmitting unit that transmits the print data generated by the print data generating unit to the image forming apparatus. The task to which the image relates is identified, and the identified task The scanned image as additional information to function as workflow information storage means for storing in the database.

  In order to achieve the above object, a workflow management program in an image forming apparatus of the present invention manages a task constituting a dynamic workflow by a management server having a database, and handles paper document information as workflow information. A workflow management program in an image forming apparatus connected to a computer, wherein the computer scans the paper document, generates a scanned image, and receives print data transmitted from the management server And a workflow information printing unit for printing the print data received by the print data receiving unit.

  As a result, the workflow management program in the management server and the image forming apparatus of the present invention embeds visible and / or invisible information for accurately recognizing information on a paper document in paper information in a dynamic workflow. Thus, it is possible to function so as to effectively utilize the convenience of the paper document.

  In addition, it is possible to function so that information of a paper document is automatically input to the system as relevant information (attached document) of an appropriate task and managed as workflow information.

  According to the present invention, in a dynamic workflow, it is possible to effectively utilize the convenience of a paper document by embedding visible and / or invisible information for accurately recognizing the information of the paper document in the paper surface information. A workflow management system, a workflow management method, and a workflow management program can be provided.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “embodiments”) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment (hereinafter referred to as “Embodiment 1”)]
<About system configuration>
First, the configuration of the workflow management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a workflow management system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a workflow management server (information processing apparatus) SV that manages various types of information and controls functions of the system, and a user terminal (information processing apparatus) that is used as a terminal when a user uses the system A PC (PC _{1 to} PC _n ) and a multifunction peripheral (image forming apparatus) MFP (MFP _{1 to} MFP _n ) equipped with a copy / fax / printer / scanner function and compatible with the network are constructed by wired and / or wireless lines. A workflow management system 100 is constructed by connecting to a network (data communication network) 70 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network).

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the workflow management server SV (hereinafter referred to as “management server SV”) and the user terminal PC according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the management server SV and the user terminal PC include a control unit 11, a main storage unit 12, an auxiliary storage unit 13, a network I / F 14, an external storage device I / F 15, an external device I / F 16, and an output device. It is comprised from I / F17 and input device I / F18.

  A control unit (CPU: Central Processing Unit) 11 is a device that executes a program stored in the main storage unit 12, performs arithmetic processing on data received from an input or storage device, and outputs the data to an output device or storage device.

  A main storage unit (ROM: Read Only Memory, RAM: Random Access Memory) 12 is a device that stores programs and data executed by the control unit 11.

  The auxiliary storage unit (HD: Hard Disk) 13 is a device that stores basic software such as an OS (Operating System) and application software together with related data. In addition, a database (DB: Data Base) is constructed in the auxiliary storage unit 13 to store and manage various information (various data) handled by the workflow management system 100.

  The network I / F 14 is an interface for exchanging information (data) with peripheral devices connected via the network 70.

  The external storage device I / F 15 is an interface for exchanging data with an external storage device (for example, a storage media drive) connected via a data transmission path such as USB (Universal Serial Bus).

  The external device I / F 16 is an interface for exchanging data with an external input device (for example, a digital camera or a scanner) connected via a data transmission path.

  The output device I / F 17 is an interface that receives data from an output device (for example, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or a liquid crystal display) connected via a data transmission path.

  The input device I / F 18 is an interface that receives data from an input device (for example, a keyboard or a mouse) connected via a data transmission path.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the MFP MFP according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the MFP MFP includes a control unit 11, a control unit 12, an auxiliary storage unit 13, a network I / F 14, an external storage device I / F 15, an external device I / F 16, a display unit (panel Display unit 19, input unit (operation unit) 20, printing unit (plotter unit) 21, and scanner unit (original reading unit) 22. Among these, the same components as those shown in the information processing devices 100 and 200 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG.

  A display unit (panel display) 19 and an input unit (operation unit) 20 are each provided with a key switch (including hard keys and GUI (Graphical User Interface) software keys) and a touch panel function LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). Device that functions as a UI (User Interface) when using the functions of the image forming apparatus MFP.

  Upon receiving image data composed of CMYK, the printing unit (plotter unit) 21 receives it on a transfer paper (printing paper) using an electrophotographic process (exposure, latent image, development and transfer process) using a laser beam. This device outputs (prints) the image data.

  The scanner unit (document reading unit) 22 includes a line sensor composed of a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) photoelectric conversion element, an A / D converter, and a drive circuit for driving them, and is set on the document reading surface (on the contact glass). This is a device that generates RGB 8-bit digital image data (reads information from a paper medium and digitizes it) by scanning a document.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a main functional configuration of the workflow management system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As described with reference to FIG. 1, the workflow management system 100 includes a workflow management server SV, a user terminal PC, and a multifunction peripheral MFP. The main functional configuration of these apparatuses will be described in the order of the management server SV, the user terminal PC, and the MFP MFP.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the management server SV dynamically uses a GUI providing unit 101 that provides a GUI to a user U who uses the system, and a workflow model dynamically by reusing an existing task model and / or task instance. Are generated and executed, and various databases 117 (hereinafter referred to as “DB”) are provided.

  The various DBs 117 include a related information DB 112 that stores related information (attached document, comment information, etc.) that is referred to when executing the workflow, a task model DB 113 that stores a task model abstracted in advance by an administrator, etc. A task instance DB 114 that stores past task instances, a work record DB 115 that stores work records of workflows, and organization information that stores user information such as login information (authentication information) and organization information such as a user's department and group DB 116 is provided.

  The GUI providing unit 101 includes a rendering engine 102 for drawing a display screen of the user terminal PC (screen displayed on a CRT or a liquid crystal display), and an input / output control unit 103 for exchanging information with the user U. I have.

  The workflow engine 104 refers to the search engine 105 that performs various searches on the DBs 112 to 116, the task control unit 106 that controls the tasks that configure the workflow, the DBs 112 to 114, and the DB 116, and manages the user U and the workflow management. A workflow recording unit 110 that monitors the operation of the system 100 and records a workflow work on the work record DB 115, performs predetermined image processing and image analysis on a scanned image of a paper document, and extracts paper surface information. And an image analysis engine 111 that performs processing related to a scanned image for incorporating paper document information as part of the workflow.

  The task control unit 106 estimates the current task of the user U based on information in the task creation unit 107 that creates a task, the task execution unit 108 that executes the created task, and the work record DB 115, and related information And an inference engine 109 for searching from the DBs 112 to 114 and the DB 116.

  As an operation overview, the user U operates the workflow engine 104 through the input / output control unit 103 of the GUI providing unit 101 to create and execute a workflow, create a workflow model, related information, register a document, and the workflow instance, Perform work such as linking with the workflow model.

  When creating a workflow, the search engine 105 of the workflow engine 104 performs various searches on the DBs 112 to 116.

  The task control unit 106 of the workflow engine 104 uses the task model DB 113 and the task instance DB 114 to control the task based on an instruction from the user U and the like. The task creation unit 107 of the task control unit 106 performs tasks such as task creation and information linking based on information in the DBs 112 to 116 in accordance with an instruction from the user U. The task execution unit 108 uses the information in the task instance DB 114 in accordance with an instruction from the user U, and updates actual task information (task execution is update of task information as seen from the system side). The estimation engine 109 estimates the current task of the user U based on the information in the work record DB 115, and searches the DBs 112 to 114 and the DB 116 for related information. The workflow recording unit 110 monitors the operation of the user U and the system, and records the work by storing the work record in the work record DB 115 (leaves a work history).

  In addition, the workflow management system 100 according to the present embodiment includes a multifunction peripheral MFP that configures the system with a communication I / F function (for example, the network I / F 14 included in the information processing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2) included in the management server SV. User U can log in / out of the system from a device such as a multifunctional product MFP, associate a scanned image with a task (information on paper documents is attached to the task), and print task attached information. And so on. These operations are performed via the image analysis engine 111.

  Next, the user terminal PC includes a browser that displays a display screen for exchanging various information related to tasks drawn by the rendering engine 102 of the GUI providing unit 101 provided in the management server SV with the management server SV. ing.

  Next, main functions of the MFP MFP will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the MFP MFP scans a paper document by displaying an operation state, job information, and the like, and an input unit 20 and a display unit 19 that are panel display units that accept an operation instruction of the user U from a touch panel function. (Reading), a scanner unit (image reading unit) 22 for digitizing information of a paper document, and a printing unit (plotter unit) 21 for converting RGB data input by the previous scanner unit 22 into CMYK data and printing. And.

  As described above, with the system configuration described above, the workflow management system 100 according to the present embodiment uses visible and / or invisible information for accurately recognizing information on a paper document as paper information in a dynamic workflow. By embedding, a workflow management system that can effectively utilize the convenience of a paper document is realized.

<Configuration example of main functions of the present invention>
Next, a scan for incorporating paper document information as part of the workflow, such as performing predetermined image processing and image analysis on the scanned image of a paper document, which is a feature of this embodiment, and extracting paper surface information. The means by which the image analysis engine 111 that performs processing relating to an image is realized will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a main functional configuration of the image analysis engine 111 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The image analysis engine 111 provided in the management server SV includes an image input unit 41, an image processing unit 42, an image matching unit 43, an image output unit 44, and a watermark creating unit 45.

  The image input unit 41 has a function of inputting an image to be subjected to predetermined processing by the image analysis engine 111. The image input means 41 inputs a scanned image of a paper document scanned by the MFP MFP to the image analysis engine 111 via a communication function (network I / F 14) provided in the management server SV. In addition to the scanned image, an image is input from the workflow engine 104.

  The image processing unit 42 has a function of performing predetermined image processing on the input image input by the image input unit 41. The image processing unit 42 performs image processing such as resolution conversion, smoothing, and frequency filtering so that an image suitable for processing performed by the image matching unit 43 is performed as preprocessing of the image matching unit 43 described below. Here, processing performed by the image processing means 42 will be briefly described. First, resolution conversion is a process of performing an arbitrary scaling process on image data. In the smoothing process, high-frequency noise in the data is removed from the image data using a smoothing filter (noise in the image is removed to smooth a small change in gradation value). The frequency filtering is a process of converting the spatial frequency of the image data using various spatial filters (for example, “enhancement filter (MTF: Modulation Transfer Function correction)”).

  The image matching unit 43 includes a feature extraction unit 431, a feature holding unit 432, and a feature comparison unit 433. Based on the information read from the scanned image and the result of matching between the images using these units. This is a function for specifying a task related to a scanned image. In the workflow management system 100 of this embodiment, document images are assumed as scan images, and matching between the document images is performed. Below, each means which comprises the image matching means 43 is demonstrated.

  The feature extracting unit 431 extracts a predetermined image feature from the input image appropriately processed by the image processing unit 42. Since the workflow management system 100 according to the present embodiment assumes a document image, the image feature is determined in advance in consideration of the characteristics of the paper document handled in the workflow. Further, these image features are stored in the auxiliary storage device 13 provided in the management server SV such as a dictionary as image feature data.

  In addition, the feature extraction unit 431 performs visible information such as barcode information included in the information (paper surface information) of the paper document that is the basis of the scanned image with respect to the image input from the workflow engine 104 by the image input unit 41. Invisible information (for example, information embedded in halftone dots, etc.), which is watermark information such as a background pattern (a special “background pattern” consisting of fine black dots on the background of a document), is extracted and the information is read. .

  The feature extraction unit 431 inputs the extraction result (image feature) extracted from the input image to the feature holding unit 432 described below.

  The feature holding unit 432 has a function of holding the image feature of the input image extracted by the feature extraction unit 431 as described above. The feature holding unit 432 stores the image feature input from the feature extraction unit 431 in the auxiliary storage device 13 included in the management server SV as image feature data of the input image.

  Here, the storage destination of the image feature data is the auxiliary storage device 13 provided in the management server SV, but it may be a non-volatile storage medium such as a memory card via the external storage device I / F 15 provided in the management server SV. The device 13 is not limited to this.

  The feature comparison unit 433 is a function that performs matching between images. The feature comparison unit 433 performs matching between images using a predetermined comparison index and a plurality of image features held by the feature holding unit 432. The comparison index mentioned here is an index representing the similarity between images, and is calculated in consideration of the characteristics of the input image input in advance in the workflow management system 100 of the present embodiment. Based on the comparison index, the image features of the input images are compared, and matching is performed based on the image similarity of the comparison result.

  In this way, the image matching unit 43 reads the visible or invisible information added to the scan image from the image feature extracted by the feature extraction unit 431, and the feature comparison unit 432 reads between the images (predetermined by the image processing unit 42). The image feature of the input image that has undergone the image processing and the image feature of the input image that indicates the related information of a plurality of tasks that have already been input) are matched, and the information added to the scanned image read by the feature extraction means 431 Based on the results of matching between images and images (similarity determination), the task (including task related information) related to the scanned image is identified (task identifying means), and the scanned image or the extracted image Along with the characteristics and the like, the image is input to the image output means 44 described below.

  The image output unit 44 has a function of outputting information specifying a task input from the image matching unit 43 described above, a scan image, an extracted image feature, and the like to the workflow engine 104. Task identification results, scanned images, extracted image features (image analysis results), and the like output to the workflow engine 104 by the image output unit 44 are associated with the tasks based on the input information. It is used in the system as workflow information, such as storing (workflow information storage means).

  The watermark creation means 45 is a function (print data creation means) that creates information to be added when printing and generates print data including the additional information. When printing an image, the watermark creating means 45 converts information desired to be embedded in the print data into watermark (watermark) information or barcode information and creates information to be added. Information to be added includes information for specifying a task (for example, task ID and task name), information for specifying related information to be printed (attached document) (for example, related information ID), and the user who has instructed printing Any one of information for specifying U (for example, user ID and user name), information for specifying a printed image device (for example, printer name, IP address, etc.), information for specifying the date and time of printing, etc. Or a combination of these. These pieces of information are acquired from various DBs managed by the workflow management system 100 via the workflow engine 104 including the search engine 105.

  Further, the watermark creating means 45 embeds the created additional information in data (for example, an input image) that is the basis of the print data, creates print data (raster image), and instructs the MFP MFP to print ( Print data transmission means for transmitting print data in which additional information is embedded to the printing unit 21 included in the MFP MFP via the communication function (network I / F 14) included in the management server SV. In addition, when printing the task related information (attached document), the base data of the print data is acquired from the related information DB 112, and the additional information is embedded to generate print data.

  Here, each unit included in the MFP MFP that exchanges scanned image data, print data, and the like with the image analysis engine 111 will also be described.

  The MFP MFP includes an image reading unit 31, a printing unit 32, and a communication unit 33 in order to realize the functions used in the present embodiment.

  The image reading unit 31 is a scanner unit 22 included in the MFP MFP, and scans and digitizes information (paper surface information) of a paper document (generates a scanned image).

  The printing unit 32 is a printing unit 21 included in the MFP MFP, and prints input data such as a scanned image. In this embodiment, the workflow information printing unit prints the print data created by the watermark creating unit 45 (print data generating unit) included in the management server SV, including the paper document input from the image reading unit 31 as the workflow information. is there.

  The communication means 33 is a network I / F 14 provided in the MFP MFP, and data transmitted from the functional unit of the management server SV such as the image analysis engine 111 to the MFP MFP (data output from the management server SV). (For example, print data) or data (for example, a scanned image) transmitted from the MFP MFP to the functional unit of the management server SV (data input to the management server SV) is transmitted via the network 70. Control the data transmission that takes place. In the present embodiment, the print data receiving means receives the print data created by the watermark creating means 45 (print data generating means) provided in the management server SV.

  As described above, the management server SV performs predetermined image processing and image analysis on the scanned image of the paper document, and extracts the paper surface information. Process.

<Example of Implementation of Workflow Management System 100>
A system hierarchy for realizing the main functions of the workflow management system 100 shown in FIG. 4 and the functions of the image analysis engine 111 provided in the management server SV shown in FIG. 5 will be described below with reference to FIG. To do.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an implementation example of the workflow management system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the implementation example (system hierarchical structure) in this embodiment, first, the front end (Front) of the hierarchy closest to the user U is used so that the user U can access the workflow management system 100 using the browser 201 provided in the user terminal PC. end) on Web Server 53, HTML-based Collaborative Document System 52 based on HTML (HyperText Markup Language) 52, Java 2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE) Web Application 51 (Web Application), etc. It is composed. You can also use Wiki, a web content management system. The web server 53 corresponds to the GUI providing unit 101 shown in FIG. Other components include an interface (Image device) 54 on an image device such as a multifunction peripheral MFP, in addition to the main body of the workflow management system 100.

  In addition, the basic functions of the workflow management system 100 are the same as those of the conventional system, so the back end located in the DB management functions (functions such as data storage, deletion, reference, and search). Is configured by a general workflow management system engine 55 (Workflow management system). A search engine for searching for tasks and related information (attached documents) is also configured using a search engine 56 (Search Engine) based on a general query (search request). The engine 55 in this workflow management system corresponds to the workflow engine 104 shown in FIG. 4, and the search engine 56 corresponds to the search engine 105 shown in the figure. Other components include an image processing engine 57 (image processing engine 57) that performs predetermined image processing and image analysis on an image input to the system from an image device such as a multifunction peripheral MFP. The image analysis engine 111 described with reference to FIG. 5 is provided).

  Next, the data layer (Data layer) of the system hierarchical structure is configured and managed by various DBs. Task information such as task instances and task models is managed as an RDF (Resource Description Framework) repository 59 (RDF Repositories), and related information (attached documents) such as attached document information includes a document repository and an index server 60. (Doc.Index). The RDF repository 59 corresponds to the task model DB 113 and the task instance DB 114 shown in FIG. 4, and the document repository and the index server 60 correspond to the related information DB 112 shown in FIG. Since user information and organization information are also managed in the RDF repository 59, the organization information DB 116 shown in FIG. 4 is also included in the RDF repository 59. Other components include MySQL58 (RDBMS) that manages the relational database and WebDAV (Distributed Authoring and Versioning protocol for the WWW) repository (WebDAV) that manages files and folders in the system by authorized users U such as system administrators. rep) 61.

  Here, a data structure of information related to the user ID stored in the organization information DB 116 managed by the RDF repository 59 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of information related to the user ID according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the workflow management system 100 according to the present embodiment, in addition to an ID for specifying a user, a user ID composed of an organization to which the user belongs, a user's email address (Email Address), and the like. Information (user information and organization information) is managed.

  The data structure of information stored in the task instance DB 114 managed by the same RDF repository 59 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the workflow management system 100 according to the present embodiment, in addition to the task performer ID, an email address of the performer (may be plural), a project ID for identifying the project to which the task belongs, It manages the user ID and access date / time of the user U who accessed the task for holding the usage history by the user U (task executor) (the item “user and usage date” in the figure). The email address of the executor may be managed by another DB, for example.

  Returning to FIG. 6, in the workflow management system 100 of the present embodiment, OCR (Optical Character Reader) and embedded information (watermark: watermark) are used for handling image input from image devices such as MFPs as workflow information. In order to perform extraction or the like, communication with the workflow engine 104 is performed via the image processing engine 57. In addition, when the document (attached document) associated with the task is printed by an image device having a printing function such as a multifunction peripheral MFP, the document index 60, the RDF repository 59 and the WebDAV that require the search engine 56 are used. The repository 61 is searched and printing is performed via the image processing engine 57. At this time, the image processing engine 57 acquires information to be embedded by the watermark creating unit 45 included in the image analysis engine 111 described in FIG. 5 from various DBs.

  Further, in the implementation example of the present embodiment, it is assumed that the user U accesses the system using the browser 201 provided in the user terminal PC, so it is necessary to manage file access on the network. Therefore, a file access management function is realized by using a network file management system such as NetDrive.

<Processing Procedure of Workflow Management System 100>
Next, specific processing of the main function described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 will be described with reference to the sequence diagrams of FIGS.

  FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example (part 1) of the processing procedure of the workflow management system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The processing procedure (No. 1) shown here is for the workflow management system 100 to specify a task that the user U wants to refer to, and to print watermark information, barcode information, etc. when related information (attached document) of the specified task is printed. This is a procedure for embedding task information.

  Further, the Web Server 53 shown in FIG. 9 corresponds to the GUI providing unit 101 shown in FIG. 4, the Workflow Management System 55 corresponds to the workflow engine 104 shown in FIG. 4, and the image processing engine 57 uses the image analysis shown in FIG. An engine 111 is included. Based on this, the processing procedure will be described below.

  The user terminal PC receives a login request from the user U to the workflow management system 100 via the browser 201, and transmits the received login request to the management server SV (S101). At this time, the transmitted login information is, for example, a user ID and a login password.

  The management server SV receives a login request from the Web Server 53, accesses the organization information DB 116 based on the login information, performs login authentication processing of the user U, and passes the authentication result to the user terminal PC as HTML data for presentation ( S102 to S104). As a result, the user U can read the presentation HTML data sent from the management server SV using the browser 201 provided in the user terminal PC, and can confirm the result of the login authentication. At this time, if the login authentication result is OK, a GUI that allows the user U to select a task is provided.

  The user U who is permitted to use the system with the login authentication result OK selects a task via the provided GUI. As a result, the user terminal PC passes the task ID for specifying the selected task to the management server SV via the browser 201 (S105).

  The management server SV receives the task ID from the Web Server 53 and passes the task ID to the Workflow Management System 55 (S106).

  The Workflow Management System 55 included in the management server SV requests the search engine 56 to search the related information DB 112 based on the received task ID (S107).

  The search engine 56 included in the management server SV searches the task instance DB 114 based on the received task ID, and acquires from the task instance DB 114 as a search result a related information ID that identifies related information of the corresponding task (S108). To S109). Next, the search engine 56 searches the related information DB 112 based on the acquired related information ID, and acquires a related information list in which the corresponding related information is listed as a search result (S110 to S111). The search engine 56 passes the acquired related information list to the Workflow Management System 55 (S112).

  The Workflow Management System 55 provided in the management server SV passes the received related information list to the Web Server 53 (S113).

  The Web Server 53 provided in the management server SV transmits the received related information list to the user terminal PC as HTML data for presentation (S114). Thereby, the user U can read the presentation HTML data sent from the management server SV and browse related information of the designated task by using the browser 201 provided in the user terminal PC.

  The user U selects the related information to be printed based on the related information of the task viewed through the browser 201 provided in the user terminal PC. As a result, the user terminal PC transmits, via the browser 201, a task ID that specifies a task related to the related information ID that specifies the selected related information to the management server SV, and prints the related information (attached document). Is instructed (S115).

  The management server SV receives the task ID and the related information ID from the Web Server 53, and passes the task ID and the related information ID to the Workflow Management System 55 (S116).

  The Workflow Management System 55 included in the management server SV instructs the image processing engine 57 to print related information (attached document) using the received task ID and related information ID (S117).

  The image processing engine 57 included in the management server SV accesses the related information DB 112 based on the received related information ID, and acquires corresponding related information (attached document) (S118 to S119). Next, the image processing engine 57 converts the task ID into watermark (watermark) or barcode information by the watermark creating means 45, and creates the print data by embedding the converted information in the acquired related information (attached document). Then, the created print data is transmitted to the MFP MFP (S121). As a result, the MFP MFP prints the related information (attached document) in which the task ID is embedded on the printing paper. Here, the embedded information is used as the task ID, but in addition to the information for specifying the task, the information for specifying the related information (attached document) to be printed (for example, the related information ID), and the user U instructing the printing are specified. Information (for example, user ID, user name, etc.), information for specifying a printed image device (for example, printer name, IP address, etc.), information for specifying date of printing, etc., or these May be combined information.

  The image processing engine 57 provided in the management server SV transmits print data to the MFP MFP, and then passes a print completion notification to the Workflow Management System 55. The Workflow Management System 55 receives the related information (attached document) of the printed task. It is registered (stored) in the task instance DB 114 (S122 to S123). Thereafter, the Workflow Management System 55 sends a print completion notification to the Web Server 53 (S124). The management server SV passes the HTML data for presentation informing the completion of printing by the Web Server 53 to the user terminal PC (S125). As a result, the user U reads the presentation HTML data sent from the management server SV using the browser 201 provided in the user terminal PC, and knows that the related information (attached document) of the designated task has been printed.

  FIG. 10 is a display example of the display unit 19 provided in the MFP MFP according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the processing procedure of FIG. 9, when the user U prints task related information (attached document), the browser 201 provided in the user terminal PC has an environment for instructing printing. The display example shown in FIG. 10 is a GUI when an instruction to print task-related information (attached document) is given in the MFP MFP. The user U can collectively print the task related information (attached document) shown on the left side of the drawing by touching the [Batch printing] button shown in FIG. Batch printing is performed in accordance with print settings preset in the MFP or print settings set by the user U. In addition, as another function, the user U touches the [Attached document selection] button in the figure to transition to a screen display for selecting an attached document attached (associated) to the corresponding task, Printing can be performed by selecting an attached document (related information) to be printed from among them.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a paper surface example of a paper document printed as task related information (attached document) by the printing unit 21 included in the MFP MFP according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As described with reference to FIG. 10, an attached document to be printed from the attached documents of the displayed task is touched by touching the [Select attached document] button via the GUI displayed on the display unit 19 of the MFP. 11 is selected and printing is executed, a paper document as shown in FIG. 11 is output from the MFP MFP. Therefore, it is an example of an attached document printed with the watermark (watermark) created by the watermark creating means 45 of FIG. 9 embedded therein. Information for identifying a task, a user, etc. is embedded as a “background pattern” in a filled portion in the figure.

  FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example (part 2) of the processing procedure of the workflow management system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the processing procedure (No. 2) shown here, a paper document of task related information (attached document) printed in accordance with the processing procedure (No. 1) in FIG. This is a procedure for processing that scans and newly adds (describes) information to a printed paper document as workflow information (updates related information of a task to the latest state).

  Also, the Workflow Management System 55 and the image processing engine 57 shown in FIG. 12 correspond to the corresponding functional units shown in FIG. 4 as in FIG. Based on this, the processing procedure will be described below.

  The MFP MFP uses the scanner unit 22 to scan the related information (attached document) of the task in which the watermark (watermark) or barcode information as shown in FIG. 11 is embedded (S201). After scanning, the MFP MFP transmits the digitized information as a scanned image to the management server SV in accordance with an instruction from the user U (S202).

  The management server SV receives a scanned image by the image input means 41 provided in the image processing engine 57, performs predetermined image processing by the image processing means 42, and a watermark embedded from the input image subjected to image processing by the image matching means 43. (Watermark) or barcode information is extracted (S203). The image processing engine 57 passes the extracted user authentication and related information (attached document) authentication information (hereinafter referred to as “related document authentication information”) to the Workflow Management System 55 by the image output unit 44 (S204).

  The Workflow Management System 55 included in the management server SV accesses the organization information DB 116 based on the received user authentication information and acquires the corresponding user information (if the user U cannot be acquired, the user U is not authorized to use the system) (S205 to S206). The Workflow Management System 55 transmits the authentication result of the user U to the MFP MFP based on the acquired user authentication result (S207). Accordingly, the user U can know the authentication result via the display unit 19 provided in the MFP MFP.

  The Workflow Management System 55 provided in the management server SV accesses the related information DB 112 based on the related document authentication information received from the image processing engine 57 when the user U is a user who is permitted to use the system. Information (hereinafter referred to as “related document information”) is acquired (S208 to S209). When the relevant document information is found during the search, the rendering information (related information image: attached document) of the relevant information currently stored (registered) from the related information DB 112 is passed to the image processing engine 57 (S210).

  The image processing engine 57 included in the management server SV performs image analysis of the related information image by the image matching unit 43 based on the related information rendering information received by the image input unit 41 (S211) (feature extraction unit 431), and performs analysis. The resulting image feature is stored in a storage device (for example, auxiliary storage unit 13) (feature holding means 432). Thereafter, the similarity between the related information (attached document) scanned by the MFP MFP and the related information (attached document) currently stored in the related information DB 112 is determined based on the comparison index based on the mutual image characteristics ( The feature comparison unit 433) checks whether there is new information (additional portion) added when the similarity is high (S212). As a result, when the related information (attached document) and the additional writing part with high similarity are specified, the additional writing part specifying information is transferred to the Workflow Management System 55 by the image output means 44 (S213).

  The Workflow Management System 55 included in the management server SV transmits information related to the related information (attached document) having the additional writing part to the MFP based on the received additional writing part specifying information, and displays the information on the display unit 19. A request is made (S214).

  The MFP MFP displays the related information (attached document) name having a high similarity as shown in FIG. 13 on the display unit 19 and the user U touches the [OK] button. When “Registered document update” is instructed, an update instruction of the additional part is requested to the Workflow Management System 55 provided in the management server SV (S215).

  In accordance with the received update instruction, the Workflow Management System 55 provided in the management server SV accesses the related information DB 112 on the basis of the related information (attached document) having a high degree of similarity and the information of the additional portion, and the corresponding related information (attached document) (The input scanned image is stored as a new attached document of the corresponding task, and the added part is stored as comment information of the attached document having a high similarity to the previously stored scanned image). The obtained result is acquired (S216 to S218). The Workflow Management System 55 transmits the acquired update result to the MFP MFP (S219).

  Based on the received update result, the MFP MFP displays on the display unit 19 that the related information (attached document) has been updated. As a result, the user U can confirm that the scanned related information (attached document) is correctly registered in association with the task.

<Summary>
As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, when the workflow management system 100 prints a document (attached document) associated with a task via an image device such as a multifunction peripheral MFP, the management server SV The watermark creating means 45 of the image processing engine 57 provided includes information (for example, user information, task information, etc.) that assists the OCR function used when inputting paper document information as workflow information into the system. Alternatively, it is embedded in the print data as barcode information, and the document associated with the task is printed by the printing means 32 provided in the MFP.

  Next, the workflow management system 100 scans the paper document printed from the MFP MFP according to the previous processing procedure again by the scanner unit 22 included in the MFP MFP, and inputs an image from the image processing engine 57 included in the management server SV. The means 41 inputs a scanned image, the image processing means 42 performs predetermined image processing so that the input scanned image can be appropriately analyzed, and the image matching means 43 converts the image processed input image. Image analysis is performed, embedded information and the like are extracted from the image feature as the analysis result (feature extraction unit 431), and the extracted image feature is held in the storage device (for example, auxiliary storage unit 13) (feature holding unit 432). .

  Next, the workflow management system 100 compares the input image analyzed by the image matching unit 43 included in the image processing engine 57 with the related information image currently stored (registered) in various DBs 117 based on the comparison index and performs matching processing. (Characteristic comparison unit 433) When a related information image having a high degree of similarity is specified and there is new information in the input image, the image output unit 44 sends the input image to the Workflow Management System 55, and the Workflow Management System 55 receives the DB 117. The related information (attached document) of the task stored in is updated.

  As a result, the workflow management system 100 can analyze the scanned image of the paper document, and identify related information (attached document) with high similarity based on the analyzed image feature and the extracted embedded information. Information on paper documents can be automatically input to the system as related information (attached documents) of appropriate tasks and managed as workflow information.

  Therefore, the workflow management system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention embeds visible and / or invisible information for accurately recognizing information of a paper document in a dynamic workflow, thereby embedding the paper document. Convenience can be used effectively.

[Second Embodiment (hereinafter referred to as “Embodiment 2”)]
When realizing a workflow composed of different types of devices, for example, in a multifunction device (MFP), the display panel has a touch panel function and a software keyboard is mounted on the device that the user faces when using the system. However, it is possible to accept an instruction from the user (for example, “character input”), but the workability is inferior to that of a normal keyboard (it is difficult to input). As a result, there is a problem that it is difficult for a user to use a workflow via an image device constituting a workflow management system such as a multifunction peripheral (MFP). In addition, depending on the user U, it may be necessary to perform work in various environments during one day of work. At that time, it is convenient if the daily task information list can be carried as a paper document and the work progress status (for example, task completion information) can be recorded in each work scene.

In the present embodiment, the following two functions are realized, and these functions will be described below.
(1) User authentication function by paper document User information embedded in user authentication information is printed on printing paper, and the user logs in to the system by scanning the paper document with the MFP (MFP) when the user logs in. It is a function that can be (authenticated).
(2) Task progress status update function by paper document Prints the task information list with user authentication information embedded on the print paper, records the task progress status on the paper document, and records the paper document on the MFP (MFP). This is a function that can update the task progress status of the user by scanning.

  The present embodiment will be described below, but in common with the first embodiment (system configuration (FIG. 1), hardware configuration (FIGS. 2 and 3), functional configuration (FIGS. 4, 5 and 6), data structure ( 7 and 8) are omitted using the same reference numerals, and the contents relating to the user authentication function using a paper document and the task progress state update function, which are the features of this embodiment, will be mainly described. .

<Processing Procedure of Workflow Management System 100 (User Login Function)>
Hereinafter, specific processing regarding the user login function will be described with reference to the sequence diagrams of FIGS.

  FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example (part 1) of the processing procedure of the workflow management system 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The processing procedure (No. 1) shown here is for the user authentication of the user U in the workflow management system 100, and when the user is an authorized user of the system, the user's login is based on watermark (watermark) information or barcode information. This is a procedure for embedding authentication information.

  14 corresponds to the GUI providing unit 101 shown in FIG. 4, the Workflow Management System 55 corresponds to the workflow engine 104 shown in FIG. 4, and the image processing engine 57 uses the image analysis shown in FIG. An engine 111 is included. Based on this, the processing procedure will be described below.

  The MFP MFP accepts a login request to the workflow management system 100 from the user U via a display panel having a touch panel function as the display unit 19 and the input unit 20, and the user ID and login that are the accepted login request. Based on user authentication information such as a password, the organization information DB 116 is accessed, the user U is authenticated, and an authentication result is acquired (S301 to S302). Based on the received user authentication result, the MFP MFP displays on the display unit 19 information indicating whether or not to print the user information when the user U is authenticated. As a result, when the user U instructs printing of user information, the user U can print the user information based on the current authentication information.

  The MFP MFP receives a user information printing instruction from the user U via the display panel having the touch panel function as the display unit 19 and the input unit 20, and transmits the received printing instruction to the management server SV (S303). . At this time, the transmitted print instruction request includes information for identifying the user (for example, a user ID).

  The management server SV receives a print request from the image processing engine 57 and requests the Workflow Management System 55 to acquire user information (S304).

  The Workflow Management System 55 included in the management server SV accesses the organization information DB 116 based on the information for specifying the user of the received print instruction request, and acquires the corresponding user information (S305 to S306). Thereafter, the Workflow Management System 55 requests a print instruction from the image processing engine 57 based on the acquired user information (S307).

  The image processing engine 57 included in the management server SV converts information handled as invisible information such as user authentication information (login password) into watermark (watermark) or barcode information by the watermark creating means 45 included in the image analysis engine 111. (At this time, the authentication information of the user before the conversion is encoded), and the converted information is embedded in the visible information (for example, the user name) among the user information of the received print instruction request and printed. Data is created (S308). The image processing engine 57 sends the print data in which the authentication information created by the watermark creating means 45 is embedded to the MFP MFP and requests printing (S309).

  The MFP MFP prints the received print data and sends a print completion notification to the management server SV (S310).

  The management server SV receives a print completion notification from the image processing engine 57, accesses the organization information DB 116 based on the user ID in accordance with the received print completion notification, and records the printing time in the user information (S311). ) (Workflow information print recording means), and then a print completion notification is passed to the Workflow Management System 55 (S312). Accordingly, the user U can print a user ID card, which is a paper document in which user authentication information is embedded, based on the currently authenticated authentication information.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a paper surface example of a user ID card printed as user information by the printing unit 21 included in the MFP MFP according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  When the processing procedure described in FIG. 14 is performed, a user ID card as shown in FIG. 15 is output from the MFP MFP. Therefore, it is an example of an attached document printed with the watermark (watermark) created by the watermark creating means 45 of FIG. 9 embedded therein. User authentication information is embedded as a “background pattern” in the filled portion in the figure. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the visible information includes an expiration date for using the system using a user ID card that is a paper document in addition to the user name (in the figure, one day of January 1, 2006). And the effective use range of the input / output characteristics of the system (print and scan functions in the figure). As described above, when using the user ID card, when the user U uses the system using the printed user ID card, it is possible to limit the usable period and function.

  FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example (part 2) of the processing procedure of the workflow management system 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The processing procedure (No. 2) shown here is processing in which the user ID card printed in accordance with the processing procedure (No. 1) in FIG. 14 is scanned by the scanner unit 22 of the MFP MFP in the workflow management system 100 to perform user authentication. It is a procedure about.

  Also, the Workflow Management System 55 and the image processing engine 57 shown in FIG. 16 correspond to the corresponding functional units shown in FIG. 4 as in FIG. Based on this, the processing procedure will be described below.

  The MFP MFP uses the scanner unit 22 to scan the user ID card document in which the user authentication information is embedded with the watermark (watermark) or barcode information as shown in FIG. 15 (S401). After scanning, the MFP MFP transmits the digitized information as a scanned image to the management server SV in accordance with an instruction from the user U (S402).

  The management server SV receives a scanned image by the image input means 41 provided in the image processing engine 57, performs predetermined image processing by the image processing means 42, and a watermark embedded from the input image subjected to image processing by the image matching means 43. (Watermark) or barcode information is extracted (S403) (At this time, the extracted embedded information is decrypted and the user authentication information is read). The image processing engine 57 passes the extracted user authentication information to the Workflow Management System 55 by the image output means 44 (S404).

  The Workflow Management System 55 included in the management server SV accesses the organization information DB 116 based on the received user authentication information, performs authentication processing for the user U, and acquires an authentication result (S405). Based on the received user authentication result, the Workflow Management System 55 requests the MFP MFP to display the content informing the user U authentication result on the display unit 19. As a result, the user U can confirm whether or not the user U can log in to the system using the user ID card.

  In addition, the Workflow Management System 55 provided in the management server SV searches a search engine for task information related to the user U based on the user ID acquired from the user ID card when the user U is a user who is permitted to use the system. 56 is requested (S408).

  The search engine 56 included in the management server SV searches the task instance DB 114 based on the received user ID that is a task information search request, and acquires a task list that lists task information corresponding to the user U (S409 to S409). S410). The search engine 56 passes the task list as a search result to the Workflow Management System 55 (S411).

  The Workflow Management System 55 included in the management server SV transmits the received task list to the MFP MFP (S411).

  Based on the received task list, the MFP MFP displays task information relating to the user U as shown in FIG.

<Processing Procedure of Workflow Management System 100 (Task Progress Status Update Function)>
Hereinafter, specific processing regarding the task progress state update function will be described with reference to the sequence diagrams of FIGS.

  FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example (part 3) of the processing procedure of the workflow management system 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The processing procedure (No. 3) shown here is a task information list from the task list related to the user U displayed on the display unit 19 of the MFP MFP in accordance with the processing procedure (No. 2) in FIG. This is a procedure for printing.

  Further, the Workflow Management System 55 and the image processing engine 57 shown in FIG. 18 correspond to the corresponding functional units shown in FIG. 4 as in FIG. Based on this, the processing procedure will be described below.

  In the processing procedure shown in FIG. 18, the processing from S501 to S512 is the same as S401 to S412 in the processing procedure (part 2) shown in FIG. The processing procedure described below is the processing when the display as shown in FIG. 17 is displayed on the display unit 19 of the MFP by S512 shown in FIG. 18 and the user U gives an instruction to print the task information list. It is about.

  In the MFP, the user U touches the [Print today's task list] button shown in FIG. 17 via the touch panel function of the display unit 19 and the input unit 20, and instructs to print the task information list. In this case, a print instruction request is received, and the received print instruction request is requested to the management server SV as a task information acquisition request (S513).

  The management server SV receives the task information acquisition request from the Workflow Management System 55 (S514), and the Workflow Management System 55 searches the task information related to the user U based on the user ID as the received task information acquisition request. The search engine 56 is requested (S515).

  The search engine 56 included in the management server SV searches the task instance DB 114 based on the received user ID, acquires task information related to the corresponding user U, and passes it to the Workflow Management System 55 (S516 to S517).

  The Workflow Management System 55 provided in the management server SV passes the received task information to the image processing engine 57 (S518).

  The image processing engine 57 included in the management server SV receives task information from the image input unit 41 included in the image analysis engine 111, and a watermark (watermark) includes user authentication information, task information list authentication information, and the like. Alternatively, it is converted as barcode information, the converted information is embedded in the received task information, print data including the embedded information is created (S519), and the created print data is transmitted to the MFP MFP to request printing (S520). ).

  The MFP MFP prints the received print data and sends a print completion notification to the management server SV (S521).

  The management server SV receives a print completion notification from the Workflow Management System 55, and the Workflow Management System 55 accesses the task instance DB 114 based on the task ID according to the received print completion notification, and displays the time when the task information is printed. Record (S521 to S522) (workflow information print recording means). Accordingly, the user U can print a task information list in which work items (task information) to be performed today are listed as shown in FIGS. In the example of the task information list shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, a check column is provided to the left of the task name indicating each task so that the completion of the task can be checked. The user U can record the progress status of the task by carrying such a task information list with a check column to the work site and checking the check column when the work is completed.

  FIG. 21 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example (part 4) of the processing procedure of the workflow management system 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In the processing procedure (No. 4) shown here, the user U indicates the progress status of the task on the paper document (task check list) of the task information list printed in accordance with the processing procedure (No. 3) in FIG. This is a procedure for recording (for example, marking a check box), scanning the recorded paper document by the scanner unit 22 of the MFP, and updating the task progress state.

  Further, the Workflow Management System 55 and the image processing engine 57 shown in FIG. 21 correspond to the corresponding functional units shown in FIG. 4 as in FIG. Based on this, the processing procedure will be described below.

  The MFP MFP scans the task information list in which the watermark (watermark) or barcode information as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 is embedded by the scanner unit 22 (S601). After scanning, the MFP MFP transmits the digitized information as a scanned image to the management server SV in accordance with an instruction from the user U (S602).

  The management server SV receives a scanned image by the image input means 41 provided in the image processing engine 57, performs predetermined image processing by the image processing means 42, and a watermark embedded from the input image subjected to image processing by the image matching means 43. (Watermark) or barcode information is extracted (S603). The image processing engine 57 passes the extracted user authentication and task information list authentication information to the Workflow Management System 55 by the image output means 44 (S604).

  The Workflow Management System 55 included in the management server SV accesses the organization information DB 116 based on the received user authentication information and acquires the corresponding user information (if the user U cannot be acquired, the user U is not authorized to use the system) (S605 to S606). The Workflow Management System 55 transmits the authentication result of the user U to the MFP MFP based on the acquired user authentication result (S607). Accordingly, the user U can know the authentication result via the display unit 19 provided in the MFP MFP.

  The Workflow Management System 55 provided in the management server SV accesses the task instance DB 114 based on the task information list authentication information received from the image processing engine 57 when the user U is a system use authorized user, and the corresponding task information. Is acquired (S608 to S609). If the corresponding task information is found during the search, rendering information (task information list image) of the task information list currently stored (registered) from the task instance DB 114 is passed to the image processing engine 57 (S610).

  The image processing engine 57 included in the management server SV performs image analysis of the task information list image by the image matching unit 43 based on the task list rendering information received by the image input unit 41 (S611) (feature extraction unit 431), The image feature as the analysis result is stored in a storage device (for example, the auxiliary storage unit 13) (feature holding unit 432). Thereafter, the similarity between the task information list scanned by the MFP and the task information list currently stored in the task instance DB 114 is determined based on the comparison index from the image features (feature comparison means 433), If the similarity is high, it is confirmed whether there is a task whose task is checked (task completed) (S612). As a result, when a task information list with high similarity and a task with check are specified, the task specifying information with check is passed to the Workflow Management System 55 by the image output means 44 (S613).

  The Workflow Management System 55 provided in the management server SV sends task information including work progress to the MFP based on the received task identification information with chuck, and a task with check (task completed) and a task without check (work) Requesting that information be displayed on the display unit 19 (S614).

  The MFP MFP displays the progress status of the task on the display unit 19. When the progress status is confirmed by the user U and “task status update” is instructed, the workflow management system 55 provided in the management server SV includes the check task. A state update instruction is requested (S615).

  Based on the received update instruction, the Workflow Management System 55 provided in the management server SV accesses the task instance DB 114 based on the task information list with high similarity and the information on the checked task, and updates the progress status of the corresponding task information. The updated result is acquired (S616 to S618). The Workflow Management System 55 transmits the acquired update result to the MFP MFP (S619).

  Based on the received update result, the MFP MFP displays on the display unit 19 that the task progress status has been updated. As a result, the user U can confirm that the task checked in the task information list (task check list) is correctly registered as the work completion progress state.

<Summary>
As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, when the user U logs in to the system, when the user U logs in to the system, the workflow creation system 45 of the image processing engine 57 included in the management server SV logs in. The user authentication information is embedded in the print data as watermark (watermark) or barcode information, and the user ID card is printed by the printing means 32 provided in the MFP MFP.

  Next, the workflow management system 100 scans the user ID card (paper document) printed from the MFP MFP according to the previous processing procedure with the scanner unit 22 included in the MFP MFP, and performs image processing included in the management server SV. A scan image is input by the image input means 41 of the engine 57, predetermined image processing is performed by the image processing means 42 so that the input scan image can be appropriately analyzed, and image processing is performed by the image matching means 43. The inputted input image is subjected to image analysis, and embedded user authentication information is extracted from the image feature as the analysis result (feature extraction means 431).

  Next, the workflow management system 100 performs an authentication process based on the user authentication information extracted by the image matching unit 43 provided in the image processing engine 57, and sends an authentication result to the user U via the display unit 19 provided in the MFP MFP. Present.

  Next, the workflow management system 100 uses the watermark creation means 45 of the image processing engine 57 provided in the management server SV to add a watermark (watermark) to the task information list (task check list) related to the user U. Alternatively, it is embedded as barcode information, print data of a task information list is created, and is printed by the printing means 32 provided in the MFP MFP.

  As a result, the workflow management system 100 can perform user authentication processing based on the embedded information extracted from the scanned image of the user ID card, and records the progress status for each task when the user is authenticated. A list of task information related to user U with a check box that can be printed can be printed.

  In addition, the workflow management system 100 scans again the task information list (task check list) printed from the MFP MFP by the previous processing procedure by the scanner unit 22 included in the MFP MFP, and performs image processing included in the management server SV. A scan image is input by the image input means 41 of the engine 57, predetermined image processing is performed by the image processing means 42 so that the input scan image can be appropriately analyzed, and image processing is performed by the image matching means 43. The input image is subjected to image analysis, embedded information and the like are extracted from the image feature as the analysis result (feature extraction means 431), and the extracted image feature is held in the storage device (for example, the auxiliary storage unit 13) ( Feature retaining means 432).

  Next, the workflow management system 100 compares the input image analyzed by the image matching unit 43 included in the image processing engine 57 with the task information list image currently stored (registered) in various DBs 117 based on the comparison index, and performs matching processing. When the task information list image having a high similarity is specified and the input image includes information on a task with a check, the image output unit 44 sends the input image to the Workflow Management System 55, and the Workflow The management system 55 updates the progress status of the task information stored in the DB 117.

  As a result, the workflow management system 100 can analyze the scanned image of the paper document, identify task information with a high degree of similarity based on the analyzed image feature and the extracted embedded information. The progress record of the task checked in the check column can be automatically input to the system as appropriate task information, and the progress status of the corresponding task can be updated.

  Therefore, the workflow management system 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention embeds visible and / or invisible information for accurately recognizing information of a paper document in a dynamic workflow, thereby embedding the paper document. Convenience can be used effectively.

  Finally, the function of the workflow management system 100 according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention is a program in which each processing procedure described in the first and second embodiments is coded in a programming language suitable for the operating environment (platform). Can be realized by executing the above on a computer. Therefore, the program for executing the functions of the present invention can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium.

  Moreover, although Embodiment 1 and 2 were demonstrated, this invention is not limited to the requirements shown here, such as a combination with the other elements in the shape mentioned in the above embodiment. With respect to these points, the present invention can be changed within a range that does not detract from the gist of the present invention, and can be appropriately determined according to the application form.

It is a figure which shows an example of the workflow management system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the management server and user terminal which concern on Embodiment 1 of this invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a multifunction peripheral according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the main function structures of the workflow management system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the main function structures of the image analysis engine which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of mounting of the workflow management system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of the information regarding the user ID which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of the information stored in task instance DB which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example (the 1) of the process sequence of the workflow management system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example (part 1) of a display unit included in the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a paper surface of a paper document printed as task-related information (attached document) by the printing unit included in the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example (the 2) of the process sequence of the workflow management system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a display example (the 2) of the display part with which the compound machine concerning Embodiment 2 of the present invention is provided. It is an example (the 1) of the process sequence of the workflow management system which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. 10 is an example of a paper surface of a paper document printed as a user ID card by a printing unit included in a multifunction peripheral according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. It is an example (the 2) of the process sequence of the workflow management system which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the display part with which the multifunctional device which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention is provided. It is an example (the 3) of the process sequence of the workflow management system which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram (part 1) illustrating a paper document printed as a task information list with check (task check list) by a printing unit included in the multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a second example of a paper document printed as a task information list with check (task check list) by a printing unit included in the multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example (the 4) of a process sequence of the workflow management system which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

100 Workflow management system 11 Control unit (CPU)
12 Main memory (ROM, RAM)
13 Auxiliary memory (HD)
14 Network I / F
15 External storage device I / F
16 External device I / F
17 Output device I / F
18 Input device I / F
19 Display (panel display)
20 Input unit (operation unit)
21 Printing section (plotter section)
22 Scanner unit (image reading unit)
101 GUI providing unit 102 Rendering engine 103 Input / output control unit 104 Workflow engine 105 Search engine 106 Task control unit 107 Task creation unit 108 Task execution unit 109 Guess engine 110 Workflow recording unit 111 Image analysis engine 112 Related information DB
113 Task model DB
114 Task instance DB
115 Work record DB
116 Organization Information DB
117 Data Base (Database: DB)
201 Browser 31 Image reading means 32 Printing means (workflow information printing means)
33 communication means 41 image input means 42 image processing means 43 image matching means 431 feature extraction means 432 feature holding means 433 feature comparison means 44 image output means 45 watermark creation means (print data generation means)
51 J2EE Web Application
52 HTML-based Collaborative Documenting system
53 Web Server
54 Image device
55 Workflow management system
56 Search Engine
57 Image processing Engine
58 MySQL
59 RDF Repositories
60 Doc.Index
61 WebDAV rep.
SV workflow management server (information processing device)
PC user terminal (information processing equipment)
MFP MFP (image forming device)
U user

Claims (24)

A workflow management system that manages tasks that constitute a dynamic workflow by a management server equipped with a database, and handles paper document information as workflow information,
Print data generation means for adding predetermined information to the task related information stored in the database and generating print data of the task related information;
A workflow management system comprising: workflow information printing means for printing the print data generated by the print data generation means. The print data generation means includes
Having a watermark creating means for creating print data of visible or invisible information;
When generating print data of task related information stored in the database,
Among the information for specifying the task, the information for specifying the related information to be printed, the information for specifying the user who instructed printing, the information for specifying the printed image forming apparatus, and the information for specifying the date and time of printing by the watermark creating means The workflow management system according to claim 1, wherein at least one is added to the related information of the task as visible or invisible information to generate print data. When printing the print data generated by the print data generation unit by the workflow information printing unit,
The workflow management system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising workflow information print recording means for storing at least one of information on tasks, information on printing, and information on users in the database. The print data generation means includes
Predetermined encoding processing is performed on user authentication information used when the management server authenticates the user, and the user authentication information subjected to the encoding processing is added to the user information as invisible information by the watermark generation unit. The workflow management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the print data is generated. The print data generation means includes
5. The workflow according to claim 1, wherein print data of a task information list in which a check field for recording a progress state for each task is provided and the task information is listed is generated. Management system. Image reading means for scanning the paper document and generating a scanned image;
A workflow for identifying a task related to the scanned image based on predetermined information extracted from the scanned image read by the image reading means, and storing the scanned image in the database as new related information of the identified task. 6. The workflow management system according to claim 1, further comprising an information storage unit. The workflow information storage means includes
Image processing means for performing predetermined image processing on the scanned image read by the image reading means;
A feature extraction unit that extracts image features from the image processed by the image processing unit and reads the predetermined information that is visible or invisible information added by the print data generation unit;
Feature comparison means for judging the similarity between the image feature extracted by the feature extraction means based on a predetermined comparison index and the image feature of the image indicating the task related information stored in the database ,
Task specifying means for specifying a task related to the scanned image based on the predetermined information read by the feature extracting means and related information of the task having a high degree of similarity determined by the feature comparing means. The workflow management system according to claim 1, wherein the workflow management system includes: The workflow information storage means includes
The feature comparison means detects a difference between the image feature of the scanned image and the image feature of the image indicating the related information of the task stored in the database, and the information described in the location where the difference exists is related to the task. The workflow management system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein comment information of information is stored in the data verse. When a paper document of user information including the user authentication information as invisible information is input to the workflow management system by the image reading unit,
9. The user authentication information added by the print data generation unit is read from the image feature extracted by the feature extraction unit, and an authentication process is performed based on the read user authentication information. The workflow management system according to one item. When a paper document in which a progress state is recorded in the check column for each task in the task list is input to the workflow management system by the image reading unit,
The information indicating the progress status of each task is read from the image feature extracted by the feature extracting means, and the information indicating the progress status of the information of the corresponding task is read based on the read information indicating the progress status of each task. The workflow management system according to claim 1, wherein the workflow management system is updated. A management server having a database for managing tasks constituting a dynamic workflow and an image forming apparatus that inputs information of a paper document as a scanned image to the workflow management system;
Print data generation means for adding predetermined information to the task related information stored in the database and generating print data of the task related information;
Print data transmission means for transmitting the print data generated by the print data generation means to the image forming apparatus;
Based on the predetermined information extracted from the scan image input from the image forming apparatus, a task related to the scan image is specified, and the scan image is stored in the database as new related information of the specified task. A management server comprising workflow information storage means. An image forming apparatus connected to a workflow management system that manages tasks constituting a dynamic workflow by a management server equipped with a database and handles paper document information as workflow information,
Image reading means for scanning the paper document and generating a scanned image;
Print data receiving means for receiving print data transmitted from the management server;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a workflow information printing unit that prints the print data received by the print data receiving unit. The print data generation means includes
Having a watermark creating means for creating print data of visible or invisible information;
When generating print data of task related information stored in the database,
Among the information for specifying the task, the information for specifying the related information to be printed, the information for specifying the user who instructed printing, the information for specifying the printed image forming apparatus, and the information for specifying the date and time of printing by the watermark creating means 12. The management server according to claim 11, wherein at least one is added to the related information of the task as visible or invisible information to generate print data. When printing the print data generated by the print data generation unit using the workflow information printing unit included in the image forming apparatus,
14. The management server according to claim 11 or 13, further comprising workflow information print recording means for storing at least one of information relating to a task, information relating to printing, and information relating to a user in the database. The print data generation means includes
The management server performs a predetermined encoding process on the user authentication information used when authenticating the user, and the watermark creation unit adds the encoded user authentication information to the user information as invisible information. The management server according to claim 11, wherein the print data is generated. The print data generation means includes
16. The print data of a task information list in which a check field for recording a progress state for each task is provided and the task information is listed is generated. Management server. The workflow information storage means includes
Image processing means for performing predetermined image processing on a scanned image read by an image reading means included in the image forming apparatus;
A feature extraction unit that extracts image features from the image processed by the image processing unit and reads the predetermined information that is visible or invisible information added by the print data generation unit;
Feature comparison means for judging the similarity between the image feature extracted by the feature extraction means based on a predetermined comparison index and the image feature of the image indicating the task related information stored in the database ,
Task specifying means for specifying a task related to the scanned image based on the predetermined information read by the feature extracting means and related information of the task having a high degree of similarity determined by the feature comparing means. The management server according to any one of claims 11, 13 to 16. The workflow information storage means includes
The feature comparison means detects a difference between the image feature of the scanned image and the image feature of the image indicating the related information of the task stored in the database, and the information described in the location where the difference exists is related to the task. The management server according to claim 11, wherein the management server stores comment information of the information in the data verse. When a paper document of user information including the user authentication information as invisible information is input to the management server by an image reading unit included in the image forming apparatus,
19. The user authentication information added by the print data generation unit is read from the image feature extracted by the feature extraction unit, and authentication processing is performed based on the read user authentication information. The management server according to any one of the above. When a paper document in which the progress status is recorded in the check column for each task in the task list is input to the management server by the image reading unit included in the image forming apparatus,
The information indicating the progress status of each task is read from the image feature extracted by the feature extracting means, and the information indicating the progress status of the information of the corresponding task is read based on the read information indicating the progress status of each task. The management server according to claim 11, wherein the management server is updated. A workflow management method in a management server having a database for managing a task constituting a dynamic workflow and an image forming apparatus that inputs information of a paper document as a scanned image to a workflow management system,
A print data generation procedure for adding predetermined information to the task related information stored in the database and generating print data of the task related information;
A print data transmission procedure for transmitting the print data generated by the print data generation procedure to the image forming apparatus;
Based on the predetermined information extracted from the scan image input from the image forming apparatus, a task related to the scan image is specified, and the scan image is stored in the database as new related information of the specified task. A workflow management method comprising a workflow information storage procedure. A workflow management method in an image forming apparatus connected to a workflow management system that manages tasks constituting a dynamic workflow by a management server equipped with a database and handles paper document information as workflow information,
An image reading procedure for scanning the paper document and generating a scanned image;
A print data reception procedure for receiving print data transmitted from the management server;
A workflow information printing procedure for printing the print data received by the print data receiving procedure. A workflow management program in a management server having a database for managing a task that constitutes a dynamic workflow and an image forming apparatus that inputs information of a paper document as a scanned image to the workflow management system,
Computer
Print data generation means for adding predetermined information to the task related information stored in the database and generating print data of the task related information;
Print data transmission means for transmitting the print data generated by the print data generation means to the image forming apparatus;
Based on the predetermined information extracted from the scan image input from the image forming apparatus, a task related to the scan image is specified, and the scan image is stored in the database as new related information of the specified task. A workflow management program that functions as a workflow information storage unit. A workflow management program in an image forming apparatus connected to a workflow management system that manages tasks constituting a dynamic workflow by a management server equipped with a database and handles paper document information as workflow information,
Computer
Image reading means for scanning the paper document and generating a scanned image;
Print data receiving means for receiving print data transmitted from the management server;
A workflow management program for functioning as workflow information printing means for printing print data received by the print data receiving means.