JP2009049531A - Image forming system, image control method, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to easily and unfailingly perform an operation for paper documents. <P>SOLUTION: Work flow information indicating contents of a series of works and history information indicating the history of the works are previously recorded in an RFID embedded in a sheet of paper. In executing a subsequent operation for the sheet, when the work flow information and the history information are read from the RFID embedded in the sheet, an application required for the subsequent operation is automatically activated on the basis of the information, and the information about the subsequent operation is displayed. Then, the user executes the operation for the information about the displayed subsequent operation, and then, the subsequent operation is executed in accordance with the operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system, an image control method, and a computer program, and is particularly suitable for use in working on a paper document.

Conventionally, there has been a technique for displaying an original customized menu that a user has registered in the system in advance by reading user information from a non-contact IC tag (referred to as RFID in the following description) (Patent Document 1). See).
For example, a method is known in which job information such as setting information and user information at the time of printing is recorded on an RFID attached to a print sheet at the time of printing. Specifically, there is a technique for reading user information from an RFID attached to a sheet left on a paper discharge tray and sending an email to a user who does not come to pick up paper based on the read user information (Patent Document 2). See).

JP-A-2005-210310 JP 2005-144845 A

However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1 described above, even an original customized menu is a fixed menu. Therefore, for example, when different processes are sequentially performed as in the workflow process, the user needs to determine what process should be performed next. Therefore, in particular, when the description is changed or added on paper, it is not possible to easily discriminate from the paper the work content and the changes made so far. For this reason, it may take time to determine what work should be performed next, a work to be performed next may be wrong, or a work to be performed next may be leaked.
Approval work and the like must be performed by a person having the authority to approve. However, in the approval work such as imprinting on paper, an unauthorized work due to impersonation or the like cannot be detected and prevented. Therefore, in order to realize a workflow operation in which a plurality of processes are sequentially performed by a plurality of people, it is necessary to introduce a special electronic document management system, which is costly.

  Further, Patent Document 2 described above discloses that the recording to the RFID is performed only once, but does not mention the processing when the recording to the RFID is repeated, and the appropriate processing is not performed. There was concern that it would not be done. Furthermore, the information recorded on the RFID is information on a paper unit basis, and even when a single document is composed of a plurality of papers, information on a document unit and information on a paper unit constituting a document are not recorded. Therefore, it is necessary for the user to recognize such information. Therefore, it is a burden on the user because there is a possibility that a determination error or the like in the work may occur.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily and reliably work on a paper document.

  The image forming system according to the present invention includes information reading means for reading information relating to work on the paper, information embedding means for embedding information relating to work on the paper in the paper, and the information reading means. Based on the read information, the next work determining means for determining the next work to be performed from the series of work, and an application corresponding to the next work to be determined determined by the next work determining means are started. The information embedding unit executes the execution of the next operation to be performed, which is determined by the next operation determination unit, by the execution unit. The information regarding the performed work is embedded in paper as a history.

  The image control method of the present invention includes information reading step for reading out information related to work on the paper, information embedding step for embedding information related to work on the paper in paper, and information reading step. Based on the read information, a next operation determination step for determining a next operation to be performed from a series of operations and a next operation to be performed determined by the next operation determination step are displayed on the display device. And the information embedding step embeds information on the executed work as a history on paper when the work to be performed next determined in the next work determining step is executed. And

  The computer program of the present invention is information embedded in paper, an information reading step for reading information related to work on the paper, an information embedding step for embedding information related to work on the paper in paper, and the information reading step. Based on the issued information, a next work determination step for determining the next work to be performed from a series of work, and a display for displaying the next work to be performed determined in the next work determination step on the display device The information embedding step includes embedding information on the executed work on paper as a history when the next work determined in the next work determining step is executed. Features.

According to the present invention, the history of work performed is embedded in paper as information related to work on paper. Then, the information embedded in the paper is read, and based on the read information, the next work to be performed is determined and executed. Therefore, it is possible to easily and reliably work on paper documents.
According to another feature of the present invention, information on the next operation to be performed is displayed, and the operation to be performed next is executed after an operation on the displayed information is performed by the user. Therefore, the user can easily determine what work is to be performed next, and operation mistakes for the work can be suppressed.
Further, according to another feature of the present invention, whether to permit the execution of the next work to be performed is determined based on an operation by the user, and when it is determined to permit the execution of the next work to be performed The information about the work performed was embedded in the paper as a history. Therefore, it can suppress that the next operation | work will be performed by an unauthorized user's operation.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image forming system including an MFP, a computer, and a FAX. In FIG. 1, an MFP (MFP) 1, which is a preferred example of an image forming apparatus, computers 20 and 21, and a FAX 22 are connected to each other via an Internet network 23, a public line network 24, and a network 25. The case is shown as an example.

The network processing unit 2 controls data exchange with the computers 21 connected to each other via the network 25 or the computers 20 connected to each other via the Internet network 23.
The PDL development unit 3 develops print data (PDL data) sent from the computers 20 and 21 into a print image and transfers the print image to the printer unit 8 through the internal bus 5. The printer unit 8 prints the input print image. Further, when a predetermined storage area in the hard disk 12 is provided as a BOX, the print image output from the computers 20 and 21 is held in the BOX, and the print image held in the BOX is printed by the printer unit 8. It is also possible to do.

The modem communication unit 4 controls data exchange with the FAX 22 connected to each other via the public line network 24.
The scanner unit 6 reads a document set on a tray of a document feeder with a scanner. Image data read by the scanner unit 6 is transferred to the data processing unit 11 by the CPU 9. The data processing unit 11 performs image processing such as image rotation / magnification on the input image data and stores the image data in the memory 10.
The display / operation unit 7 is, for example, a liquid crystal display with a built-in touch panel.
The CPU 9 executes an application stored in the memory 10, executes arithmetic processing in each processing unit connected to each other via the internal bus 5, and transfers data.
The paper feed tray 13 has a paper feed cassette that stores paper to be printed. The paper feed tray 13 may have a tray for setting paper used for printing as necessary. Note that there are a plurality of paper feed cassettes, and paper is set in separate cassettes for each paper size and paper application.

The RFID reading unit 14 is a reading unit that reads information recorded in an RFID (non-contact type IC tag).
The RFID writing unit 15 is a writing unit that writes information to the RFID, and rewrites a part of the information already recorded in the RFID or adds information to the RFID.

FIG. 2 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an example of the structure of software incorporated in the MFP 1.
An OS (operating system) 201 controls the first execution environment and the entire image forming system. The OS 201 includes modules of a real-time OS that can control various functions of the MFP 1 in real time, and a library group.

  The controller control unit 202 operates on the OS 201 that controls the first execution environment. The scanner unit 6, the display / operation unit 7, the printer unit 8, the modem communication unit 4, the PDL development unit 3, the paper feed tray 13, the RFID reading unit 14, the RFID writing unit 15, and the like are configured. Is.

An API (through an application programming interface) 203 performs processing for accessing the controller control unit 202 in response to a command sequence of commands input from the system application 204 or the API 207.
The system application 204 is an application program that runs on the first execution environment (OS 201), and requests various processing from the controller control unit 202 using the API 203. The system application 204 can also communicate with the computers 20 and 21 via the network processing unit 2.

The virtual machine 206 operates in a second execution environment optimum for executing a specific application, and is realized by, for example, a JAVA (registered trademark) virtual machine. The API 207 is an API for an application on the second execution environment (virtual machine 206) to access the controller control unit 202 operating on the first execution environment (OS 201). In the present embodiment, the API 207 has a function of a conversion module for calling the API 203.
The management application 208 is an application program for managing other applications on the second execution environment (virtual machine 206).

  The workflow application 209 and the application 210 are application programs that operate on the second execution environment (virtual machine 206). The workflow application 209 and the application 210 use the API 207 to request the controller control unit 202 for various processes. Further, the workflow application 209 and the application 210 can communicate with the computers 20 and 21 via the network processing unit 2.

  The resource management unit 205 manages resources used in the second execution environment (virtual machine 206). Specifically, when the resource management unit 205 uses a resource resource such as memory by the virtual machine 206 itself, the API 207, or all applications on the virtual machine 206 that realize the second execution environment, the resource management unit 205 is more than a predetermined amount. The resource is restricted so that it cannot be used. The resource management unit 205 operates on the OS 201 that realizes the first execution environment.

Next, an example of workflow processing using paper using RFID will be described.
Workflow information is written in advance in an RFID embedded (added) in paper. Further, the history information of the operation processing by the user is added to the RFID and updated by the RFID writing unit 15. Also, the workflow application 209 sequentially activates an appropriate dialog according to the information read by the RFID reading unit 14 and displays it on the display / operation unit 7 to assist the operation by the user.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of workflow information written in advance on an RFID embedded in a sheet before printing. In FIG. 3, a case where a workflow information structured language is used will be described as an example. A structured language is a language with a heading generally called a tag, and one tag is used as a pair of one indicating start and one indicating end, and further information is obtained by using a tag in the tag. The structure can be expressed.

In FIG. 3, a WorkFlow tag 501 is information relating to a workflow. It can be seen from the Type information in the WorkFlow tag 501 that the document type is an estimate. In addition, there can be a workflow for creating a document such as an invoice or a delivery note.
The Flow tags 502 to 504 are information that defines each work constituting the workflow, and exist as many as the number of works. In the example shown in FIG. 3, it can be seen that the workflow is composed of a total of three operations of Flow tags 502 to 504. At least one attribute of Order, Name, Role, SkipPreWork, and Target is defined for each work.

Specifically, the work number is read from the Order information, the work name is read from the Name information, and the authority of the user who can perform the work is read from the Role. Further, from SkipPreWork information, it is read whether or not the work can be executed while skipping the previous work, and the page number to which the work is applied is read from Target information. For example, the Role information of the Flow tag 503 is “Confirmer”. This is because only the user set as an approver can execute the work defined in the Flow tag 503, and the other users are not authorized to execute the work. Show. Since the SkipPreWork information is “NG”, the work defined in the Flow tag 502 cannot be executed unless the work defined in the Flow tag 502 is completed. Furthermore, since the Target information is “2”, the work defined by the Flow tag 503 is processed for the second page of a paper document composed of a plurality of pages (a plurality of papers). It will be.
As described above, in the present embodiment, information indicating the content of a series of operations to be processed on paper is realized using workflow information. Note that such workflow information need not be written in the RFID in advance. For example, workflow information may be written to RFID at the time of printing. Further, in this embodiment, when a document is composed of a plurality of papers, each of the RFIDs embedded in the plurality of papers has information about work on the paper itself and other papers constituting the document. Information regarding work is also recorded as workflow information.

  Next, an example of a first printing operation on paper (a new document creation process) performed to realize a workflow process using paper will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, it is assumed that the workflow information is written in advance in an RFID embedded in a sheet before printing. Further, it is assumed that the paper before printing is set in a separate paper feed tray 13 for each workflow written in the RFID.

  Also, it is assumed that the user has operated the display / operation unit 7 to previously register in the MFP 1 which sheet of paper with which workflow is recorded in which sheet cassette 17. Therefore, if the user designates the paper feed tray 13 at the time of printing, the user can print on the paper on which desired workflow information is written.

Furthermore, it is assumed that the user specifies from the display / operation unit 7 the paper feed tray 13 on which paper used for printing is set at the time of printing.
Here, the description will be made assuming a workflow for creating an estimate. Then, it is assumed that the estimate is created by a workflow composed of three processes: creation of a new document by the person in charge, approval by the approver, and submission of the approved document to the customer.

  First, when the user logs in, in step S301, the workflow application 209 determines whether or not the user performs a printing operation. More specifically, the display / operation unit 7 displays a menu screen based on an instruction from the workflow application 209. The workflow application 209 determines whether the operation selected from the displayed menu screen is a printing operation.

  If the result of this determination is that the user does not perform a printing operation, the MFP 1 performs processing in accordance with the normal processing menu. On the other hand, when the user performs a printing operation, the process proceeds to step S302. In step S302, based on an instruction from the workflow application 209, the display / operation unit 7 displays an operation menu screen that displays a list of print data stored in the MFP 1 and an operation menu screen that displays a list of document types. Is displayed. The workflow application 209 receives designation of which print data is to be printed as which document based on the user's operation on these operation menu screens.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation menu screen that displays a list of print data stored in the MFP 1. On the operation menu screen 500 shown in FIG. 5, a list of print data 500a taken into the MFP 1 from the computers 20, 21 and the scanner unit 6 is displayed including print information such as document name, print date and page number. The The user uses the display / operation unit 7 to select desired print data from the print data list 500a. Thereafter, when the user presses the next button 500b using the display / operation unit 7, the display / operation unit 7 switches the display to an operation menu screen 600 showing a list of document types (see FIG. 6). . On the operation menu screen 600 showing a list of document types, designation of the type of document to be created by printing is accepted based on the operation of the display / operation unit 7 by the user. The user uses the display / operation unit 7 to select a desired document from the document type list 600a (approval, estimate, bill) displayed on the operation menu screen 600. Thereafter, when the user presses the OK button 600b using the display / operation unit 7, it is determined which print data is to be printed as which document.
As described above, in the present embodiment, for example, the display unit is realized by performing the process of step S302.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 4, in step S303, the workflow application 209 determines which paper feed to print the print data (print job) selected in step S302 based on, for example, the operation of the display / operation unit 7 by the user. It is confirmed whether the tray 13 is used. The workflow application 209 confirms the “relationship between the paper feed tray 13 and the workflow” registered in advance in the MFP 1, and based on the confirmed result, whether the print data (print job) corresponds to the workflow. Determine whether. As described above, in this embodiment, for example, the next operation determination unit is realized by performing the process of step S403.

If the result of this determination is that the corresponding print data (print job) does not correspond to a workflow, Steps S304 and S305 are omitted, and the process proceeds to Step S306 described later.
On the other hand, if the corresponding print data (print job) corresponds to a workflow, the process proceeds to step S304. In step S304, based on an instruction from the workflow application 209, the printer unit 8 pulls in paper from the corresponding paper feed tray 13 and starts printing processing.

Subsequently, in step S305, based on an instruction from the workflow application 209, the RFID writing unit 15 acquires user information from login information, a document name from print data information, and a print date and time from the CPU 9, respectively. Then, the RFID writing unit 15 writes the history information of the processing performed in the flowchart of FIG. 4 to the RFID in the paper drawn from the corresponding paper feed tray 13. The history information to be written will be described later with reference to FIG.
As described above, in this embodiment, for example, an information embedding unit is realized by performing the process of step S305.

  Subsequently, in step S306, the printer unit 8 prints the print data on a sheet on which history information is written in the RFID, based on an instruction from the workflow application 209. And the process by the flowchart of FIG. 4 is complete | finished. Thereafter, the use of one or more sheets printed by the processing of the flowchart of FIG. 4 makes it possible to easily and reliably realize workflow work without constructing a special electronic workflow system. As described above, in the present embodiment, for example, an execution unit is realized by performing the process of step S306.

Next, an example of workflow processing after the first printing operation on paper (new document is created) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
When executing the workflow, the user places one or more sheets used for the workflow on the scanner unit 6 or the paper feed tray 13 of the MFP 1.
When the workflow application 209 detects that the paper is placed by the scanner unit 6 or the paper feed tray 13, the workflow application 209 performs login processing in step S401 and performs user authentication.

Subsequently, in step S402, based on an instruction from the workflow application 209, the RFID reading unit 14 obtains workflow information and history information in the RFID embedded in the paper placed on the scanner unit 6 or the paper feed tray 13. read out. As described above, in this embodiment, for example, an information reading unit is realized by performing the process of step S402.
Subsequently, in step S403, the workflow application 209 determines from the information read in step S402 whether the logged-in user has authority to perform workflow processing (whether to permit execution of the next operation). judge. Information used at this time is, for example, workflow information as shown in FIG. As described above, in the present embodiment, for example, the determination unit is realized by performing the processing of steps S401 and S403.

If the result of this determination is that the logged-in user is not authorized to perform workflow processing (next work (processing)), the process proceeds to step S405. In step S405, the display / operation unit 7 displays a warning indicating that based on an instruction from the workflow application 209. And it progresses to step S408 mentioned later.
On the other hand, if the logged-in user has the authority to perform the workflow process (next work), the process proceeds to step S404. In step S404, the workflow application 209 determines from the history information read in step S402 whether or not the next work (process) can be performed.

If the result of this determination is that it is not possible to perform the next operation (processing), the process proceeds to step S407. In step S 407, the display / operation unit 7 displays a warning indicating that based on an instruction from the workflow application 209. And it progresses to step S408 mentioned later.
On the other hand, if it is ready to perform the next operation (processing), the process proceeds to step S406. In step S406, the workflow application 209 determines a menu corresponding to the next work (process) to be performed based on the workflow information and history information read in step S402. Then, the display / operation unit 7 automatically displays a screen indicating a work (process) to be performed next based on an instruction from the workflow application 209. Then, the workflow application 209 receives an instruction from the user performed on the screen indicating the work (process) to be performed next. As described above, in the present embodiment, for example, the next operation determination unit and the display unit are realized by performing the process of step S406.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen indicating a work (process) to be performed next. The screen 800 shown in FIG. 8 is a display example when the work (processing) corresponding to the Flow tag 503 shown in FIG. 3 is executed next. Specifically, FIG. 8 shows an example in which the estimate approval process is performed next.
The approver can confirm the document name, creation date, and creator of the document obtained from the information read from the RFID by looking at the screen 800, and can perform the document approval operation. When the user operates the display / operation unit 7 and presses the OK button 800a in the screen 800, the process proceeds to step S408.

In step S408, the scanner unit 6 or the paper feed tray 13 pulls the estimate into the MFP 1 based on an instruction from the workflow application 209. Then, the RFID writing unit 15 writes the history information of the processing performed in the flowchart of FIG. 7 into the RFID embedded in the drawn quotation. The history information to be written will be described later with reference to FIG. As described above, in this embodiment, for example, an information embedding unit is realized by performing the process of step S408.
Subsequently, in step S409, the printer unit 8 prints the print data on a sheet on which history information is written in the RFID, based on an instruction from the workflow application 209. When the process proceeds from step S406 to step S409, for example, a shadow imitating a seal is printed at a predetermined position on the estimate sheet. As described above, in the present embodiment, for example, the execution unit is realized by performing the process of step S409.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of history information written in the RFID in steps S305 and S408 in the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 and 7. The history information is added to the RFID in addition to the workflow information shown in FIG. In FIG. 9, as in the workflow information shown in FIG. 3, a case where a structured language is used as history information will be described as an example.

In FIG. 9, history information is specified by a History tag 801. Thereby, history information and workflow information can be distinguished. In the History tag 801, history information of work (processing) performed on paper is written.
In the Create tag 802, information related to processing performed when a document (document) is created (print processing) is recorded. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the document ID (serial document ID) at the time of print processing, the creation date (processing date and time), the ID of the user who performed the processing (user ID), the document name (document name), and the completion of the processing The status is recorded in the Create tag 802. If the completion status is not “Complete”, whether or not to proceed to the next work (processing) including the SkipPreWork information defined by the Flow tags 502 and 503 is evaluated. It is impossible to proceed to work (processing).

The Confirm tag 803 records information related to processing performed at the time of document approval. In the example illustrated in FIG. 9, the document approval date and time, the approver user ID, and the completion status are recorded in the Confirm tag 803.
The Send tag 804 records information related to processing performed at the time of electronic transmission of the document. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the transmission date and time of the document, the user ID (login user ID) of the user who specified the transmission, the transmission destination information including the name of the transmission destination, the storage DB path indicating the storage destination of the document, and the completion status To be recorded.
As described above, in the present embodiment, for example, by writing history information in the RFID, information on the performed work is embedded in paper as a history.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, workflow information indicating a series of work contents and history information indicating a work history are recorded in the RFID embedded in paper. When the next work is performed on the paper, when workflow information and history information are read from the RFID embedded in the paper, they are necessary for the next work based on the information (corresponding to the next work). The application starts automatically and displays information about the next task. That is, when a workflow based on a paper document is performed, a work to be performed next is automatically determined, and a necessary application dialog is automatically activated and displayed to assist the work (operation) by the user. And after operation with respect to the information regarding the displayed next work is performed by the user, the next work is performed according to the operation. Accordingly, a workflow based on a paper document can be realized by embedding information in the paper document and reading information from the paper information. Therefore, a workflow based on a paper document can be easily and reliably realized without introducing a special electronic document management system. Furthermore, since the work (operation) by the user is assisted, the user can easily determine what work should be performed next, and an operation mistake by the user can be prevented.

In addition, even when a paper page is updated or replaced, what operation has been performed on which page can be recorded as history information on the RFID, and applications required for updating or replacement can be automatically recorded. Can be started. Therefore, for example, even when information is stored as secondary data, the user can be instructed to replace only specific electronic data, and only specific electronic data needs to be updated. Therefore, the data size to be exchanged can be reduced. It is also possible to notify a person who has a paper copy that a specific page has been replaced.
Further, since the next work (process) is executed when the logged-in user has the authority to perform the next work (process), an unauthorized work due to impersonation or the like can be prevented.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the workflow information and the history information are written in the RFID is shown as an example, but it is not always necessary to do so. For example, the workflow information and the history information may be directly written on paper as information invisible to human eyes using transparent ink or toner. Also, workflow information and history information may be directly written on paper as pattern information that cannot be recognized by human eyes, such as QR codes. Furthermore, the workflow information and the history information may be directly written on paper by using a digital watermark technique.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the first printing operation on paper (the process shown in FIG. 4) is all performed by the MFP 1 is described as an example. However, this is not necessarily required. For example, the processing of steps S301 to S303 in FIG. 4 may be performed on the computer 21 side, and the MFP 1 may perform the processing of steps S304 to S306 based on an instruction from the computer 21. In this case, the user specifies the paper feed tray 13 on which the paper used for printing is set from the computer 21 at the time of printing. The operation menu screens 500 and 600 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are displayed on the display device included in the computer 21, and the user uses the UI included in the computer 21 to operate the operation menu screens 500 and 600. Will be operated.

(Other embodiments of the present invention)
Each means constituting the image forming system and each step of the image control method in the embodiment of the present invention described above can be realized by operating a program stored in a RAM or ROM of a computer. This program and a computer-readable recording medium recording the program are included in the present invention.

  In addition, the present invention can be implemented as, for example, a system, apparatus, method, program, storage medium, or the like. Specifically, the present invention may be applied to a system including a plurality of devices. The present invention may be applied to an apparatus composed of a single device.

  In the present invention, a software program (in the embodiment, a program corresponding to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4 and 7) for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is directly or remotely supplied to the system or apparatus. In addition, this includes a case where the system or the computer of the apparatus is also achieved by reading and executing the supplied program code.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, and the like.

  Examples of the recording medium for supplying the program include a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, and CD-RW. In addition, there are magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R), and the like.

  As another program supply method, a browser on a client computer is used to connect to an Internet home page. The computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function can be downloaded from the homepage by downloading it to a recording medium such as a hard disk.

  It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. Let It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the downloaded key information and install the program on a computer.

  Further, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the computer executing the read program. In addition, based on the instructions of the program, an OS or the like running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can also be realized by the processing.

  Further, the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Thereafter, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  It should be noted that each of the above-described embodiments is merely a specific example for carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed in a limited manner. . That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the technical idea or the main features thereof.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image forming system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an example of a structure of software incorporated in an MFP according to the embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows embodiment of this invention and shows an example of the workflow information previously written in RFID embedded in the paper before printing. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the first printing operation on paper according to the embodiment of this invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation menu screen showing a list of print data stored in the MFP according to the embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows embodiment of this invention and shows an example of the operation menu screen which shows the list of the kind of document. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of workflow processing after the first printing operation on paper is performed according to the embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an embodiment of this invention and shows an example of the screen which shows the operation | work (process) which should be performed next. It is a figure which shows embodiment of this invention and shows an example of the historical information written in RFID.

Explanation of symbols

1 MFP
20, 21 Computer 22 FAX
23 Internet 24 Public network 201 OS
202 Controller control unit 203, 207 API
204 System application 205 Resource management unit 206 Virtual machine 208 Management application 209 Workflow application 210 Application

Claims (10)

Information reading means that is information embedded in the paper and that reads information relating to work on the paper;
Information embedding means for embedding information on work on paper into paper;
Based on the information read by the information reading means, a next work determining means for determining a work to be performed next out of a series of work;
An execution unit that starts an application corresponding to a work to be performed next determined by the next work determination unit and executes the work to be performed next;
The information embedding means embeds information on the executed work on paper as a history when the next work determined by the next work determining means is executed by the execution means. Forming system. Display means for displaying information on a work to be performed next determined by the next work determination means on a display device;
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the execution unit executes the next operation after an operation on information displayed by the display unit is performed by a user. Determination means for determining whether or not to permit execution of work to be performed next determined by the next work determination means based on an operation by a user;
The information embedding means embeds information on the executed work in a paper as a history when the determining means determines that execution of the work to be performed next is permitted. 3. The image forming system according to 2.   The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein information indicating a content of a series of operations to be processed on the paper is embedded in the paper. The paper belongs to a document composed of a plurality of papers,
5. The paper according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein not only information relating to work on the paper but also information relating to other papers constituting the document are embedded in each of the plurality of papers. The image forming system according to claim 1. The information reading means reads information stored in a non-contact type IC tag attached to paper,
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the information embedding unit stores information in a non-contact type IC tag attached to paper. The information reading means reads information printed on paper using transparent ink or toner,
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the information embedding unit prints information on paper using a transparent ink or toner. The information reading means is information printed on paper using ink or toner, and reads information of a pattern that cannot be recognized by human eyes,
The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the information embedding unit prints information on a pattern whose contents cannot be recognized by human eyes using ink or toner. . An information reading step for reading out information related to work on the paper, which is information embedded in the paper;
An information embedding step for embedding information about work on paper in paper;
Based on the information read in the information reading step, a next work determination step of determining a work to be performed next from a series of work;
A display step of displaying the work to be performed next determined in the next work determination step on a display device;
In the information embedding step, when a work to be performed next determined in the next work determining step is executed, information on the executed work is embedded in paper as a history. An information reading step for reading out information related to work on the paper, which is information embedded in the paper;
An information embedding step for embedding information about work on paper in paper;
Based on the information read in the information reading step, a next work determination step of determining a work to be performed next from a series of work;
Causing the computer to execute a display step of displaying on the display device the work to be performed next determined by the next work determination step;
In the information embedding step, when a work to be performed next determined in the next work determining step is executed, information relating to the executed work is embedded in paper as a history.

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