JP2009225059A - Image processor, terminal apparatus, delivery job management method, computer program, and information recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor for favorably displaying the progress of delivery job executed by the image processor, and to provide a terminal apparatus, a delivery job management method, a computer program, and an information recording medium. <P>SOLUTION: The image processor is connected to a server and included in an image delivery system for implementing the delivery job by allocating a plurality of kinds of processes constituting the delivery job of image data to the server and the image processor. The image processor includes: a job constitution management means for managing a combination of processes constituting the delivery job by delivery job and managing allocation information concerning whether the respective kinds of processes constituting the delivery job are executed in the image processor or the server; a progress management means for managing the progress of the delivery job; a receiving means for receiving an inquiry about the progress of the delivery job; and a transmitting means for transmitting the progress of the delivery job, based on the inquiry of the progress. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing device, a terminal device, a distribution job management method, a computer program, and an information recording medium.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a document delivery system technology for managing a job for delivering a document. For example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-94383 (Patent Document 1) discloses an invention of a document distribution system having a server that determines and distributes distribution priority of document data distributed from a plurality of devices. .
JP 2005-94383 A

  However, the document distribution system described in Patent Document 1 does not consider displaying the progress status of a distribution job. For example, in a system in which a plurality of image processing apparatuses share the individual processes constituting a distribution job, in order to display the progress of the distribution job, the process to be executed for each image processing apparatus is not managed. Must not.

  The present invention has been invented in order to solve these problems in view of the above points, and is an image processing apparatus, a terminal apparatus, and a distribution that suitably display the progress of a distribution job executed by the image processing apparatus. It is an object to provide a job management method, a computer program, and an information recording medium.

  In order to achieve the above object, the image processing apparatus of the present invention employs the following configuration.

  An image processing apparatus of the present invention is connected to a server, and an image in an image distribution system that realizes the distribution job by assigning a plurality of processes constituting an image data distribution job to the server and the image processing apparatus. A processing apparatus that manages a combination of processes constituting the distribution job for each of the distribution jobs, and further, each process constituting the distribution job is executed by either the image processing apparatus or the server. Based on job status management means for managing such allocation information, progress status management means for managing the progress status of the distribution job, accepting means for receiving an inquiry about the progress status of the distribution job, and based on the progress status query And a transmission means for transmitting the progress status of the distribution job.

  Accordingly, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus that suitably displays the progress status of the distribution job executed by the image processing apparatus.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention further includes a terminal device connected to the image processing device, a delivery job management method for executing the functions of each unit included in the image processing device or the terminal device, or the A computer program for causing a computer to execute the distribution job management method may be used.

  According to the image processing device of the present invention, there are provided an image processing device, a terminal device, a delivery job management method, a computer program, and an information recording medium that suitably display the progress status of the delivery job executed by the image processing device. Is possible.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
Embodiment of the present invention
(Distribution job example)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a distribution job. The distribution job shown in FIG. 1 is set in advance by the image processing apparatus or the like of the present embodiment, and one distribution job is realized by a plurality of processes. In the distribution setting-1 in FIG. 1, image data input from a scanner is converted into PDF, then distributed to other devices by ftp (file transfer protocol), and stored in a predetermined folder.

  In the distribution setting-2 in FIG. 1, image data input from a facsimile is subjected to OCR (Optical Character Reader) processing and then transmitted by electronic mail.

  The image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment performs a distribution job that processes and distributes image data in various input forms in addition to that shown in FIG.

(Example of functional configuration of image processing apparatus and the like of this embodiment)
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating examples of functional configurations of the image processing apparatus 10 and the terminal device 50 according to the present embodiment. The image processing apparatus 10 and the terminal apparatus 50 in FIG. 2 are connected via a network, for example. The image processing apparatus 10 includes a job configuration management unit 11, a progress status management unit 12, a reception unit 13, and a transmission unit 14. The job configuration management unit 11 manages distribution job setting information. The distribution job setting information includes a process constituting the distribution job and identification information of an image processing apparatus or a server to which the process is assigned. The job configuration management unit 11 includes, for example, a database that stores distribution job setting information.

  The progress status management means 12 manages the progress status of the distribution job being executed. The progress status management means 12 holds information such as which process is being executed among the processes constituting the distribution job, for example.

  The accepting unit 13 accepts an inquiry about the progress status of the distribution job transmitted from the terminal device 50. Further, the accepting unit 13 accepts an inquiry for setting a delivery job transmitted from the terminal device 50. The transmission unit 14 transmits information on the progress status of the distribution job to the terminal device 50. The transmission means 14 further transmits distribution job setting information to the terminal device 50. In addition, when the processing of the distribution job corresponding to the inquiry transmitted from the terminal device 50 is executed by a server (not shown) or the like, the transmission unit 14 inquires the progress status of the distribution job to the server. Forward etc.

  The terminal device 50 includes a transmission unit 51, a reception unit 52, and a screen generation unit 53. The transmission unit 51 transmits an inquiry about the progress status of the distribution job to the image processing apparatus 10. Further, the transmission means 51 transmits an inquiry about the setting of the distribution job being processed by the image processing apparatus 10.

  The receiving unit 52 receives the progress status of the distribution job and the setting information of the distribution job processed by the image processing apparatus 10 transmitted from the image processing apparatus 10. Furthermore, when the processing of the inquired distribution job is executed by the server or the like, the receiving means 52 receives information from the server.

  Based on the information received by the receiving means 52, the screen generating means 53 generates a progress status screen of the inquired distribution job. The progress status screen indicates the processing order of the processes constituting the distribution job and the processes being executed in the processes. The progress status screen may further include identification information such as an image processing apparatus to be processed.

  When the distribution job is stopped due to an error, the screen generation unit 53 generates a screen indicating a process in which the error has occurred and a screen for prompting whether to execute the distribution job again. . The screen generation means 53 may generate an auxiliary menu screen corresponding to each process. The auxiliary menu screen includes, for example, fields for prompting input such as stopping or restarting the process.

(Example of system configuration for realizing a distribution job)
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a system including the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. In the system of FIG. 3, an MFP (Multi Function Printer) 1, an MFP 2, and a server 3 are connected via a network. Each of MFP 1, MFP 2, and server 3 is connected to a database that stores information on setting of a distribution job. Each database stores information on setting of a distribution job executed by each device. The distribution job setting may be executed by the MFP that executes the distribution job, and the distribution job information set in the server 3 is stored in a database connected to a plurality of MFPs, so that the batch setting can be performed. It may be realized.

  Plug-in A and plug-in B are installed in the MFP 1, and plug-in A, plug-in B, and plug-in C are installed in the MFP 2. Further, plug-in A, plug-in B, plug-in C, and plug-in D are installed in the server 3. Thus, for example, a distribution job including plug-in A and plug-in D may be realized by MFP 1 performing processing using plug-in A and server 3 performing processing using plug-in D.

  The plug-in installed in the server 3 performs, for example, OCR processing and corresponds to a function that cannot be realized by the MFP.

(Example of processing to display the progress status of a distribution job)
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining processing for displaying a progress status of a distribution job according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 4, the progress status of the distribution job being executed by the MFP 1 is displayed on the terminal device 5. In step S <b> 11 of FIG. 4, an inquiry about the progress status of the distribution job is transmitted from the terminal device 5 to the MFP 1.

  Progressing to step S12 following step S11, information on the progress status of the distribution job is transmitted from the MFP 1 to the terminal device 5. Progressing to step S13 following step S12, the terminal device 5 generates and displays a progress status screen of the distribution job acquired in step S12.

(Example of processing to display the progress status of a distribution job based on the distribution job setting information)
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining processing for displaying a progress status of a distribution job based on information on setting of the distribution job. In FIG. 5, in addition to the information on the progress status of the distribution job, a display based on the information on the setting of the distribution job is performed.

  In step S <b> 21 of FIG. 5, an inquiry about the progress status of the distribution job is transmitted from the terminal device 5 to the MFP 1. Progressing to step S22 following step S21, information on the progress status of the distribution job is transmitted from the MFP 1 to the terminal device 5.

  In step S23 following step S22, the terminal device 5 transmits an inquiry about the setting information of the distribution job currently being processed to the MFP 1. Progressing to step S24 following step S23, distribution job setting information is transmitted from the MFP 1 to the terminal device 5.

  Progressing to step S25 following step S24, the terminal device 5 determines the progress of the distribution job based on the distribution job progress information received in step S22 and the distribution job setting information received in step S24. Generate and display a screen that displays

  FIG. 6 is an example of a screen displayed in step S25. In the screen of FIG. 6, it is displayed that the processing of plug-in A is being performed in the distribution job composed of plug-in A and plug-in B.

(Example of processing that displays the progress of a distribution job that includes a plug-in executed on the server)
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing for displaying a progress status of a distribution job including a plug-in executed on the server. In FIG. 7, for example, the progress status of the distribution job including processing executed by the plug-in A and the plug-in D is displayed.

  In step S31 in FIG. 7, an inquiry about the progress status of the distribution job is output from the terminal device 5 to the MFP 1. Based on this inquiry, the MFP 1 acquires information on a device that is performing processing that constitutes the distribution job, based on the setting information of the distribution job that is currently being executed. Here, the case where it is performed by the server 3 will be described below.

  Progressing to step S32 following step S31, the inquiry about the progress status of the distribution job transmitted from the terminal device 5 in step S31 is transferred from the MFP 1 to the server 3. Progressing to step S33 following step S32, the server 3 outputs information on the progress status of the currently executing distribution job to the terminal device 5.

  In FIG. 7, an inquiry about the progress status of the distribution job is shown. In addition, an inquiry about the setting information of the distribution job and transmission / reception of the setting information of the distribution job based on the inquiry may be performed.

  Progressing to step S34 following step S33, the terminal device 5 generates and displays a screen for displaying the progress status of the distribution job based on the information on the progress status of the distribution job received in step S33.

  FIG. 8 is an example of a screen displayed in step S34. In the screen of FIG. 8, in the distribution job composed of plug-in A and plug-in D, the processing of plug-in D is performed, and the processing of plug-in A is assigned to MFP 1, and plug-in D It is displayed that the process is assigned to the server 3.

(Example of re-sending process when an error has occurred)
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining processing when a request for executing a distribution job is retransmitted when an error has occurred. Since the processing from step S41 to step S44 in FIG. 9 is the same as the processing from step S21 to step S24 in FIG. 5, the description thereof is omitted here.

  In step S45 following step S44, the progress status of the distribution job is displayed based on the distribution job setting information. Here, a case where an error has occurred in a distribution job will be described below.

  FIG. 10 is an example of a screen displayed in step S45. The screen in FIG. 10 indicates that an error has occurred in plug-in A, and further includes a screen that prompts the user to input whether or not to send a request to retry the distribution job. Retrying means, for example, retransmitting a request for executing a distribution job. In the screen of FIG. 10, when the operator selects to retry the distribution job and the “Yes” button is pressed, the process proceeds to step S46.

  In step S46 following step S45, a request to re-execute the distribution job is output from the terminal device 5 to the MFP 1. Based on this request, the MFP 1 executes the distribution job again.

(Example of processing that displays the auxiliary menu)
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example in which an auxiliary menu corresponding to each plug-in is displayed. The processing from step S51 to step S54 in FIG. 11 is the same as the processing from step S21 to step S24 in FIG.

  In step S55 following step S54, a screen that displays the progress of the distribution job being executed is generated and displayed based on the information received in steps S52 and S54. Subsequent to step S55, the process proceeds to step S56. On the screen displayed in step S56, for example, when the operator selects a plug-in being executed, an auxiliary menu is displayed.

  In step S57 following step S56, the request input based on the auxiliary menu is transmitted from the terminal device 5 to the MFP 1.

  FIG. 12 is an example of a screen on which an auxiliary menu is displayed. In the screen of FIG. 12, an auxiliary menu screen is displayed when the plug-in A being executed is selected. The auxiliary menu includes, for example, buttons such as “stop”, “pause”, and “resume”. When the operator selects these buttons, a request corresponding to the buttons is transmitted to the MFP 1.

  The processing for displaying the progress status of the distribution job described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 11 is performed, for example, by inquiring the progress status of the distribution job from the terminal device 5 to the MFP 1 every predetermined time. May be.

  The distribution job is set, for example, when the operator selects a plug-in and determines the processing order. At this time, if one plug-in is selected and there is a plug-in that automatically accompanies, the plug-in that accompanies automatically does not have to be shown on the screen that displays the progress of the distribution job. . When processing by a plug-in that automatically accompanies is performed, the plug-in that accompanies the plug-in may be displayed as a plug-in being processed on the progress status screen. Further, when setting a delivery job, it is preferable to set whether or not to display the progress status screen for each plug-in.

(Computer configuration)
FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of a computer that implements the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. 13 includes a main processing unit 400, an input device 410, a display device 420, a printer 430, a scanner 440, and an HDD 490. The main processing unit 400 is a main part that realizes the functions of a computer, and includes a CPU 401, a ROM 408, and a RAM 409. The CPU 401 reads the computer program from the ROM 408 and the like and develops it in the RAM 409, thereby executing the computer program of this embodiment. A ROM 408 is a non-volatile memory, and holds a computer program executed by the CPU 401, parameters necessary for controlling the image processing apparatus, and the like. A RAM 409 is a work memory when the CPU 401 performs processing.

  The input device 410 is a keyboard or the like, for example, and is used when an operator inputs an instruction. The display device 420 displays the status of the computer. The printer 430 is an apparatus that forms and outputs an image on a medium, and the scanner 440 is an apparatus that optically reads an image formed on the medium. The HDD 490 stores a large amount of data such as image data.

  In addition to being stored in the HDD 490 or the ROM 408, the computer program of the present invention may be stored in a recording medium that can be inserted into a drive device (not shown).

  Although the best mode for carrying out the invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described in the best mode. Modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

The figure explaining the example of a delivery job. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional configurations of an image processing apparatus and a terminal device according to the present embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a system including an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment. The figure explaining the process which displays the progress of a delivery job. The figure explaining the process which displays the progress of a delivery job based on the setting information of a delivery job. An example of a screen that displays the progress of a distribution job. The figure explaining the example of the process which displays the progress of the delivery job containing the plug-in performed by a server. An example of a screen that displays the progress of a distribution job being executed on the server. The figure explaining the process in the case of resending the request | requirement of execution of a delivery job. An example of a screen that displays the progress of a distribution job when an error has occurred. The figure explaining the example in which the auxiliary menu corresponding to every plug-in is displayed. An example of a screen showing an auxiliary menu. The example of a structure of the computer of this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 MFP
2 MFP
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Server 5 Terminal apparatus 10 Image processing apparatus 11 Job structure management means 12 Progress condition management means 13 Acceptance means 14 Transmission means 50 Terminal apparatus 51 Transmission means 52 Reception means 53 Screen generation means 400 Main processing part 401 of computer
408 ROM
409 RAM
410 Input device 420 Display device 430 Printer 440 Scanner 490 HDD

Claims (14)

An image processing apparatus in an image distribution system, which is connected to a server and realizes the distribution job by allocating a plurality of processes constituting an image data distribution job to the server and the image processing apparatus,
For each of the distribution jobs, a combination of processes constituting the distribution job is managed, and allocation information indicating whether each process constituting the distribution job is executed by the image processing apparatus or the server. A job configuration management means to manage;
Progress management means for managing the progress of the distribution job;
Receiving means for receiving an inquiry about the progress of the distribution job;
A transmission means for transmitting the progress of the distribution job based on the progress inquiry;
An image processing apparatus.   The image processing according to claim 1, wherein the progress status of the distribution job is information relating to an operation status of a software component corresponding to each process constituting the distribution job, and information on a combination of processes constituting the distribution job. apparatus.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit further transfers to the server an inquiry about a progress status related to a process assigned to the server among processes constituting the distribution job. A terminal device that makes an inquiry about the progress of a distribution job to the image processing device according to claim 1,
Transmitting means for transmitting an inquiry about the progress of the distribution job;
Receiving means for receiving the progress status of the distribution job transmitted in response to the progress status query;
Screen generating means for generating a screen for displaying the progress status of the distribution job received by the receiving means;
A terminal device. A terminal device that makes an inquiry about the progress of a distribution job to the image processing device according to claim 2,
Transmitting means for transmitting an inquiry about the progress of the distribution job;
Receiving means for receiving the progress status of the distribution job transmitted in response to the progress status query;
Screen generating means for generating a progress screen for displaying a combination of processes constituting the distribution job and information relating to the progress of the processing based on the progress of the distribution job received by the receiving means; ,
A terminal device. If the delivery job is stopped due to an error,
The screen generation means further generates a screen for displaying a process in which the error has occurred, and a screen for prompting an input as to whether or not to execute the distribution job stopped due to the error again. 5. The terminal device according to 5. Based on the screen prompting input of whether to execute again, when an instruction to restart a distribution job that has been stopped due to an error is input,
The terminal device according to claim 6, wherein the transmission unit further transmits a request to resume the distribution job.   The terminal device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the screen generation unit further generates a screen that prompts an input of a stop or pause instruction for processing by a software component corresponding to each processing.   9. The screen generation unit according to claim 4, further comprising: an operation status of a software component corresponding to a predetermined process among the processes constituting the distribution job, not included in the progress screen. 10. Terminal device.   The terminal device according to claim 4, wherein the transmission unit inquires about the progress of the distribution job at a predetermined time interval.   The terminal device according to any one of claims 4 to 10, wherein the receiving unit further receives, from the server, a progress status related to a process assigned to the server among processes constituting the delivery job. A distribution job management method in an image processing apparatus that realizes the distribution job by allocating a plurality of processes constituting a distribution job of image data connected to the server to the server and the image processing apparatus,
A reception step for receiving an inquiry about the progress of the distribution job;
For each of the distribution jobs, information on a combination of processes constituting the distribution job and allocation information on whether each process constituting the distribution job is executed by the image processing apparatus or the server are managed. A job configuration acquisition step for acquiring the combination information and the allocation information from the job configuration management means.
A progress acquisition step of acquiring the progress of the distribution job;
A transmission step of transmitting the progress of the distribution job based on the progress inquiry;
A delivery job management method.   A computer program for causing a computer to execute the delivery job management method according to claim 12.   A computer-readable information recording medium storing the computer program according to claim 13.

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