JP2010050786A - Image processing apparatus, workflow setting method, and workflow setting program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To selectively set a work flow with a high frequency of use. <P>SOLUTION: An MFP includes: a workflow storage unit for storing on an HDD 116 a workflow 83 defining a series of multiple processes: an operation accepting unit 51 for accepting the operation of a user; a process executing unit 53 for executing a process in accordance with the accepted operation; a history management unit 55 for storing on the HDD 116 history information 81 containing process identification information of processes executed in the past; and a workflow setting unit 57 for setting the workflow available on the basis of the history information 81. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, a workflow setting method, and a workflow setting program, and in particular, an image processing apparatus capable of executing a workflow defining a plurality of series of processes, a workflow setting method and workflow setting executed by the image processing apparatus Regarding the program.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an image processing apparatus represented by an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) has become complicated in operation due to multifunctionalization. As a technique for facilitating operation, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-246111 discloses an apparatus having a function for selecting and setting various printing modes, printing functions, and printing environments by using an operation panel having a plurality of keys and a display unit. A printing apparatus is described which has a function of registering and calling a procedure for selecting and setting a printing mode or the like with a key code generated when a key is pressed.

However, in the printing apparatus described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-246111, the user must perform an operation of registering the procedure for selecting and setting the print mode and the like in the key code generated when the key is pressed. For this reason, there is a problem that the user must understand the operation registered in the key code, and further, the operation must be performed.
JP-A-5-246111

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of selecting and setting a frequently used workflow. It is.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a workflow setting method capable of selecting and setting a frequently used workflow.

  Still another object of the present invention is to provide a workflow setting program capable of selecting and setting a frequently used workflow.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, according to one aspect of the present invention, an image processing apparatus includes: a workflow storage unit that stores a workflow that defines a plurality of series of processes; an operation reception unit that receives a user operation; A process execution means for executing a process in accordance with a given operation, a history storage means for storing history information including process identification information of a process executed in the past, and setting a workflow to be usable based on the stored history information Setting means.

  According to this aspect, a workflow defining a plurality of series of processes is stored, and when a user operation is accepted, the process is executed according to the accepted operation, and process identification information of a process executed in the past is obtained. History information is stored. Then, the workflow is set to be usable based on the stored history information. For this reason, since the workflow is set based on the history information, it is possible to set a workflow that is frequently used by the user. Furthermore, the user does not need to perform an operation for setting a workflow. As a result, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus capable of selecting and setting a frequently used workflow.

  Preferably, the setting unit includes a counting unit that counts the number of times each of the plurality of processes defined in the stored workflow is executed, and the number of times each of the plurality of processes defined in the workflow is executed is predetermined. Set the workflow to be usable on condition that the threshold is exceeded.

  Preferably, the setting unit includes an assigning unit that associates workflow identification information for identifying the workflow with any one of a plurality of keys provided in the operation receiving unit.

  Preferably, the setting means creates a new workflow for defining a plurality of partial processes when the number of executions of only some of the plurality of partial processes defined in the workflow exceeds a predetermined threshold. A workflow generating means for generating is included, and the generated new workflow is set to be usable.

  According to this aspect, when the number of executions of only some partial processes of the multiple processes defined in the workflow exceeds a predetermined threshold, a new workflow defining multiple partial processes is generated Then, a new workflow is set to be usable. For this reason, a new workflow for executing processing frequently used by the user can be set to be usable.

  Preferably, the setting means further includes threshold value setting means for setting a predetermined threshold value.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, a workflow setting method includes a step of storing a workflow defining a plurality of series of processes, a step of receiving a user operation, a step of executing a process according to the received operation, Storing history information including process identification information of processes executed in the past, and setting a workflow to be usable based on the stored history information.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to provide a workflow setting method capable of selecting and setting a frequently used workflow.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, the workflow setting program stores a workflow that defines a predetermined series of processes, a step of receiving a user operation, and a process according to the received operation. The computer is caused to execute a step of executing, a step of storing history information including process identification information of a process executed in the past, and a step of setting the workflow to be usable based on the stored history information.

  According to this aspect, a workflow setting program capable of selecting and setting a frequently used workflow can be provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the MFP according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the MFP. 1 and 2, MFP 100 includes a main circuit 110, a document reading unit 130 for reading a document, an automatic document conveying device 120 for conveying a document to document reading unit 130, and a document reading unit. An image forming unit 140 for forming a still image output by reading an original on the sheet 130; a sheet feeding unit 150 for supplying the image forming unit 140 with a sheet; an operation panel 160 as a user interface; including.

  The main circuit 110 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 111, a communication interface (I / F) unit 112, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 113, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 114, and an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable ROM). ) 115, a hard disk drive (HDD) 116 as a mass storage device, a facsimile unit 117, and a card interface (I / F) 118 to which a flash memory 118A is attached. CPU 111 is connected to automatic document feeder 120, document reading unit 130, image forming unit 140, sheet feeding unit 150, and operation panel 160, and controls the entire MFP 100.

  The ROM 113 stores a program executed by the CPU 111 or data necessary for executing the program. The RAM 114 is used as a work area when the CPU 111 executes a program. The RAM 114 temporarily stores still images continuously sent from the document reading unit 130.

  Operation panel 160 is provided on the upper surface of MFP 100 and includes a display unit 160A and an operation unit 160B. The display unit 160A is a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic ELD (Electroluminescence Display), and displays an instruction menu for the user, information about acquired image data, and the like. The operation unit 160B includes a plurality of keys, and accepts input of various instructions, data such as characters and numbers by user operations corresponding to the keys. Operation unit 160B further includes a touch panel provided on display unit 160A.

  Communication I / F unit 112 is an interface for connecting MFP 100 to a network. The CPU 111 can communicate with another computer connected to the network via the communication I / F unit 112 or with another computer connected to the Internet via the network.

  The facsimile unit 117 is connected to a public switched telephone network (PSTN) and transmits facsimile data to the PSTN or receives facsimile data from the PSTN. The facsimile unit 117 stores the received facsimile data in the HDD 116 or outputs it to the image forming unit 140. The image forming unit 140 prints the facsimile data received by the facsimile unit 117 on a sheet. Further, the facsimile unit 117 converts the data stored in the HDD 116 into facsimile data, and transmits the facsimile data to a facsimile apparatus connected to the PSTN.

  The card I / F 118 is mounted with a flash memory 118A. The CPU 111 can access the flash memory 118A via the card I / F 118. The CPU 111 loads the program recorded in the flash memory 118A attached to the card I / F 118 to the RAM 114 and executes it.

  The MFP in the present embodiment stores in advance a workflow that defines a plurality of series of processes. Here, the workflow will be described. The MFP 100 can execute a plurality of processes such as a scan process, a copy process, a facsimile transmission / reception process, and a data transmission process. In order to cause the MFP to execute the plurality of processes, the MFP 100 stores in advance a setting screen for inputting settings for executing each of the plurality of processes. The plurality of setting screens are defined in a hierarchical structure in which login screens are arranged in the highest hierarchy.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hierarchical structure in which a plurality of setting screens are arranged. Referring to FIG. 3, one login screen is arranged in the highest layer, and a scan setting screen for setting setting values for scanning a document is stored in the first layer, and data stored in HDD 116 is stored. A box setting screen for managing storage areas (boxes) and a job setting screen for managing processing executed by MFP 100 are arranged. Further, in the second lower layer of the scan setting screen, an E-mail destination setting screen for setting a destination for sending data obtained by scanning a document by e-mail, and for sending by facsimile A FAX destination setting screen for setting a destination is arranged.

  A box confirmation screen for confirming a box and a box creation screen for generating a box are arranged in the second lower layer of the box setting screen. Further, in the third layer below the box confirmation screen, a document transmission setting screen for setting a setting value for transmitting the document (data) stored in the box, and the document (data) stored in the box. And a document print setting screen for setting setting values for printing.

  In the second lower layer of the job setting screen, a history job confirmation screen for browsing history jobs that are information relating to processing executed in the past, and a job being executed that is information relating to processing currently being executed are browsed. And an in-execution job confirmation screen for performing

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a workflow. The workflow shown in FIG. 4 defines three processes: a process of transmitting data obtained by scanning by e-mail, a process of transmitting data stored in the HDD 116, and a process of checking a history job. When this workflow is executed, the E-mail destination setting screen is first displayed among the setting screens shown in FIG. 4, then the document transmission screen is displayed, and finally the history job confirmation screen is displayed.

  On the other hand, when trying to execute the same process defined in the workflow without executing the workflow, the user must display the E-mail destination setting screen after displaying the scan setting screen. First, to display the document transmission screen, the box setting screen and the box confirmation screen must be displayed. For this reason, the number of screens to be displayed increases, and the operation becomes complicated. As described above, by executing the workflow, it is possible to reduce operations for displaying the setting screen.

  FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing an example of functions of the CPU included in the MFP, together with data stored in the HDD. Referring to FIG. 5, CPU 111 provided in MFP 100 includes an operation receiving unit 51 that receives a user operation, a process execution unit 53 that executes a process in accordance with the received operation, and a process executed in the past by process execution unit 53. A history management unit 55 that manages the history information including the process identification information, and a workflow setting unit 57 that sets the workflow to be usable based on the history information stored by the history management unit 55.

  The operation reception unit 51 receives an operation input by the user to the operation unit 160B. Then, the received operation is output to the process execution unit 53. The process execution unit 53 executes a process according to the operation input from the operation reception unit 51. The process execution unit 53 outputs process identification information for identifying a process to the history management unit 55 every time the process is executed.

  The operation reception unit 51 can also receive an operation for executing a workflow. The operation receiving unit 51 receives key identification information and workflow identification information from a workflow setting unit 57 described later, and the operation receiving unit 51 associates key identification information and workflow identification information input from the workflow setting unit 57 with each other. Stored in the EEPROM 115. The workflow identification information is information for identifying a workflow. The workflow is definition information for defining a plurality of series of processes and predetermining a processing procedure. The workflow identification information is attached to the HDD 116 and stored in advance. Then, when an operation for instructing a key is input, the operation reception unit 51 outputs workflow identification information associated with the key identification information of the instructed key to the process execution unit 53.

  When the workflow identification information is input from the operation reception unit 51, the process execution unit 53 reads the workflow specified by the workflow identification information from the plurality of workflows 83 stored in the HDD 116, and performs processing according to the read workflow. Execute. Specifically, the process execution unit 53 executes a plurality of series of processes defined by the workflow in the order defined by the workflow. The process execution unit 53 outputs process identification information for identifying a process to the history management unit 55 every time the process is executed.

  When the process identification information is input from the process execution unit 53, the history management unit 55 generates a history information record including the process identification information, and stores it in addition to the history information 81 stored in the HDD 116. The history information record may include, in addition to the process identification information, user identification information for identifying the user who has instructed execution of the process, the date and time when the process was executed, and setting information for executing the process.

  The workflow setting unit 57 sets at least one of the workflows 83 stored in advance in the HDD 116 to be usable based on the history information 81 stored in the HDD 116 by the history management unit 55. The workflow setting unit 57 includes a totaling unit 61, a workflow generation unit 63, a threshold setting unit 65, and an allocation unit 67.

  The totaling unit 61 reads the history information 81 stored in the HDD 116 and totals the number of times executed for each process. The process includes a plurality of processes defined by the plurality of workflows 83 stored in the HDD 116.

  The threshold value setting unit 65 accepts a threshold value set by the user when the user operates the operation unit 160B, and sets the received threshold value. Threshold setting unit 65 outputs the set threshold value to allocating unit 67. When a plurality of users use MFP 100, a threshold value may be received and set for each of the plurality of users. In this case, the standard for setting the workflow can be made different for each of a plurality of users. Here, the threshold value is defined as the number of times, but the number of times in a predetermined period or the ratio of the number of times that the process has been executed to the number of times that all the processes have been executed may be used as the threshold value.

  The allocating unit 67 sets at least one of the workflows 83 stored in advance in the HDD 116 to be usable based on the results totaled by the totaling unit 61. Specifically, in the workflow setting unit 57, for each of the plurality of workflows 83 stored in the HDD 116, all of the number of times each of the plurality of processes defined in the workflow is executed is set by the threshold setting unit 65. If it is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the workflow is set to be usable. Specifically, the assigning unit 67 assigns workflow identification information for identifying the workflow to any one of the keys provided in the operation unit 160B in order to set one of the plurality of workflows to be usable. More specifically, key identification information for identifying a key to which a workflow is assigned among a plurality of keys provided in the operation unit 160B is associated with workflow identification information for identifying the workflow, and a set of these is accepted. To the unit 51. The key to which the workflow is assigned may be a key designated by the user from among a plurality of keys provided in the operation unit 160B, or may be a key that is sequentially selected from among a plurality of keys prepared in advance.

  FIG. 6 is a first diagram illustrating an example of the total result. FIG. 6 shows a totaling result of totaling history information of the first user for the past month for the workflow shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 6, the process of transmitting the data obtained by scanning the E-mail destination setting screen by e-mail is performed five times, and the data stored in HDD 116 is displayed by displaying the document transmission setting screen. This indicates that the process to send is executed 15 times, and the process of browsing the history job, which is information related to the process executed in the past when the history job confirmation screen is displayed, is executed 10 times. In this case, if the preset threshold value is “5”, the total number of executions of the three processes defined in the workflow shown in FIG. 4 is 5 or more in the total result shown in FIG. Is set to be usable for the first user.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the workflow generation unit 63 generates a new workflow based on the plurality of workflows 83 stored in advance in the HDD 116 and the results totaled by the totalization unit 61, and the generated workflow is stored in the HDD 116. Remember. As a result, a new workflow is stored in the HDD 116 as the workflow 83. Specifically, for each of the plurality of workflows 83 stored in advance in the HDD 116, the workflow generation unit 63 determines that the number of times that at least two of the plurality of processes defined in the workflow have been executed is a predetermined threshold. If the value is greater than or equal to the value, a new workflow that defines at least two processes in which the number of times the workflow has been executed is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value is generated. When the workflow generation unit 63 generates a new workflow, the workflow generation unit 63 outputs workflow identification information for identifying the workflow to the allocation unit 67. When the workflow identification information is input from the workflow generation unit 63, the allocating unit 67 sets the new workflow specified by the input workflow identification information to be usable.

  FIG. 7 is a second diagram illustrating an example of the total result. FIG. 7 shows a totaling result of totaling history information of the second user different from the first user for the past month for the workflow shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 7, the process of transmitting the data obtained by scanning the E-mail destination setting screen by e-mail is zero, and the data stored in HDD 116 is displayed when the document transmission setting screen is displayed. This indicates that the process of transmitting is executed 10 times, and the process of browsing the history job, which is information related to the process executed in the past when the history job confirmation screen is displayed, is executed 10 times. If the preset threshold is “5”, the document transmission setting screen is displayed and stored in the HDD 116 among the three processes defined in the workflow shown in FIG. Since the number of executions of the process of transmitting the processed data and the process of displaying the history job confirmation screen and browsing the history job, which is information related to the process executed in the past, is 5 or more, it is shown in FIG. The workflow is not enabled. In this case, information relating to processing executed in the past by first displaying a document transmission setting screen and transmitting data stored in the HDD 116 and secondly displaying a history job confirmation screen. A new workflow defining a process for browsing a history job is generated.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a newly generated workflow. The new workflow shown in FIG. 8 is stored in the HDD 116, and the workflow is set to be usable for the second user.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of history management processing. The history management process is a process executed by the CPU 111 when the CPU 111 included in the MFP 100 executes a workflow setting program. Referring to FIG. 9, CPU 111 determines whether an operation has been accepted (step S01). An operation input by the user to the operation unit 160B is received. The operation here includes an operation of designating a workflow and instructing execution. If an operation is accepted, the process proceeds to step S02; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S08.

  In step S02, it is determined whether the accepted operation is an operation instructing execution of the workflow. If the accepted operation is an operation instructing execution of the workflow, the process proceeds to step S03; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S08. In step S03, a plurality of processes defined by the designated workflow are selected in ascending order. Then, a screen for setting a setting value related to the selected process is displayed on display unit 160A, and a standby state is entered until the user accepts a setting value input to operation unit 160B (NO in step S04). If the set value input to 160B is received (YES in step S04), the process proceeds to step S05.

  In step S05, the process selected in step S03 is executed according to the set value accepted in step S04. In the next step S06, a history information record indicating that the process has been executed is generated and added to the history information 81 stored in the HDD 116, and the process proceeds to step S07. The history information record includes process identification information for identifying the process executed in step S05, the date and time when the process was executed, and user identification information for identifying the user who input the operation.

  In step S07, it is determined whether or not an unselected process exists. If there is an unselected process, the process returns to step S03, and if not, the process ends.

  On the other hand, in step S08, processing specified by the operation is executed in accordance with the operation accepted in step S01. In the next step S09, a history information record indicating that the process has been executed is generated, stored in addition to the history information 81 stored in the HDD 116, and the process ends. The history information record includes process identification information for identifying the process executed in step S08, the date and time when the process was executed, and user identification information for identifying the user who input the operation.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of the workflow setting process. The workflow setting process is a process executed by the CPU 111 when the CPU 111 included in the MFP 100 executes a workflow setting program. Referring to FIG. 10, CPU 111 determines whether or not a threshold setting has been accepted (step S21). If the threshold setting is accepted, the process proceeds to step S22; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S25. When the user inputs an operation for displaying a threshold setting screen on operation unit 160B, the setting of the threshold is accepted. In step S22, a threshold setting screen is displayed on display unit 160A, and the process proceeds to step S23.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the threshold setting screen. Referring to FIG. 11, a case where large, medium, and small can be set as the registration frequency is shown as an example. The registration frequency indicates a threshold value in a predetermined period. Here, the predetermined period is one month, the threshold corresponding to the registration frequency “large” is 10 times, the threshold corresponding to the registration frequency “medium” is 5 times, and the registration frequency is “low”. The threshold is 3 times. The threshold value may be directly input by the user instead of the registration frequency.

  Returning to FIG. 10, in step S23, it is determined whether or not a threshold value is accepted. On the threshold setting screen, when the registration frequency “high” is set, “10” is accepted as a threshold value, and when the registration frequency “medium” is set, “5” is accepted as a threshold value for registration. When the frequency “low” is set, “3” is accepted as a threshold value. Then, the accepted threshold value is set (step S24). Specifically, the threshold value is stored in the EEPROM 115.

  In the next step S25, it is determined whether an automatic setting instruction has been accepted. When the user inputs an instruction to automatically set a workflow to operation unit 160B, an automatic setting instruction is accepted. If an automatic setting instruction is accepted, the process proceeds to step S26. If not, the process returns to step S21.

  In step S26, the history information 81 stored in the HDD 116 is totaled. Since the history information 81 includes a history information record including the process identification information and the date and time when the process was executed, the number of times the process was executed for a predetermined period is counted for each process identification information. Specifically, the number of history information records including the same process identification information is counted for history information records in which the date and time when the process is executed are included in a predetermined period.

  In the next step S27, one of the plurality of workflows 83 stored in the HDD 116 is selected as a processing target. Then, it is determined whether or not the number of executions of a plurality of processes included in the selected workflow is equal to or greater than the threshold set in step S24 (step S28). If the number of executions of all of the plurality of processes included in the workflow is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the process proceeds to step S29. If not, the process proceeds to step S31. In step S29, the workflow selected in step S27 is assigned to one of a plurality of keys of operation unit 160B, and the process proceeds to step S30. Specifically, when any of a plurality of keys of the operation unit 160B is designated, workflow identification information for identifying the workflow is associated with the key so that the workflow is executed. In step S30, it is determined whether there is an unselected workflow. If there is an unselected workflow, the process returns to step S27. If not, the process returns to step S21.

  On the other hand, in step S31, it is determined whether or not the number of executions of two or more partial processes among the plurality of processes defined by the workflow selected in step S27 is equal to or greater than the threshold value set in step S24. . If the number of executions of two or more partial processes among the plurality of processes included in the workflow is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the process proceeds to step S32. If not, the process proceeds to step S30. In step S32, a new workflow including two or more partial processes among a plurality of processes included in the workflow is generated, and the process proceeds to step S33. In step S33, the new workflow generated in step S32 is added with workflow identification information for identifying it and stored in HDD 116. In the next step S29, the new workflow stored in the HDD 116 in step S33 is assigned to any of the plurality of keys of the operation unit 160B, and the process proceeds to step S30. Specifically, when any of a plurality of keys of the operation unit 160B is instructed, workflow identification information for identifying a new workflow is associated with the key so that a new workflow is executed.

  As described above, MFP 100 according to the present embodiment stores workflow 83 that defines a plurality of series of processes in HDD 116, and executes processes according to operation reception unit 51 that receives user operations and received operations. A process execution unit 53 that performs processing, a history management unit 55 that stores history information 81 including process identification information of processes executed in the past, and a workflow setting unit that sets the workflow to be usable based on the history information 81. 57. Since the workflow is set based on the history information, a workflow that is frequently used by the user can be set. Furthermore, since the user does not need to perform an operation for setting a workflow, the operation is easy.

  The workflow setting unit 57 includes a totaling unit 61 that counts the number of times each of the plurality of processes defined in the workflow 83 stored in the HDD 116 is executed, and each of the plurality of processes defined in the workflow is executed. The workflow is set to be usable on condition that the number of times exceeds a predetermined threshold. For this reason, it is possible to enable a workflow that defines a frequently used process.

  In addition, the workflow identification information for identifying the workflow is associated with one of a plurality of keys provided in the operation reception unit 51. Therefore, the workflow can be executed only by operating the key associated with the workflow identification information.

  In addition, the workflow setting unit 57 defines a new workflow that defines a plurality of partial processes when the number of executions of only a part of the plurality of processes defined in the workflow exceeds a predetermined threshold. A workflow generation unit 63 that generates For this reason, a new workflow for executing processing frequently used by the user can be set to be usable.

  The workflow setting unit 57 further includes a threshold setting unit 65 that sets a predetermined threshold. For this reason, it is possible to set a standard for enabling the user to use the workflow.

  Although the MFP 100 as an example of the image processing apparatus has been described in the above-described embodiment, a facsimile, a printer, or a computer may be used as long as the apparatus can execute a plurality of processes. It goes without saying that the invention can be understood as a workflow setting method for executing the processing shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 and a workflow setting program for causing a computer to execute the workflow setting method.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of an MFP in the present embodiment. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an MFP. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the hierarchical structure where a some setting screen is arrange | positioned. It is a figure which shows an example of a workflow. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of functions of a CPU included in an MFP together with data stored in an HDD. FIG. It is a 1st figure which shows an example of a total result. It is a 2nd figure which shows an example of a total result. It is a figure which shows an example of the workflow produced | generated newly. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a log | history management process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a workflow setting process. It is a figure which shows an example of a threshold value setting screen.

Explanation of symbols

  51 operation accepting unit, 53 process execution unit, 55 history management unit, 57 workflow setting unit, 61 counting unit, 63 workflow generating unit, 65 threshold setting unit, 67 assigning unit, 81 history information, 83 workflow, 100 MFP, 110 main circuit, 111 CPU, 112 communication I / F unit, 113 ROM, 114 RAM, 115 EEPROM, 116 HDD, 118 card I / F, 118A flash memory, 130 document reading unit, 140 image forming unit, 160 operation panel, 160A display unit, 160B operation unit.

Claims (7)

Workflow storage means for storing a workflow defining a plurality of series of processes;
Operation accepting means for accepting a user operation;
Processing execution means for executing processing according to the accepted operation;
History storage means for storing history information including process identification information of processes executed in the past;
An image processing apparatus comprising: setting means for setting the workflow to be usable based on the stored history information. The setting means includes a counting means for counting the number of times each of the plurality of processes defined in the stored workflow is executed,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the workflow is set to be usable on the condition that the number of times each of the plurality of processes defined in the workflow is executed exceeds a predetermined threshold value.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit includes an assigning unit that associates workflow identification information for identifying the workflow with any of a plurality of keys provided in the operation receiving unit. When the number of executions of only a part of a plurality of partial processes defined in the workflow exceeds a predetermined threshold, the setting means creates a new workflow that defines the plurality of partial processes. Including workflow generation means for generating,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the generated new workflow is set to be usable.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit further includes a threshold setting unit that sets the predetermined threshold. Storing a workflow defining a plurality of series of processes;
Receiving a user operation; and
Executing a process according to the accepted operation;
Storing history information including process identification information of processes executed in the past;
Setting the workflow to be usable based on the stored history information. Storing a workflow defining a plurality of series of processes;
Receiving a user operation; and
Executing a process according to the accepted operation;
Storing history information including process identification information of processes executed in the past;
A workflow setting program that causes a computer to execute the step of setting the workflow to be usable based on the stored history information.

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