JP2010146293A - Apparatus, method and program for processing information - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily achieve cooperation between different applications when one of information processing is executed utilizing a plurality of applications in a disclosed information processing apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The information processing apparatus includes a first information processing part 110 capable of delivering first intermediate data 190 being the result of executing one part of first information processing to a second information processing part 150 for performing second information processing, receiving second intermediate data being the result of executing the second information processing by the second information processing part and executing the information processing of the next and the succeeding stages of the one part of the first information processing to the second intermediate data. The first information processing part attaches first identification information for identifying the first information processing to the first intermediate data 210, and when the information processing of the next and the succeeding stages is executed to the second intermediate data, the information processing to be executed is determined on the basis of second identification information attached to the second intermediate data by the second information processing part on the basis of the first identification information attached to the first intermediate data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for performing information processing by linking a plurality of applications.

  Conventionally, in addition to the original image processing function of an image processing apparatus, it is possible to easily develop software that causes the image processing apparatus to exhibit functions of a category different from the image processing function of the image processing apparatus. Technology has been proposed.

For example, an image processing unit having at least one of an image forming unit and an image reading unit and performing an image processing function, and functions of a category different from the image processing function controlled by a general-purpose OS (Operating System). There has been proposed an image processing apparatus including an information processing unit section to exhibit (Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent No. 4141318

  However, since the above technology assumes that all components of information processing to be executed are completed inside the device, for example, information processing that is not supported by the device is linked with other applications. There is a problem that it is not easy to realize.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program that easily realize cooperation between different applications when one information processing is executed using a plurality of applications. To do.

  One form of the disclosed information processing apparatus transfers first intermediate data that is a result of performing a part of the first information processing to the second information processing unit that performs the second information processing. The second information processing unit receives the second intermediate data that is a result of the second information processing being performed, and the part of the first information processing is performed on the second intermediate data. A first information processing unit capable of performing information processing subsequent to the information processing of the first information processing, wherein the first information processing unit performs a first identification for identifying the first information processing. When the information is attached to the first intermediate data, and the second intermediate data is subjected to information processing in the subsequent steps, the first identification information attached to the first intermediate data is added to the first intermediate data. Based on the second identification information attached to the second intermediate data by the second information processing unit. There are, characterized in that it can determine the information to be performed.

  In the disclosed information processing apparatus, since the identification information attached to the intermediate data has regularity, information processing to be executed by each application can be recognized according to the regularity, so that cooperation between different applications is easy. Can be realized.

  The disclosed information processing apparatus can easily realize cooperation between different applications when executing one information processing using a plurality of applications.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Outline of information processing apparatus according to this embodiment)
The outline of the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of the information processing apparatus 100.

  Here, a process of converting one piece of image data stored in a storage medium by the user A into a Word (registered trademark) file and transmitting the converted file to an external PC terminal is taken as an example. Further, the process in which the user B converts the two scanned images into an Excel (registered trademark) file and transmits the converted file to the external PC terminal is performed at the same time. Furthermore, a process in which the user C converts one scanned image into two PowerPoint (registered trademark) files and transmits the converted file to the external PC terminal is performed at the same time.

  First, the information processing apparatus 100 reads out image data stored in the storage medium in response to the processing request of the user A, and places the image data in the input folder (first storage unit 180). At this time, the information processing apparatus 100 assigns a job ID “for example, 1234” and a serial number corresponding to the processing request of the user A as the file name (part excluding the identifier) of the image data to be arranged in the input folder.

  Similarly, the information processing apparatus 100 scans the document image in response to the processing request of the user B, and places the acquired scanned image in the input folder (first storage unit 180). At that time, the information processing apparatus 100 assigns a job ID “for example, ABCD” corresponding to the processing request of the user B as a file name (a part excluding the identifier) of the image data to be arranged in the input folder.

  Similarly, the information processing apparatus 100 scans the document image in response to the processing request of the user C, and places the acquired scanned image in the input folder (first storage unit 180). At this time, the information processing apparatus 100 assigns a job ID “for example, 78AB” corresponding to the processing request of the user C as a file name (a part excluding the identifier) of the image data to be arranged in the input folder.

  Next, the application of the information processing apparatus 100 performs predetermined information processing (for example, data format change processing) on each data arranged in the input folder, and outputs the processing result to the output folder (second storage unit). 200). At this time, the application of the information processing apparatus 100 attaches the file name of the processing result without changing the job ID and serial number. In the one-to-many information processing like the processing request of the user C, the job ID and serial number are not changed, and a serial number is added to the file name as a processing result.

  Here, to give an example of one-to-many information processing, for example, an application performs a process of attaching a cover page to one input file input to the information processing apparatus 100, and the application outputs two files. Processing can be considered. That is, the process of outputting multiple files for one input file is a specification on the application side, and if the information processing apparatus 100 complies with the file name rule of job ID + sequential number, the file output with multiple files is one. Process as one job.

  Then, the information processing apparatus 100 determines the next process to be performed with reference to the job ID portion for the file name of the output result arranged in the output folder. For example, if the transmission destination is different for each user who has made a processing request, the file in the output folder is transmitted to the transmission destination determined for each user with reference to the job ID portion.

  As described above, the information processing apparatus 100 can easily link a plurality of applications by providing regularity to the file name of the intermediate data even when a series of information processing is performed via the plurality of applications. I can do it.

(Hardware configuration of information processing apparatus according to this embodiment)
An example of the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 100.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 310, a ROM (Read-Only Memory) 320, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 330, an HDD (Hard Disc Drive) 340, a communication I / F. (Interface) 350 and a display device 360.

  The CPU 310 is a device that executes a program stored in the ROM 320. The CPU 310 performs arithmetic processing on the data expanded (loaded) in the RAM 330 in accordance with instructions of the program, and controls the entire information processing apparatus 100. The ROM 320 stores programs and data executed by the CPU 310. When the program stored in the ROM 320 is executed by the CPU 310, the RAM 330 is loaded (loaded) with the program and data to be executed, and temporarily holds the operation data during the operation. The HDD 340 is a device that stores an OS, which is basic software, an application program according to the present embodiment, and the like together with related data.

  The communication I / F 350 is an interface for transmitting / receiving information (data) to / from a peripheral device (external PC terminal or the like) having another communication control function connected via a wireless or wired communication network. The display device 360 includes a key switch using a hard key, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and the like, and functions as a user interface when the user uses the functions of the information processing device 100 or performs various settings. .

  Each unit and each unit included in the information processing apparatus 100 may be realized by the CPU 310 executing a program corresponding to each unit and each unit stored in the ROM 320 or the HDD 340. In addition, each unit and each unit included in the information processing apparatus 100 may be configured to implement processing related to each unit and each unit as hardware.

(Operation principle of information processing apparatus according to this embodiment)
The operation principle of the information processing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operating principle of the information processing apparatus 100.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the information processing apparatus 100 includes a first information processing unit 110, a second information processing unit 150, a first storage unit 180, a second storage unit 200, and support information 220. Here, a plurality of first information processing units 110 and second information processing units 150 may exist. Further, the support information 220 is information determined for each second information processing unit 150 as shown in FIG. 4, and each second information processing unit 150 has its own information in the “available extension” column. A data format that can execute information processing is retained.

  The first information processing unit 110 includes a data deletion detection unit 120, a first detection unit 130, and a processability determination unit 140. The second information processing unit 150 includes a second detection unit 160 and a data deletion unit 170. Have.

  The first information processing unit 110 performs first information processing in response to a user processing request. For example, in the above description, the first information processing unit 110 reads out image data from the storage medium according to the processing request of the user A, and executes processing for externally transmitting the read image data. In another form, the first information processing unit 110 executes a process of scanning a document image to acquire a scanned image and externally transmitting the acquired scanned image in accordance with a processing request from the user A.

  Further, as a result of performing a part of the first information processing, the first information processing unit 110 generates the first intermediate data 190, and the generated first intermediate data 190 is stored in the first storage unit 180. Output and store. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the first intermediate data 190 is image data read from a storage medium, and is a scanned image acquired from a document image.

  At that time, the first information processing unit 110 attaches identification information for identifying the first information processing as the file name of the first intermediate data 190. For example, “1234-0001.jpg” is assigned as a file name in the case of image data read from a storage medium, and “ABCD-0001.tiff” and “ABCD-0002.tiff” in the case of a scanned image acquired from a document image. Etc. In addition, the file name of the first intermediate data 190 ensures uniqueness by a job ID (for example, a 4-digit character string including alphanumeric characters) and a serial number (for example, a 4-digit number including 0). , Keep the extension unchanged.

  The second detection unit 160 constantly monitors the first storage unit 180. When the first intermediate data 190 is stored in the first storage unit 180 by the first information processing unit 110, the first detection unit 160 The first intermediate data 190 stored in the storage unit 180 is detected.

  The second information processing unit 150 performs second information processing on the first intermediate data 190 and outputs a processing result (hereinafter referred to as second intermediate data 210) to the second storage unit 200. ,Store. Further, the second information processing unit 150 stores the second intermediate data 210 in the second storage unit 200, and then the first intermediate data that is the execution target of the second information processing from the first storage unit 180. Data 190 is deleted (data deleting means 170).

  Here, when the second information processing unit 150 stores the second intermediate data 210 in the second storage unit 200, the second information processing unit 150 uses the second information processing execution target as the file name of the second intermediate data 210. The file name (excluding the identifier part) of the first intermediate data 190 is attached without being changed. When the same file name exists, that is, when the second information processing is a one-to-many information processing, the second information processing unit 150 further determines the file name of the second intermediate data 210 as Add a sequential number in the storage order.

  Also, the first intermediate data 190 and the second intermediate data 210 have different data formats, that is, the second information processing unit 150 executes information processing for converting the data format.

  The data deletion detection unit 120 constantly monitors the first storage unit 180, and the data deletion unit 170 deletes the first intermediate data 190 that is the execution target of the second information processing from the first storage unit 180. It is detected that

  The first detection unit 130 constantly monitors the second storage unit 200. When the second intermediate data 210 is stored in the second storage unit 200 by the second information processing unit 150, the second detection unit 130 The second intermediate data 210 stored in the storage unit 200 is detected.

  The first information processing unit 110 performs unexecuted processing of the first information processing on the second intermediate data 210 stored in the second storage unit 200. At that time, the first information processing unit 110 refers to the job ID portion of the file name of the second intermediate data 210 to recognize and determine the processing content to be executed.

  For example, in the description using FIG. 1, when the transmission destination of the second intermediate data 210 is different for each user, the first information processing unit 110 sets the job ID portion for the file name of the second intermediate data 210. Browse and identify the destination. Then, the first information processing unit 110 transmits the second intermediate data 210 to the specified transmission destination.

  The first information processing unit 110 is triggered by the fact that the first detection unit 130 detects the second intermediate data 210 when executing the unexecuted processing of the first information processing. It may be configured to start processing for execution. Furthermore, when the first information processing unit 110 executes the unexecuted processing of the first information processing, in addition to the above requirements, the data deletion detecting unit 120 deletes the first intermediate data 190. It is good also as a form which starts the process for this unexecuted thing triggered by having detected.

  Here, the information processing performed by the first information processing unit 110 may be a multitasking method performed by switching a plurality of information processing, and the information processing performed by the second information processing unit 150 may be performed by individual information processing. Alternatively, a single task method may be used in which each is performed one by one.

  Further, the second information processing unit 150 sets a data format supported by the second information processing by appropriately setting, for example, “available extension” in the support information 220 illustrated in FIG. 4. Can do. At that time, the processability determination unit 140 refers to the “available extension” of the support information 220 and supports the data format of the first intermediate data 190 generated based on the process request by the user in the second information processing. It is determined whether or not. If it is determined that the job is not supported, the job based on the processing request by the user is partially completed, and the first information processing unit 110 performs a predetermined notification to the user via the display device 360, for example.

  In the above description, the second information processing unit 150 is described as existing inside the information processing apparatus 100. However, the second information processing unit 150 exists outside the information processing apparatus 100 and the communication I / F 350 is present. The above-described functions may be realized by performing data transmission / reception via the network.

(Processing example by information processing apparatus according to this embodiment)
A processing example by the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, in an example of the software configuration of the information processing apparatus 100, a session manager 410, a job scheduler 420, and a cooperative application 480 are arranged on the general-purpose OS 400. For example, the general-purpose OS 400 may be Windows (registered trademark). A GUI (Graphical User Interface) 470 is arranged on the session manager 410 and the job scheduler 420.

  The GUI 470 is an interface for accepting a processing request from the user or notifying the processing status to the user. The session manager 410 is an application that performs session management regarding processing received from a user. The job scheduler 420 is an application that performs job management regarding processing received from a user.

  The job scheduler 420 includes a file transmission plug-in 430, a mail transmission plug-in 440, a FAX transmission plug-in 450, and a job cooperation plug-in 460. Here, the file transmission plug-in 430 is an application for transmitting an electronic file to the outside of the apparatus 100 via the communication I / F 350. Similarly, the mail transmission plug-in 440 is an application for transmitting an electronic file by electronic mail to the outside of the apparatus 100 via the communication I / F 350. Similarly, the FAX transmission plug-in 450 is an application for FAX transmitting image data to the outside of the apparatus 100 via the communication I / F 350.

  In addition to the above plug-ins, plug-ins that perform file division, image processing, form composition, W-NET FAX transmission, distribution, Notes transmission, application transmission, data accumulation, and the like may be included.

  The job cooperation plug-in 460 is an application for performing information processing in cooperation with the cooperation application 480. That is, the job cooperation plug-in 460 serves as an interface for exchanging data between the file transmission plug-in 430 and the like and the cooperation application 480.

  On the other hand, the cooperative application 480 is an application that performs information processing in cooperation with the file transmission plug-in 430 or the like in response to a user's processing request, and performs unique information processing different from the file transmission plug-in 430 or the like. For example, the unique information processing may be an electronic file format change process, or may be information processing that performs OCR on a JPEG file and outputs a text file. By performing information processing that combines the mail transmission plug-in 440 and the cooperative application 480, for example, it is possible to change image data captured as a JPEG file into text data and transmit an e-mail to the outside of the apparatus 100.

  The cooperative application 480 does not need to be a dedicated application for use in the information processing apparatus 100, and a general-purpose application can be used as it is as a cooperative application. However, the cooperative application 480 needs to have the function of the second information processing unit described above.

  Further, regarding the relationship between each unit and means described in FIG. 3 and each application described in FIG. 5, the first information processing unit 110 and the job scheduler 420 correspond, and the second information processing unit 150 and the cooperative application 480 corresponds. However, the first information processing unit 110 may be considered to correspond to those including the session manager 410, the job scheduler 420, and the GUI 470, and may be considered to correspond to the session manager 410 and the job scheduler 420.

  Further, using the operation screens as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, regarding the cooperative application 480, whether to use each user, folders for exchanging data (first storage unit 180, second storage unit 200), etc. Can be set.

  FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram of a processing example performed by the information processing apparatus 100. The flow of processing performed by the information processing apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the form composition plug-in is an application that performs information processing for inserting image data into a predetermined form (for example, a form form).

  In S10, the user A logs in to the information processing apparatus 100. In S20, the GUI 470 notifies the login information of the user A to the session manager 410. In S30, the session manager 410 pays out (assigns) a session ID and notifies the GUI 470 of it.

  In step S40, the GUI 470 notifies the job scheduler 420 of the job information request and the session ID related to the processing request received from the user. In step S50, a job corresponding to the processing request received from the user is created and stored in the job execution information. In step S60, the job scheduler 420 notifies the session manager 410 of the job information request and the session ID. Here, the user can set the cooperative application 480 to be executed using the operation screens as shown in FIGS.

  In step S70, the session manager 410 refers to the job execution information in response to a request from the job scheduler (inquires), and the job execution information responds to the session manager 410 in step S80. In step S90, the session manager 410 returns job information to the job scheduler 420. In step S <b> 100, the job scheduler 420 notifies the job information to the GUI 470. Here, when the processing up to S100 is completed, the user A can log out.

  In S110, the job scheduler 420 creates a scenario and a job ID according to the job information acquired in S90, and makes an entry in the history. In step S120, the job scheduler 420 notifies the plug-in of a job execution instruction and a job ID. In step S130, the job scheduler 420 notifies the history that the job is being executed.

  In step S <b> 140, the job cooperation plug-in 460 requests the session manager 410 for information on the cooperation application 480. In step S150, the session manager 410 refers to the job execution information (inquires), and in step S160, the session manager 410 acquires information on the cooperative application 480 from the job execution information.

  In step S <b> 170, the session manager 410 notifies the job cooperation plug-in 460 of the acquired information about the cooperation application 480. In step S <b> 180, the job cooperation plug-in 460 outputs the intermediate data (first intermediate data 190) to the input folder 180. In step S <b> 180, the job cooperation plug-in 460 outputs intermediate data in which the job ID is added to the file name to the input folder 180.

  While the cooperative application 480 constantly monitors the input folder 180 in S190, it is detected that intermediate data has been output to the input folder (second detection means 160). In S <b> 200, the cooperative application 480 executes predetermined information processing (second information processing), and outputs the execution result (second intermediate data 210) to the output folder 200. In S200, the cooperative application 480 outputs the file name of the processing target data in the input folder 180 to the output folder 200 as the execution result file name as it is.

  In S210, the cooperative application 480 deletes the processing end file in the input folder 180. In step S220, the job cooperation plug-in 460 detects that the processing end file has been deleted while constantly monitoring the input folder 180. In step S230, the job cooperation plug-in 460 acquires the processing result output to the output folder 200. In step S240, the job cooperation plug-in 460 notifies the job scheduler 420 of the processing result acquired. In step S230, since the job cooperation plug-in 460 recognizes the job ID from the file name of the data acquired from the output folder 200, the job cooperation plug-in 460 can know the processing to be executed in the subsequent steps.

  In step S250, the job scheduler 420 notifies the plug-in of the next job execution instruction and job ID. In step S <b> 260, the job cooperation plug-in 460 requests the session manager 410 for information on the cooperation application 480. In step S270, the session manager 410 refers to the job execution information (inquires), and in step S280, the session manager 410 acquires information on the cooperative application 480 from the job execution information.

  In step S290, the session manager 410 notifies the job cooperation plug-in 460 of the acquired information about the cooperation application 480. In step S <b> 300, the job cooperation plug-in 460 outputs intermediate data (first intermediate data 190) to the input folder 180. In step S <b> 300, the job cooperation plug-in 460 outputs intermediate data in which the job ID is added to the file name to the input folder 180.

  While the cooperative application 480 constantly monitors the input folder 180 in S310, it is detected that intermediate data is output to the input folder (second detection means 160). In S320, the cooperative application 480 executes predetermined information processing (second information processing), and outputs the execution result (second intermediate data 210) to the output folder 200. In S320, the cooperative application 480 outputs the file name of the processing target data in the input folder 180 to the output folder 200 as the execution result file name as it is.

  In S330, the cooperative application 480 deletes the processing end file in the input folder 180. In step S340, while the job cooperation plug-in 460 constantly monitors the input folder 180, it detects that the processing end file has been deleted. In step S350, the job cooperation plug-in 460 acquires the processing result output to the output folder 200. In step S360, the job cooperation plug-in 460 notifies the job scheduler 420 of the processing result acquired. In step S350, since the job cooperation plug-in 460 recognizes the job ID from the file name of the data acquired from the output folder 200, the job cooperation plug-in 460 can know the process to be executed in the next and subsequent stages.

  In step S370, the job scheduler 420 notifies the plug-in of the next job execution instruction and job ID. In step S380, the form composition plug-in requests job information from the session manager 410. In step S390, the session manager 410 refers to (executes an inquiry) the job execution information, and in step S400, the session manager 410 acquires job information from the job execution information.

  In S410, the session manager 410 notifies the acquired job information to the form composition plug-in. In step S420, processing is executed according to the job information acquired by the form composition plug-in, and the processing result is notified to the job scheduler 420.

  In step S430, the job scheduler 420 notifies the plug-in of the execution instruction and job ID of the next job. In step S <b> 440, the job cooperation plug-in 460 requests the session manager 410 for information on the cooperation application 480. In step S450, the session manager 410 refers to the job execution information (inquires), and in step S460, the session manager 410 acquires information on the cooperative application 480 from the job execution information.

  In step S <b> 470, the session manager 410 notifies the job cooperation plug-in 460 of the acquired information about the cooperation application 480. In step S <b> 480, the job cooperation plug-in 460 outputs intermediate data (first intermediate data 190) to the input folder 180. In step S <b> 480, the job cooperation plug-in 460 outputs intermediate data in which the job ID is added to the file name to the input folder 180.

  While the cooperative application 480 constantly monitors the input folder 180 in S490, it is detected that intermediate data has been output to the input folder (second detection means 160). In S <b> 500, the cooperative application 480 executes predetermined information processing (second information processing), and outputs the execution result (second intermediate data 210) to the output folder 200. In S500, the cooperation application 480 outputs the file name of the processing target data in the input folder 180 to the output folder 200 as the execution result file name.

  In S510, the cooperative application 480 deletes the processing end file in the input folder 180. In step S520, the job cooperation plug-in 460 detects that the processing end file has been deleted while constantly monitoring the input folder 180. In step S530, the job cooperation plug-in 460 acquires the processing result output to the output folder 200. In step S540, the job cooperation plug-in 460 notifies the job scheduler 420 of the processing result acquired. In step S530, since the job cooperation plug-in 460 recognizes the job ID from the file name of the data acquired from the output folder 200, the job cooperation plug-in 460 can know the processing to be executed in the next stage and thereafter.

  In step S550, the job scheduler 420 notifies the processing result to the history, and the information processing apparatus 100 ends the processing.

  11 and 12 are diagrams illustrating an example of a scenario created by the job scheduler 420 in S110. FIG. 11 illustrates a “mail transmission” scenario, and FIG. 12 illustrates a “file transmission” scenario.

  In the “mail transmission” scenario illustrated in FIG. 11, processing is performed in the order of a file division plug-in, a form composition plug-in, an image processing plug-in, a cooperative application 480, and a mail transmission plug-in 440. On the other hand, in the “file transmission” scenario illustrated in FIG. 12, processing is performed in the order of a file division plug-in, a form composition plug-in, an image processing plug-in, a cooperative application 480, and a file transmission plug-in 430. The “mail transmission” scenario and the “file transmission” scenario are executed in the same flow as the sequence diagram shown in FIG.

  As described above, various types of information processing are realized by combining plug-ins, and a large number of information processing can be easily realized by performing cooperative processing including cooperative applications.

(Summary)
As described above in detail, the disclosed information processing apparatus has the following features and effects.
-Viewed from the user side, the first information processing unit and the second information processing unit integrally perform information processing, so that a unified operational feeling can be provided to the user.
-For example, since the user can use the information processing apparatus simply by selecting the second information processing section to be used on the display device, the user does not need to know a new operation method of the second information processing section. .
・ Applications corresponding to the second information processing unit do not need to be developed in accordance with the first information processing unit, and general-purpose applications can be used as they are, so that the development effort can be greatly reduced. .
・ Coordinated job processing is a single process as a system, but it can be used by multiple users by keeping the uniqueness by assigning job ID + serial number to the file name rule of the job processing target (input file). Simultaneous job execution is possible.
・ Linked applications do not need to be aware of multi-user processing and simultaneous job processing, and there is no need to change the application for linked job processing. Can be realized.

  Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.・ Change is possible.

It is a figure for demonstrating the outline | summary of the information processing apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the information processing apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation principle of the information processing apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the setting information in the information processing apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the software structure in the information processing apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation screen in the information processing apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation screen in the information processing apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram of the example of a process by the information processing apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation screen in the information processing apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation screen in the information processing apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is an example of the mail transmission scenario produced in the information processing apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is an example of the file transmission scenario produced in the information processing apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Information processing apparatus 110 1st information processing part 120 Data deletion detection means 130 1st detection means 140 Processability determination means 150 2nd information processing part 160 2nd detection means 170 Data deletion means 180 1st storage part 190 First intermediate data 200 Second storage unit 210 Second intermediate data 220 Support information 310 CPU
320 ROM
330 RAM
340 HDD
350 Communication I / F
360 Display 400 General-purpose OS
410 Session manager 420 Job scheduler 430 File transmission plug-in 440 Mail transmission plug-in 450 FAX transmission plug-in 460 Job cooperation plug-in 470 GUI
480 Linked application

Claims (17)

First intermediate data that is a result of performing a part of the first information processing is passed to a second information processing unit that performs a second information processing, and the second information processing unit Information processing subsequent to the next stage of the partial information processing of the first information processing for the second intermediate data in response to the second intermediate data obtained as a result of the second information processing. A first information processing unit capable of applying
The first information processing unit attaches first identification information for identifying the first information processing to the first intermediate data, and the second intermediate data and subsequent steps When the information processing is performed, the second identification information attached to the second intermediate data by the second information processing unit based on the first identification information attached to the first intermediate data. An information processing apparatus characterized in that information processing to be performed can be determined based on the information processing apparatus. When the second information processing is information processing for generating a plurality of the second intermediate data from one first intermediate data,
When the second identification information is attached by the second information processing unit based on the first identification information, the first identification information and the second intermediate information are used as the second identification information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a serial number for identifying data is assigned. When the second information processing is information processing for generating one second intermediate data from one first intermediate data,
When the second information is attached by the second information processing unit based on the first identification information, the first identification information is attached as the second identification information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. A first storage unit and a second storage unit for storing the result of the information processing;
The first intermediate data is stored in the first storage unit by the first information processing unit, and the second intermediate data is stored in the second storage unit by the second information processing unit, further,
First detection means for detecting that the second intermediate data is stored in the second storage unit;
Second detection means for detecting that the first intermediate data is stored in the first storage unit;
After the first detection unit detects that the second intermediate data is stored, the first information processing unit performs information processing on and after the next stage on the second intermediate data. ,
After the second detection means detects that the first intermediate data is stored, the second information processing unit performs the second information processing on the first intermediate data. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is an information processing apparatus. Data deletion means for deleting, from the first storage unit, the first intermediate data that is the target of the second information processing after the second intermediate data is stored in the second storage unit When,
Data deletion detecting means for detecting that the first intermediate data has been deleted by the data deleting means,
After the first detecting means detects that the second intermediate data is stored and the data deleting means detects that the first intermediate data is deleted, the first detecting means The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the information processing unit performs information processing on and after the next stage on the second intermediate data.   The first information processing unit performs processing by a multitasking method that performs switching between a plurality of information processings, and the second information processing unit performs processing by a single tasking method that performs individual information processing one by one. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is an information processing apparatus.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a data format of the first intermediate data is different from a data format of the second intermediate data. The second information processing unit has support information that is information related to a data format of the first intermediate data capable of performing the second information processing;
The first information processing unit includes a processability determining unit that determines whether the second information processing unit can process the first intermediate data based on the support information. The information processing apparatus according to any one of 1 to 7. In the information processing method in the information processing apparatus having the first information processing unit,
The first information processing unit
Passing the first intermediate data, which is the result of performing a part of the first information processing, to the second information processing unit that performs the second information processing; and the second information processing unit And receiving the second intermediate data that is the result of the second information processing being applied to the second intermediate data, the second information after the next stage of the part of the first information processing. An information processing method comprising the steps of:
The first information processing unit attaches first identification information for identifying the first information processing to the first intermediate data, and the second intermediate data and subsequent steps When performing the information processing, the second identification information attached to the second intermediate data by the second information processing unit based on the first identification information attached to the first intermediate data. An information processing method characterized in that information processing to be performed can be determined based on the information processing method. When the second information processing is information processing for generating a plurality of the second intermediate data from one first intermediate data,
When the second identification information is attached by the second information processing unit based on the first identification information, the first identification information and the second intermediate information are used as the second identification information. The information processing method according to claim 9, wherein a serial number for identifying data is assigned. When the second information processing is information processing for generating one second intermediate data from one first intermediate data,
When the second information is attached by the second information processing unit based on the first identification information, the first identification information is attached as the second identification information. The information processing method according to claim 9 or 10. The information processing apparatus includes a first storage unit and a second storage unit for storing a result of performing information processing, and the first intermediate data is stored in the first information processing unit by the first information processing unit. The second intermediate data is stored in the second storage unit by the second information processing unit, and
First detecting means for detecting that the second intermediate data is stored in the second storage unit;
A second detecting unit detecting that the first intermediate data is stored in the first storage unit;
After the first detection unit detects that the second intermediate data is stored, the first information processing unit performs information processing on and after the next stage on the second intermediate data. ,
After the second detection means detects that the first intermediate data is stored, the second information processing unit performs the second information processing on the first intermediate data. The information processing method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the information processing method is performed. After the second intermediate data is stored in the second storage unit, the data deleting unit removes the first intermediate data to be subjected to the second information processing from the first storage unit. A step to delete,
A step of detecting that the data deletion detecting means has deleted the first intermediate data by the data deleting means;
After the first detecting means detects that the second intermediate data is stored and the data deleting means detects that the first intermediate data is deleted, the first detecting means The information processing method according to claim 12, wherein the information processing unit performs information processing on and after the next stage on the second intermediate data.   In the first information processing unit, processing is performed in a multitasking method that is performed while switching a plurality of information processing, and in the second information processing unit, a single task method in which individual information processing is performed one by one. The information processing method according to claim 9, wherein processing is performed.   The information processing method according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein a data format of the first intermediate data is different from a data format of the second intermediate data. The information processing apparatus has support information that is information related to a data format of the first intermediate data with which the second information processing unit can perform the second information processing.
The processability determination means in the first information processing unit has a step of determining whether the second information processing unit can process the first intermediate data based on the support information. The information processing method according to any one of claims 9 to 15.   An information processing program for causing a computer to execute the information processing method according to any one of claims 9 to 16.

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