JP2012027791A - Workflow management device, workflow management system, workflow management method, and workflow management program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve convenience of users performing manual work tasks and surely manage a workflow associated with the manual work tasks.SOLUTION: The workflow management system is configured to connect a computer device for creating the workflow including a plurality of tasks, portable terminals of users, and a workflow management device for managing the workflow. The plurality of tasks include manual work tasks manually performed by the users at locations separated from the computer device. The portable terminal includes a display function which displays information reported from the workflow management device. The workflow management device includes: an instruction function for determining whether a task to be processed next is a manual work task or not and reporting instruction information of the manual work task to the portable terminals when a task is the manual work task and a task state analysis function for determining whether the manual work task is finished or not based on information received from the portable terminal or a device installed at a location at which the manual work task is performed.

Description

  The present invention relates to a workflow management device, a workflow management system, a workflow management method, and a workflow management program, and in particular, a workflow management device, a workflow management system, a workflow management method, and a workflow for managing a workflow including a plurality of tasks including manual tasks. Regarding management programs.

  The work to be done in the office has become complicated, for example, creating a document and printing it with a printing device, pressing the approval stamp on the printed matter, reading it with a scanner device and storing scanned image data, The printed matter is mailed in an envelope. As described above, when a work that is completed by sequentially processing a plurality of tasks is performed, a workflow that defines the procedure of each task is created, and the work is managed using this workflow.

  Regarding management of such a workflow, for example, in Patent Document 1 below, a reading unit that reads information on a paper medium and generates read image data, and a task associated with the information on the paper medium read by the reading unit are set. A task setting means; an attached document creating means for creating an attached document to be attached to the task set by the task setting means based on the read image data; and a task set by the task setting means. A workflow management system having an attached document storage means for storing in an associated database is disclosed.

JP 2008-71083 A

  In the technique of Patent Document 1, a paper document can be associated with a workflow task by scanning the paper document, and a task can be selected and completed from an operation panel of a multi function peripheral (MFP). be able to.

  However, at present, not all tasks in the workflow can be digitized, and there are tasks that involve manual work. For example, when pressing an approval mark on a printed document, checking the printed content visually, when digitizing a trail, scanning with a scanner device, or a task that requires skill, etc. and so on.

  Such work that requires manpower that cannot be performed by the computer device, particularly work that requires the user to leave the computer device in order to use machines and tools (hereinafter referred to as manual task) is in the middle of the workflow. Even if this manual task instruction content is displayed on the computer device, the user must remember the instruction content, move to a location away from the computer device, and execute the manual task at that location. Therefore, there is a problem that convenience is poor. Further, when it is necessary to input the completion of the manual task from the computer device, there is a risk that the input will be forgotten, and there is a problem that the workflow cannot be properly managed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its main purpose is to improve the convenience of a user who executes a manual task and to reliably manage a workflow including a plurality of tasks including the manual task. A workflow management apparatus, a workflow management system, a workflow management method, and a workflow management program are provided.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a workflow management apparatus that manages a workflow composed of a plurality of tasks, and a task to be processed next is a manual task that is manually executed by a user by moving a location. And in the case of the manual task, an instruction function for notifying the user's portable terminal of instruction information of the manual task, and an apparatus installed at the portable terminal or the place where the manual task is executed And a task state analysis function for determining whether or not the manual task is completed based on the information received from.

  The present invention also provides a workflow management system in which a computer device that creates a workflow composed of a plurality of tasks, a portable terminal carried by a user, and a workflow management device that manages the workflow are connected via a communication network. The plurality of tasks include a manual task manually executed by the user at a location away from the computer device, and the portable terminal has a display function for displaying information notified from the workflow management device, The workflow management device determines whether a task to be processed next is the manual task, and in the case of the manual task, an instruction function for notifying the portable terminal of instruction information of the manual task; Based on information received from a mobile terminal or a device installed at a place where the manual task is executed , In which and a task state analysis function of determining whether the manual task has been completed.

  The present invention also provides a workflow management method in a system in which a computer device that creates a workflow composed of a plurality of tasks, a mobile terminal carried by a user, and a workflow management device that manages the workflow are connected via a communication network. The workflow management device determines whether a task to be processed next is a manual task manually executed by the user at a location away from the computer device, and in the case of the manual task, An instruction step of notifying the portable terminal of the instruction information of the manual task, a display step of displaying the instruction information notified from the workflow management apparatus by the portable terminal, and the workflow management apparatus of the portable terminal or Information received from equipment installed at the location where the manual task is to be performed. Based on the task state analyzing step of determining whether the manual task has been completed, and has a.

  The present invention also provides a workflow management program that operates on a device that manages a workflow composed of a plurality of tasks, and a task to be processed next on the device is manually executed by a user by moving a location. In the case of the manual task, an instruction function for notifying the user's portable terminal of the instruction information of the manual task is installed at the portable terminal or a place where the manual task is executed. A task state analysis function for determining whether or not the manual task is completed based on information received from the device.

  According to the workflow management device, the workflow management system, the workflow management method, and the workflow management program of the present invention, it is possible to improve the convenience of a user who executes a manual task and reliably manage a workflow including a plurality of tasks including the manual task. can do.

  The reason is that the workflow management device (workflow management program) determines whether or not the next task is a manual task when processing a task in accordance with a previously registered workflow. This is because control is performed to notify the manual information of the manual task to the mobile terminal of the user who executes the task.

  In addition, control is performed to automatically determine whether or not the manual task is completed based on the information transmitted from the user's portable terminal or the device at the place where the manual task is executed and the position information of the user's portable terminal. Because it does.

It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the workflow management system which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of each apparatus of the workflow management system which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the whole operation | movement of the workflow management system concerning one Example of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the operation | movement (task execution position determination process) of the workflow management system concerning one Example of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the operation | movement (task state analysis process) of the workflow management system concerning one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen (workflow creation screen) displayed on the client which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen (manual task registration screen) displayed on the client which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen (position determination detail screen) displayed on the client which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen (workflow start screen) displayed on the client which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen (manual task instruction screen) displayed on the portable terminal which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other example of the screen (manual task task instruction | indication screen) displayed on the portable terminal which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure explaining the timing which determines completion of a task.

  As shown in the background art, various methods for managing a workflow have been proposed. However, not all tasks in a workflow can be digitized, and there are many manual tasks that require human labor. When managing such a workflow involving manual tasks, it is important to properly notify the user of the manual task instruction information, and it is important to properly determine the end of the manual task It is.

  Therefore, in an embodiment of the present invention, when a device that manages a workflow (for example, a workflow management server) processes a task according to a workflow registered in advance, it is determined whether or not the next task is a manual task. When the determination is made and control is transferred to the manual task after the previous task is completed, the instruction information of the manual task is notified and displayed on the mobile terminal of the user who executes the manual task.

  The workflow management server then transmits information transmitted from the user's mobile terminal (for example, information obtained by pressing a button corresponding to the task state) or information transmitted from the device at the place where the manual task is executed (for example, an image). It is determined whether or not the manual task is completed based on the position information of the user's portable terminal.

  As a result, the user can execute the manual task reliably, and the workflow management server can recognize the completion of the manual task, and manage the workflow consisting of multiple tasks including the manual task. can do.

  In order to describe the above-described embodiment of the present invention in more detail, a workflow management apparatus, a workflow management system, a workflow management method, and a workflow management program according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. explain. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the workflow management system of this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of each device. 3 to 5 are flowcharts showing the operation of the workflow management system. FIGS. 6 to 9 are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed on the client. FIGS. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the timing for determining completion of a task.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a workflow management system 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 20 such as a printer or a digital multifunction peripheral, a workflow management server 30 that manages a workflow including a plurality of tasks including manual tasks, It consists of an authentication server 40 such as AD (Active Directory) or LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol), a computer device (client 50) for creating a workflow, and a portable terminal 60 such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants) or a cellular phone. The The image forming apparatus 20, the workflow management server 30, the authentication server 40, and the client 50 are connected via a network 70 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). The portable terminal 60 is connected to the network 70 via the wireless LAN 71 and the Internet 72. Hereinafter, the specific configuration of each apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.

[Image forming apparatus]
The image forming apparatus 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a communication unit 23, a display unit 24, an operation unit 25, a drawing processing unit 26, a printing unit 27, an image reading unit 28, and a position specification. The unit 29 and the like.

  The control unit 21 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like. The storage unit 22 includes a memory such as a read only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM), a hard disk drive (HDD), and the like, and includes a data storage unit 22a and a program storage unit 22b. The data storage unit 22a includes a print data storage unit that stores print data generated based on a print job transmitted from the client 10, a scan data storage unit that stores scan data read by the image reading unit 28, and a workflow. A workflow UI storage unit for storing a user interface (UI). The program storage unit 22b is provided in a non-volatile storage unit such as a ROM or an HDD, and has a printing function that causes the printing unit 27 to execute printing, a scanning function that causes the image reading unit 28 to execute scanning, a workflow UI function that realizes a workflow UI, Stores programs such as a Web client function that makes it possible to use a Web service provided by the workflow management server 30 and a position response function that responds to a position inquiry from the workflow management server 30. The program stored in the ROM or HDD is expanded in the RAM and executed by the CPU.

  The communication unit 23 includes a NIC (Network Interface Card), a modem, and the like, and enables communication with each device on the network. The display unit 24 is configured by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and displays an operation screen or the like. The operation unit 25 is configured with a touch panel or the like, and enables various operations of the image forming apparatus 20.

  The drawing processing unit 26 analyzes the print job received from the client 10 and rasterizes the data of each page to create print data.

  The printing unit 27 includes elements necessary for image formation using an image forming process such as an electrophotographic method or an electrostatic recording method, that is, a charging device, a photosensitive drum, an exposure device, a transfer roller, a transfer belt, and a fixing device. Etc. Specifically, the photosensitive drum charged by the charging device is irradiated with light corresponding to the print data from the exposure device to form an electrostatic latent image, and the charged toner is attached and developed by the developing device. The toner image is transferred to a paper medium via a primary transfer roller and a secondary transfer belt, and is fixed by a fixing device.

  The image reading unit 28 includes a light source that scans a document on a document table, a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) image sensor that converts light reflected from the document into an electrical signal, and an A / D that performs A / D conversion of the electrical signal. The image data is optically read from a document sheet on a document table.

  The position specifying unit 29 includes a GPS (Global Positioning System) unit and an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) unit. The GPS unit measures the current position by receiving radio waves from a plurality of GPS satellites and determining the distance from each. Where three satellites are visible, latitude and longitude are determined, and where four satellites are visible, altitude is added. The RFID unit communicates with the RFID unit of the mobile terminal 60 using electromagnetic induction or electromagnetic coupling, and specifies the positional relationship between the image forming apparatus 20 and the mobile terminal 60.

[Workflow management server]
The workflow management server 30 includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, a communication unit 33, a display unit 34, an operation unit 35, and the like.

  The control unit 31 includes a CPU. The storage unit 32 includes a memory such as a ROM and a RAM, an HDD, and the like, and includes a data storage unit 32a and a program storage unit 32b. The data storage unit 32a includes a workflow data storage unit that stores workflow data created on a workflow creation screen described later, a location data storage unit that stores location data described later, and a map that stores map data such as a floor map. A data storage unit is provided. The program storage unit 32b includes a Web server function that provides a Web service to the image forming apparatus 30, the client 50, and the mobile terminal 60, and a workflow function that processes a task according to the workflow (if the next task is a manual task, the mobile terminal 60 A transmission function for transmitting instruction contents and the like, and a task state analysis function for determining the end of a manual task based on information transmitted from the portable terminal 60 and the image forming apparatus 20 and position information of the portable terminal 60), A program for realizing a mail transmission function for sending an e-mail for displaying a work task instruction screen on the portable terminal 60, a position inquiry function for making a position inquiry to the portable terminal 60, and the like are stored. Then, a program (particularly, a workflow management program for causing the control unit 31 to execute a workflow function) stored in the ROM or HDD is expanded in the RAM and executed by the CPU.

  The communication unit 33 includes a NIC, a modem, and the like, and enables communication with each device on the network. The display unit 34 includes an LCD and displays various screens. The operation unit 35 is composed of a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and enables various operations.

[Authentication Server]
The authentication server 40 includes a control unit 41, a storage unit 42, a communication unit 43, a display unit 44, an operation unit 45, and the like.

  The control unit 41 is configured by a CPU or the like. The storage unit 42 includes a memory such as a ROM and a RAM, an HDD, and the like. The data storage unit 42a stores authentication information data and the like for specifying a user who executes a task and its supervisor, and an authentication function. A program storage unit 42b for storing the program. Then, the program stored in the ROM or HDD is expanded in the RAM and executed by the CPU.

  The communication unit 43 includes a NIC, a modem, and the like, and enables communication with each device on the network. The display unit 44 is configured by an LCD or the like, and displays an authentication screen or the like. The operation unit 43 includes a keyboard and a mouse, and enables various operations related to authentication.

[client]
The client 50 includes a control unit 51, a storage unit 52, a communication unit 53, a display unit 54, an operation unit 55, and the like.

  The control unit 51 is configured by a CPU or the like. The storage unit 52 includes a memory such as a ROM and a RAM, an HDD, and the like, and includes a data storage unit 52a and a program storage unit 52b. The data storage unit 52a includes a workflow UI storage unit that stores a workflow UI, a print job storage unit that stores a print job, and the like. The program storage unit 52b describes a Web client function that makes it possible to use a Web service provided by the workflow management server 30, a workflow UI function that realizes a workflow UI, and a document file described in a page description language (PDL). Stores a program for realizing a print job creation function that creates a print job by converting data, PDF (Portable Document Format) data, and the like. The program stored in the ROM or HDD is expanded in the RAM and executed by the CPU.

  The communication unit 53 includes a NIC, a modem, and the like, and enables communication with each device on the network. The display unit 54 is configured by an LCD or the like, and displays a workflow creation screen, a manual task registration screen, a position determination detail screen, a workflow start screen, and the like which will be described later. The operation unit 55 includes a keyboard and a mouse, and enables operations such as workflow creation, manual task registration, and workflow start instruction.

[Mobile devices]
The portable terminal 60 includes a control unit 61, a storage unit 62, a communication unit 63, a display unit 64, an operation unit 65, a position specifying unit 66, and the like.

  The control unit 61 is configured by a CPU or the like. The storage unit 62 includes a memory such as a ROM or a RAM, an HDD, and the like, and includes a data storage unit 62a and a program storage unit 62b. The data storage unit 62a includes a data storage unit that stores a workflow UI and the like. The program storage unit 62b includes a workflow UI function that realizes a workflow UI, a Web client function that enables a Web service provided by the workflow management server 30, a mail client function that receives an email transmitted by the workflow management server 30, and a workflow management. In response to a position inquiry from the server 30, a program for realizing a position response function for transmitting position information of the terminal itself is stored. The program stored in the ROM or HDD is expanded in the RAM and executed by the CPU.

  The communication unit 63 is configured by a NIC or modem having a wireless LAN function, and enables communication with the workflow management server 30 and the like. The display unit 64 is configured with an LCD or the like, and displays a manual task instruction screen and the like described later. The operation unit 65 is configured with a touch panel or the like, and enables various operations of the mobile terminal 60.

  The position specifying unit 66 includes a GPS unit and an RFID unit. The GPS unit specifies the current position (latitude and longitude, or latitude and longitude and altitude) by receiving radio waves from a plurality of GPS satellites and determining the distance from each. Further, the RFID unit communicates with the RFID unit of the image forming apparatus 20 using electromagnetic induction or electromagnetic coupling, and specifies the positional relationship between the image forming apparatus 20 and the portable terminal 60.

  1 and 2 are examples of the present embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate. For example, although the authentication server 40 is provided in the workflow management system 10 in FIG. 1, the authentication server 40 may be omitted or the workflow management server 30 may have an authentication function. In FIG. 2, the position specifying unit 29 is provided in the image forming apparatus 20. However, when the image forming apparatus 20 is fixed and the position does not change, the position specifying unit 29 may be omitted. In this embodiment, the workflow management server 30 manages the workflow. However, the client 50 may have a function for managing the workflow.

  Next, the operation of the workflow management system 10 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  First, before executing the workflow, the workflow is created in advance on the client 50 (S100). FIG. 6 is an example of a workflow creation screen 80 displayed on the display unit 54 of the client 50. In the workflow creation screen 80, workflows can be created by arranging predefined actions and conditions in a flowchart. Each action or condition can be entered by selecting a specific action or condition by double-clicking. For example, in the case of a new document creation action, a document template or a storage destination of the created document is selected.

  When the manual action is selected on the workflow creation screen 80 of FIG. 6, the manual task registration screen 81 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed, and who is where, what, what and what to do. Let the user input how to complete. An example of the contents registered as a manual task is shown in Table 1. Table 1 shows an example of a manual task registered in the invention notification form workflow of FIG.

  Further, in the case of determining completion of a task by position on the manual task registration screen 81 of FIG. 7, when the detail button is pressed, a position determination detail screen 82 as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed. In this position determination detail screen 82, the timing for determining that the task is completed is moved to the position of the next task when the user moves to the specified position, after the user moves to the specified position, and away from that position. Can be set to any of the time points.

  After the workflow is created in the above procedure, when the OK button on the workflow creation screen 80 is pressed, a workflow start screen 83 as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed. When the user selects a workflow, the control unit 51 of the client 50 transmits the workflow data to the workflow management server 30, and the control unit 31 of the workflow management server 30 stores the workflow data in the data storage unit 32a. The workflow process is executed (S200). Note that the workflow data includes detailed contents of each task and information (such as a position ID, which will be described later) for specifying a device or a user that executes the task.

  Next, the control unit 31 (workflow management program) of the workflow management server 30 identifies the first task of the workflow, determines whether the task is a manual task (S300), and if it is not a manual task, The task is executed (for example, the created invention notification form is attached to an e-mail and transmitted to the user's supervisor) (S800).

  On the other hand, in the case of a manual task, the control unit 31 (workflow management program) of the workflow management server 30 specifies the position of the mobile terminal 60 (S400). Specifically, the current position is inquired to the mobile terminal 60 of the user who executes the manual task, and the mobile terminal 60 acquires the current position using the position specifying unit 66 and notifies the workflow management server 30 of the current position.

  Further, the control unit 31 (workflow management program) of the workflow management server 30 specifies a position where the manual task is executed (S400). The procedure for specifying the position will be specifically described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In addition, the workflow management server 30 associates the position of the device or instrument used for the workflow processing and the position of the seat of the person who executes the workflow processing with the position ID as position data shown in Table 2 in advance. It is assumed that it is stored in the data storage unit. The position data may be stored in advance in the storage unit as described above, and in the case of moving like a person, the current position acquired from a mobile terminal or an IC card as needed may be used as the position data.

  First, referring to the workflow, it is determined whether the place where the manual task is executed is the apparatus that executed the previous task (here, the image forming apparatus 20 used in the print task) (S401). In the case of the image forming apparatus 20 used in the print task, the position ID of the image forming apparatus 20 is acquired from the setting contents of the print task (S402), and the position corresponding to the acquired position ID is obtained by referring to the position data. Obtain (S413).

  If the location where the manual task is executed in S401 is not the image forming apparatus 20 used in the print task, the workflow execution is referred to, and the location where the manual task is executed is the closest to the task executor (here, image formation). It is determined whether the device 20) (S403). In the case of the image forming apparatus 20 closest to the task performer, the distance from the current position of the portable terminal 60 to each image forming apparatus 20 is calculated (S404), and the position IDs of the image forming apparatuses 20 are stored in order of increasing distance. (S405). Next, it is determined whether or not the image forming apparatus 20 is processing (S406). If it is being processed, the process returns to S405 and the position ID of the image forming apparatus 20 with the next shortest distance is stored. If the image forming apparatus 20 is not processing, the position data is referenced to obtain a position corresponding to the stored position ID (S413).

  If the location where the manual task is executed in S403 is not the image forming apparatus 20 closest to the task executor, it is determined whether the location where the manual task is executed is the supervisor's seat with reference to the workflow (S407). ). In the case of the boss's seat, the boss of the task performer is acquired from the authentication server 40 (S408), the position ID of the boss is acquired (S409), and the position data is referenced to correspond to the acquired position ID. The position is acquired (S413).

  If the place where the manual task is executed in S407 is not the supervisor's seat, it is determined whether or not the place where the manual task is executed is the person's seat with reference to the workflow (S410). In the case of the person's seat, the position ID of the task performer is acquired (S411), and in the case of not being the person's seat, the position ID of the place selected in advance is acquired (S412). Then, the position corresponding to the acquired position ID is acquired with reference to the position data (S413).

  Returning to FIG. 3, the control unit 31 (workflow management program) of the workflow management server 30 displays a manual task instruction screen 84 as shown in FIG. 10 on the portable terminal 60 of the user who executes the manual task ( S500). In response to an instruction from the workflow management server 30, this screen may be displayed by an application (a program for executing the workflow UI function) of the mobile terminal 60, or the mobile terminal 60 is connected to the workflow management server 30 via the Internet. If the workflow management server 30 sends a mail to the mobile terminal 60 and accesses a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) specified in the mail, the workflow management server 30 displays it on the browser of the mobile terminal 60 (that is, the Web service is displayed). Use).

  In this manual task instruction screen 84, the instruction content of the task registered in the manual task registration screen 81 is displayed, and the position acquired in S400 on the map (floor map) stored in advance in the map data storage unit is displayed. Make it explicit. Note that the position display method is not limited to FIG. 10, and as shown in FIG. 11, the position of the real space captured by the camera of the mobile terminal 60 is specified, and instructions regarding the position are superimposed and displayed. Also good. Further, the manual task instruction screen may be displayed on a device that performs the operation (for example, the image forming apparatus 20 or the like). In the above description, the workflow management server 30 identifies the position of the portable terminal 60, creates map information that clearly indicates the position of the portable terminal 60 and the position at which the manual task is executed on the map, and creates the map information on the portable terminal 60. The workflow management server 30 creates map information clearly indicating the position where the manual task is executed on the map, notifies the mobile terminal 60, and automatically notifies the map information notified on the mobile terminal 60 side. It is good also as a structure which displays the position of a terminal clearly.

  The user executes the manual task according to the manual task instruction screen 84, and the control unit 31 (workflow management program) of the workflow management server 30 analyzes the task state (S600). This analysis differs depending on whether the task completion is determined by the position, the image forming apparatus 20 determines, or the user notifies on the manual task registration screen 81 in FIG. Hereinafter, the task state analysis processing will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in the manual task registration screen 81 of FIG. 7, it is determined whether the task completion notification method is set to “notify by user” (S601).

  When “notify by user” is set, whether the workflow management server 30 has received a task status from the mobile terminal 60 (that is, the user selects a predetermined button (task completion button or By pressing a cancel button, a hold button, etc.), the control unit 61 of the portable terminal 60 determines whether the task state corresponding to the button has been notified to the workflow management server 30) (S602). The status is set to the received task status (for example, completed, executing, canceled, suspended, etc.) (S603). If not received, the task status is set to executing (S604).

  On the other hand, if “notify by user” is not set, it is determined whether the task completion notification method is set to “determine by MFP” (S605).

  If “MFP determines” is set, whether the workflow management server 30 has received the operation content from the image forming apparatus 20 (that is, the user has selected a predetermined button (start key on the operation unit 25 of the image forming apparatus 20). Etc.), the control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 20 determines whether the user ID and the operation content have been notified to the workflow management server 30) (S606). (S607). If the received operation content matches the task, the task state is set to complete (S608), and if the operation content is not received or if the received operation content does not match the task, the task state Is set during execution (S609).

  On the other hand, if “MFP determines” is not set, the current position of the portable terminal 60 is specified (S610). Specifically, the current position is inquired to the mobile terminal 60 of the user who executes the manual task, and the mobile terminal 60 acquires the current position using the position specifying unit 65 and notifies the workflow management server 30 of the current position.

  Then, by comparing the current position of the portable terminal 60 with the execution position of the task acquired in S400, it is determined whether the user has reached the specified position (S611). When it is determined that the user has reached the designated position, the task state is set to complete (S612), and when the user has not reached the designated position, the task state is set to being executed (S613).

  The time point when the user moves to the designated position can be the time point when the user moves within the range centered on the designated position (see (A)), as shown in FIG. Here, it is determined that the task is completed when the user moves to the specified position. However, the timing at which the task is determined to be completed is the time when the user moves to the specified position and then leaves the position. (Refer to (B)) or a point of time when moving to the position of the next task (see (C)).

  Returning to FIG. 3 again, the control unit 31 (workflow management program) of the workflow management server 30 determines whether or not the manual task is completed based on the task state analyzed in S600 (S700). If not completed, the process returns to S600 and the same processing is repeated. When the manual task is completed or the normal task is executed in S800, the workflow is referred to determine whether there is a next task (S900). If there is a next task, the process returns to S300 and the same process is repeated. If there is no next task, the series of processing ends.

  Thus, since the workflow management server 30 performs control to display the manual task instruction screen 85 on the portable terminal 60 when the next task is a manual task, the user must execute the manual task reliably. Can do. Further, the workflow management server 30 automatically determines the end of the manual task based on the information transmitted from the mobile terminal 60 and the image forming apparatus 20 and the position information of the mobile terminal 60, so that the workflow is reliably managed. be able to.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said Example, The structure and control can be changed suitably, unless it deviates from the meaning of this invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the workflow including the task executed by the image forming apparatus 20 has been described. However, the apparatus that executes the task is not limited to the image forming apparatus 20.

  The present invention is applicable to a system including an apparatus carried by a user who executes a manual task and an apparatus for managing a workflow including the manual task.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Workflow management system 20 Image forming apparatus 21 Control part 22 Storage part 23 Communication part 24 Display part 25 Operation part 26 Drawing process part 27 Printing part 28 Image reading part 29 GPS / RFID receiving part 30 Workflow management server 31 Control part 32 Storage part 33 communication unit 34 display unit 35 operation unit 40 authentication server 41 control unit 42 storage unit 43 communication unit 44 display unit 45 operation unit 50 client 51 control unit 52 storage unit 53 communication unit 54 display unit 55 operation unit 60 portable terminal 61 control unit 62 storage unit 63 communication unit 64 display unit 65 operation unit 66 GPS / RFID reception unit 70 network 71 wireless LAN
72 Internet 80 Workflow Creation Screen 81 Manual Task Registration Screen 82 Position Determination Detail Screen 83 Workflow Start Screen 84 Manual Task Instruction Screen

Claims (12)

A workflow management device for managing a workflow composed of a plurality of tasks,
It is determined whether the task to be processed next is a manual task that is manually performed by the user by moving a location. In the case of the manual task, instruction information of the manual task is displayed on the user's mobile terminal. An instruction function to notify,
A task state analysis function for determining whether the manual task is completed based on information received from the mobile terminal or an apparatus installed at a place where the manual task is performed,
A workflow management apparatus characterized by that. The task state analysis function is
The current position of the portable terminal is specified based on the position information transmitted from the portable terminal, and when the portable terminal reaches a predetermined position for executing the manual task, or the portable terminal is the predetermined position. When the mobile task is moved away from the predetermined position after reaching the position, or when the mobile terminal reaches the predetermined position and then moves away from the predetermined position and reaches a position for executing the next task, the manual task is Judge that it is finished,
The workflow management apparatus according to claim 1. The instruction function is:
Along with the instruction information of the manual task, the current position of the mobile terminal specified based on the position information transmitted from the mobile terminal and the place to execute the manual task specified in the workflow are displayed on a map Notify the specified map information,
The workflow management apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that A workflow management system in which a computer device that creates a workflow composed of a plurality of tasks, a portable terminal carried by a user, and a workflow management device that manages the workflow are connected via a communication network,
The plurality of tasks include manual tasks that are manually performed by the user at a location remote from the computing device,
The portable terminal is
A display function for displaying information notified from the workflow management device;
The workflow management device includes:
An instruction function that determines whether a task to be processed next is the manual task, and in the case of the manual task, notifies the mobile terminal of instruction information of the manual task;
A task state analysis function for determining whether the manual task is completed based on information received from the mobile terminal or an apparatus installed at a place where the manual task is performed,
A workflow management system characterized by this. The portable terminal is
Obtaining location information of the terminal itself, and having a transmission function for transmitting the location information to the workflow management device,
The task status analysis function of the workflow management device is:
The current position of the portable terminal is specified based on the position information transmitted from the portable terminal, and when the portable terminal reaches a predetermined position for executing the manual task, or the portable terminal is the predetermined position. When the mobile task is moved away from the predetermined position after reaching the position, or when the mobile terminal reaches the predetermined position and then moves away from the predetermined position and reaches a position for executing the next task, the manual task is Judge that it is finished,
The workflow management system according to claim 4. The instruction function of the workflow management device is:
Along with the instruction information of the manual task, the current position of the mobile terminal specified based on the position information transmitted from the mobile terminal and the place to execute the manual task specified in the workflow are displayed on a map Notify the specified map information,
The display function of the mobile terminal is:
Displaying a screen including instruction information of the manual task and the map information;
The workflow management system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein A workflow management method in a system in which a computer device that creates a workflow including a plurality of tasks, a portable terminal carried by a user, and a workflow management device that manages the workflow are connected via a communication network,
The workflow management device determines whether a task to be processed next is a manual task manually executed by the user at a location away from the computer device. An instruction step for notifying instruction information of the manual task;
A display step in which the portable terminal displays the instruction information notified from the workflow management device;
A task state analyzing step of determining whether the manual task is completed based on information received from the portable terminal or an apparatus installed at a place where the manual task is executed, by the workflow management device; ,
A workflow management method characterized by the above. In the task state analysis step,
The portable terminal acquires position information of the terminal itself, transmits the position information to the workflow management device,
The workflow management device identifies a current position of the mobile terminal based on position information transmitted from the mobile terminal, and when the mobile terminal reaches a predetermined position for executing the manual task, or When the mobile terminal reaches the predetermined position and then moves away from the predetermined position, or when the mobile terminal reaches the predetermined position and then moves away from the predetermined position and reaches the position where the next task is executed. , Determine that the manual task has been completed,
The workflow management method according to claim 7. In the instruction step,
The workflow management device executes the manual task specified by the current position of the mobile terminal and the workflow specified based on the position information transmitted from the mobile terminal together with the instruction information of the manual task Notify the map information that clearly shows the location on the map,
In the display step,
The portable terminal displays a screen including the manual task instruction information and the map information;
9. The workflow management method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein: A workflow management program that operates on a device that manages a workflow composed of a plurality of tasks,
In the device,
It is determined whether the task to be processed next is a manual task that is manually performed by the user by moving a location. In the case of the manual task, instruction information of the manual task is displayed on the user's mobile terminal. Instruction function to notify,
Based on information received from the mobile terminal or an apparatus installed at a place where the manual task is executed, a task state analysis function for determining whether the manual task is completed is executed.
A workflow management program characterized by that. The task state analysis function is
The current position of the portable terminal is specified based on the position information transmitted from the portable terminal, and when the portable terminal reaches a predetermined position for executing the manual task, or the portable terminal is the predetermined position. When the mobile task is moved away from the predetermined position after reaching the position, or when the mobile terminal reaches the predetermined position and then moves away from the predetermined position and reaches a position for executing the next task, the manual task is Judge that it is finished,
The workflow management program according to claim 10. The instruction function is:
Along with the instruction information of the manual task, the current position of the mobile terminal specified based on the position information transmitted from the mobile terminal and the place to execute the manual task specified in the workflow are displayed on a map Notify the specified map information,
The workflow management program according to claim 10 or 11, wherein

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