JP2014146383A - Image processing system, web server, control method in image processing system, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing apparatus which avoids time-out of a Web browser, and to provide an information processing system, a control method, and a program.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus includes a Web browser for displaying an operation screen to be provided from a Web server. The information processing apparatus transmits first processing request data corresponding to an instruction made by a user from the operation screen displayed on the Web browser to the Web server, receives a request based on the first processing request data from the Web server, and executes processing based on response data received. Before execution of the processing ends, at the time specified from the Web server, the information processing apparatus transmits second processing request data to the Web server, and displays an operation screen showing a status of processing to be executed, according to the response data received from the Web server.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing system including a Web server and an image processing apparatus that displays a screen provided from the Web server.

  A technique is known in which an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer is connected to a Web server via a network, and an operation screen provided from the Web server is displayed on a Web browser of the information processing apparatus. In this case, the Web browser of the information processing apparatus requests (requests) an operation screen from the Web server. In response to a request from the Web browser, the Web application stored in the Web server responds to the HTML data for displaying the operation screen on the Web browser. The Web browser analyzes the received HTML data and displays an operation screen based on the description of the HTML data. Further, when the user inputs an instruction via the operation screen displayed on the Web browser, the Web browser notifies the input instruction to the Web server. Then, the Web application of the Web server that has received this notification executes processing according to the input instruction.

  Recently, some MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals) equipped with a scanner, a printer, and the like are equipped with the above-described web browser. The MFP displays the operation screen provided from the web server in the above procedure. It displays on a Web browser and receives various instructions from the user (for example, Patent Document 1). The instruction input by the user is notified to the Web server by the Web browser of the MFP. Upon receiving this notification, the Web server requests the MFP to execute various processes in accordance with the instruction content input by the user. Upon receiving this request, the MFP executes the requested processing. Accordingly, it is not necessary to store all menu data for operating the MFP in the MFP, and the menu data can be easily changed on the Web server.

JP 2006-127503 A

  Generally, when a web application of a web server executes a process based on an instruction input via an operation screen displayed on the web browser of the MFP, a new operation screen is displayed in response to the completion of the process by the web application. Is displayed on the Web browser. That is, the Web server generates HTML data of a notification screen for notifying the end of processing or an operation screen for allowing the user to perform the next operation when the processing by the Web application is completed. Then, the generated HTML data is transmitted to the web browser as a response to the request from the web browser. On the other hand, a time limit (timeout time) from when a request is transmitted to the Web server until when a response from the Web server is received is set in a Web browser installed in an information processing apparatus such as a PC or MFP. There is something. If there is no response from the Web server within this timeout time, the Web browser performs processing (timeout processing) for invalidating the transmitted request. By the timeout process, for example, waiting for a response to the transmitted request is stopped, and a new request can be transmitted. At this time, a process of discarding the session itself may be performed to release resources of the Web browser.

  In Patent Document 1 described above, when a user gives an input instruction via an operation screen displayed on the Web browser of the MFP, the Web browser transmits a request based on the instruction to the Web server, while the Web server A processing result (new processing request) as a response to this request is transmitted to the Web browser as HTML data.

  However, after a predetermined time elapses without an instruction from the user after the Web browser displays the operation screen, the timeout process is automatically executed, and the response transmitted from the Web server is normal in the MFP Web browser. Cannot be received. As a result, it becomes impossible to notify the user of the processing result executed by the MFP.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a mechanism for appropriately displaying the execution status of functions.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image processing system according to the present invention includes a Web server, a Web browser that displays a screen provided by the Web server, and an image processing apparatus that includes a service provider that provides a service to the Web server. In the image processing system, the image processing apparatus causes the Web server to request the Web server to execute the function in response to a user instructing the function to be executed via the screen. A first requesting unit; a first receiving unit configured to cause the service provider to receive an execution request for the function transmitted from the Web server that has received the request from the first requesting unit; and the first receiving unit. Execution means for executing the function based on the execution request received by the means; and A response means for responding to an inquiry about the execution status of the function and the updated execution status of the function, and causing the Web browser to receive a screen showing the execution status of the function transmitted from the Web server The second receiving means, the second request means for causing the web browser to request a screen showing the updated execution status of the function to the web server, and the request from the second request means. Third receiving means for causing the web browser to receive a screen indicating the updated execution status of the function transmitted from the web server, wherein the web server responds to the request by the first request means. In response, the first transmission means for transmitting the execution request for the function to the service provider and an inquiry to the service provider are performed to execute the function. An acquisition means for acquiring the status and the updated execution status of the function; a second transmission means for transmitting a screen indicating the execution status of the function acquired by the acquisition means to the Web browser; and the second request. And a third transmission unit configured to transmit a screen indicating the updated execution status of the function acquired by the acquisition unit to the Web browser in response to a request from the unit, and the second transmission unit transmits the screen. The screen defines a timing at which the second requesting unit makes a request, and the second requesting unit causes the web browser to make a request according to the defined timing.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a mechanism for appropriately displaying the execution status of functions.

It is a figure showing the whole information processing system composition concerning Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an MFP 101 and a Web server 102. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration of an MFP 101 and a Web server 102. FIG. It is a figure which shows the process sequence of information processing system. It is a figure which shows an example of a menu screen and a function execution instruction screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a parameter and HTML data. It is a figure which shows the process sequence of the Web application 410. FIG. It is a figure which shows the process sequence of the Web application 410 which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of HTML data. FIG. 10 illustrates a software configuration of an MFP 101 and a Web server 102 according to a fourth embodiment. It is a figure which shows the process sequence of information processing system. It is a figure which shows an example of a function execution script.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the claims, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solution means of the invention.

<Embodiment 1>
The information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment is, for example, an MFP having a scanner function, a printer function, and the like, and includes a Web browser for displaying an operation screen provided from a Web server. In the first embodiment, an example will be described in which a web browser is prevented from being timed out by periodically accessing the web server from the web browser.

[Hardware configuration of information processing system (FIGS. 1 and 2)]
The information processing system according to the first embodiment includes an MFP 101 and a Web server 102 connected to the MFP 101 via a network such as a LAN 110. The MFP 101 and the Web server 102 are configured to be able to communicate with each other.

(Hardware configuration of MFP 101 (2a in FIG. 2))
The MFP 101 includes a scanner unit 221 for inputting a document image, a printer unit 220 for outputting an image, an operation unit 219 for a user to perform a desired operation, and a control unit 210 for controlling the overall operation of the MFP 110. The control unit 210 includes a CPU 211, a ROM 212, a RAM 213, an HDD 214, and various interfaces.

  The CPU 211 reads out a control program stored in the ROM 212 and performs various controls such as reading control and transmission control. The RAM 213 is used as a temporary storage area such as a main memory or work area for the CPU 211. The HDD 214 stores image data, various programs, or various information tables described later. The operation unit I / F 215 connects the operation unit 219 and the control unit 210. The operation unit 219 includes a liquid crystal display unit having a touch panel function, a keyboard, and the like.

  The MFP 101 further includes a Web browser function to be described later. This Web browser analyzes the HTML data received from the Web server 102 and displays an operation screen based on the description of the received HTML data on the liquid crystal display unit of the operation unit 219. .

  The printer I / F 216 connects the printer unit 220 and the control unit 210. Image data to be printed by the printer unit 220 is transferred from the control unit 210 via the printer I / F 216 and printed on a recording medium by the printer unit 220. The scanner I / F 217 connects the scanner unit 221 and the control unit 210. The scanner unit 221 reads an image on a document to generate image data, and inputs the image data to the control unit 210 via the scanner I / F 217. A network I / F 218 connects the control unit 210 of the MFP 101 to the LAN 110. The network I / F 218 transmits image data and information to an external device (for example, the Web server 102) on the LAN 110, and receives various types of information from the external device on the LAN 110.

(Hardware configuration of Web server 102 (2b in FIG. 2))
The Web server 102 includes a control unit 310 that controls the operation of the entire Web server 102. The control unit 310 includes a CPU 311, ROM 312, RAM 313, HDD 314, and network I / F 315.

  The CPU 311 reads out the control program stored in the ROM 312 and executes various control processes. The RAM 313 is used as a temporary storage area such as a main memory or work area for the CPU 311. The HDD 314 stores image data, various programs, or various information tables described later. The network I / F 315 connects the control unit 310 (Web server 102) to the LAN 110. The network I / F 315 transmits and receives various information to and from other devices on the LAN 110.

[Software configuration of information processing system (Fig. 3)]
(Software configuration of MFP 101)
The MFP 101 includes a web browser 440 and a service provider 450. Each functional unit is realized by the CPU 211 of the MFP 101 executing a control program.

  The web browser 440 includes a communication unit 441, an analysis unit 442, and a screen display unit 443. The communication unit 441 communicates with the presentation unit 411 of the Web application 410 according to the HTTP protocol. More specifically, the communication unit 441 requests the Web application 410 for an operation screen to be displayed on the Web browser 440. Further, the communication unit 441 transmits information to be input by the user via the operation screen displayed on the Web browser 440 as a request to the Web application 410. Further, the communication unit 441 receives a response (processing result) transmitted from the Web application 410.

  The analysis unit 442 analyzes the response received by the communication unit 441 from the Web application 410. The HTML data includes HTML data and a description indicating the content of the operation screen to be displayed on the Web browser 440. The screen display unit 443 displays an operation screen on the operation unit 219 based on the analysis result of the HTML data.

  The service provider 450 includes a communication unit 451 and a job generation unit 452. The communication unit 451 receives a processing request from the logic unit 412 of the Web application 410 described later. The job generation unit 452 receives the processing request accepted by the communication unit 451, and generates and executes a job for executing the requested processing.

(Software configuration of Web server 102)
The web server 102 has a web application 410. The web application 410 is realized by the CPU 311 of the web server 102 executing a control program.

  The web application 410 receives information transmitted as a request from the web browser 440, and executes processing based on the received information. The processing result is transmitted from the Web application 410 to the Web browser 440 as a response.

  The web application 410 includes a presentation unit 411 and a logic unit 412. The presentation unit 411 communicates with the communication unit 441 of the MFP 101 and receives a request transmitted from the communication unit 441. Next, the presentation unit 411 notifies the received request to the logic unit 412 and waits for a response from the logic unit 412. The presentation unit 411 that has received the response data from the logic unit 412 transmits, as a response, HTML data corresponding to the operation screen to be displayed on the Web browser 440 of the MFP 101 according to the content of the response data. Information input via the operation screen displayed on the Web browser 440 of the MFP 101 is transmitted from the communication unit 441 as a request.

  The logic unit 412 executes various processes in response to a request notified from the presentation unit 411 and requests the MFP 101 to execute the processes. Specifically, a request is made to execute print processing by the printer unit 220 of the MFP 101, execute read processing by the scanner unit 221, or execute transmission processing via the network I / F 218.

  When requesting the MFP 101 to execute processing, the logic unit 412 communicates with the communication unit 451 of the service provider 450 of the MFP 101. The logic unit 412 receives the processing result executed by the MFP 101 from the communication unit 451 of the MFP 101.

[Processing procedure of information processing system (FIG. 4)]
First, the Web browser 440 of the MFP 101 is activated by a user operation. The web browser 440 makes a menu screen request to the web application 410 (S501). Upon receiving the request, the Web application 410 returns a menu screen response to the Web browser 440 (S502).

  The web browser 440 displays the received menu screen (for example, 600 in FIG. 5) (S503). In FIG. 5, buttons 601 to 604 are buttons for the user to select which function of the MFP 101 is to be used. When the user selects a function to be used, the Web browser 440 makes a request for a function screen corresponding to the button pressed by the user to the Web application 410 (S504). Upon receiving the request, the Web application 410 returns a response of the function screen to the Web browser 440 (S505).

  Next, the Web browser 440 displays the received function execution instruction screen (for example, 700 in FIG. 5) (S506). A function execution instruction screen 700 shown in FIG. 5 is used to instruct to transmit image data generated by reading an image on a document using the scanner unit 221 of the MFP 101 to an FTP server on the LAN 110. . In this example, image data is generated in the PDF format and a file name “test.pdf” is set to be assigned. Reference numeral 701 denotes an execution button for instructing execution of a function.

  When the user instructs execution of the function by pressing the execution button 701, the Web browser 440 (first transmission unit) requests the Web application 410 to execute the function (that is, the first processing request data). (S507). The Web application 410 that has received the request requests the service provider 450 to execute the function (S508). In S508, for example, the service provider 450 is instructed using the parameters indicated by reference numeral 801 in FIG. The parameters are “FTP transmission” as the execution function, “test.pdf” as the file name to be transmitted, “PDF” as the file format, and the function item instruction screen displayed on the Web browser 440 in S506 by the user. The input instructed values are set respectively. Further, an FTP server address and a folder path are set as the transmission destination. Finally, in the response mode, the timing at which the service provider 450 responds to the request from the Web application 410 is set. In this example, “immediate” is set, and the service provider 450 returns a response immediately without waiting for the completion of the execution of all functions. The service provider 450 instructed to execute the function with this parameter displays the function screen (S509).

  Furthermore, the service provider 450 generates a job according to the parameter 801 and issues an ID (identification data) that uniquely identifies the job (S510). Then, the service provider 450 returns the issued job ID as a response to the Web application 410 (S511). Note that this response is executed immediately without waiting for completion of job execution, as specified in S508.

  The service provider 450 continues to execute the job generated in S510 after returning a response to the Web application 410 (S512). Here, for example, functions such as function control of the scanner unit, execution / error screen, display / update of processing request screen to the user such as document set, restart after error recovery, scan start instruction after document set, etc. Executes a series of processes related to the operation job. Further, after the job processing is completed, the function screen displayed in S509 is terminated and the screen is returned to the browser screen.

  On the other hand, the Web application 410 records the job ID acquired in S511 (S513). Further, the Web application 410 returns a response to the Web browser 440 (S514).

  According to the above processing, after the Web browser 440 makes a function execution request in S507, a series of processing until the first response is received in S514 is immediately executed. As a result, the Web browser 440 can obtain a response without waiting for the end of execution of the job, thereby preventing a timeout. However, the job processing result cannot be presented to the user by displaying it on the Web browser 440 only by the processing so far. In the subsequent processing, processing for displaying job processing results on the Web browser 440 will be described.

  901 and 902 in FIG. 6 are examples of HTML data that responds in S514. In the head tag of the HTML 901, “<meta http-equiv =“ refresh ”content =“ 5 ”>” is embedded as a meta tag 903. This is a tag that instructs to reload the currently displayed page after 5 seconds. That is, the HTML data includes setting data that defines the response timing of S514.

  The Web browser 440 displays the HTML 901 and simultaneously interprets the meta tag (S515). The Web browser 440 (second transmission unit) transmits a screen update request (second processing request data) to the Web application 410 after 5 seconds in accordance with the instruction content of the meta tag (S516). Reference numeral 904 denotes an area for describing content to be displayed on the screen, and an arbitrary screen can be entered by the Web application 410 according to the job processing status. In this example, the message “Running ...” is displayed.

  “Onload =“ setTimeout ('location.reload () ′, 5000; ”” is embedded in the body tag 905 of the HTML 902. This is a Java (registered trademark) script executed when the HTML is read. 906 is an area for describing the content to be displayed on the screen in the same way as 904. An arbitrary screen is displayed by the Web application 410 according to the job processing status. In this example, the display is “execution in progress.” Although HTML 901 and HTML 902 have different methods, similar processing is realized.

  Upon receiving the screen update request in S516, the Web application 410 makes a job status acquisition request to the service provider 450 using the job ID recorded in S513 as a parameter (S517). The service provider 450 (acquisition means) acquires the status of the job indicated by the passed job ID. The job status indicates, for example, a processing state such as executing, normal end, or cancel end. The service provider 450 (third transmission unit) that acquired the status returns the acquired status as a response to the Web application 410 (S518).

  The Web application 410 that has received the job status creates HTML data for a screen that is sent back to the Web browser 440 according to the processing content. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing. The Web application 410 checks whether the acquired job processing status is the above three patterns (that is, executing, normal end, or cancel end) (S1001). If the status is normal end, a normal end screen is generated (S1002). If the status is “cancel end”, a cancel end screen is generated (S1003). If the status is being executed, the screen being executed is generated (S1004). The in-execution screen generated in S1004 corresponds to 901 and 902 in FIG.

  The processing from S519 to S523 is the operation after the execution screen of S1004 is generated, and is the same as the processing procedure from S514 to S516. If the job status is normal end or cancel end, the Web application 410 returns a response of the end screen HTML to the Web browser 440 (S524). Finally, the Web browser 440 displays the received end screen (S525) and ends a series of processing.

  As described in S517 to S525, while the MFP 101 is processing a job, it is possible to acquire the latest status of the job by periodically requesting a screen update from the Web browser 440 to the Web application 410. It becomes. Thus, an end screen can be presented to the user when the job status is ended.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of timeout processing when the MFP is operated with a Web browser, and to prevent the user operation from being continued due to the timeout. can do.

<Embodiment 2>
The second embodiment is partially different from the first embodiment in the operation of the Web application 410. In the first embodiment, the Web browser 440 makes a screen update request to the Web application 410 after a predetermined time has elapsed in accordance with the instruction content of the Web application 410. For this reason, there is a slight time lag between the end of job processing and the display of the processing end result on the Web browser 440. In the first embodiment, the time lag can be reduced by increasing the frequency of requests from the Web browser 440, but this leads to an increase in communication load and an increase in processing load on the Web application 410 and the service provider 450. .

  On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the Web browser 440 makes a request to the Web application 410 immediately. Receiving the request, the Web application 410 holds the response within a time range in which the Web browser 440 does not time out. The web application 410 periodically inquires of the service provider 450 about the processing status while holding a response to the web browser 440. The web application 410 responds to the web browser 440 only when the job processing status changes to end or when the holding time has expired. The above processing not only prevents the occurrence of timeout, but also enables the web browser 440 to immediately display the job end result screen.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing of the Web application 410 when a screen update request similar to S516 is transmitted from the Web browser 440 to the Web application 410. First, the Web application 410 determines whether or not a certain time has elapsed since the request from the Web browser 440 (S1101). The fixed time is a time during which the web browser 440 does not time out. That is, this time is shorter than the timeout time and is determined within a range in which response data from the Web server can be received within the timeout time. For example, when the time-out time of the Web browser 440 is 5 minutes, the time is set to less than 5 minutes within the time-out time. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the Web application 410 acquires the job status from the service provider 450, and the acquired job processing status is any of the above three patterns (that is, executing, normal end, cancel end). Is checked (S1102). If the job status is being executed, the process returns to S1101. If the status is normal end, normal end screen generation is performed (S1103). If the status is “cancel end”, a cancel end screen is generated (S1104). If a predetermined time has elapsed since the request from the Web browser 440 in S1101, a running screen is generated (S1105).

  Reference numerals 1201 and 1202 in FIG. 9 are examples of HTML data of the screen being executed generated in S1105. “<Meta http-equiv =“ refresh ”content =“ 0 ”>” is embedded as a meta tag 1203 in the head tag of the HTML 1201. This is a tag that instructs to reload the currently displayed page after 0 seconds. The web browser 440 displays the HTML 1201 and interprets the meta tag at the same time, and immediately transmits a screen update request to the web application 410. 1204 is the same as 904.

  In the body tag 1205 of the HTML 1202, “onload =“ location. "reload ()" "is embedded. This is Java (registered trademark) Script executed when HTML is read, and is a process of re-reading the currently displayed page. 1206 is the same as 904. Although HTML 1201 and HTML 1202 are different in method, the same processing is realized.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the processing result can be immediately displayed to the user.

<Embodiment 3>
In the second embodiment, the Web application 410 performs the request hold process from the Web browser 440. However, the third embodiment is different in that the request hold process is performed by the service provider 450. By performing the hold process in the service provider 450, it is possible to reduce communication between the Web application 410 and the service provider 450. Furthermore, the Web application 410 is easy to create because it is not necessary to implement a hold process.

  In the third embodiment, in S517 and S522 (see FIG. 4) in which the Web application 410 obtains the job status from the service provider 450, the suspension time is set in the parameter and a request is made. Upon receiving the job status acquisition request, the service provider 450 performs the same processing as in the second embodiment (see FIG. 8). The service provider 450 monitors the job status until a set time elapses upon receipt of the request or until the end of the job is satisfied. When the end condition is satisfied, the service provider 450 notifies the Web application 410. Returns a response.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, in addition to the effects of the second embodiment, it is possible to reduce communication for acquiring a job status between the Web application 410 and the service provider 450.

<Embodiment 4>
In the first embodiment, the Web application 410 transmits a request to the service provider 450. However, in the fourth embodiment, a script for instructing the service provider 450 to execute processing is embedded in the response to the Web browser 440. It is different in that it is executed.

  In the fourth embodiment, even if the service provider 450 opens a standby port on the MFP side due to the setting of the firewall, even in a communication environment with restrictions such that a connection cannot be established from the Web application 410 outside the firewall. Configured to be feasible.

  In the fourth embodiment, since the web browser 440 directly executes the processing of the MFP 101, the web browser 440 does not time out. However, even in this configuration, the Web browser 440 and the Web application 410 need to communicate regularly.

  This is because the Web application 410 generally associates requests within a certain period of time from the same Web browser as a series of processes. By this association, it is possible to realize the omission of the sequential processing by recording the job ID and the login processing for each request. If there is no request from the Web browser 440 to the Web application 410 for a certain period of time, these associations are lost, and the process cannot be continued.

[Software configuration of information processing system (FIG. 10)]
Since the basic configuration is the same as that in FIG. 4, only the differences from FIG. 4 will be described. First, the logic unit 412 of the Web application 410 executes a job by directly communicating with the communication unit 451 of the service provider 450 in the first embodiment, but in this fourth embodiment, a function execution script that executes the job. Process to generate. The generated function execution script is returned from the Web application 410 to the Web browser 440 as a response. Next, a script execution unit 1301 is added to the Web browser 440. The script execution unit 1301 interprets the function execution script received from the Web application 410 and instructs the service provider 450 to execute the job.

[Processing procedure of information processing system (FIG. 11)]
S1401 to S1407 are the same as the processing from S501 to S507 in the first embodiment (see FIG. 4). Upon receiving the function execution request in S1407, the Web application 410 generates a function execution script corresponding to the request, and responds the generated function execution script to the Web browser 440 (S1408).

  Here, an example of a function execution script generated by the Web application 410 will be described using 1501 in FIG. <ScanToFtp response = "0"> indicates that the FTP transmission job is executed in the immediate response mode. The <Location> tag is set to transmit a request to the page of the <GetURL> tag using JobId as a parameter after executing the job. Below the <Settings> tag is a setting for executing the function, which is the same as the parameter 801.

  The Web browser 440 analyzes the received function execution script and issues a function execution request to the service provider 450 (S1409). S1410 to S1414 are the same as the processing from S508 to S512 of the first embodiment.

  Receiving the function execution response in S1413, the script execution unit 1301 responds to the Web browser 440 (S1415). Furthermore, the Web browser 440 makes a screen update request to the Web application 410 in accordance with the setting of the <Location> tag 1501 in FIG. 12 (S1416).

  The Web application 410 that has received the screen update request records the job ID (S1417). Further, the Web application 410 returns a response to the Web browser 440 (S1418).

  According to the above processing, after the Web application 410 sends the last response to the Web browser 440 in S1408, a series of processing until the next request is received in S1416 is immediately executed. Therefore, the Web application 410 can obtain a request without waiting for the completion of job execution, and thus can prevent timeout.

  However, the job processing result cannot be displayed on the Web browser 440 and presented to the user only by the processing so far. In the subsequent processing, processing for displaying job processing results on the Web browser 440 will be described.

  First, an example of a function execution script transmitted to the Web browser in S1418 will be described using 1601 in FIG. <GetJobStatus response = “20”> indicates that job status acquisition is executed with a hold time of 20 seconds. The <Location> tag is set to transmit a request to the page of the <GetURL> tag using JobStatus as a parameter after the job is completed. Below the <Settings> tag are settings for executing the function, and JobId of the job for acquiring the status is specified.

  In step S1418, the function execution script 1601 shown in FIG. 12 is returned to the web browser 440 as a response. The Web browser 440 analyzes the received function execution script and makes a request for job status acquisition to the service provider 450 (S1419). Receiving the job status acquisition request, the script execution unit 1301 acquires the job status from the service provider 450 (S1420, S1421). The script execution unit 1301 repeats acquiring the job status during the 20-second hold time set in 1601 of FIG. 12 or until the job is completed, and returns a response to the Web browser 440 (S1422). This process is the same as the hold process performed in the second and third embodiments. Upon receiving the job status in S1422, the Web browser 440 transmits a screen update request to the Web application 410 in accordance with the <Location> tag setting 1601 in FIG. If the status of the job included in the request is not completed, the Web application 410 performs the same processing as S1418 to S1423 in S1424 to S1429. If the job status is “end”, the HTML data on the end screen is returned to the Web browser 440 (S1430). The web browser 440 displays the received end screen (S1431) and ends the series of processes.

  As described in S1418 through S1431, while the job is being executed in the MFP 101, it is possible to acquire the latest status of the job by periodically requesting the screen update from the Web browser 440 to the Web application 410. Thus, an end screen can be presented to the user when the job status is ended.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of a timeout process as in the other first to third embodiments, and to prevent the user's operation from being continued due to the timeout. Can do.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is also realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, or the like) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

In order to solve the above problems, a control method in an image processing system according to the present invention is a control method in an image processing system including a Web server and an image processing apparatus that displays a screen provided by the Web server, In response to the user instructing execution of the function via the screen, the image processing apparatus requests the Web server to execute the function, and the Web server includes the first request step. A first transmission step of transmitting a response to the request in the requesting step, and information for the image processing device to acquire a screen indicating the execution status of the function from the Web server, and the image processing device; The first reception step of receiving the response and the information transmitted in the first transmission step from the Web server, and the Web server, A second transmission step of transmitting the execution request for the function to the image processing device in accordance with a request in one request step; and the image processing device receives the execution request for the function transmitted in the second transmission step. A second receiving step, an execution step in which the image processing device executes the function based on the execution request received in the second receiving step, and the image processing device in the first receiving step. Based on the received information, a second request step for requesting a screen indicating the execution status of the function to the Web server, and the Web server from the image processing device according to a request in the second request step An acquisition step for acquiring the execution status of the function, and a third transmission step in which the Web server transmits a screen indicating the execution status of the function acquired in the acquisition step to the image processing apparatus. , The image processing apparatus, and having a third reception step of receiving a screen indicating the execution status of the transmitted said function by said third transmission step.

Claims (14)

An image processing system including a web server, a web browser that displays a screen provided by the web server, and an image processing apparatus that includes a service provider that provides a service to the web server,
The image processing apparatus includes:
First request means for causing the Web browser to request the Web server to execute the function in response to the user instructing the function to be executed via the screen;
First receiving means for causing the service provider to receive an execution request for the function transmitted from the Web server that has received a request from the first requesting means;
Execution means for executing the function based on the execution request received by the first reception means;
Response means for causing the service provider to respond to an inquiry about the execution status of the function and the updated execution status of the function from the Web server;
Second receiving means for causing the web browser to receive a screen indicating the execution status of the function transmitted from the web server;
Second request means for causing the web browser to request a screen indicating an updated execution status of the function from the web server;
Third receiving means for causing the web browser to receive a screen indicating an updated execution status of the function transmitted from the web server that has received a request from the second requesting means;
The web server
First transmission means for transmitting an execution request for the function to the service provider in response to a request by the first request means;
Obtaining means for making an inquiry to the service provider and obtaining an execution status of the function and an updated execution status of the function;
Second transmission means for transmitting a screen indicating the execution status of the function acquired by the acquisition means to the Web browser;
In response to a request from the second requesting means, a third sending means for sending a screen showing the updated execution status of the function acquired by the acquiring means to the Web browser,
In the screen transmitted by the second transmission means, the timing at which the second request means makes a request is defined, and the second request means sends a request to the Web browser according to the defined timing. An image processing system characterized by being performed.   The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires an updated execution status of the function from the service provider in response to a request from the second request unit.   3. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the defined timing is a timing at which a predetermined time elapses after the second receiving unit receives a screen.   The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the function is a function of transmitting image data generated by reading an image on a document.   The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the execution status includes at least one of normal termination, cancellation termination, and execution of the function. A web server,
A communication means for communicating with a web browser for displaying a screen provided by the web server and an image processing apparatus including a service provider for providing a service to the web server;
First transmission means for transmitting the execution request for the function to the service provider in response to a request for execution of the function by the Web browser in response to a user instructing execution of the function via the screen; ,
Obtaining means for making an inquiry to the service provider and obtaining an execution status of the function and an updated execution status of the function;
A second transmission means for transmitting a screen indicating the execution status of the function acquired by the acquisition means to the Web browser in response to a screen request indicating the execution status of the function by the Web browser;
In response to a request for a screen indicating the updated execution status of the function by the Web browser, a third transmission unit transmits a screen indicating the updated execution status of the function acquired by the acquiring unit to the Web browser. And comprising
The web server characterized in that the screen transmitted by the second transmission means defines a timing at which the web browser makes a request for a screen indicating an updated execution status of the function.   The said acquisition means acquires the updated execution status of the said function from the said service provider according to the request | requirement of the screen which shows the updated execution status of the said function by the said Web browser. Web server.   The Web server according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the defined timing is a timing at which a predetermined time elapses after the Web browser receives the screen transmitted by the second transmission unit. .   The Web server according to claim 6, wherein the function is a function of transmitting image data generated by reading an image on a document.   The Web server according to claim 6, wherein the execution status includes at least one of normal termination, cancellation termination, and execution of the function. An image processing method in an image processing system comprising: a Web server; a Web browser that displays a screen provided by the Web server; and an image processing apparatus that includes a service provider that provides a service to the Web server.
In the image processing apparatus,
A first request step for causing the Web browser to request the Web server to execute the function in response to a user instructing the function to be executed via the screen;
A first reception step for causing the service provider to receive the execution request for the function transmitted from the Web server that has received the request in the first request step;
An execution step of executing the function based on the execution request received in the first reception step;
A response step for causing the service provider to respond to an inquiry about the execution status of the function and the updated execution status of the function from the Web server;
A second receiving step for causing the web browser to receive a screen indicating the execution status of the function transmitted from the web server;
A second request step for causing the web browser to request a screen showing the updated execution status of the function from the web server;
A third receiving step for causing the web browser to receive a screen indicating an updated execution status of the function transmitted from the web server that has received the request in the second requesting step;
In the web server,
A first transmission step of transmitting an execution request for the function to the service provider in response to a request in the first request step;
An inquiry step for making an inquiry to the service provider and obtaining an execution status of the function and an updated execution status of the function;
A second transmission step of transmitting a screen showing the execution status of the function acquired in the acquisition step to the Web browser;
A third transmission step of transmitting a screen showing the updated execution status of the function acquired in the acquisition step to the web browser in response to a request in the second request step;
In the screen transmitted in the second transmission step, the timing for making a request in the second request step is defined. In the second request step, a request is sent to the Web browser according to the defined timing. An image processing method characterized by being performed. A control method of a web server,
A communication step of communicating with a web browser that displays a screen provided by the web server and an image processing apparatus including a service provider that provides a service to the web server;
A first transmission step of transmitting the function execution request to the service provider in response to a request for execution of the function by the Web browser in response to a user instructing execution of the function via the screen; ,
An inquiry step for making an inquiry to the service provider and obtaining an execution status of the function and an updated execution status of the function;
A second transmission step of transmitting a screen indicating the execution status of the function acquired in the acquisition step to the Web browser in response to a screen request indicating the execution status of the function by the Web browser;
In response to a screen request indicating the updated execution status of the function by the Web browser, a third transmission step of transmitting a screen indicating the updated execution status of the function acquired in the acquisition step to the Web browser. And comprising
The control method according to claim 1, wherein the screen transmitted in the second transmission step defines a timing at which the Web browser makes a request for a screen indicating an updated execution status of the function.   The program for functioning a computer as each means of the image processing system of any one of Claims 1 thru | or 5.   The program for functioning a computer as each means of the Web server of any one of Claims 6 thru | or 10.

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