JP2020091714A - Document processing device, document processing service provision system, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To allow for creating a set of templates that suit the variety of areas covered by a document processing device and selectively using the templates.SOLUTION: A document processing device has a template group, as a plurality of templates for processing documents. The template group includes a template set consisting of k templates. Each of the k templates consists of i processing steps from a first processing step to an i-th processing step in a document processing flow direction or a direction opposite thereto, where i=1, 2, ..., k.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to a document processing device, a document processing service providing system, and a program.

Various documents such as contracts, quotations, purchase orders, and invoices are created and used in organizations such as companies and offices. Recently, an increasing number of organizations are introducing a workflow system that digitizes a paper document and then applies a series of processes to the digitized document.

The workflow system disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of workflow templates. Each workflow template has a series of processes executed on a document as its substance.

Note that the document includes a document before being digitized (paper document, non-digitized document) and a document after being digitized (digitized document). In the present specification, when it is clear which document is the context, it is simply expressed as a document, and when it is not, a paper document or a digitized document is distinguished and expressed.

JP, 11-96248, A

Regarding documents such as quotations created and used in an organization, generally, the framework or skeleton of the document processing flow applied to them is generally determined. The entire document processing flow may be entrusted to a certain document processing device, but among them, for example, only a part connected to the first processing step is entrusted to the document processing device, and the remaining part is other means. (Eg other document processing device, manual work). The extent to which the document management device is in charge and the extent to which other means are in charge may vary depending on the specific situation. In consideration of such peculiar circumstances, it is desirable to prepare a template set made up of a plurality of templates (templates of tasks having document processing as an entity, which can be called document processing templates).

An object of the present invention is to configure a template set suitable for a variety of areas covered by the document processing apparatus and prepare the template set.

A document processing apparatus according to claim 1 performs a task as document processing based on a management unit that manages a template group that is a plurality of document processing templates and a specific template selected by a user from the template group. Defining means for defining, and the template group includes a template set consisting of k templates, and each of the k templates has i=1, 2,..., K In the document processing flow direction or the reverse direction thereof, i processing steps from the first processing step to the i-th processing step are included.

A document processing apparatus according to a second aspect is the document processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the first processing step is a first processing step.

A document processing apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is the document processing apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the first processing step is a digitization step of digitizing a document by a scanner.

A document processing apparatus according to a fourth aspect is the document processing apparatus according to the first aspect, including means for generating a template symbol list image including a plurality of template symbols that symbolize a plurality of templates forming the template group, and The template symbol list image includes a template symbol string that symbolizes the template set.

A document processing apparatus according to a fifth aspect is the document processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, wherein the template symbol sequence is composed of a first template symbol to a kth template symbol, and the display is performed according to an increasing order of the number of processing steps. It is characterized by being displayed in order.

The document processing apparatus according to claim 6 is the document processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein each of the first template symbol to the k-th template symbol is a display element indicating the number of processing steps constituting a template corresponding thereto. It is characterized by including.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a document processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the document processing apparatus according to the first aspect includes means for generating an image for receiving detailed settings for each of the specific templates, and detailed settings for each of the processing steps. In the process of accepting, based on the detailed setting contents of the processing steps for which detailed setting has already been completed, a unit for individually judging inconsistency among a plurality of options selectable as the current detailed setting contents, Means for generating an image showing the result of the determination.

The document processing apparatus according to claim 8 is the document processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when the option for which the inconsistency is determined is selected, inconsistency among the already set detailed setting contents It is characterized in that it includes means for generating an image prompting a change to an option having a matching relationship for the option having a relationship.

A document processing apparatus according to a ninth aspect is the document processing apparatus according to the first aspect, including an editing unit that inserts, deletes, or replaces a processing step with respect to a task defined based on the specific template. It is characterized by

A document processing apparatus according to a tenth aspect is the document processing apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising a porting means for porting all or a part of detailed setting contents for a certain template among the k templates to another template. It is characterized by including.

A document processing service providing system according to claim 11 includes a terminal device and a document processing device connected to the terminal device via a network, wherein the document processing device is a plurality of document processing templates. The template group includes management means for managing the template group and definition means for defining a task as document processing based on a specific template selected by the user from the template group. , K, where each of the k templates is i=1, 2,..., K, the first processing step in the flow direction of document processing or in the opposite direction. To i-th processing step, the terminal device displays a template symbol list image including a template symbol sequence symbolizing the template set, and the terminal device displays the template symbol list image. And an input device operated when a user selects the specific template from the inside.

A program according to claim 12 is a program executed in an information processing device, and has a function of managing a template group as a plurality of document processing templates and a specific template selected by a user from the template group. And a function of defining a task as document processing based on the above, the plurality of templates includes a template set including k templates, and each of the k templates has i=1, 2 ,..., K, it is characterized by being constituted by i processing steps from the first processing step to the i-th processing step in the flow direction of document processing or the reverse direction thereof.

According to the configurations according to claims 1, 11 and 12, it is possible to prepare a template set suitable for the variety of the range in charge of the document processing apparatus.

With the configuration according to the second aspect, it is possible to selectively use the k templates that are gradually expanded along the flow direction of the document processing.

With the configuration according to claim 3, it is possible to selectively use the template set prepared for the series of document processes starting with the digitization process.

With the configuration according to claim 4, it becomes easy to identify the k templates that form the template set.

With the configuration according to claim 5, it becomes easy to recognize the mutual relation of the k templates that configure the template set.

With the configuration according to claim 6, it becomes easy to recognize the configuration of the template symbolized by each template symbol.

With the configuration according to claim 7, it is possible to avoid or reduce the setting contradiction between the processing steps.

With the configuration according to claim 8, it is possible to prompt the change of the already set contents.

With the configuration according to claim 9, the task can be easily set.

With the configuration according to claim 10, the detailed setting contents can be ported by utilizing the partial overlapping relationship between the k templates.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the document processing service provision system which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure and detailed setting content of a task. It is a figure which shows a task symbol list image. It is a figure which shows a detailed image. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a template symbol list. It is a figure which shows the structure of a template set. It is a figure which shows the other structure of a template set. It is a figure which shows the other example of a display of a template symbol list. It is a figure which shows the other example of a template symbol sequence. It is a figure which shows the transition of the screen for detailed settings. It is a figure which shows the operation example at the time of task definition. It is a figure which shows the 1st example of the image displayed at the time of detailed setting. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example of the image displayed at the time of detailed setting. It is a figure which shows the 3rd example of the image displayed at the time of detailed setting. It is a figure which shows the example of a determination condition table. It is a figure which shows the other operation example of task definition. It is a figure which shows the example of operation at the time of edit.

Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(1) Outline of Embodiment A document processing apparatus according to claim 1 includes a management unit and a definition unit. The management unit manages a template group that is a plurality of document processing templates. A template management unit described later is an example of a management unit. The defining means defines a task as document processing based on a specific template selected by the user from the template group. A task definition unit described later is an example of a definition unit. The template group includes a template set including k templates. When each of the k templates is i=1, 2,..., K, the i templates from the first processing step to the i-th processing step in the flow direction of document processing or the reverse direction thereof are used. It is composed of processing steps.

In the above configuration, k is an integer of 3 or more, for example, k is an integer of 4 or 5 or more. If k=3, i takes values 1, 2, and 3. In that case, the template set includes a template including the first processing step, a template including the first processing step and the second processing step, and three processing steps from the first processing step to the third processing step. The template consists of. In other words, the template set as a whole includes a stepwise structure in which processing steps are taken as units or steps, and regularity is recognized in the template set itself. In other words, the template set has a configuration adapted to the unique situation that the range in charge of the document processing apparatus changes in units of processing steps depending on the situation. According to the above configuration, when defining a task based on a template, the burden on the user is reduced, that is, the convenience for the user is improved.

The template group is an aggregate of a plurality of templates selectable by the user and includes a template set. The template group may be configured by only the template set, or the template group may further include one or a plurality of templates. A template group may be configured for each user. The template set consists of k templates configured with a certain regularity as described above. Each template has a document processing as its substance, and is a document processing template. A processing step is a constituent unit of a template, that is, a constituent unit of a task. The content of each processing step can be arbitrarily determined.

In the above configuration, the template set (first template set) may be configured with the leading step of the series of document processes as the starting point in the process increasing direction, or the final step of the series of document processes as the starting point in the process increasing direction. May be configured as a template set (second template set). When the document processing apparatus is solely responsible for the first half of a series of document processing, it is recommended to prepare the first template set. When the document processing apparatus exclusively handles the latter half of the series of document processing, it is recommended to prepare the second template set. In any case, it is recommended to prepare both the first template set and the second template set.

In the embodiment, the first processing step is a digitization step of digitizing the document by the scanner. The electronic process is, in a sense, the most basic process in a series of document processes, and can affect the processing conditions in each subsequent process. By preparing multiple templates, each of which includes an electronic process, the utilization of them can be increased. In other words, the possibility of meeting the needs of the user can be increased.

The document processing apparatus according to the embodiment includes a unit that generates a template symbol list image including a plurality of template symbols that symbolize a plurality of templates that form a template group. The template symbol list image includes a template symbol string that symbolizes a template set. Each template symbol represents each template. For example, each template symbol is an icon as a user operation target. According to the above configuration, when defining a task, one of the templates is selected by selecting a specific template symbol from the plurality of template symbols. If a plurality of template symbols forming the template symbol string are displayed with regularity according to the content of each template or its configuration, it becomes easy to select a specific template from the template set.

In the embodiment, each of the first template symbol to the kth template symbol includes a display element indicating the number of processing steps constituting the template corresponding thereto. If this configuration is adopted, it becomes easy to intuitively recognize the number of processing steps constituting each template.

In the embodiment, an image that receives detailed settings for each processing step is generated for a specific template. Here, the detailed setting means an act of defining a processing condition as the content of the processing step. In the process of receiving detailed settings for each processing step, based on the detailed setting contents of the processing steps for which detailed setting has already been completed, inconsistencies are individually judged for the multiple options that can be selected as the current detailed setting contents. It Then, an image representing the result of the mismatch determination is generated. The determination of inconsistency is performed by, for example, the consistency determination unit described later. Displaying the result of the determination of inconsistency makes it difficult for the setting inconsistency to occur in the detailed setting stage. Instead of a mismatch, a match may be determined. The judgment of inconsistency and the judgment of conformity have a two-sided relationship, and they can be equated with each other. Choices are items (conditions) that can be selected by the user.

In the embodiment, when an option for which inconsistency is determined is selected, an image that prompts a change to an inconsistent option among the already set detailed setting contents is displayed. Is generated. This processing is executed by, for example, the consistency determination unit described later. According to this processing, the setting contradiction about the already set detailed setting contents is avoided.

In the embodiment, the document processing apparatus includes an editing unit that inserts, deletes, or replaces a processing step with respect to a task defined based on a specific template. The editing unit described later is an example of the editing unit. In the embodiment, the document processing apparatus includes a porting unit that transfers all or part of the detailed setting content for a certain template among the k templates to another template. The editing unit described later is an example of a transplantation unit. The editing means carries out the porting of the detailed setting contents by utilizing the fact that a partial overlapping relationship is generated among the k templates forming the template set.

In the embodiment, the document processing service providing system includes a terminal device and a document processing device connected to the terminal device via a network. The document processing device includes the management unit and the definition unit described above. The terminal device includes a display device that displays a template symbol list image including a template symbol string that symbolizes a template set, and an input device that is operated when the user selects a specific template from the template symbol list image. .. The document processing service may be provided as a cloud service on the Internet.

The document processing method according to the embodiment can be realized as a hardware function or a software function. In the latter case, the program exhibiting the function is installed in the information processing device via a network or a portable storage medium. The information processing device functions as a document processing device, and the concept includes a computer, a server machine, and the like. The template set is a data set having a characteristic data structure and can be a transaction target.

(2) Details of Embodiment FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a document processing system including a document processing apparatus. In FIG. 1, a document processing apparatus 12 and a plurality of office systems 14 and 16 are connected to the Internet 10. The document processing device 12 functions as a server, and specifically functions as a document processing service providing device. The word processing service can also be called a cloud service. Each document (digitized document) uploaded from the office systems 14 and 16 is taken into the document processing device 12, and the document processing device 12 applies a designated task (unit of work) to each document. .. The contents of the task will be described later.

The office systems 14 and 16 are the side that uses the document processing service in view of the relationship with the document processing apparatus 12. Various paper documents are created for business purposes. Such paper documents include contracts, quotations, purchase orders, invoices, and the like. Each document is digitized in the office system 14, 16 and the digitized document is used in the office system 14, 16 or uploaded to the document processing device 12 for use. In the office systems 14 and 16, the user's own document managed by the document processing apparatus 12 can be referred to, and an instruction such as task activation for the own document can be issued.

In the illustrated configuration example, the office system 14 has a plurality of terminal devices and a scanner 22 connected to an in-house network 24. The company network 24 is connected to the Internet 10 via a router or the like (not shown). The scanner 22 is composed of, for example, a multifunction machine having a printing function, a copying function, a reading function, a FAX function, and the like. A device having only a reading function may be used as the scanner. An electronic document to be processed may be generated by performing conversion processing or the like on the FAX-received document.

Each terminal device is a device operated by one or more workers who are users, and it is configured by, for example, a personal computer. A portable information processing device (tablet type terminal or the like) may be included in the plurality of terminal devices. In the following, the configuration of the specific terminal device 20 will be described, and the exchange of information between the specific terminal device 20 and the document processing device 12 will be described. The other terminal devices also have the same configuration as the terminal device 20.

The terminal device 20 includes a calculation unit 26, a storage unit 28, a display device 30, and an input device 32. The arithmetic unit 26 is composed of a CPU and a program. The program includes software (browser) that functions when browsing a document and giving a document processing instruction. The display device 30 is composed of, for example, an LCD, on which various images generated and provided by the document processing device are displayed. These images include a list image and a detailed image, which will be described later. The input device 32 includes a keyboard and a pointing device (mouse or the like). The input device 36 is used when performing template selection, task definition, task activation, and the like.

The storage unit 28 is composed of a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, and the like. Business documents are stored in the storage unit 28 as needed. The document stored in the storage unit 28 is a document that is not managed by the document processing apparatus 12. When a document on the storage unit 28 is uploaded to the document processing apparatus 12, the document becomes a management target document when viewed from the document processing apparatus 12. However, the user can handle each document managed therein through the terminal device 20 without special consideration of the document processing device 12 connected via the Internet 10.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 36 indicates uploading of a document read by the scanner 22. In the embodiment, a specific task is selected by the scanner 22 and then reading is instructed. As a result, the read document is automatically uploaded to the document processing device according to the task, and the document is managed in relation to the task. It should be noted that the reading condition is automatically set by the selection of the task. The reading conditions include data format, resolution, presence/absence of character recognition execution, and the like.

Reference numeral 38 indicates exchange of information between the terminal device 20 and the document processing device 12. When uploading a document from the terminal device 20 to the document processing device 12, the document is transferred through the route indicated by reference numeral 38. The image generated by the document processing device 12 and the processed document are provided to the terminal device 20 through the path indicated by reference numeral 38.

The office system 16 has a scanner and a plurality of terminal devices, like the office system 14. The office system 14 and the office system 16 are the entities that independently receive the document processing service.

The document processing device 12 is composed of an information processing device, and more specifically, it is a computer system. The document processing device 12 may be built across a plurality of information processing devices. The document processing device 12 includes a calculation unit 40 and a storage unit 42. The calculation unit 40 is configured by a CPU and a document processing program, and the storage unit 42 is configured by a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, or the like.

The arithmetic unit 40 has a plurality of functions, which are represented by a plurality of blocks in FIG. Specifically, the calculation unit 40 has an image generation unit 44, a task definition unit 46, and a control unit 48. The image generator 44 generates various images displayed on the display 34 of the terminal device 20. The image generation unit 44 generates a task symbol list image, a template symbol list image, etc., which will be described later.

The task definition unit 46 creates a task dedicated to the user and used by the user. In the embodiment, a template group including a plurality of templates is prepared in advance. The template group includes a template set described in detail later. A user selects a specific template from the template group. The template is used as a task as it is, or a task is created by appropriately modifying a plurality of initial setting parameters set for the template.

The task definition unit 46 also functions as an editing unit and a consistency determination unit. The editing unit edits the content of a task, and specifically, adds a processing step, deletes a processing step, and replaces a processing step for a specific task. The consistency determination unit determines consistency or inconsistency with respect to the content to be set in the future in the process of performing detailed setting for each process step, in relation to the content already set. Further, when a certain setting is made, the contents of the already-set contents that do not match the specified contents are specified and the user is prompted to change the already-set contents. The task editing and the consistency judgment will be described later in detail.

The control unit 48 controls the entire document processing service. Specifically, the control unit 48 functions as a task execution unit and a template management unit. The task execution unit executes a task whose activation is instructed by the user. A task is a unit of work that processes a document, which consists of one or more processing steps.

In the terminal device 20, when the user performs the first activation operation, the second activation operation, or the selective activation operation in relation to a specific task, the task execution unit executes the specific task. As will be described later, each of the first activation operation and the second activation operation is an operation for instructing activation of a specific task for a document that is not yet managed by the document processing device 12. The selective activation operation is an operation for instructing activation of a specific task for a document that is already managed by the document processing device 12. In addition, there is a selection operation as an operation that causes a transition from the list image to the detailed image. When defining a task, an operation of selecting a template is usually performed.

The template management unit manages information stored in a template storage unit 50 described later, that is, a template group. Specifically, the template management unit performs template generation, deletion, content modification, and the like.

The storage unit 42 has a template storage unit 50, a task storage unit 52, a document storage unit 54, and a determination condition storage unit 55. The storage units 50, 52, 54 and 55 correspond to storage areas, respectively. The template storage unit 50 stores a template group. Each template is a document processing template including one or more processing steps. The template group is composed of a plurality of templates selectable by the user. In the embodiment, the template group includes a template set having a certain regularity. The specific configuration of the template set will be described later in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. It is desirable to prepare a template group or template set for each document type.

When creating a task, a specific template is selected, and if necessary, some or all of a plurality of setting values initialized for the template are changed. The task storage unit 52 stores, for example, the entity of one or more tasks (task definition, parameter set, etc.) generated for each service user, specifically for each office system 14, 16. .. In the embodiment, the template group is commonly used by a plurality of service users, but the template group may be individually prepared for each service user.

The document storage unit 54 stores a plurality of documents uploaded from the scanner 22 and the terminal device 20. A plurality of documents are managed in units of service-using entities. The storage unit 42 may be provided in the external device. For example, when the cooperation system 18 is a storage system, the storage device in the cooperation system 18 may function as the storage unit 42. The program executed by the CPU in the arithmetic unit 40 may be stored in the storage unit 42 or may be stored in the memory in the arithmetic unit 40.

The judgment condition storage unit 55 stores conditions for judging consistency. The consistency determination will be described later.

FIG. 2 conceptually shows the contents of the task. In the illustrated example, the task 60 includes processing steps A62a to E62e. In the figure, document processing flows from left to right. Here, for example, the processing step A62a is a computerization step, the processing step B62b is an attribute giving step, and the processing step E62e is a sorting storage step. The computerization process is a process of generating a computerized document from the paper document 64 by the scanner. The attribute assigning step is a step of adding one or more attributes (settings) to the digitized document. The sorting storage step is a step of sorting and storing the document in a specific holder. They are examples.

A plurality of set values a1, a2, a3,... Are associated (or included) with the processing step A62a, and the same applies to the other processing steps B62b,. (See 66). A plurality of set values are referred to when executing each processing step, and the execution of the processing step is controlled based on them. In each template, a plurality of initial values are set as a plurality of set values for each processing step. Among them, one or a plurality of setting values can be changed by the user. In the illustrated example, the processing step B62b is an attribute giving step, and input information at the time of execution of the processing step is indicated by reference numeral 68.

FIG. 3 illustrates the task symbol list image displayed on the display unit of the terminal device. The illustrated task symbol list image 70 corresponds to a home image and includes a task symbol list 72. The task symbol list 72 is composed of a plurality of task symbols arranged in the horizontal direction (horizontal direction) and the vertical direction (vertical direction). For example, among them, the task symbol row at the top is composed of four task symbols 74A, 74B, 74C and 74D. Each task symbol is an object that symbolizes a task and receives a user operation, and is specifically an icon.

Each task symbol includes the character 76 as a design or a pattern in the embodiment. The character 76 is configured to imitate an agent as a worker. The character contents (person, color of clothes, presence/absence of glasses, etc.) can be freely set for each task symbol.

Further, in the illustrated example, each task symbol includes a mark 78 indicating a task or a typical processing step therein. A mark symbolizing the final processing step in each task may be embedded. The task name 80 may be added as a character string in or near each task symbol.

Two operations can be performed on each task symbol. Specifically, the selection operation and the activation operation (first activation operation) can be performed. The selection operation is specifically a click operation. By moving the pointer (cursor) 82 onto a task symbol that symbolizes a specific task with the mouse and then performing a click operation on the mouse, a detailed image corresponding to the task indicated by the task symbol is displayed.

The activation operation is specifically a drag and drop operation (D&D operation). For example, as shown by reference numeral 84, a document symbol 86 existing outside the illustrated window is grabbed and moved, and when the document symbol 86 overlaps a specific task symbol, the grab is released. To do. As a result, the specific task symbolized by the specific task symbol is automatically activated, and the specific task is applied to the specific document symbolized by the document symbol. The document symbol 86 is specifically a document icon. Instead of the drag and drop operation, task symbol activation may be instructed in the document symbol selected state. Such an operation is also one mode of the startup operation.

In the embodiment, a start operation, that is, a drop & drag operation can be performed on a document not managed by the document processing apparatus, for example, a document managed by the office system or the terminal device. For example, a specific document symbol included in the desktop of the terminal device or a specific document symbol in the document holder is the target of drop and drag. A task for a document managed by the document processing apparatus can be activated on a detailed image described below. When displaying the detailed image, as described above, the above-described selection operation, that is, the click operation is performed on the specific task symbol in the task symbol list 72.

FIG. 4 illustrates a detailed image displayed on the display unit of the terminal device. In the illustrated example, the detailed image 88 is pop-up displayed on the task symbol list image 70A. That is, the detailed image 88 is superimposed and displayed on the task symbol list image 70A. The task symbol list image 70A may disappear and the detailed image 88 may be displayed instead.

The detailed image 88 has a document list 90 and a task symbol (second task symbol) 92. Further, the detailed image 88 has a processing wait tab 94 and a processed tab 96 in the illustrated example. When the processing waiting tab 94 is selected, a document list 90 showing one or more unprocessed documents is displayed. When the processed tab 96 is selected, a document list 90 showing one or more processed documents is displayed. A list may be displayed that includes only documents that are in the process of being processed and that do not include processed documents. In any case, the detailed image 88 includes a document list showing one or more documents associated with the particular task.

The document list 90 is composed of a plurality of items 98, and each item 98 corresponds to each document. Each item 98 includes information such as a check box 100, a status display field 102, a document mark 104, a document name 106, an executor 108, a reception date 110, and a size 112 in the illustrated example. The check box 100 is clicked when selecting a document. In the status display field 102, an alarm mark and others are displayed. The document mark 104 is a data format represented by a color or a design. A thumbnail image as a low resolution reduced image may be displayed instead of or together with the document mark 104. The document name 106 is a file name designated by the user or automatically designated. The executor 108 is the name of the person who has instructed the document to execute a specific task, and when it is not executed, the item is left blank or not displayed. The reception date 110 indicates the date and time when the execution instruction or the like is received. If the execution instruction is not executed, the column is blank or is not displayed. Upload date and time, scan date and time, etc. may be displayed. The size 112 indicates the file capacity. The illustrated information is merely an example. The configuration of the document list 90 may be customized by the user.

When a click operation is performed on any item corresponding to an unprocessed document, a specific task is applied to that document. A start button (not shown) may be operated after selecting an item using the check box. The batch operation button 114 is a button for instructing batch execution or batch deletion. When a batch execution is instructed after selecting a plurality of check boxes, a specific task associated with the detailed image 88 is applied to a plurality of documents designated by the plurality of checks.

The reference button 118 is a button for upload operation. By operating the reference button 118, it is possible to designate a document managed by the terminal device or another terminal device. Then, by performing an upload operation, the document is uploaded to the document processing device. The uploaded document becomes a document managed by the document processing device. After uploading, a specific task may be automatically applied to the uploaded document, or an item corresponding to the uploaded document may be added to the document list. Reference numeral 116 indicates an explanatory note about how to use the detailed image.

In the system according to the embodiment, the task symbol 92 is included in the detailed image 88. The task symbol 92 symbolizes a specific task corresponding to the detailed image 88, and in that sense, is similar to the specific task symbol that symbolizes the specific task displayed in the list image. For example, the specific task symbol (first task symbol) 74A shown in FIG. 3 and the task symbol (second task symbol) 92 shown in FIG. 4 have a corresponding relationship or a corresponding relationship. Specifically, the task symbol 92 shown in FIG. 4 has the same character 120 and the same mark 124 as the specific task symbol shown in FIG. If both have substantially the same display mode, the correspondence between them can be correctly recognized.

A startup operation (second startup operation) can be performed on the task symbol 92 included in the detailed image 88. Specifically, the activation operation is a drag and drop operation. For example, as indicated by reference numeral 126, when the document symbol 128 is grasped and moved from the desktop or the like to the task symbol 92 and the document symbol 128 is released on the task symbol 92, the document symbol 128 is symbolized. The document being uploaded is uploaded to the document processing apparatus, and then the task symbolized by the task symbol 92 is automatically started to be executed on the document. The second activation operation is an instruction to apply a specific task to an image that does not appear on the image list (an image that is not managed by the document processing apparatus). When it is desired to end the task, the button 130 is operated.

In the embodiment, a plurality of documents can be designated in the first activation operation that can be performed on the list image, and similarly, a plurality of documents can be designated in the second activation operation that can be performed on the detailed image. It is possible to specify. Further, as described above, in the detailed image, it is possible to select a plurality of documents in the document list and instruct them to apply the same task. In those cases, the specific processing steps are collectively applied to a plurality of documents, and specifically, the specific processing steps are sequentially applied to those documents.

Next, the template will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 5, when the task creation button 152 included in the image 150 is clicked and any one of the selection buttons 156 a to 156 d forming the list 154 is clicked, a template symbol list (template list) 157 is displayed. Is displayed. In the illustrated example, the plurality of selection buttons 156a to 156d are a selection button 156a operated when selecting a contract template group, a selection button 156b operated when selecting an estimate template group, and a purchase order form. A selection button 156c operated when selecting a template group for a document, and a selection button 156d operated when selecting a template group for another document. For example, when the selection button 156a is clicked, the template symbol list 157 displays a template symbol column 158 that symbolizes the template set for the contract.

In the illustrated example, the template symbol row 158 is composed of five template symbols (TP1 to TP5) 160a to 160e arranged from the left side to the right side in the horizontal direction of the image 150. Each template symbol 160a to 160e is a mark that symbolizes a template, and it is specifically an icon. Each of the template symbols 160a to 160e includes an approximately rectangular figure in the illustrated example, a label 162 for identifying the template is included in the figure, and the template name is displayed below the figure. Reference numeral 166 indicates a guidance display for explaining the operation to the user. When a selecting operation, that is, a clicking operation is performed on any of the template symbols 160a to 160e, the template symbolized by the template symbol is selected, and a screen for making detailed settings for it is displayed.

FIG. 6 shows the contents of the template set corresponding to the template symbol string. Reference numeral 170 indicates five templates (TP1 to TP5) that form the template set. They are arranged vertically in the drawing. Reference numeral 172 indicates the contents of the five templates (TP1 to TP5). Here, t indicates the time axis. On the time axis, the direction from left to right is the flow direction of document processing.

As shown in the figure, the template (TP1) is composed of the processing step A, the template (TP2) is composed of the processing step A and the processing step B, and the template (TP3) is the processing step A, the processing step B and the processing step C. The template (TP4) is composed of processing step A, processing step B, processing step C and processing step D, and the template (TP5) is processing step A, processing step B, processing step C, processing step D and processing. It is composed of process E. When viewed as a template set as a whole, a stepwise change is recognized, as indicated by reference numeral 174. The increment between vertically adjacent templates is one process step. When the maximum number of processing steps k is 5, and i=1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (=k) is defined along the flow direction of document processing, each template constituting the template set is the first template. It can be expressed as having i processing steps from the processing step to the i-th processing step.

In a series of document processing, for example, when the document processing device is in charge of the first half and the other half (for example, another document processing device or manual work) is generally in charge of the latter half, the template set having the above configuration is used. If prepared, it is possible to select the optimal template according to the specific circumstances. For example, when the document processing apparatus is caused to perform the processing steps A and B and the subsequent processing steps are performed by another apparatus, the template (TP2) may be selected. When the document processing apparatus is made to perform the processing steps A to C and the other processing apparatuses are made to perform the subsequent processing steps, the template (TP3) may be selected. When it is desired to have the document processing apparatus handle only the processing step A, the template (TP1) may be selected. Alternatively, if the document processing apparatus is to be in charge of all processing steps, the template (TP5) may be selected. By preparing a template set having a regularity in which the processing step unit is an increment, it is possible to select the optimum template according to the specific circumstances of the user.

A partial overlapping relationship is recognized among the plurality of templates (TP1 to TP5). In the vertical direction of FIG. 6, focusing on individual template pairs that are adjacent to each other, the template on the lower side is enlarged by one process step than the template on the upper side. By using such a partial overlapping relationship, it is possible to transfer (copy) the detailed setting contents between a plurality of tasks defined based on a plurality of templates (see reference numeral 175). For example, of all the detailed setting contents for the first task defined based on the template (TP5), the detailed setting contents from the processing step A to the processing step D are defined based on the template (TP4). It can be ported to the second task. In that case, the detailed setting work for the second task can be omitted. Although a bottom-to-top transplant has been described, a top-to-bottom transplant may be performed.

FIG. 7 shows the contents of another template set. Reference numeral 176 indicates five templates (TP[E] to TP[AE]) that form the template set. Reference numeral 178 indicates the contents of the five templates (TP[E] to TP[AE]). Here, the direction from the left side to the right side is the document processing flow direction, and the opposite direction is the increasing direction of i (process increasing direction).

In the illustrated example, the template (TP[E]) is composed of the final processing step E, the template (TP[DE]) is composed of the processing steps D and E, and the template (TP[CE] ]) is composed of processing step C, processing step D and processing step E, and the template (TP[B-E]) is composed of processing step B, processing step C, processing step D and processing step E, and template (TP[AE]) is composed of a processing step A, a processing step B, a processing step C, a processing step D and a processing step E. When viewed as a template set as a whole, as shown by reference numeral 182, a stepwise change is recognized in increments of one processing step. When the maximum number of processing steps k is 5, and i=1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (=k) is defined along the direction opposite to the flow direction of the document processing, each template constituting the template set Can be expressed as having i processing steps from the first processing step to the i-th processing step, as described above.

In a series of document processing, for example, in the case where the latter half of the document processing device is in charge of the latter half and the first half of the document processing is generally in charge of other means (for example, other document processing device, manual work), the configuration shown in FIG. By preparing a template set that the user has, it is possible to select the optimum template according to the specific circumstances. For example, when the document processing apparatus is made to perform the processing steps D and E and the other processing apparatuses are made to perform the previous processing steps, the template (TP[DE]) may be selected. As described above, by preparing a template set having regularity, it becomes possible to select an optimum template according to specific needs. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 183 conceptually shows porting of detailed setting contents between a plurality of tasks defined based on a plurality of templates.

Generally speaking, the template set according to the embodiment is composed of k templates, and when each of the k templates is i=1, 2,... In the flow direction or the opposite direction, it can be said to be composed of i processing steps from the first processing step to the i-th processing step. Generally, k is an integer of 3 or more, for example, k is an integer of 4 or 5 or more. Both the template set shown in FIG. 6 (template set having an ascending order configuration) and the template set shown in FIG. 7 (having a descending order configuration) may be included in the template group. In addition to the template set, the template group may include one or more templates having an arbitrary configuration. As a modified example, there is an aspect in which a template set with a stepwise change is configured with reference to an intermediate processing step in a series of processing steps (enlargement starting point).

Referring again to FIG. 5, the template symbol string 158 symbolizes the template set having the configuration shown in FIG. 6 as already described. The template symbol array 158 is composed of five template symbols 160a to 160e, and the display order thereof is the order of the number of processing steps. That is, five template symbols starting from a template symbol (TP1) 160a symbolizing a template having one processing step, up to a template symbol (TP5) 160e symbolizing a template having the most five processing steps Are regularly arranged from the left side to the right side. This makes it easy for the user to select a template having a desired configuration. The display order in the vertical direction may be adopted instead of the display order in the horizontal direction. Other arrangements may be adopted as long as the regularity can be recognized by the user.

FIG. 8 shows another display example of the template symbol list. The image 150A includes a template symbol list 157, which includes two template symbol rows 158 and 182. The template symbol string 158 is the same as the template symbol string shown in FIG. The template symbol sequence 182 in FIG. 8 symbolizes the remaining four templates in the template set shown in FIG. 7 excluding the template having five processing steps. The template having five processing steps is also included in the template set symbolized by the template symbol sequence 158, and the display of the template symbol for the template set is omitted (see reference numeral 188). In order to visually identify the individual template symbol arrays 158 and 182, for example, it is desirable to perform display processing such as the frame enclosures 184 and 186.

FIG. 9 shows another display example of the template symbol array. The template symbol string 158A corresponds to the template symbol string 158 shown in FIG. However, each template symbol 190 includes a bar 194 in addition to the label 192. The bar 194 includes as many boxes 194a as the number of processing steps. By referring to such a display element, the number of processing steps constituting the template can be intuitively recognized. The number of processing steps may be expressed by numerical value display or hue change.

Detailed settings will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. 10 shows an image 196 displayed after selecting a specific template symbol, that is, a specific template. In the illustrated example, the image 196 includes a process list 198 indicating a plurality of process steps constituting the template, and also includes a task symbol 206 set by default. The image 196 also includes a button 200 that is operated after selecting one of the processing steps, a button 202 that is operated after completion of setting, a button 204 that cancels, and the like.

When a specific processing step is selected from the step list 198 and then the button 200 is operated, for example, the detailed setting image 208 is displayed. Reference numeral 214 indicates another image for detailed setting. A plurality of setting values shown in FIG. 2 can be set (changed) on the detailed setting images 208 and 214. In the detailed setting image 208, the task symbol 206 can be changed as necessary. When a mismatch is determined between a plurality of setting values in the detailed setting, the user is notified of the mismatch. This will be described later with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 11 shows an operation example at the time of task definition. Reference numeral 216 indicates the operation of the document processing apparatus, and reference numeral 218 indicates the operation of the terminal device. In S10, a template list (template symbol list) is generated. It is displayed on the terminal device in S12. When any template (template symbol) is selected on the terminal operation in S12, the selection is accepted in S10. In S14, it is determined whether to make detailed settings. At this time, although not shown, a user operation is accepted. When making detailed settings, the user selects a process in S16. The operation is also omitted in FIG. 11. However, a plurality of detail setting images may be automatically and sequentially displayed. In S18, a detailed setting image corresponding to the selected processing step is generated and displayed in S20. In S20, the user inputs detailed setting contents in the terminal device, and the input data is accepted by the document processing device in S18. In S22, it is determined whether or not to make detailed settings for other processing steps, and if so, the processing from S16 onward is repeatedly executed.

Next, detailed settings will be described based on FIGS. 12 to 15. Another example of the detailed setting image is shown by reference numeral 220. The detailed setting image 220 includes a process list 224. In the illustrated example, the process list 224 has three buttons 226a, 226b, and 226c corresponding to three process steps. For example, by clicking the button 226a, detailed setting can be performed for the processing step corresponding to it. In the illustrated example, a detailed setting window 228 is popup-displayed adjacent to the process list 224. The window 228 has a plurality of user-selectable items (a description representing a setting value or a setting value set) 230a to 230e. In the illustrated example, a state in which the document import condition is set is shown, and by using the window 228, it is possible to select from where to import the document and in which data format to import. For example, using the pointing device, the up button 232 or the down button 234 can be operated to select any of the items 230a to 230e. For example, in the illustrated example, the item 230a is selected (see the reference numeral 236). At the time of the detailed setting, the guidance display 240 for the user's operation may be displayed in a form like a balloon connected to the task symbol 238b.

In the document processing apparatus according to the embodiment, inconsistency between items (inconsistency between setting values) is determined in real time between a plurality of processing steps, that is, between a plurality of detailed setting contents. What relationship is determined to be inconsistent is defined or managed, for example, in the determination condition table illustrated in FIG. 15 later.

When the detailed setting of the capturing process is completed and the utilization process is subsequently selected, the image 220 shown in FIG. 13 is displayed. Note that the elements already described are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. This also applies to the other figures.

In FIG. 13, a window 242 includes a plurality of items 244a to 244e. Among them, regarding the items 244a and 244b having consistency in relation to the plurality of setting values set up to then, those items are displayed in the normal display format and the items 244c, 244d and 244e having no consistency are displayed. For, they are displayed in a translucent display format. That is, the presence or absence of consistency is identified and expressed by the difference in display mode. In the illustrated example, the items 244c to 244e associated with the processing premised on a data format different from the data format designated in the capturing step are displayed in a semi-transparent manner. In this case, it is possible to apply a control that does not allow selection of the items 244c to 244e, but in the embodiment, the selection itself is allowed. In any case, if the display mode as shown in the figure is adopted, it becomes possible to visually recognize, for each item, whether or not it matches with other items that have already been set.

In the embodiment, when the above-described inconsistency is determined, in order to eliminate the inconsistency, the preset items having the inconsistency relationship are automatically displayed or the display is prompted. For example, the window 228A shown in FIG. 14 is displayed. In the window 228A, the items 230a, 230c, and 230d that are inconsistent due to the relationship with other items that have already been set are displayed semitransparently, and the items that have a consistency with the already set items are recognized. 230b and 230e are displayed in the normal display mode. In such a state, for example, the selection 236 of the item 230a can be canceled and the selection 248 of the item 230b can be performed. At that time, a guidance display prompting such an operation may be displayed.

FIG. 15 shows a configuration example of the determination condition table 250 that is referred to when determining the consistency. The judgment condition table 250 is stored in the judgment condition storage unit 55 shown in FIG. The judgment condition table 250 is made up of a plurality of records, and each record corresponds to each judgment condition. Specifically, each record includes information 252 that identifies a processing step, a setting value 254 that can be selected in the detailed settings for the processing step, and control content 257 when the setting value 254 is selected. I'm out. The control content 257 defines a display mode (display condition), setting restrictions, guidance display, and the like. That is, by referring to the determination condition table 250, it is possible to specify an item group having an inconsistency relationship, and to specify an operation condition when an inconsistency occurs. The consistency determination is performed by the consistency determination unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 16 shows the main part of the operation including the consistency determination. The same steps as those shown in FIG. 11 are designated by the same step numbers and the description thereof is omitted.

In S16, a processing step for making detailed settings is selected. At S30, consistency is determined for the selected process step. That is, it is determined whether or not there is an item that is inconsistent with the already set item among the plurality of items that can be selected for the processing step. If there is no inconsistent item, a normal detailed setting image is generated in S32, and if there is an inconsistent item, in S34, the controlled detailed setting accompanied by translucent display of the item. An image for use is generated. In S36, a normal detailed setting image or a controlled detailed setting image is displayed. Detailed setting is performed in S38, and the detailed setting is accepted in S40. In S22, it is determined whether or not to continue this process. The illustrated operation example is merely an example. In any case, it is desirable to control the image contents so that detailed settings can be made in consideration of the consistency between items.

FIG. 17 shows an example of a screen displayed when editing a task. For example, in the image 220, the insert buttons 258 and 260 may be displayed together with the process list 224, and when the insert button 260 is operated, an arbitrary process may be additionally inserted. In the illustrated example, the security process 262 is added. For example, an operation window may be displayed by right-clicking after selecting a process. The operation window includes buttons for adding a process, deleting a process, replacing a process, and the like. When editing a task, the task editing unit described in FIG. 1 functions.

In the above embodiment, the template group includes a template set including k templates having a predetermined regularity. The template set has a structure adapted to the unique situation that the range in charge of the document processing apparatus changes depending on the situation in units of processing steps. If such a template set is prepared in advance, the convenience of the user is enhanced when defining a task based on the template.

In the above-described embodiment, the document generated and used in a company or the like has been described, but the above configuration may be applied to the document generated and used in a school or a public institution. Although the cloud service using the Internet has been described in the above embodiment, each terminal in the organization may function as a document processing device.

12 document processing device, 14, 16 office system, 20 terminal device, 22 scanner, 40 arithmetic unit, 42 storage unit, 44 image generation unit, 46 task definition unit (editing unit, consistency determination unit), 48 control unit (template) Management unit, task execution unit), 50 template storage unit, 52 task storage unit, 54 document storage unit, 55 determination condition storage unit.

Claims (12)

Management means for managing a template group which is a plurality of document processing templates,
Definition means for defining a task as document processing based on a specific template selected by the user from the template group,
Including,
The template group includes a template set consisting of k templates,
When each of the k templates is i=1, 2,..., K, i pieces from the first processing step to the i-th processing step in the flow direction of document processing or the reverse direction thereof. The processing steps of
A document processing device characterized by the above. The document processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The first processing step is the first processing step,
A document processing device characterized by the above. The document processing apparatus according to claim 2,
The processing step at the beginning is a digitization step of digitizing a document by a scanner,
A document processing device characterized by the above. The document processing apparatus according to claim 1,
A means for generating a template symbol list image including a plurality of template symbols that symbolize a plurality of templates constituting the template group,
The template symbol list image includes a template symbol string that symbolizes the template set,
A document processing device characterized by the above. The document processing apparatus according to claim 4,
The template symbol sequence is composed of a first template symbol to a kth template symbol, which are displayed in a display order according to an increasing order of the number of processing steps.
A document processing device characterized by the above. The document processing apparatus according to claim 5,
The first template symbol to the k-th template symbol each include a display element indicating the number of processing steps constituting a template corresponding to the first template symbol.
A document processing device characterized by the above. The document processing apparatus according to claim 1,
Means for generating an image that accepts detailed settings for each processing step for the specific template;
In the process of accepting the detailed settings for each of the processing steps, based on the detailed setting contents of the processing steps for which the detailed settings have already been completed, individual inconsistencies are determined for a plurality of options that can be selected as the current detailed setting contents. Means to do
Means for generating an image representing the result of the determination of inconsistency;
A document processing device comprising: The document processing apparatus according to claim 7,
A means for generating an image for prompting a change to an option having a matching relationship among options having a mismatching relationship in the already set detailed setting contents when the option for which the mismatching is determined is selected including,
A document processing device characterized by the above. The document processing apparatus according to claim 1,
Including editing means for inserting, deleting, or replacing a processing step with respect to a task defined based on the specific template,
A document processing device characterized by the above. The document processing apparatus according to claim 1,
A porting means for porting all or a part of the detailed setting contents for a certain template among the k templates to another template,
A document processing device characterized by the above. A terminal device,
A document processing device connected to the terminal device via a network;
Including,
The document processing device,
Management means for managing a template group as a plurality of document processing templates,
Definition means for defining a task as document processing based on a specific template selected by the user from the template group,
Including,
The template group includes a template set consisting of k templates,
When each of the k templates is i=1, 2,..., K, i pieces from the first processing step to the i-th processing step in the flow direction of document processing or the reverse direction thereof. The processing steps of
The terminal device,
An indicator for displaying a template symbol list image including a template symbol string symbolizing the template set,
An input device operated when the user selects the specific template from the template symbol list image,
A document processing service providing system comprising: A program executed in the information processing device,
A function to manage a group of templates as multiple document processing templates,
Based on a specific template selected by the user from the template group, a function for defining a task as document processing,
Including,
The plurality of templates includes a template set consisting of k templates,
When each of the k templates is i=1, 2,..., K, i pieces from the first processing step to the i-th processing step in the flow direction of document processing or the reverse direction thereof. The processing steps of
A program characterized by that.