JP2021180367A - Information processing apparatus, information processing system, method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus 110 includes storage means 220 that stores a plurality of processing flows each composed by including one or more types of processing. The information processing apparatus 110 further includes extraction means 214 that extracts characteristics from input data that is input. The information processing apparatus additionally includes selection means 216 that, based on the extracted characteristics, selects at least one processing flow from the plurality of processing flows as a candidate to be applied to the input data. The information processing apparatus 110 further additionally includes presentation means 218 that presents the selected at least one processing flow.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to information processing devices, information processing systems, methods and programs.

A workflow processing system (job processing system) that executes a predefined workflow for image data acquired by reading a document by an image forming apparatus or data input by other means is known.

In the workflow processing system described above, the user who intends to use the workflow selects a desired workflow on the image forming apparatus and instructs the execution of the scan. At this time, the user performs an operation of selecting a desired workflow from the list of predefined workflows. However, when there are many workflows, the desired workflow must be found from the workflow selection screen composed of characters and icons on the small display of the operation panel of the image forming apparatus.

In connection with the above workflow, the technique disclosed in Patent Document (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-029758) is known. Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus for the purpose of suitably determining whether or not distribution is permitted when a document in which encoded information is embedded as an image is input. The image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 determines whether or not the workflow can be executed based on the workflow execution command, the information input / output unit that acquires the image to be processed by the workflow, and the display information displayed on the acquired image. A marking filter that acquires the executionability information to be shown and determines whether the workflow related to the execution instruction can be executed based on the acquired executionability information and the information contained in the execution instruction, and the workflow according to the judgment result of the workflow executionability. Includes a job management unit that executes. However, although Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for determining whether or not distribution is permitted according to scanned document information, it is not disclosed from the viewpoint of finding a desired one from a large number of workflows.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above points, and the present disclosure is information processing capable of improving usability by selecting and presenting an appropriate processing flow for the input input data. The purpose is to provide the device.

The present disclosure provides an information processing apparatus having the following features in order to solve the above problems. The information processing apparatus includes a storage means for storing a plurality of processing flows including one or more processes each. The information processing apparatus also includes an extraction means for extracting features from the input input data. The information processing apparatus further includes a selection means for selecting at least one processing flow as a candidate to be applied to the input data from a plurality of processing flows based on the extracted features. The information processing apparatus further includes a presentation means for presenting at least one selected processing flow candidate.

With the above configuration, it is possible to extract and present an appropriate processing flow for the input input data, and it is possible to improve usability.

The schematic diagram which shows the whole structure of the workflow processing system by this embodiment. The hardware configuration diagram of the personal computer which can be used as the workflow management server of the core system in this embodiment. The hardware block diagram of the multifunction device which can be used as an input device or a core system in this embodiment. The schematic diagram explaining the workflow execution procedure in the workflow processing system by this embodiment. The functional block diagram of the workflow processing system by this embodiment. The figure which illustrates the workflow definition screen provided by the workflow management server by this embodiment. The figure which illustrates the data structure of the workflow definition data managed by the workflow management server by this embodiment. The figure which illustrates the data structure of the (A) workflow feature parameter managed by a workflow management server and (B) the feature parameter extracted from the image data by an input device according to this embodiment. A sequence diagram illustrating a flow of processing from workflow creation to distribution, which is executed in the workflow processing system according to the present embodiment. The sequence diagram explaining the flow of the process of presenting a workflow candidate executed in the workflow processing system by this embodiment. The sequence diagram explaining the flow of the workflow execution processing executed in the workflow processing system by this embodiment. The flowchart explaining the flow of the process at the time of using the workflow executed by the input device by this embodiment. (A to C) A diagram illustrating a conventional workflow usage method and (DF) a workflow usage method in the workflow processing system according to the present embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described, but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the embodiments described below. In the embodiments described below, examples of the information processing system and the information processing device will be described with reference to the workflow processing system 100 and the input device 110, respectively.

FIG. 1 shows an outline of the overall configuration of the workflow processing system 100 according to the present embodiment. The workflow processing system 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes an input device 110, a core system 130, a management console machine 140, a user console machine 142, an authentication system 150, and a distribution system 160, which are connected to the network 102, respectively. Consists of.

The input device 110 is a device for inputting input data to be sent to the workflow. Examples of the input device 110 are not particularly limited, but FIG. 1 illustrates a multifunction device 112, a laptop computer 114, and a mobile terminal 116. For example, when the operator sets the original on the multifunction device 112 and instructs to scan the original, the image data read from the original is passed to the workflow as input data. The number of input devices 110 is not particularly limited, and any number of input devices 110 are installed in the environment.

The core system 130 is a device for managing one or more input devices 110. Examples of the core system 130 include a workflow management server 132 for distribution to a client system and a multifunction device 134. The core system 130 may be configured as a separate server having a function of managing a plurality of input devices 110 exclusively, such as a workflow management server 132, or may include a plurality of input devices 110, such as a multifunction device 134. It may be configured as a device that has a function to manage and also functions as an input device. The input device 110 to be managed is defined in advance.

The management console machine 140 and the user console machine 142 are terminals for an administrator and a user to access the core system 130, view a view of executed jobs, and manage workflow definitions, respectively. Is. Examples of console machines 140 and 142 include personal computers such as laptops and desktops, and mobile terminals such as tablet computers and smartphones. The administrator can use the management console machine 140 to add a new workflow definition or edit an existing workflow definition on the core system 130. In addition, the administrator uses the management console machine 140 to register the input device 110 of the distribution destination of the profile that summarizes a plurality of workflows on the core system 130, and also sets and executes the distribution and synchronization of the profile. Can give instructions.

The authentication system 150 is a device that authenticates the administrator of the workflow processing system 100 and the user of the user, and manages the authority for each user. The authentication system 150 manages user information of an administrator or a user of a user, and authenticates the user according to a protocol such as LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol).

The distribution system 160 represents an arbitrary device that can be a distribution destination of input data in a workflow. The distribution system 160 may be defined in the workflow, may be directly input by the user when using the workflow, may be selected from a plurality of options defined in the workflow, or may be selected when using the workflow, or a rule. It may be decided based on. Examples of the distribution system 160 include, but are not limited to, a file server 162 and a document management system 164, but other examples include mail distribution and cloud storage.

Hereinafter, before giving a specific description of the workflow processing system 100, the hardware of the workflow management server 132 as the core system 130 constituting the workflow processing system 100, and the hardware of the input device 110 and the multifunction devices 112 and 134 as the core system 130. The hardware configuration will be described.

Hereinafter, a personal computer that can be used as the workflow management server 132 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows a hardware configuration of a personal computer that can be used as the workflow management server 132 according to the present embodiment. Here, the hardware configuration of the personal computer 500 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 2, the personal computer 500 is built by a general-purpose computer, and as shown in FIG. 2, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 501 and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 502. , RAM (Random Access Memory) 503, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 504, HDD controller 505, display 506, external device connection I / F (Interface) 508, network I / F 509, data bus 510, keyboard 511, pointing device 512. , DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable) drive 514, media I / F 516.

Of these, the CPU 501 controls the operation of the entire personal computer 500. The ROM 502 stores a program used for driving the CPU 501 such as an IPL (Initial Program Loader). The RAM 503 is used as a work area of the CPU 501. HDD 504 stores various data such as programs. The HDD controller 505 controls reading or writing of various data to the HDD 504 according to the control of the CPU 501. The display 506 displays various information such as cursors, menus, windows, characters, or images. The external device connection I / F 508 is an interface for connecting various external devices. The external device in this case is, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, a printer, or the like. The network I / F 509 is an interface for performing data communication using a communication network. The bus line 510 is an address bus, a data bus, or the like for electrically connecting each component such as the CPU 501 shown in FIG.

Further, the keyboard 511 is a kind of input means including a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions and the like. The pointing device 512 is a kind of input means for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, and the like. The DVD-RW drive 514 controls reading or writing of various data to the DVD-RW media 513 as an example of the removable recording medium. In addition, it is not limited to DVD-RW, and may be DVD-R or the like. The media I / F 516 controls reading or writing (storage) of data to a recording medium 515 such as a flash memory.

Although the personal computer that can be used as the workflow management server 132 has been described with reference to FIG. 2, the laptop computer 114, the mobile terminal 116, the management console machine 140, the user console machine 142, and other servers 150 have been described. , 162, 164 can also be configured in the same manner as shown in FIG. 2 by adding and deleting hardware components as appropriate.

Hereinafter, the multifunction devices 112 and 134 that can be used as the input device 110 or the core system 130 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the multifunction devices 112 and 134. As shown in FIG. 3, the multifunction device (MFP; Multi-Function Peripheral / Product / Printer) 9 includes a controller 910, a short-range communication circuit 920, an engine control unit 930, an operation panel 940, and a network I / F950. I have.

Of these, the controller 910 is a CPU 901, a system memory (MEM-P) 902, a north bridge (NB) 903, a south bridge (SB) 904, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 906, and a storage unit, which are the main parts of the computer. It has a local memory (MEM-C) 907, an HDD controller 908, and an HD909 as a storage unit, and has a configuration in which the NB 903 and the ASIC 906 are connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 921.

Of these, the CPU 901 is a control unit that controls the entire MFP 9. The NB903 is a bridge for connecting the CPU901, the MEM-P902, the SB904, and the AGP bus 921, and is a memory controller that controls reading and writing to the MEM-P902, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) master, and an AGP target. And have.

The MEM-P902 includes a ROM 902a that is a memory for storing programs and data that realizes each function of the controller 910, and a RAM 902b that is used as a memory for developing programs and data and a memory for drawing at the time of memory printing. The program stored in the RAM 902b is configured to be recorded and provided as a file in an installable format or an executable format on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, CD-R, or DVD. You may.

The SB904 is a bridge for connecting the NB903 to a PCI device and a peripheral device. The ASIC 906 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) for image processing applications having hardware elements for image processing, and has a role of a bridge connecting the AGP bus 921, the PCI bus 922, the HDD controller 908, and the MEM-C907, respectively. This ASIC906 is a PCI target and an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) which is the core of the ASIC906, a memory controller which controls MEM-C907, and a plurality of DMACs (Direct Memory Access Controllers) which rotate image data by hardware logic and the like. , And a PCI unit that transfers data between the scanner unit 931 and the printer unit 932 via the PCI bus 922. A USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface or an IEEE 1394 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) interface may be connected to the ASIC 906.

The MEM-C907 is a local memory used as a copy image buffer and a code buffer. The HDD 909 is a storage for accumulating image data, accumulating font data used at the time of printing, and accumulating forms. The HDD controller 908 controls reading or writing of data to the HDD 909 according to the control of the CPU 901. The AGP bus 921 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card proposed for accelerating graphic processing, and the graphics accelerator card can be accelerated by directly accessing the MEM-P902 with high throughput. ..

Further, the short-range communication circuit 920 includes a short-range communication circuit 920a. The short-range communication circuit 920 is a communication circuit such as NFC and Bluetooth (registered trademark).

Further, the engine control unit 930 is composed of a scanner unit 931 and a printer unit 932. Further, the operation panel 940 displays the current setting value, the selection screen, and the like, and sets the panel display unit 940a such as a touch panel that accepts the input from the operator, and the setting value of the condition related to image formation such as the density setting condition. It is provided with an operation panel 940b including a numeric keypad for receiving and a start key for receiving a copy start instruction. The controller 910 controls the entire MFP 9, for example, drawing, communication, input from the operation panel 940, and the like. The scanner unit 931 or the printer unit 932 includes an image processing portion such as error diffusion and gamma conversion.

The MFP 9 can sequentially switch and select the document box function, the copy function, the printer function, and the facsimile function by the application switching key of the operation panel 940. When the document box function is selected, the document box mode is set, when the copy function is selected, the copy mode is set, when the printer function is selected, the printer mode is set, and when the facsimile mode is selected, the facsimile mode is set.

Further, the network I / F950 is an interface for performing data communication using the network 102. The short-range communication circuit 920 and the network I / F 950 are electrically connected to the ASIC 906 via the PCI bus 922.

Hereinafter, a procedure for executing a workflow in the workflow processing system 100 according to the present embodiment will be outlined with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 schematically describes a workflow execution procedure in the present embodiment.

First, in the workflow processing system 100 of the present embodiment, the administrator A creates one or a plurality of workflows for the user to use in advance by using, for example, the management console machine 140, and registers them in the core system 130. (A1). In the core system 130, the definition data of each registered workflow is stored, and the feature information describing the features of the workflow is generated from the definition data of each workflow and recorded in association with the definition data of each workflow (A2). .. This feature information is used to filter the workflow candidates presented to the user U when using the workflow. The core system 130 refers to a device that operates as an input device 110 with predefined definition data of one or more workflows (a collection of information on one or more workflows may be referred to as a profile). Will be distributed (A3). In this way, the workflow can be used in the input device 110 to which the workflow is distributed.

Subsequently, the user U logs in to the input device 110 as necessary (B1), and then inputs the input data (B2). When the input device 110 is the multifunction device 112 or the like, the input data is input to the input device 110 by causing the multifunction device 112 to scan the original. The input device 110 selects or filters the workflow candidates to be presented based on the input input data and the feature information of each of the distributed workflows, and presents the obtained workflow candidates (B3). At this time, preferably, the feature information of all workflows and the features of the input data are compared, the degree of conformity (goodness of fit) is obtained for each, and the workflows are sorted in descending order of the degree of conformity and then presented. can do.

The user U selects a desired workflow candidate from the workflow candidates presented on the touch panel of the input device 110 (B4). Then, when the execution of the selected workflow is instructed, the input data is distributed to the predetermined distribution system 160 (B5, B5'). The distribution process may be performed directly from the input device 110 to the distribution system 160 (B5), or may be distributed to the distribution system 160 via the core system 130 (B5').

As described above, in the workflow processing system 100 according to the present embodiment, the input data is not input after the workflow is selected, but the input data is first input, and then the information of the input data is taken into consideration in the workflow. Candidates are proposed. This reduces the workload of the user when selecting a workflow.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 5, the details of the function of the workflow processing system 100 according to the present embodiment for proposing the workflow according to the above-mentioned goodness of fit will be described. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the workflow processing system 100 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a functional block 210 on the input device 110 side and a functional block 230 on the core system 130 side as functional blocks in the workflow processing system 100.

The functional block 210 on the input device 110 side includes an image input unit 212, a feature extraction unit 214, a candidate selection unit 216, a candidate presentation unit 218, a workflow storage unit 220, a selection reception unit 222, and a workflow execution unit. 224 and the workflow acquisition unit 226 are shown.

On the other hand, as the functional block 230 on the core system 130 side, a workflow registration unit 232, a feature information generation unit 234, a workflow distribution unit 236, and a workflow definition storage unit 238 are shown.

Hereinafter, first, the functional block 230 on the core system 130 side will be described in detail.

The workflow registration unit 232 accepts the registration of the definition of the new workflow from the administrator A, and stores the definition data of the new workflow in the workflow definition storage unit 238. The workflow corresponds to the processing flow in the present embodiment, and the workflow registration unit 232 constitutes the registration means for receiving the registration of the definition of the new processing flow in the present embodiment.

Here, the workflow is configured to include one or more processes such as conversion process, image process, recognition process, distribution process, or branch process for input data, and further defines an order in which one or more processes are applied. Is.

Examples of the conversion process include PDF (Portable Document Format) conversion process and JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) conversion process. Examples of image processing include binarization, grayscale conversion, gamma conversion, blurring processing, edge enhancement processing, and redacting processing. Examples of the recognition process include OCR (Optical Character Recognition), area designation OCR, recognition of a one-dimensional code and a two-dimensional code, and the like. Delivery processing includes mail delivery, upload to a file server or cloud storage, fax transmission, and the like. It should be noted that the specific examples listed here are merely examples, and various processes may be included in addition to the examples.

Hereinafter, the workflow processed by the workflow processing system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 illustrates the workflow definition screen 300 provided by the workflow management server 132 according to the present embodiment.

The workflow definition screen 300 shown in FIG. 6 displays a tab 302 for displaying a display area 310 including a GUI (graphical user interface) for defining a distribution flow, and a list of various output connectors 332a to 332d. Button 330 for displaying and a button 340 for displaying a list of various conversion connectors.

In the display area 310 of the tab 302, the user can graphically define a series of processes to be registered as a workflow. In the screen illustrated in FIG. 6, the display area 310 of the tab 302 has a start point 312 indicating the start position of processing and an area designation OCR (Optical Character recognition) connected to the start point 312 via a one-way link 320. A connector 314 and a mail delivery connector 316 connected to the area-designated OCR connector 314 via a one-way link 322 and to an end point 318 indicating the end of processing are shown. The area-designated OCR connector 314 and the mail delivery connector 316 are examples, and the number of connectors is not limited to two.

The workflow according to this embodiment is composed of a processing system called a plug-in that performs image processing, conversion processing, recognition processing, and distribution processing. In this embodiment, the workflow consists of a one-way linked list of plug-ins. At the end of the linked list, it is required that the plug-in that performs the distribution process is connected. In addition, the workflow may include a control structure such as branching.

FIG. 7 illustrates a data structure of workflow definition data managed by the workflow management server 132 according to the present embodiment. The data structure shown in FIG. 7 exemplifies an XML (eXtensible Markup Language) format, but the data format is not particularly limited.

In the data structure shown in FIG. 7, one or more workflows are defined in <flows> </ flows>, and each workflow is defined in <flow> </ flows>. The startpoint corresponds to the starting point 312, and the plugin corresponds to a plug-in for performing various processes. The following processing is specified by nextplugin within startpoint or plugin. A unique ID is set for one workflow. Each connector is assigned a uniquely identifiable identifier (ID). In addition, the definition data may include various settings used when executing the workflow.

Now, refer to FIG. 5 again. The feature information generation unit 234 responds to the registration of a new workflow, responds to an update of an existing workflow, or responds to an external command, and features parameters relating to the new, updated, or specified workflow. To generate. The feature parameters generated for the workflow correspond to the feature information in the present embodiment, and the feature information generation unit 234 constitutes a generation means for generating the feature information in the present embodiment.

Here, as the feature parameters generated for the workflow, the type of the target input data, the type of the target user, the attribute of the input data, the content of the input data, and a combination thereof can be mentioned.

For example, when the workflow includes mail delivery, the file size that can be delivered by the mail server is generated as an attribute. When the OCR process is included, since the document is assumed as the scan target, a document type indicating that the input data is a document is generated as the target data type. Further, when the barcode reading is included, having the barcode is generated as the content of the input data. In addition, when the search is executed using the information of the logged-in user by address search etc., since the active directory user is assumed as the login user, the user type representing the user of the active directory is generated. NS.

FIG. 8A exemplifies the data structure of the characteristic parameters of the workflow managed by the workflow management server 132 according to the present embodiment. In the data structure shown in FIG. 8A, information specifying the type of the target user required for the workflow is described in the portion surrounded by <userType> </ userType>. In the example of FIG. 8A, the value of "ad" indicating the user type of the active directory is set in userType. Information that specifies the type of input data targeted by the workflow is described in the portion surrounded by <mediaType> </ mediaType>. In the example of FIG. 8A, a value of "document" indicating that a document is targeted is set in mediaType. Information that specifies the upper limit size of the input data that can be processed by the workflow is described in the portion surrounded by <fileSize> </ fileSize>. In the example of FIG. 8A, the fileSize is set to a value indicating that it is limited to 26214400 bytes (25MB) on the delivery destination server. In the portion surrounded by <zoneOCR> </ zoneOCR>, information that specifies whether or not the area designation OCR is performed (true) (false) is described in the workflow.

Referring to FIG. 5 again, the workflow definition storage unit 238 stores the definition data of one or a plurality of workflows registered by the workflow registration unit 232. The workflow definition storage unit 238 also stores the generated feature information in association with the definition data of each workflow.

The workflow distribution unit 236 distributes a part or all of the workflow defined in the workflow definition storage unit 238 to the input device 110 to be managed (such as the multifunction device 112), and the distribution destination input device 110 distributes the workflow. Make it available. One or a collection of workflows to be distributed to the input device 110 is referred to as a profile. In the present embodiment, the workflow distribution unit 236 constitutes a distribution means for distributing the workflow to the input device to be managed.

Subsequently, with reference to FIG. 5, the details of each block constituting the functional block 210 on the input device 110 side will be described.

The workflow acquisition unit 226 acquires one or a plurality of workflows distributed from the workflow distribution unit 236 and stores them in the workflow storage unit 220.

The workflow storage unit 220 stores a plurality of workflows including one or more processes each. The workflow storage unit 220 stores definition data for each workflow, and further stores feature information related to each workflow in association with the definition data. Here, the feature information is generated for each workflow by the feature information generation unit 234 described above.

The image input unit 212 receives input of input data. For example, when the multifunction device 112 is the input device 110, the image data obtained by scanning the original is input as the input data.

The feature extraction unit 214 extracts feature parameters from the input data input to the image input unit 212. Here, the feature parameters extracted from the input data by the feature extraction unit 214 are the type of the input data, the type of the user who input the input data, and the attributes of the input data, similarly to the feature parameters generated by the feature information generation unit 234. , Content of input data and combinations thereof may be included. The feature parameters correspond to the features in the present embodiment, and the feature extraction unit 214 constitutes the extraction means in the present embodiment.

For example, the file size of image data is generated as an attribute. In addition, a type representing a document, a photograph, a chart, etc. as a type of image data is generated. Further, as a result of analyzing the image data, information indicating whether or not the barcode is included in the image data is also extracted as a feature parameter.

FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating a data structure of feature parameters of image data extracted by the input device 110 according to the present embodiment when acquiring input data. The feature parameters extracted from the input data are also created with the same configuration as in FIG. 8A.

In the data structure shown in FIG. 8B, information specifying the type of the login user at the time of inputting the input data is described in the portion surrounded by <userType> </ userType>. In the example of FIG. 8B, the value of "ad" indicating the user type of the active directory is set in userType. Information that specifies the type determined for the input data is described in the portion surrounded by <mediaType> </ mediaType>. In the example of FIG. 8B, a value of "document" indicating that a document is targeted is set in mediaType. Information indicating the size of the input data is described in the portion surrounded by <fileSize> </ fileSize>. In the case of image data with a barcode attached, there is a high possibility that area designation OCR will be performed, so there is a possibility that area designation OCR will be performed in the part surrounded by <zoneOCR> </ zoneOCR>. Information (true) indicating that it is high is described. Further, since the image data is a document, there is a high possibility that OCR will be performed. Therefore, information (true) indicating that OCR is likely to be performed in the portion surrounded by <OCR> </ OCR>. ) Is described.

The candidate selection unit 216 selects at least one workflow as a candidate to be applied to the input data from the plurality of workflows stored in the workflow storage unit 220 based on the extracted feature parameters. In a preferred embodiment, the candidate selection unit 216 calculates the goodness of fit of each workflow with respect to the input data based on the feature parameters extracted from the input data and the feature parameters of each workflow. The candidate selection unit 216 constitutes the selection means in the present embodiment.

The goodness of fit can be easily calculated, for example, as the number of matching items between the feature parameters extracted from the input data and the feature parameters of each workflow. Alternatively, the goodness of fit may be a value obtained by giving a raw score based on the matching of the items of the feature parameter extracted from the input data and the feature parameter of each workflow, weighting the raw score, and taking the sum. The method of calculating the goodness of fit is not particularly limited. For example, a calculation method may be used in which one point is given only when all the items match. In addition to the number of matching items, a raw score may be given based on the similarity of the items.

The candidate presentation unit 218 presents at least one selected workflow candidate to, for example, the panel display unit 940a of the operation panel 940. In a preferred embodiment, the candidate presentation unit 218 can present a plurality of workflow candidates in the order of the goodness of fit described above, generally in the order of the goodness of fit. The number of workflows presented by the candidate presentation unit 218 is not particularly limited, and all workflows may be presented in the order of goodness of fit, or the workflows may be presented after being narrowed down to the top N in terms of goodness of fit. May be done. In that case, in order to deal with the case where the desired one cannot be found among the presented candidates, a GUI component for displaying a list or hierarchically displaying all workflows may be provided as usual. The candidate presentation unit 218 constitutes the presentation means in the present embodiment.

The selection reception unit 222 receives a workflow selection by a user from a plurality of candidates presented by the candidate presentation unit 218. The selection reception unit 222 constitutes the reception means in the present embodiment.

The workflow execution unit 224 executes the workflow that accepts the selection regarding the input data. The workflow execution unit 224 constitutes the execution means in the present embodiment.

Hereinafter, the method of using the workflow in the workflow processing system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12.

FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating a flow of processing from workflow creation to distribution executed in the workflow processing system 100 in the present embodiment.

The process shown in FIG. 9 is started from step S100 in response to an instruction from the administrator A to create a workflow to the core system 130. The administrator A can create an arbitrary workflow on the core system 130. The administrator A can also input delivery destination information, intermediate processing setting information, and the like when creating a workflow. In step S101, the core system 130 receives an instruction to create a workflow, adds a designated plug-in, and makes settings for the added plug-in in step S102.

In the process shown in FIG. 9, in step S200, the administrator A further instructs the core system 130 to save the workflow. The workflow save instruction includes information such as delivery destination information, intermediate processing, and processing location. In step S201, the core system 130 reads the setting information from the added plug-in. For example, a rule for targeting input data of a document type is defined in advance corresponding to the area designation OCR, and such information is read in step S201. In step S202, the core system 130 reads the setting information from the server. For example, when mail delivery is included in the workflow, the upper limit of the file size can be queried to the server to obtain the upper limit size. In step S203, the core system 130 integrates the information acquired in steps S201 and S202 to generate workflow feature parameters.

In the process shown in FIG. 9, further, in step S300, the profile synchronization process is started in response to the instruction to distribute the profile from the administrator A to the core system 130. In the profile distribution instruction, the association information between the profile and the input device to be managed is specified. In step S301, the core system 130 distributes a profile including one or a plurality of workflows to the input device 110 to be managed, and the workflow is distributed to all the input devices 110 to be managed to which the same profile is distributed. Synchronize to be available. In addition to the workflow definition data, the feature parameters generated for the workflow are also distributed as a profile.

FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating a processing flow executed by the workflow processing system 100 in the present embodiment until a candidate is presented at the time of using the workflow. The process shown in FIG. 10 is started in step S400 in response to the user U performing the login process. In step S401, the input device 110 that has received the login process requests user authentication from the core system 130. In step S402, the core system 130 requests the authentication system 150 to collate the user. The result of the user collation is returned from the authentication system 150 to the core system 130, and the core system 130 responds to the input device 110 whether or not the authentication is possible according to the result. Here, the explanation will be continued assuming that the authentication has been successful and the login process has been performed.

In step S500, the user U gives, for example, a scan execution instruction to the input device 110. In step S501, the input device 110 executes image reading, performs image analysis on the obtained image data in step S502, and extracts feature parameters from the image data. Here, the file size, document size, data type, presence / absence of barcode, etc. are analyzed and output as feature parameters. Further, since the login process in step S400 is successful, a value indicating that the user is an active directory user is set as the user type.

In step S503, the input device 110 reads the feature parameters of each workflow in the profile. In step S504, the feature parameter of each workflow is compared with the feature parameter extracted from the image data, and the goodness of fit is calculated. The processes of steps S503 and S504 are repeatedly executed for each workflow in the profile.

In step S505, the input device 110 sorts the workflow in the order of the calculated goodness of fit. In step S506, the input device 110 presents the user U with a list of sorted workflow candidates.

FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating a flow of workflow execution processing executed by the workflow processing system 100 in the present embodiment.

In step S600, the user U receives an instruction to execute one of the presented workflows from the input device 110 to the input device 110. Here, the process branches depending on whether the workflow process is executed on the input device 110 side (OnDevice) or the workflow is executed on the core system 130 side (OnServer). Whether the workflow processing is executed on the input device 110 side (OnDevice) or on the core system 130 side (OnServer) may depend on the specific contents in the workflow. For example, the processing with a large load is performed on the core system 130 side.

When the workflow process is executed on the input device 110 side (OnDevice), in step S601, the input device 110 applies the workflow to the input data, and the data obtained by applying the workflow is used as the distribution system 160 determined based on the workflow. Deliver to.

On the other hand, when the workflow is executed on the core system 130 side (OnServer), the input data is distributed to the core system 130 in step S602. In step S603, the core system 130 distributes the data obtained by applying the workflow to the input data to the distribution system 160 determined based on the workflow.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing when the workflow is used, which is executed by the input device 110 in the present embodiment.

The process shown in FIG. 12 starts from step S700, and in step S701, the input device 110 receives a scan execution instruction from the user U. In step S702, the input device 110 executes image reading of the original and acquires image data. In step S703, the input device 110 analyzes the input image data and extracts the feature parameters.

In the loop of steps S704 to S707, the processes of steps S705 and S706 are executed for each registered workflow. In step S705, the input device 110 reads the workflow feature parameters for the workflow of interest that is currently being processed. In step S706, the input device 110 compares the feature parameter of the workflow with the feature parameter of the image data, and calculates the goodness of fit.

When the processing for all workflows is completed in step S707, the processing proceeds to step S708. In step S709 and step S710, the input device 110 selects at least one processing flow as a candidate to be applied to the input data from the plurality of workflows based on the extracted feature parameters. More specifically, in step S709, the input device 110 sorts the workflow in order of goodness of fit. In step S710, the input device 110 presents sorted workflow candidates. In step S710, this process ends.

As described above, the workflow processing system 100 and the workflow processing method according to the present embodiment are characterized in that input data is input before the workflow is selected. In the workflow processing system 100 and the processing method in the preferred embodiment, the feature parameters extracted from the input data are compared with the workflow feature parameters, and the workflow is performed in the order of high possibility of use, that is, in the order of high fitness. Can be sorted and presented.

FIGS. 13 (A) to 13 (C) explain how to use the conventional workflow. 13 (D) to 13 (F) explain how to use the workflow in the workflow processing system according to the present embodiment, and show screens for selecting each workflow.

In the past, workflows were presented in a predetermined order by the administrator. In this case, if the workflow 5 is desired, the user U confirms the name and contents of the workflow while switching the screens shown in FIGS. 13 (A) to 13 (C) in order from the top. , It is necessary to find the desired workflow 5. As the number of workflows increases, such an approach becomes difficult to discover, and even if it can be discovered, it becomes time-consuming and complicated.

On the other hand, according to the workflow processing system 100 and the workflow processing method according to the present embodiment, a suitable workflow is selected based on the information of the input data, and is preferably sorted and displayed. This makes it easy for the user U to find the desired workflow. Usability can be improved by narrowing down the workflow and displaying it.

Further, if an error occurs during workflow execution, the user U has to perform an operation of re-execution of the workflow, which is complicated. For example, when mail delivery is included in the workflow, the file size that can be attached to the mail at one time is determined if split mail delivery is not set. In this case, when the workflow is specified and the actual scan is performed, if the scanned file size exceeds the upper limit, an error occurs at the time of delivery execution and the process is redone. On the other hand, according to the workflow processing system 100 and the workflow processing method according to the present embodiment, workflows that do not meet the conditions are not displayed or are presented in a low rank. Therefore, the probability that the user selects a workflow that may cause an error can be suitably reduced, and an error at the time of executing the workflow can be avoided. This makes it possible to further improve usability.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, which can improve usability by selecting and presenting an appropriate processing flow for input input data. It will be possible to provide methods and programs.

Although it has been described in the specification that the feature parameters are extracted and generated based on a predetermined rule, the feature parameter extraction and generation uses a model generated by the learning effect of machine learning in addition to the rule base. You may use it. Here, machine learning is a technique for making a computer acquire learning ability like a human being, and the computer autonomously generates an algorithm necessary for judgment such as data identification from learning data taken in advance. However, it refers to a technology that applies this to new data to make predictions. The learning method for machine learning may be any of supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, enhanced learning, and deep learning, and may be a learning method that combines these learning methods, and machine learning. It doesn't matter how you learn for.

Further, the input device 110 is not limited to the multifunction device 112. The input device 110 is, for example, a PJ (Projector: projector), an IWB (Interactive White Board: a white board having an electronic blackboard function capable of mutual communication), an output device such as a digital signage, a HUD (Head Up Display) device, and the like. Industrial machines, image pickup devices, sound collectors, medical devices, network home appliances, connected cars, notebook PCs (Personal Computers), mobile phones, smartphones, tablet terminals, game machines, PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), digital cameras, It may be a wearable PC, a desktop PC, or the like.

Further, each function of the embodiment described above can be realized by one or a plurality of processing circuits. Here, the "processing circuit" as used herein is a processor programmed to perform each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, or a processor designed to execute each function described above. It shall include devices such as ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), DSP (digital signal processor), FPGA (field programmable gate array) and conventional circuit modules.

Although the embodiments and examples of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments and examples of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments and examples, and other embodiments, other examples, and the like. It can be changed within the range that can be conceived by those skilled in the art, such as addition, change, and deletion, and is included in the scope of the present invention as long as the action and effect of the present invention are exhibited in any of the embodiments.

100 ... Workflow processing system, 102 ... Network, 110 ... Input device, 112, 134 ... Complex machine, 130 ... Core system, 132 ... Workflow management server, 140 ... Management console machine, 142 ... User console machine, 150 ... Authentication system, 160 ... Distribution system, 210, 230 ... Functional block, 212 ... Image input unit, 214 ... Feature extraction unit, 216 ... Candidate selection unit, 218 ... Candidate presentation unit, 220 ... Workflow storage unit, 222 ... Selection reception unit, 224 ... Workflow execution unit, 226 ... Workflow acquisition unit, 232 ... Workflow registration unit, 234 ... Feature information generation unit, 236 ... Workflow distribution unit, 238 ... Workflow definition storage unit 238

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-029758

Claims (10)

It is an information processing device
A storage means for storing a plurality of processing flows including one or more processing each, and
An extraction method that extracts features from the input data,
A selection means for selecting at least one processing flow as a candidate to be applied to the input data from the plurality of processing flows based on the extracted characteristics.
An information processing apparatus including a presentation means for presenting the candidate of the selected at least one processing flow. The storage means further stores feature information relating to each processing flow in association with each of the plurality of processing flows, and the selection means stores the features extracted from the input data and feature information relating to the processing flow. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the degree of suitability of the processing flow with respect to the input data is calculated based on the above. The presenting means is characterized in that a plurality of candidates including the at least one processing flow are presented in the order of goodness of fit, and the information processing apparatus is characterized by presenting a plurality of candidates.
A reception means that receives a selection from the multiple candidates presented, and
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an execution means for executing a candidate processing flow for which selection has been accepted for the input data. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the input data is input before the processing flow is selected. The feature is described in any one of claims 1 to 4, which includes the type of the input data, the type of the user who input the input data, the attribute of the input data, the content of the input data, and a combination thereof. Information processing equipment. The input data is image data or document data, and the processing flow includes one or more processes which are conversion processing, image processing, recognition processing, distribution processing, or branching processing for the input data, and the one or more processes, respectively. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the order in which the data is applied is defined. It is an information processing system
A storage means for storing a plurality of processing flows including one or more processing each, and
An extraction method that extracts features from the input data,
A selection means for selecting at least one processing flow as a candidate to be applied to the input data from the plurality of processing flows based on the extracted characteristics.
An information processing system including a presentation means for presenting the candidate of the selected at least one processing flow. In addition, the registration method for receiving the registration of the definition of the new processing flow,
A generation means for generating feature information regarding the new processing flow, and
A distribution means for distributing the plurality of processing flows to the input device to be managed, and
7. The information processing system according to claim 7. The method, the computer,
Steps to extract features from the input data and
A step of selecting at least one processing flow as a candidate to be applied to the input data based on the extracted characteristics from a plurality of processing flows each including one or more processes, and the selected at least. A method of performing a step of presenting the candidate of one processing flow. A program for realizing an information processing device, which is a computer.
A storage means for storing a plurality of processing flows including one or more processing each.
Extraction means to extract features from input input data,
A selection means for selecting at least one processing flow as a candidate to be applied to the input data from the plurality of processing flows based on the extracted characteristics, and a selection means.
A program for functioning as a presentation means for presenting the candidate of the selected at least one processing flow.

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