JP4270182B2 - Facsimile machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a facsimile machine, and more particularly to a facsimile machine having a function for requesting processing of a document file.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a document is read by a multifunction machine having a scanning function, and is converted into electronic data for management. Patent Document 1 discloses a document processing system that reads a document with a multifunction device having a scanning function, generates electronic data, converts the data into a standard format, creates a standard file, and stores the file in a filing server. Yes.
JP 2004-326239 A

  As described above, one of the purposes of converting a document to electronic data using the scan function is to designate a person in charge for the document and make a processing request. In recent years, with the widespread use of networks, the environment of in-house networks has also improved, and employees can browse and acquire various documents by accessing a server that stores data shared within the company from their own terminals. It is like that. Therefore, if the manuscript that needs to be processed is converted to electronic data, and the person in charge of the request for processing, the contents of the request, the processing deadline, etc. are stored in correspondence with the electronic data, the person in charge can send it via the network. The electronic data can be confirmed, and the electronic data can be transmitted to the person in charge via the network, so that processing can be performed efficiently. Further, there is a case where it is desired to similarly request processing of facsimile data received by the facsimile apparatus.

  However, conventionally, a procedure for efficiently requesting a single document file when requesting processing to a plurality of persons in charge has not been developed.

  The present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for requesting processing of a document file in a simple procedure in a facsimile apparatus.

According to the present invention,
An original reading unit that reads an original and generates a document file;
A document file storage unit for storing the document file;
From the previous SL document file the document reading unit stored in the document file or the document file storage unit generated and with the specified one of the document file has the start instruction of the processing request to the one of the document file , a plurality of designated personnel, and each said representative specification of details of a process to ask the person applying accepted for each processing request reception unit that performs processing on the document file of the one,
A processing request data registration unit that registers the content of the processing request received by the processing request reception unit in the processing request data storage unit for each reception;
A processing request data providing unit that provides the contents of the processing request registered in the processing request data storage unit;
Is provided.

Thereby, a plurality of persons in charge can be specified for specifying one document file, and request contents can be specified for each person in charge. Therefore, for example, a document read by the document reading unit can be requested to be processed by a plurality of persons in charge without reading again.

In the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, the content of the processing request is registered in the person-in-charge information storage unit that stores the address information of the terminal of the person in charge who can be the person in charge of the processing request. And a notification processing unit that obtains address information of the terminal of the person in charge included in the processing request from the person-in-charge information storage unit and notifies the terminal of the person in charge that the processing request has been made. Can be included.
The facsimile apparatus of the present invention may further include a display unit, and the processing request receiving unit receives the designation of the one document file and an instruction to start a processing request for the one document file, and the display unit A screen for inputting the input of the person in charge and the contents of the processing request to the person in charge can be displayed.

In the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, the processing request receiving unit, or to perform parallel processing to the document file for the previous SL several people, to accept one of the specified cause successively performed in a predetermined order And the processing request data registration unit receives the designation that causes the plurality of persons in charge to sequentially process the document file in a predetermined order. Can be registered in association with the designated order.

  In the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention, when the processing request receiving unit receives a designation for sequentially processing the document file in a predetermined order with respect to the plurality of persons in charge, The person in charge can be specified.

  Accordingly, even when a plurality of persons in charge perform processing sequentially, a certain process can be performed in parallel by a plurality of persons in charge or can be set flexibly.

  In the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, when the processing request receiving unit receives a designation for sequentially processing the document file in a predetermined order with respect to the plurality of persons in charge, And the designation of the request contents to the person in charge can be received for each of the plurality of persons in charge.

In the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, the processing request data providing unit displays a list in which each processing request is associated with a person in charge of the processing request based on the processing request registered by the processing request data registration unit. The processing request data storage unit stores the processing status of the person in charge of the document file in association with the corresponding processing request, and the processing request data provision unit stores the processing person in charge for the plurality of persons in charge. When it is specified that the processing on the document file is sequentially performed in a predetermined order, the person in charge who is the object of processing at that time is detected according to the processing state of the person in charge, and the person in charge is It can be displayed in association with the processing request.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a conversion of the expression of the present invention between a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, a processing request for a document file can be made in a simple procedure in a facsimile apparatus.

  In the present embodiment, the facsimile apparatus is a network multifunction machine that integrates a facsimile, a printer, a copy, a scan function, and the like. The network multifunction peripheral in the present embodiment can be, for example, a network facsimile machine or an MFP (Multi Functional Peripheral). Here, the network MFP can be connected to a network such as the Internet or a LAN, or a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network). The network multifunction device communicates with a G3 facsimile machine or the like through the PSTN.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a network multifunction peripheral according to the present embodiment.
The network multifunction peripheral 100 includes a document reading unit 104, an operation unit 106, a processing request reception unit 108, a display unit 110, a document file storage unit 112, a processing request data registration unit 114, a notification processing unit 116, a communication control unit 118, and a processing request. A data providing unit 120 (processing status storage unit, list display processing unit), a person-in-charge information storage unit 124, and a processing request data storage unit 126 (processing status storage unit) are included. The network MFP 100 transmits and receives data to and from the user terminal 200 via the network 150.

  In FIG. 1, the configuration of parts not related to the essence of the present invention is omitted, and for example, a print processing unit that is a configuration of a general network multifunction peripheral is not illustrated. In the figure, each constituent element enclosed by 102 indicates a functional unit block, not a hardware unit configuration. Each component surrounded by 102 of the network multifunction peripheral 100 includes an arbitrary computer CPU, memory, a program for realizing the components shown in the figure loaded in the memory, a storage unit such as a hard disk for storing the program, and a network connection. It is realized by an arbitrary combination of hardware and software, with a focus on the user interface. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that there are various modifications to the implementation method and apparatus.

  The communication control unit 118 transmits and receives data to and from other terminals such as the user terminal 200 via the network 150. In the present embodiment, the network 150 is a private network such as a LAN. Although not shown here, the communication control unit 118 can also be connected to a public network such as the Internet.

  The operation unit 106 receives instructions such as various settings and inputs from the user. The operation unit 106 is, for example, an operation button, a switch, a lever, a keyboard, or a touch panel. The display unit 110 performs various information display, operation screen display, operation and status display of the network multifunction peripheral 100, and the like. The display unit 110 is, for example, a lamp, an LED, a CRT monitor, a liquid crystal display, or the like.

  The document reading unit 104 reads a document and generates a document file. The document file storage unit 112 stores a document file generated by the document reading unit 104 and a document file such as facsimile data received by the network multifunction peripheral 100. The person-in-charge information storage unit 124 stores information on a person in charge who can be a person in charge of a request for a processing request. The person-in-charge information storage unit 124 stores, for example, an ID such as an employee number for identifying a person in charge and an address of the terminal of the person in charge in association with each other. The person-in-charge information storage unit 124 may be an address book, for example.

  The processing request reception unit 108 receives a processing request for a document file generated by the document reading unit 104 or a document file stored in the document file storage unit 112. The processing request accepting unit 108 accepts specification of a document file to be requested, designation of a person in charge, and designation of contents of a request to the person in charge as a processing request. In addition, when there are a plurality of persons in charge of processing requests for the document file, the processing request receiving unit 108 causes the plurality of persons in charge to perform processing on the document file in parallel (hereinafter, a plurality of persons in charge). (Also referred to as “simultaneous person simultaneous processing”) and designation of whether or not the processing is to be performed sequentially in a predetermined order (hereinafter, referred to as “multiple personnel sequential processing”). Further, the processing request receiving unit 108 receives the designation of the person in charge who makes the processing request for the document file and the designation of the request contents to the person in charge for each of the plurality of persons in charge. The processing request reception unit 108 receives a processing request from the user via the operation unit 106.

  When the processing request receiving unit 108 receives a processing request instruction via the operation unit 106, the processing request receiving unit 108 displays a screen for causing the display unit 110 to input the processing request. When the user inputs the contents of the processing request according to the screen, the processing request receiving unit 108 acquires the information.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a screen displayed on the display unit 110 when the processing request receiving unit 108 receives a processing request instruction.

  On the screen 300 shown in FIG. 2A, a person-in-charge designation button 302, person-in-charge display fields 304 and 306, a setting condition display field 308, and an end button 310 are displayed. In this case, “image quality: automatic”, “density: automatic”, “resolution: 600 dpi”, and “multiple responsible person sequential processing” are set as conditions. In addition, as shown in the person-in-charge display columns 304 and 306, “user AAA” and “user BBB” have already been specified for the processing request. When the user wants to further designate a person in charge, when the person in charge designation button 302 is selected, a screen 320 shown in FIG. 2B is displayed.

  On the screen 320, a person-in-charge input field 322, a subject name input field 324, a request content input field 326, a processing time limit input field 328, and a decision button 330 are displayed. The user can input the person in charge, the subject, the request content, and the processing time limit in the person-in-charge input field 322, the subject name input field 324, the request content input field 326, and the processing time limit input field 328, respectively. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to input a subject, request content, and processing time limit for each person in charge.

  For example, when the user selects the person-in-charge input field 322, a person-in-charge list generated based on the person-in-charge information stored in the person-in-charge information storage unit 124 may be displayed. In this case, when the user selects a desired person in charge from the person-in-charge list, the person in charge is input in the person-in-charge input field 322 of the screen 320. If another person in charge is already specified in this processing request, the subject entry field 324, the request content entry field 326, and the processing time limit entry field 328 are the same as those entered for other persons in charge. Can be displayed by default. In this way, the user does not need to input again for the new person in charge when setting the same contents as other persons in charge. Even in this case, the user can change the default and input different contents for each person in charge.

  When a user inputs a subject, a request content, a processing deadline, and the like and selects a decision button 330 on the screen 320, a screen 300 in FIG. 2A is displayed. At this time, a new person-in-charge display field (not shown) is displayed below the person-in-charge display field 306. When the user selects the person-in-charge display field 304 on the screen 300, a screen 320 related to the person in charge is displayed. The user can reset the subject, request content, processing deadline, etc. for each person in charge by appropriately changing the content input on the screen 320.

  When the user finishes inputting the request details for a plurality of persons in charge and presses the end button 310, the acceptance of the processing request ends.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the processing request data registration unit 114 registers the content of the processing request received by the processing request reception unit 108 in the processing request data storage unit 126 for each reception. When the processing request data registration unit 114 registers the content of the processing request in the processing request data storage unit 126, the processing request data registration unit 114 notifies the notification processing unit 116 of the fact. Based on the notification from the processing request data registration unit 114, the notification processing unit 116 acquires from the person-in-charge information storage unit 124 address information of the user terminal of the person in charge included in the processing request. The notification processing unit 116 notifies the terminal of the person in charge that there has been a processing request via the communication control unit 118.

  The processing request data providing unit 120 provides the processing request data to the person in charge of the processing request. The processing request data providing unit 120 reads out the corresponding processing request data and the document file associated therewith from the processing request data storage unit 126 and the document file storage unit 112 based on an instruction from the user. Further, the processing request data providing unit 120 can receive processing from the user and store the processed content in the processing request data storage unit 126 and the document file storage unit 112. In addition, the processing request data providing unit 120 can store the processing status of the person in charge for the document file in the processing request data storage unit 126.

  The processing request data providing unit 120 can provide processing request data to the user terminal 200 via the communication control unit 118 and the network 150, for example. For example, when there is a request for providing processing request data from the user terminal 200, the processing request data providing unit 120 accepts transmission of an ID and password from the user of the user terminal 200 and authenticates the user, and when the user is authenticated. Processing request data can be provided. The user ID and password can be stored in, for example, the person-in-charge information storage unit 124, and the processing request data providing unit 120 can authenticate the user with reference to the person-in-charge information storage unit 124.

  Further, the processing request data providing unit 120 can generate a list in which each processing request is associated with the person in charge of the processing request based on the processing request registered by the processing request data storage unit 126. Further, the processing request data providing unit 120 can generate a list of processing requests in which the person in charge is designated for each person in charge of the processing request based on the processing request registered by the processing request data registration unit 114. . The processing request data providing unit 120 provides these lists to the user terminal 200 connected to the network 150 via the communication control unit 118 or displays the list on the display unit 110. The processing request data providing unit 120, in the case where a plurality of persons in charge sequential processing is specified in the processing request, depending on the processing status of the person in charge, up to which person in charge the processing has been completed, and which It is possible to detect whether the person in charge is the current processing target, and display the person in charge who is the processing target at that time in a list in association with the processing request.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a processing status confirmation screen generated by the processing request data providing unit 120.
FIG. 3A shows a processing request list 400. Here, the person in charge who is the processing target at this point is displayed in association with the processing request. For example, no. Reference numeral 1 denotes a processing request in which sequential processing requests are designated. In this case, “User AAA” which is the processing target at this time is displayed. When the user selects a portion surrounded by a broken line next to “User AAA”, a sequential processing person-in-charge list 410 shown in FIG. 3B is displayed. Here, information such as the person in charge next to “user AAA” is displayed.

  No. of FIG. 2 and no. Reference numeral 3 denotes a person in charge of a simultaneous processing request registered in one processing request. Here, “user CCC” and “user DDD” are displayed for this processing request.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure when receiving a processing request in the network multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment.

  When receiving the processing request (YES in S100), the processing request receiving unit 108 displays a processing request input screen (S102). When the document file to be processed is designated (YES in S104), the process request accepting unit 108 accepts the designation of the multiple person in charge sequential process or the multiple person in charge simultaneous process (S106). If no document file is specified in step S104 (NO in S104), the processing request reception unit 108 displays a message such as “Please select a document file” on the display unit 110, for example, and specifies the document file. A reception process is performed (S120).

  For example, when the user designates multiple person-in-charge sequential processing, a screen 300 as shown in FIG. 2A is displayed. When there is a designation of sequential processing for a plurality of persons in charge (YES in S106), the processing request reception unit 108 receives an input from the person in charge (S108). When there is an input from the person in charge (YES in S108), the processing request reception unit 108 receives an input of the request content (S110). When there is an input of the request content (YES in S110), the processing request receiving unit 108 determines whether or not the input of the person in charge has been completed (S112). If not completed (NO in S112), the input of the next person in charge is accepted (S130, S108).

  In step S112, when the input of the person in charge is completed (YES in S112), it is determined whether or not to register the processing request (S114). When registering (YES in S114), the processing request data registration unit 114 The processing request received by the processing request receiving unit 108 is registered (S116). Subsequently, the notification processing unit 116 notifies the person in charge that a processing request has been made (S118).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S106 that a plurality of persons in charge are simultaneously processed (NO in S106), the process request accepting unit 108 accepts an input from the person in charge (S122). When there is an input from the person in charge (YES in S122), the processing request receiving unit 108 receives an input of the request content (S124). If there is an input of the request content (YES in S124), it is determined whether the input of the person in charge has been completed (S126). If not completed (NO in S126), an input from another person in charge is accepted (S122).

  If the input of the person in charge is completed in step S126 (YES in S126), the process proceeds to step S114.

  As described above, the network multifunction peripheral 100 can designate a plurality of persons in charge by accepting a single processing request. In addition, the contents of the processing request can be set for each person in charge.

  The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. The embodiments are exemplifications, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to combinations of the respective constituent elements and processing processes, and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention. .

  For example, when the processing request reception unit 108 receives a specification (specification of a plurality of persons in charge sequential processing) that causes a plurality of persons in charge to sequentially process the document file in a predetermined order, The designation of a plurality of persons in charge can be accepted. In this case, the processing request accepting unit 108 can accept the designation of the person in charge and the designation of the request content to the person in charge for each order of processing for each of the plural persons in charge. For example, for the first process, a process request is made to five persons in charge, and when the process of the five persons is completed, a process request is made to two persons in charge for the next process. This application example can be applied to, for example, a process in which a plurality of people are first verified in parallel, and after those processes are completed, one person is finally approved. Hereinafter, such a processing procedure will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a screen displayed on the display unit 110 when the processing request receiving unit 108 receives designation of a plurality of person in charge sequential processing. As shown in FIG. 5A, here, “user AAA” and “user BBB” are designated for the processing in the first order. When the user wants to further designate a person in charge, when the person-in-charge designation button 302 is selected, a screen 320 shown in FIG. 5B is displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the screen 320 displays an order display field 332 and order change buttons 334 and 336 in addition to the display shown in FIG. Here, the process of “order 1” is selected. When the user designates a person in charge of processing in the next order, when the order change button 334 is pressed, the display in the order display column 332 becomes “order 2”. For example, when “order 2” is displayed in the order display field 332, when the user presses the order change button 336, the display of the order display field 332 returns to “order 1”.

  For example, when the user presses the order change button 334 and the display in the order display column 332 is set to “order 2”, the person in charge, subject, request content, processing deadline, etc. are input, and the enter button 330 on the screen 320 is clicked. When selected, the screen 300 in FIG. 5A is displayed. At this time, a new person-in-charge display field (not shown) is displayed below the person-in-charge display field 306. Here, “2: user CCC” or the like is displayed in the new person-in-charge display column. In this way, a processing request for a document file can be easily performed.

  As another example, each time a request is entered for each person in charge, an inquiry is made as to whether or not to proceed to the input process for the next order process, and the next person in charge is in parallel with the previous person in charge. It is also possible to select whether processing is performed by processing or sequential processing.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a network multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on a display part, when a process request reception part receives the instruction | indication of a process request. It is a figure which shows the process status confirmation screen produced | generated by the process request data provision part. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the network multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on a display part, when a process request reception part receives the instruction | indication of a process request.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Network multifunction device 104 Original reading part 106 Operation part 108 Processing request reception part 110 Display part 112 Document file storage part 114 Processing request data registration part 116 Notification processing part 118 Communication control part 120 Processing request data provision part 124 Person in charge information storage part 126 processing request data storage unit 150 network 200 user terminal

Claims (7)

An original reading unit that reads an original and generates a document file;
A document file storage unit for storing the document file;
From the previous SL document file the document reading unit stored in the document file or the document file storage unit generated and with the specified one of the document file has the start instruction of the processing request to the one of the document file , a plurality of designated personnel, and each said representative specification of details of a process to ask the person applying accepted for each processing request reception unit that performs processing on the document file of the one,
A processing request data registration unit that registers the content of the processing request received by the processing request reception unit in the processing request data storage unit for each reception;
A processing request data providing unit that provides the contents of the processing request registered in the processing request data storage unit;
Including facsimile machine.   The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1,
  A person-in-charge information storage unit for storing address information of a terminal of a person in charge who can be a person in charge of requesting a processing request;
  When the content of the processing request is registered in the processing request data storage unit, the address information of the terminal of the person in charge included in the processing request is acquired from the person in charge information storage unit, and addressed to the terminal of the person in charge. A notification processing unit for notifying that there has been a processing request;
Further including a facsimile machine. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 ,
A display unit;
When the processing request reception unit is instructed to start the processing request for the one document file together with the specification of the one document file, the input of the person in charge on the display unit and the content of the processing request to the person in charge Facsimile device that displays a screen to enter The facsimile apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The processing request receiving unit, either for the previous SL multiple people to perform in parallel the process to the document file, and accepts or designated to sequentially performed in a predetermined order,
The process request data registering unit designates the plurality of persons in charge when the process request receiving unit receives a designation for causing the plurality of persons in charge to sequentially process the document file in a predetermined order. Facsimile device that registers in association with the order. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 4 ,
The processing request reception unit is a facsimile that receives the designation of a plurality of persons in charge for each order of processing when the plurality of persons in charge receives a designation for sequentially processing the document file in a predetermined order. apparatus. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 4 or 5 ,
When the processing request accepting unit accepts a designation for performing processing on the document file sequentially in a predetermined order with respect to the plurality of persons in charge, for each order of processing, the person in charge and the person in charge are instructed. The facsimile apparatus that accepts designation of the request contents for each of the plurality of persons in charge. The facsimile apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6,
The processing request data providing unit, based on the processing request the processing request data registration unit has registered, displayed and each said processing request, the list associating the personnel of the processing request,
The processing request data storage unit, the processing status with respect to the document file of the representative, in association with the processing request corresponding,
The processing request data providing unit performs processing at that time according to the processing status of the person in charge when the plurality of persons in charge are designated to sequentially process the document file in a predetermined order. A facsimile apparatus that detects a target person in charge and displays the person in charge in association with the processing request.

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