JP4548137B2 - Process execution instruction apparatus and method, and process execution instruction program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a process execution apparatus and method, and a process execution program. More specifically, the present invention relates to a process execution apparatus and method for executing a specified process on document data, and a process execution program.

  Conventionally, a printer driver type document creation apparatus is regarded as one of printers from the operating system and application program, but does not form an image on a physical medium such as paper by controlling a physical printing apparatus. This is a printer device (virtual printer) that is realized by printer driver software that functions to generate a document file of a predetermined format, and that generates a document file by printing from the application software to the printer. For example, Fuji XEROX DocuWorks (trademark) printer and Adobe (trademark) Acrobat 6.0 are commercially available.

  One of the main usage purposes of such a document creation apparatus is to facilitate the user's convenience by unifying the electronic document into a predetermined format in storage, distribution, circulation, etc. of the electronic document.

  However, when electronic documents created with various application software are unified into a predetermined format and used for storage, distribution, circulation, etc., conventionally, printing from any application software to a printer driver type document creation device has been conventionally performed. Thus, a desired document file is generated, and then, the generated document file is manually designated, and a series of processes for accumulation, distribution, circulation, and the like are performed. Therefore, the operation is complicated and errors such as mistaken files are likely to occur. In addition, there is a problem in that the flow of thinking is hindered because the printer driver type document creation device generates a document file, which hinders the flow of thought and reduces the efficiency of work.

  In addition, in the printer driver type document creation device, a job to perform a job on a file on a personal computer (sending mail / sending a fax / printing / WebUp) is a state where the file has already been created. File generation and job instruction could not be performed at the same time.

  Furthermore, other jobs could be performed on a file on a personal computer after the end of a certain job, but similarly, the job specified at the time of file generation could not be performed. It was big.

In addition, there exists patent document 1 as a related patent document. This Patent Document 1 proposes an operation screen display device, an operation screen display method, and a program that dynamically generate a UI based on an “instruction document”. Since an operation screen for an external PC system can be added later, it is convenient to be able to instruct the external system from the MFP's control panel.
JP 2004-112636 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described facts, and provides a processing execution apparatus and method, and a processing execution program capable of releasing the user from the trouble of monitoring whether or not the generation processing of document data has been completed. The purpose is to do.

In order to achieve the above object, a processing execution instructing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a specifying means for specifying processing for document data, a generating means for generating document data, and generation of document data by the generating means. A determination means for determining whether or not the process is completed; and when the determination means determines that the generation process is completed, the process automatically shifts to a process execution mode for executing the process on the document data; a process execution instruction apparatus and a process execution instruction means for instructing to execute the specified processing on the document data said generated by said specifying means, said designating means, via a network after the multiple processing a plurality of processing execution unit each to run at the same time to execute the processing execution instruction connected devices and each different process, the execution of the processing of the plurality of finished At least one process executed by at least one of the plurality of process execution devices is specified by setting a number, and the same first number is specified for the plurality of processes with respect to the at least one process. The second number different from the first number is specified, and at least one process is executed when the execution of each of the plurality of processes ends without causing an error. as was specified by setting the predetermined item, the process execution instruction means, when automatically transitions before Symbol processing execution mode, corresponding to said plurality of processing each designated by said designation means the processing execution unit instructs to execute concurrently on the document data processing is the generation of the corresponding, the execution of each processing of the plurality of, exit without error occurs to When, characterized by instructing the such that at least one process is executed.

Such process execution instruction device to the second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that in the invention according to the first aspect, one of the processing before Kifuku number is printed out.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the process execution instructing device according to the first or second aspect of the invention designates the plurality of processes and the at least one process by setting numbers, Provided with display means for displaying a setting screen having a plurality of setting areas for designating that at least one process is executed when the execution of each of the plurality of processes ends without causing an error. The designation means designates the plurality of processes and the at least one process via the setting screen displayed on the display means, and the execution of each of the plurality of processes ends without causing an error. In this case, it is specified that the at least one process is executed .

4. Such process execution instruction device to the described invention, in the invention according to claim 3, wherein the setting screen includes a plurality of setting areas for setting the destination of the processing results of the previous Kifuku number of processing ,
It said specifying means, through a plurality of setting areas, the processing result output destination before Kifuku number of processes, characterized in that specified.

Note that the processing execution instruction method according to claims 5 to 8 and the processing execution instruction program according to claims 9 to 12 have the same operations and effects as the processing execution instruction device according to claims 1 to 4 , respectively, and therefore description thereof is omitted. To do.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the processing for the document data is designated, it is determined whether the generation processing of the document data is completed, and when it is determined that the generation processing is completed, the processing execution mode is automatically set. Since the specified process is executed on the generated document data, the user does not need to give an instruction to shift to the process execution mode after the document data generation process is completed. Can be freed from the trouble of monitoring whether or not the document data generation processing is completed.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the processing execution system, a plurality of personal computers (hereinafter referred to as PCs) 14, a printer 15, a WebDAV server 18, a mail server 20, and a FAX (facsimile) device 22 are connected via a network 15. ing.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the PC 14 is configured by connecting a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a storage device, a display device 54, and a communication unit 50 to each other via a bus 54.

  A functional block diagram of the PC 14 in the present embodiment is as shown in FIG. Here, the DW document generation unit 62 is a generation unit that generates a DocuWorks (trademark) document file in response to a drawing instruction from an application application, and is realized by a program. The document attribute storage unit 64 is a unit that stores the attribute of the document file generated by the DW document generation unit 24 and is realized by a storage device.

  The print job input unit 66 inputs a print job and is configured by a program. The print job storage unit 68 is a unit that stores the print job input by the print job input unit 66 and is realized by a storage device. The print job execution means 70 is a means for executing a print job input by the print job input means 66 and stored in the print job storage means 68, and is configured by a program. The print job execution end determination means 78 is a means for determining whether or not the print job execution by the print job execution means 70 has ended, and is realized by a program.

  The mail transmission means 72 is means for transmitting mail (electronic mail), the WebDAV file storage means 74 is means for storing a predetermined file on a predetermined website, and the FAX transmission means 76 is means for facsimile transmission. It is.

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of a process execution program that starts when a property is clicked in the DocuWorks (trademark) program.

In Step 8 0 in FIG. 4, to specify the job. Hereinafter, this step will be described in detail.

  First, the property screen 100 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. The property screen 100 includes a print job tab 102. When this tab is clicked, a job designation screen 104 for designating a plurality of processes for the document is displayed as shown in FIG.

  On the job designation screen 104, the user can designate “group”, “instruction content”, “destination”, and “action to the next instruction content” as combo boxes 104A to 104D.

  The contents input by the user in the combo boxes 104A to 104D are as follows.

Group combo box 104A
The user enters an integer value from 1. Jobs with the same number are performed at the same time, and after all of the “Action to Next Instruction” items for Job 1 are completed, Job 2 is started. The top instruction content and the destination are jobs to be executed immediately after the DW document is generated.

  When multiple jobs are specified in “Group” (for example, when there are three 1s in a group), the next step is only performed if there is no error in the “Action of next instruction” item for all jobs. Numeric jobs can be done. When “Action of next instruction content” is blank, the next job is executed unconditionally (regardless of success or failure of the job).

Instruction combo box 104B
The user selects the job contents from the following four items. That is, print output, mail transmission, WebUp, and FAX transmission.

Destination combo box 104C
The destinations corresponding to the instruction contents are as follows.

Print output: IP address of the device (for example, 111.111.111.111)
FAX transmission: FAX transmission telephone number (for example, 03-123-5678)
Email sending: Destination email address (eg tera1@example.org)
WebUp: WebDAV server URL (eg http://www.example.net)
Action combo box 104D for the next instruction
The user selects an action for the next instruction content from the following five items.

FAX transmission Storage complete on server Mail transmission complete Print complete End After this item is completed, the next job is performed. “Action to next instruction content” is a trigger event for performing the next job (second stage instruction content / destination). When “End” is selected in the action for the next instruction content, the job ends.

  In the combo boxes 104A to 104D on the job designation screen 104 described above, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, when the action combo box 104D for the next instruction content is clicked, the above five items that can be designated are displayed. A list is displayed, from which the user designates one item, for example, print completion.

  As described above, “group”, “instruction content”, “destination”, and “action to next instruction content” are set for each of a plurality of jobs (see FIG. 9). This completes the job designation (step 80).

  In the next step 82, a document (document data) is created. In step 84, it is determined whether or not the document generation is completed.

  If it is determined that the document generation has been completed, in step 86, the process is automatically shifted to the process execution mode, and the job designated as described above is executed on the generated document data. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, in step 90, a variable J for identifying the job priority (the above group) is initialized to 0, in step 92, the variable J is incremented by 1, and in step 94, Execute job with priority J.

  As shown in FIG. 9, there may be a plurality of jobs having the same rank. In this case, jobs having the same rank are executed simultaneously. For example, in FIG. 9, print output, FAX transmission, WebUp, and mail transmission (destination tera11@example.org) are executed simultaneously.

  In step 96, it is determined whether or not the variable J is the last rank J0. Since there is a job in which the variable J is not the last rank J0, that is, the rank is not yet executed, the process returns to step 92 and the above processing is performed. (Steps 92 to 96) are executed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the variable J is the last rank J0, since all rank jobs have been executed, this program is terminated.

  For example, if print output is specified in the instruction content, the view editing device (DwViewer.exe) is temporarily executed by the job management execution file, and the device in the destination column is executed by the print command of the view editing file. Instruct printing to the IP. Information such as the completion / error of the instruction is sent to the job management execution file output by the virtual printer via the network.

  When “FAX transmission” is specified as the instruction content on the virtual printer, the job management execution file is generally sent through the FAX modem via iFAX (InternetFAX) or other fax server on the Indranet. Send a fax from the line. Information such as the completion / error of fax transmission is sent from the fax server to the job management execution file via the network using a communication method such as DCOM or SOAP.

  When “WebUp” is designated as the instruction content on the virtual printer, the job management execution file temporarily executes the browsing software, and the created document is the WebDAV specified by the WebDAV-compatible browsing software. Store on the server. Information such as completion / error of WebUp is sent from the WebDAV server to the job management execution file by a communication method such as DCOM or S0AP through the network.

  If "email" is specified as the instruction content on the virtual printer, a new mail is created from the default mailer using the created document as a command, and a temporary file attached is transmitted. In addition, as freeware, there are DLLs for mail transmission, etc., and using them, you can send a created document as an attachment. Information such as mail transmission / error is sent from the mail server to the job management execution file via a communication method such as DCOM or SOAP over the network.

  Jobs are executed up to a job for which “end” is selected by the user.

  The job management execution file determines whether the designated job has been executed, whether execution has been completed, or an error has occurred, and the next job is executed based on the determination.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, processing for a document is designated, it is determined whether or not document data generation processing has ended, and if it is determined that generation processing has ended, the processing execution mode is automatically entered. Since the specified process is performed on the generated document data, the user does not need to give an instruction to shift to the process execution mode after the document data generation process is completed. It is possible to free from the trouble of monitoring whether or not the generation processing of the document data is completed.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 10, the present embodiment includes a PC 14, an electronic bulletin board service 10, and a network connecting them. Since the configurations of the PC 14 and the electronic bulletin board system 10 are the same as those of the PC 14 (see FIG. 2) in the first embodiment described above, description thereof is omitted.

  A functional block diagram of the PC 14 in the present embodiment is as shown in FIG. Here, the DW document generation unit 24 is a generation unit that receives a drawing instruction from an application program and generates a DocuWorks (trademark) document file, and is realized by a program. The document storage means 26 is means for storing the document file generated by the DW document generation means 24 and is realized by a storage device. The printer property property input means 28 is an input means that allows the user to input an instruction relating to document generation by displaying a printer property screen, and is configured by a program. The instruction description parameter input means 30 is an input means for inputting a parameter used to execute the selected instruction description, and is constituted by a program. The ftp execution means 32 is a means for transferring a document file by the ftp protocol in executing the instruction description, and is realized by a program. The SOAP execution means 34 is a means for making a remote procedure call using the SOAP protocol in executing the instruction description, and is realized by a program. The document deletion means 36 is a means for deleting a document file generated by the document generation means and stored in the document storage means 26, and is realized by a program. The instruction description execution means 38 is an execution means for executing a series of processes in accordance with the description of the designated instruction description, and is realized by a program. The instruction description storage means 40 is a storage means for storing one or a plurality of instruction descriptions, and is realized by a storage device.

  The application program is a program having a printing function such as a word processor, a spreadsheet, or a retouch program, for example, and is a program used by the user to “print” the printer driver type document generation apparatus.

  In the present embodiment, for example, an operation of posting a graph created by a user using a spreadsheet as a “breaking sales report” on an electronic bulletin board will be described as an example.

  First, it is assumed that the printer driver type document generation apparatus according to the present embodiment is registered in the operating system as a printer having the name “DW job flow Printer”. Further, it is assumed that the instruction description storage means 40 stores a plurality of instruction descriptions created in advance by an instruction book creation means (not shown). As one of the instruction descriptions, for example, there is an instruction description shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the instruction description is described in XML. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and needless to say, it may be in a so-called script language or a so-called intermediate language.

When the user operates the spreadsheet program and prepares desired data, the user instructs the spreadsheet program to print. As a result, the spreadsheet program shown in FIG. 13 is started, and the instruction description is set in step 101. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, in step 110, for example, a “print” dialog screen 200 for inputting print parameters specific to the spreadsheet program shown in FIG. 15 is displayed. The user operates this screen to select “DW Job Flow Printer” as the printer. Next, the user clicks “Property ( P )” to instruct display of printer properties. This is transmitted to the printer property input means 28 via the operating system. Printer Property input means 28 for receiving the printer property display instruction, in step 112, prepared in advance, for example, displays the printer property screen 202 shown in FIG. 1 6. The user inputs parameters related to DW document generation such as the page size and orientation of the DocuWorks (trademark) document to be generated and the data compression method on the printer property screen 202. Further, an instruction description (job flow) to be executed can be selected from an instruction description selection menu.

  Here, when the user operates the instruction description selection menu to select the instruction description, in step 114, the printer property input means 28 searches the instruction description storage means 40 to obtain a list of available instruction descriptions. As shown in FIG. 17, a menu is displayed to allow the user to select. Here, it is assumed that the user selects “posting notice” (step 116 (see FIG. 18)).

  Next, the user selects the “job flow details” tab. Thereby, the printer property input means 28 instructs the instruction description parameter input means to display the instruction description parameter input screen of “posting notice” in step 118. Upon receiving the instruction, the instruction description parameter input means analyzes the specified instruction description “posting notice” to detect input items to be arranged on the instruction description parameter screen, and sequentially inputs corresponding input elements to the instruction description parameter screen. By arranging, an instruction description parameter screen is generated and displayed as shown in FIG.

  More specifically, the <operation> element that is a child element of the <JobOrderSheet> of the root element is searched in order, and an element that does not have a value attribute in the <param> element that is a child element of each <operation> element. Search and place the input element according to the type of the <param> element on the screen. For example, in the case of the instruction description “posting notice”, the first <operation> element does not have a <param> element. The second <operation> element has one <param> element, and a value attribute is given to the <param> element. The third <operation> element has three <param> elements. A value attribute exists in the first <param> element. The second <param> attribute does not have a value attribute, the type attribute is “choice”, and the selection attribute is “announcement, sales notice, breaking sales”, so “notice”, “sales notice”, “ A selection menu with three choices “Sales Bulletin” is first placed on the screen. Next, since the third <param> element has no value attribute and the type attribute is string, a character string input field is arranged on the screen.

  In step 120, an instruction description parameter is input.

  Here, the user selects “Sales Bulletin” from the section menu (see FIG. 20). Further, for example, “January degree” is entered in the title field (see FIG. 21).

  The user clicks the OK button to complete the input and return to the print dialog screen 200 (see FIG. 15).

  The user clicks OK on the print dialog screen 200 to instruct the spreadsheet program to execute printing. As a result, when the print dialog screen is closed, the spreadsheet program sends a character or graphic drawing instruction to the DW job flow Printer selected via the operating system, thereby instructing printing (step 125 (FIG. 125). 13))).

  In step 127, the DW job flow Printer processes the drawing instruction by the DW document generation unit 24 and corresponds to the print result according to, for example, the page size, orientation, and data compression designation input by the printer property input unit 28. Generate a DocuWorks (trademark) document.

  In step 129, it is determined whether or not the generation of the DocuWorks (trademark) document is completed. If it is determined that the generation of the DocuWorks (trademark) document is completed, in step 131, the instruction description execution unit 38 inputs the printer property. The execution of the instruction description of “posting notice” selected by the means 28 is instructed. The instruction description executing means 38 executes a series of processes according to the specified instruction description according to the parameters specified by the instruction description parameter input means.

  More specifically, the child element of the root element of the instruction description and the <operation> element are sequentially interpreted and executed. The first <operation> element of the “posting notice” has a name attribute “acquire_document” and a type attribute “acquire_document”. This is a processing instruction for acquiring a document file to be processed. In the generation apparatus, the instruction is to process the generated DocuWorks (trademark) document as a processing target. The instruction description execution means 38 selects the generated DocuWorks (trademark) document as a processing target according to this description. Next, in the second <operation> element, the name attribute is put and the type is ftp. The <param> element, which is the only child element, has a name attribute of destination and a value attribute of ftp://abc.example.com/public/. This is an instruction to store the document file to be processed in ftp://abc.example.com/public/ by the FTP protocol.

  Here, ftp://abc.example.com/public/ is the URL of the file storage location provided in the storage device of the electronic bulletin board service 10. In accordance with this description, the instruction description execution means 38 instructs the ftp execution means 32 to store the generated DocuWorks (trademark) document in ftp://abc.example.com/public/. The name of the stored file is stored in a predetermined variable & fileLocation such as “ftp://abc.example.com/public/file001.xdw”. The third <operation> element has a name attribute “NewDocument”, a type attribute SOAP, and a location attribute http://abc.example.com/ws1.wsdl. This is an instruction to call the "NewDocument" method of the Web service specified by the location attribute using the SOAP protocol. The <param> child element specifies an argument when calling the NewDocuemnt method. In the first <param> element, since the name attribute is url and the value attribute is & fileLocation, the argument url is “ftp://abc.example.com/public/file001.xdw”. In the second <para> element, the name attribute is section, and “breaking sales report” is input by the instruction description parameter input unit, so the argument section is “breaking sales report”. In the third <param> element, the name attribute is “title”, and “January degree” is input by the instruction description parameter input unit. Therefore, the argument title is “January degree”. The instruction description execution means 38 instructs the SOAP execution means 34 according to the instruction description to call the NewDocument method. Note that http://abc.example.com/ws1.wsdl is a Web service provided by the electronic bulletin board service.

  When the NewDocument method is called, the Web service of the electronic bulletin board service stores the document file passed as an argument in the bulletin table shown in FIG. 22A, for example, as shown in FIG. 22B. (January) Add "ftp://abc.example.com/public/file001.xdw" and complete the NewDocument method.

  The instruction description executing means 38 completes the execution of the instruction description when the interpretation of the last <operation> element is finished in this way.

  Finally, the “DW job flow Printer” instructs the document deletion unit 36 in step 133 to delete the document generated by the document generation unit stored in the document storage unit 26.

  In this way, the document creation by printing on the printer driver type document generation apparatus “DW Job Flow Printer” of this embodiment and the execution of a series of processes are completed.

  The bulletin board table is displayed when a predetermined URL of the electronic bulletin board service, for example, http://abc.example.com/bbs/home.html is accessed from a Web browser of a PC (not shown). By the bulletin board program of the bulletin board service, it is used for conversion into HTML shown in FIG. 24 so as to be displayed as shown in FIG. In response to a request from a Web browser, such a Web server device that converts predetermined data stored in the storage means into HTML so that it can be displayed on the Web browser in a predetermined format is widely used. Therefore, the description is omitted here.

  In this way, the user simply converts the spreadsheet into a DocuWorks (trademark) document by printing on the printer driver type document creation apparatus of the present embodiment, stores it in a predetermined storage location, and stores the electronic document. A series of operations of posting a desired title on a bulletin board with a desired title can be easily realized without error.

  The section and title can be specified at the same time as setting the printer properties, so you can work smoothly without obstructing the flow of thought.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the configuration of the present embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment (see FIG. 10) described above, detailed description thereof will be omitted. However, in the present embodiment, the PC 14, the electronic bulletin board service 10, and The configuration of the network connecting them, the configuration of the PC 14 and the electronic bulletin board system 10 are the same as the configuration of the PC in the first embodiment described above, and is the same as in the second embodiment described above. .

  As shown in FIG. 25, the functional block diagram of the PC in the present embodiment is substantially the same as that of the second embodiment described above, but a plurality of (for example, two) printer driver type document generation apparatuses 14A. , 14B, and the instruction description parameter execution time input means 31 is provided.

  Here, the instruction description parameter execution time input means 31 is an input means for inputting parameters used to execute the instruction description, and is configured by a program. The instruction description storage means 40 is a storage means for storing one instruction description and is realized by a storage device. The application program is a program having a printing function such as a word processor, a spreadsheet, or a retouch program, for example, and is a program used by the user to “print” any one of the printer driver type document generation means. .

  Further, as described above, the fact that there are a plurality of printer driver type document generation apparatuses in the present embodiment means that each is handled as a different printer apparatus depending on the operating system. The entity of the means constituting them, such as a program for realizing the instruction description executing means 38, may be shared by a plurality of printer driver type document generating apparatuses.

  Next, for example, the operation of the present embodiment will be described by taking as an example an operation of posting a sentence created by a user using a word processor on an electronic bulletin board.

  First, the printer driver type document generation apparatus of this embodiment is registered in the operating system as printers having names that can be distinguished from each other.

  In addition, one instruction description corresponding to each printer is stored in the instruction description storage means 40 of each printer driver type document generation apparatus.

  One printer driver type document generation apparatus 14A is registered in the operating system as a printer having the name “Sales Notification Printer”. Furthermore, it is assumed that the instruction description storage unit 40 in the printer driver type document generation apparatus 14A stores, for example, the instruction description shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the instruction description is described in XML. However, it is needless to say that the instruction description may be in a so-called script language or so-called intermediate language.

  In addition, it is assumed that the other printer driver type document generation device 14B is registered in the operating system as a printer having the name “current month printer”. Furthermore, it is assumed that the instruction description storage unit 40 in the printer driver type document generation apparatus 14B stores, for example, the instruction description shown in FIG.

  Here, it is assumed that the user tries to post a document created by the word processor as a business notice on the electronic bulletin board. When the user operates the word processor program to prepare desired data, the user instructs the word processor program to print.

  In response to the user's print instruction, the word processor program displays a “print” dialog screen 200A for inputting print parameters specific to the word processor program shown in FIG. 28, for example. The user operates this screen, and selects “Sales Notification Printer” as a printer from a plurality of printers including “Sales Notification Printer” and “This Month's Event Printer”.

  Here, by clicking the “printer” button, the printer property input means 28 is used to input parameters related to DW document generation such as the page size and orientation of the DocuWorks ™ document to be generated and the data compression method. It is possible, but not described here.

  Here, the user clicks an OK button on the “print” dialog screen 200A to instruct the word processor program to execute printing.

  When the word processor program receives the print execution instruction and closes the print dialog screen, the word processor program sends an instruction to draw characters and figures to the “sales notification printer” selected via the operating system. The business notification Printer processes the drawing instruction by the DW document generation unit 24, and, for example, according to the page size, orientation, and data compression specified by the printer property input unit 28, DocuWorks (trademark) corresponding to the print result. Generate a document. When the DocuWorks (trademark) document is generated, the instruction description stored in the instruction description storage unit 40 is executed by the instruction description executing unit 38. Prior to execution, the instruction description execution means 38 first instructs the instruction description parameter execution input means 31 to input parameters used for execution of the instruction description.

  The instruction description parameter execution time input means 31 analyzes the instruction description “posting sales notice” stored in the instruction description storage means 40 to detect an input item to be arranged on the instruction description parameter screen, and selects a corresponding input element. The instruction description parameter screen is generated and displayed by sequentially arranging the instruction description parameter screens.

  More specifically, the <operation> element that is a child element of the <JobOrderSheet> of the root element is searched in order, and an element that does not have a value attribute in the <param> element that is a child element of each <operation> element. Search and place the input element according to the type of the <param> element on the screen. In the case of the instruction description “posting business notification”, the first <operation> element does not have a <param> element. The second <operation> element has one <param> element, and a value attribute is given to the <param> element. The third <operation> element has three <param> elements. A value attribute exists in the first and second <param> elements. Since the third <param> element has no value attribute and the type attribute is string, a character string input field is arranged on the screen. In this way, the instruction description parameter screen shown in FIG. 29 is displayed.

  Here, it is assumed that “Notification 04-003” is input as the title, and the input completion is instructed by clicking the OK button. The instruction description parameter input means ends the process.

  The instruction description executing means 38 executes a series of processes according to the specified instruction description according to the parameters specified by the instruction description parameter input means.

  More specifically, the child element of the root element of the instruction description and the <operation> element are sequentially interpreted and executed. The first <operation> element of “Bulletin of business notification” has name attribute “acquire_document” and type attribute “acquire_document”. This is an instruction of processing for acquiring a document file to be processed. In the document generation apparatus, the instruction is to process the generated DocuWorks (trademark) document as a processing target. The instruction description execution means 38 selects the generated DocuWorks (trademark) document as a processing target according to this description. Next, in the second <operation> element, the name attribute is put and the type is ftp. The <param> element, which is the only child element, has a name attribute of destination and a value attribute of ftp://abc.example.com/public/. This is an instruction to store the document file to be processed in ftp://abc.example.com/public/ by the FTP protocol.

  Here, ftp://abc.example.com/public/ is the URL of the file storage location provided in the storage device of the electronic bulletin board service 10. In accordance with this description, the instruction description execution means 38 instructs the ftp execution means 32 to store the generated DocuWorks (trademark) document in ftp://abc.example.com/public/. The name of the stored file is stored in a predetermined variable & fileLocation such as “ftp://abc.example.com/public/doc001.xdw”. The third <operation> element has a name attribute “NewDocument”, a type attribute SOAP, and a location attribute http://abc.example.com/ws1.wsdl. This is an instruction to call the "NewDocument" method of the Web service specified by the location attribute using the SOAP protocol. The <param> child element specifies an argument when calling the NewDocuemnt method. In the first <param> element, the name attribute is url and the value attribute is & fileLocation, so the argument url is “ftp://abc.example.com/public/doc001.xdw”. In the second <para> element, the name attribute is section and the value attribute is “business notification”, so the argument section is “business notification”. In the third <param> element, the name attribute is “title”, and “Notification 04-003” is input by the instruction description parameter input unit. Therefore, the argument title is “Notification 04-003”. The instruction description execution means 38 instructs the SOAP execution means 34 according to the instruction description to call the NewDocument method. Note that http://abc.example.com/ws1.wsdl is a Web service provided by the electronic bulletin board service.

  When the NewDocument method is called for the Web service of the electronic bulletin board service, the document file passed as an argument is displayed in, for example, the bulletin board table shown in FIG. 30 (A), as shown in FIG. 30 (B). , Circular 04-003, add "ftp://abc.example.com/public/doc001.xdw" and complete the NewDocument method.

  The instruction description executing means 38 completes the execution of the instruction description when the interpretation of the last <operation> element is finished in this way.

  Finally, the business notification Printer instructs the document deletion unit 36 to delete the document generated by the document generation unit stored in the document storage unit 26.

  In this way, the document creation and the series of processing by printing to the “business notification Printer” in the printer driver type document generation apparatus of the present embodiment are completed.

  Next, a case where the user intends to post a calendar created by the calendar creation program on the electronic bulletin board with the title “Event of the Month” will be described.

  When the user can prepare desired data by operating the calendar creation program, the user instructs the calendar creation program to print. Upon receiving a print instruction from the user, the calendar creation program displays, for example, a “print” dialog screen 200B for inputting print parameters specific to the calendar creation program shown in FIG. The user operates this screen to select “current month event Printer” as a printer from a plurality of printers including “business notification Printer” and “current month event Printer”.

  Here, by clicking the “printer” button, the printer property input means 28 is used to input parameters related to DW document generation such as the page size and orientation of the DocuWorks ™ document to be generated and the data compression method. It is possible, but not described here.

  Here, when the user clicks the OK button, the calendar creation program is instructed to execute printing.

  When the calendar creation program receives the print execution instruction and closes the print dialog screen, the calendar creation program sends a drawing instruction of characters and figures to the “current month event Printer” selected via the operating system. This month's event Printer processes the drawing instruction by the DW document generation unit 24, and, for example, the DocuWorks (trademark) corresponding to the print result according to the page size, orientation, and data compression specified by the printer property input unit 28, for example. ) Generate a document. When the DocuWorks (trademark) document is generated, the instruction description stored in the instruction description storage unit 40 is executed by the instruction description executing unit 38. Prior to execution, the instruction description execution means 38 first instructs the instruction description parameter execution input means 31 to input parameters used for execution of the instruction description.

  The instruction description parameter execution time input means 31 analyzes the instruction description “posting of this month's event” stored in the instruction description storage means 40 to detect an input item to be placed on the instruction description parameter screen, and corresponding input elements Are arranged in order on the instruction description parameter screen to generate and display the instruction description parameter screen.

  More specifically, the <operation> element that is a child element of the <JobOrderSheet> of the root element is searched in order, and an element that does not have a value attribute in the <param> element that is a child element of each <operation> element. Search and place the input element according to the type of the <param> element on the screen. In the case of the instruction description “posting this month's event”, there is no <param> element that lacks the value attribute in any <operation> element. The instruction description parameter input means ends the process.

  The instruction description executing means 38 executes a series of processes according to the specified instruction description according to the parameters specified by the instruction description parameter input means.

  More specifically, the child element of the root element of the instruction description and the <operation> element are sequentially interpreted and executed. The first <operation> element of “posting this month's event” has a name attribute “acquire_document” and a type attribute “acquire_document”. This is an instruction of processing for acquiring a document file to be processed. In the document generation apparatus, the instruction is to process the generated DocuWorks (trademark) document. The instruction description execution means 38 selects the generated DocuWorks (trademark) document as a processing target according to this description. Next, in the second <operation> element, the name attribute is put and the type is ftp. The <param> element, which is the only child element, has a name attribute of destination and a value attribute of ftp://abc.example.com/public/. This is an instruction to store the document file to be processed in ftp://abc.example.com/public/ by the FTP protocol.

  Here, ftp://abc.example.com/public/ is the URL of the file storage location provided in the storage device of the electronic bulletin board service 10. In accordance with this description, the instruction description execution means 38 instructs the ftp execution means 32 to store the generated DocuWorks (trademark) document in ftp://abc.example.com/public/. The name of the stored file is stored in a predetermined variable & fileLocation such as “ftp://abc.example.com/public/doc002.xdw”. The third <operation> element has a name attribute “NewDocument”, a type attribute SOAP, and a location attribute http://abc.example.com/ws1.wsdl. This is an instruction to call the "NewDocument" method of the Web service specified by the location attribute using the SOAP protocol. The <param> child element specifies an argument when calling the NewDocuemnt method. In the first <param> element, since the name attribute is url and the value attribute is & fileLocation, the argument url is “ftp://abc.example.com/public/doc002.xdw”. In the second <para> element, the name attribute is section and the value attribute is “news”, so the argument section is “news”. In the third <param> element, since the name attribute is title and the value attribute value is “this month's event”, the argument title is “this month's event”. The instruction description execution means 38 instructs the SOAP execution means 34 according to the instruction description to call the NewDocument method. Note that http://abc.example.com/ws1.wsdl is a Web service provided by the electronic bulletin board service.

  When the NewDocument method is called, the Web service of the electronic bulletin board service informs the document file passed as an argument to, for example, the bulletin board table shown in FIG. 32 (A), as shown in FIG. 32 (B), This month's event, “ftp://abc.example.com/public/doc002.xdw” is added and the NewDocument method is completed.

  The instruction description executing means 38 completes the execution of the instruction description when the interpretation of the last <operation> element is finished in this way.

  Finally, this month's event Printer instructs the document deletion unit 36 to delete the document generated by the document generation unit stored in the document storage unit 26.

  In this manner, the document creation and the series of processes are completed by printing on “this month's event Printer” in the printer driver type document generation apparatus of the present embodiment.

  The bulletin board table is displayed when a predetermined URL of the electronic bulletin board service, for example, http://abc.example.com/bbs/home.html is accessed from a Web browser of a PC (not shown). By the bulletin board program of the bulletin board service, for example, as shown in FIG. 33, it is used for conversion into HTML shown in FIG. 34 to be displayed as shown in FIG.

  In this way, the user can easily perform a series of processes for creating a DocuWorks (trademark) document for disclosure and posting it on an electronic bulletin board by a simple operation of selecting a predetermined printer from a plurality of printers without error. Realized.

  As described above, in the second embodiment and the third embodiment, generation of a required document and execution of a series of processes on the generated document are referred to as a print operation for the printer driver type document generation apparatus. Since it can be realized by a single operation, processing can be executed easily and without error, and in particular, it can be smoothly operated without obstructing the flow of thought by waiting for time in document generation.

  In the second embodiment and the third embodiment, the print parameter input unit is provided with an instruction description selection unit, so that what kind of processing is performed as part of the print instruction to the printer driver type document generation apparatus. Can be specified easily, without error, and can be executed smoothly, waiting for processing time to hinder the flow of thought.

  Furthermore, in the second embodiment and the third embodiment, the document file generated by the printer driver type document creating means is automatically deleted, so that the document file becomes unnecessary after a series of processing. You won't be bothered, and you can avoid accidentally deleting files that are still in use, or deleting different files by mistake, as you would do manually.

  In the second embodiment, an instruction description parameter input unit is provided in the print parameter input unit. In the third embodiment, an instruction description parameter execution time input unit is provided in the print parameter input unit. Therefore, as part of the print instruction for the printer driver type document generation device, detailed instructions regarding different processes can be given for each series of processes to be executed, so that the flow of thought can be easily and without error and waiting for time. It can be performed smoothly without being disturbed.

  In the third embodiment, since a plurality (two) of printer driver type document generation apparatuses exist, each can be handled as a different printer apparatus depending on the operating system. Thus, as described above, the user creates a predetermined document (such as a DocuWorks (trademark) document for disclosure) by a simple operation of selecting a predetermined printer from a plurality of printers, and performs other processing (electronic A series of processes such as posting on a bulletin board can be easily realized without errors.

It is a block diagram of the processing execution system in a 1st embodiment. It is a block diagram of PC. It is a functional block diagram of PC. It is the flowchart which showed the process execution program. It is the flowchart which showed the subroutine of step 86 of FIG. It is the figure which showed the property screen. It is the figure which showed the job specification screen. It is the figure which showed a mode that the content of the job was set on a job designation | designated screen. It is the figure which showed a mode that the content of each of several jobs was set on the job designation | designated screen. It is a block diagram of the process execution system in 2nd Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of PC in this Embodiment. It is the figure which showed an example of the instruction description. It is the flowchart which showed the process execution program in 2nd Embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed the subroutine of step 101 of FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a “print” dialog screen. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a printer property screen. It is explanatory drawing explaining the effect | action (setting of the content of instruction description) in this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the effect | action (setting of the content of instruction description) in this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the effect | action (setting of the content of instruction description) in this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the effect | action (setting of the content of instruction description) in this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the effect | action (setting of the content of instruction description) in this Embodiment. (A), (B) is a figure which shows a bulletin board table, (A) is a figure before addition, (B) is a figure which shows the mode after addition. It is the figure which showed the one aspect | mode when a bulletin board table is displayed with a web browser by the bulletin board program of an electronic bulletin board service. It is the figure which showed the one aspect | mode which the bulletin board table was converted into HTML in order to be displayed with a web browser by the bulletin board program of an electronic bulletin board service. It is a functional block diagram of PC in 3rd Embodiment. It is the figure which showed an example of the instruction description. It is the figure which showed the other instruction description. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a “print” dialog screen. It is a figure which shows an instruction | indication description parameter screen. (A), (B) is a figure which shows a bulletin board table, (A) is a figure before addition, (B) is a figure which shows the mode after addition. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another “print” dialog screen. (A), (B) is a figure which shows another bulletin board table, (A) is a figure before addition, (B) is a figure which shows the mode after addition. It is the figure which showed the one aspect | mode when a bulletin board table is displayed with a web browser by the bulletin board program of an electronic bulletin board service. It is the figure which showed the one aspect | mode which the bulletin board table was converted into HTML in order to be displayed with a web browser by the bulletin board program of an electronic bulletin board service.

Explanation of symbols

14 PC
15 Printer 42 CPU
54 Display Device 104 Job Specification Screen 200A, 200B “Print” Dialog Screen

Claims (12)

A specifying means for specifying processing for document data;
Generating means for generating document data;
Determining means for determining whether or not the generation processing of the document data by the generating means is completed;
When it is determined by the determination means that the generation process has been completed, the process automatically shifts to a process execution mode for executing processing on document data, and the process designated by the designation means is changed to the generated document. Processing execution instruction means for instructing to execute the data;
A process execution instruction device comprising:
Said specifying means, and multiple processing a plurality of processing execution unit each to run at the same time to perform the connected to the processing execution instruction unit and each different process via the network, execution of the processing of said plurality of finished At least one process to be executed later by at least one of the plurality of process execution devices is specified by setting a number, and the same first number is assigned to the at least one process for the plurality of processes. On the other hand, when the second number different from the first number is specified and the execution of each of the plurality of processes ends without an error, the at least one process is Specify by setting certain items to be executed ,
Said processing execution instructing means, before Symbol if treatment automatically at the run mode, a document in which the processing execution unit is the generating the corresponding processing corresponding to the plurality of processing each designated by said designation means Instructing the data to be executed at the same time, and instructing the at least one process to be executed when each of the plurality of processes ends without causing an error ;
A process execution instructing device characterized by that. Process execution instruction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the one before Kifuku number of process is a printed output. The plurality of processes and the at least one process are specified by setting a number, and when the execution of each of the plurality of processes ends without causing an error, the at least one process is executed. Display means for displaying a setting screen having a plurality of setting areas for designating
The designation means designates the plurality of processes and the at least one process via the setting screen displayed on the display means, and each execution of the plurality of processes is completed without causing an error. 3. The process execution instruction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one process is specified to be executed. The setting screen includes a plurality of setting areas for setting the destination of the processing results of the previous Kifuku number of processes,
Said specifying means, through a plurality of setting areas, the preprocessing execution instruction device according to claim 3, wherein the processing result output destination of Kifuku number of processes, characterized in that specified. A step of designating means for processing document data;
Generating means for generating document data;
A step of determining whether or not the generation process of the document data by the generating step is completed;
When the process execution instruction means determines that the generation process is completed by the determination step, the process execution instruction means automatically shifts to a process execution mode for executing the process on the document data, and is designated by the designation means. Instructing processing to be performed on the generated document data;
A process execution instruction method comprising:
In the step of specifying, said specifying means, and multiple processing a plurality of processing execution unit each to run at the same time to perform the connected to the processing execution instruction unit and each different process via the network, the plurality of The at least one process executed by at least one of the plurality of process execution devices after the execution of the process is finished is set by setting a number, and the same first number is set for the plurality of processes. The at least one process is designated by setting a second number different from the first number, and each execution of the plurality of processes ends without causing an error. Specify by setting a predetermined item so that the at least one process is executed ,
Treatment in the step of the instruction, said processing execution instructing means, automatically when a transition, where the process execution device corresponding to the plurality of processing each designated by said designation means is the corresponding prior Symbol processing execution mode Is executed simultaneously with respect to the generated document data, and when the execution of each of the plurality of processes ends without causing an error, the at least one process is executed. process execution instruction wherein the instructing. Process execution instruction method according to claim 5, wherein the one before Kifuku number of process is a printed output. The display means designates the plurality of processes and the at least one process by setting a number, and when each of the plurality of processes ends without causing an error, the at least one process is performed. Further comprising a step of displaying a setting screen having a plurality of setting areas for specifying that the process is executed ;
In the designating step, the designating unit designates the plurality of processes and the at least one process via the setting screen displayed by the display unit in the displaying step , and each of the plurality of processes. 7. The process execution instruction method according to claim 5, wherein the execution is specified so that the execution is completed when no error occurs . The setting screen includes a plurality of setting areas for setting the destination of the processing results of the previous Kifuku number of processes,
In the step of specifying, said specifying means, through a plurality of setting areas, process execution instruction method according to claim 7, wherein the output destination of the processing results of the previous Kifuku number of processes, characterized in that specify . Computer
A specifying means for specifying processing for document data,
Generating means for generating document data;
Determining means for determining whether or not the generation processing of the document data by the generating means is completed; and
When it is determined by the determination means that the generation process has been completed, the process automatically shifts to a process execution mode for executing processing on document data, and the process designated by the designation means is changed to the generated document. a process execution instruction program to function as a process execution instruction means for instructing to perform on the data,
Said specifying means, and multiple processing a plurality of processing execution unit each to run at the same time to perform the connected to the processing execution instruction unit and each different process via the network, execution of the processing of said plurality of finished At least one process to be executed later by at least one of the plurality of process execution devices is designated by setting a number, and the same first number is assigned to the at least one process for the plurality of processes. On the other hand, when the second number different from the first number is specified and the execution of each of the plurality of processes ends without causing an error, the at least one process is Specify by setting certain items to be executed ,
Said processing execution instructing means, before Symbol if treatment automatically at the run mode, a document in which the processing execution unit is the generating the corresponding processing corresponding to the plurality of processing each designated by said designation means Instructing the data to be executed at the same time, and instructing the at least one process to be executed when the execution of each of the plurality of processes ends without causing an error. Processing execution instruction program. Claim 9, wherein the process execution instruction program, wherein one of the processing before Kifuku number is printed out. The process execution program designates the computer by setting a number for the plurality of processes and the at least one process, and the execution of each of the plurality of processes ends without causing an error. And further functioning as a display means for displaying a setting screen having a plurality of setting areas for specifying that the at least one process is executed ,
The designation means designates the plurality of processes and the at least one process via the setting screen displayed by the display means, and the execution of each of the plurality of processes is completed without causing an error. The processing execution instruction program according to claim 9 or 10 , wherein the at least one processing is specified to be executed. The setting screen includes a plurality of setting areas for setting the destination of the processing results of the previous Kifuku number of processes,
Said designating means, through said plurality of setting areas, claim 11 process execution instruction program according to the destination of the processing results of the previous Kifuku number of processes, characterized in that specified.

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