JP4694378B2 - Information processing system, user terminal, and control method for information processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a user terminal, and a control method for an information processing apparatus that perform processing from issue drafting to approval using both an electronic document and a paper document.

An electronic approval processing system has been developed which has information on drafted cases as an electronic document and realizes an approval flow process on a computer. The approval flow refers to a flow of a series of business processing when approval is made by a plurality of people for a drafted case. In addition, the approval includes all of a series of deliberation actions related to the examination, approval, consultation, approval, etc., and the approval person includes all persons who perform the deliberation actions.
On the other hand, if all the processes of the approval flow are performed by the electronic approval processing system, it may be inefficient for a person inexperienced with the computer, and therefore, paper documents and electronic documents may be mixed.
For example, depending on the type of document, whether to use a paper document or an electronic document in advance is decided, and a document decided to be used as a paper document uses all processing of the decision flow as a paper document. Documents decided to be operated may be operated by an electronic approval system.
In the course of the approval flow, there are cases where the operation of electronic documents (hereinafter also referred to as electronic operations) and the operation of paper documents (hereinafter also referred to as paper operations) are switched (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-265140 A

  By the way, when returning from paper operation to electronic operation, when the person in charge reads the paper document with a scanner or the like, the contents of the approval process applied to the paper document are reflected in the electronic approval processing system. However, if it can be reflected in the electronic approval processing system when the person in charge performs the approval process, each person in charge can check the progress status of the approval at any time from the electronic approval processing system as in electronic operation. Or search for the case, and the approval process can be performed quickly and accurately.

  In addition, after switching from electronic operation to paper operation, the paper document is circulated from the person who executed the approval process to the next person in charge. Even in the case of operation, if the person in charge who performs the approval process can be authenticated, it is possible to prevent fraud such as another person in charge pretending to perform the approval process, and ensure the same security as in electronic operation. I can do it.

  For this reason, when switching between electronic document operation and paper document operation in the middle of the approval flow, an ID that uniquely identifies the case, various information related to the approval flow, and information indicating the progress of the case in the approval flow ( Information indicating to which authorizer the document is currently being processed and information indicating the result of the content of the authorizer up to now (hereinafter referred to as progress if there is no specification) There is a need for a technology that can be managed and synchronized with an electronic approval processing system.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing system, a user terminal, and an information processing system control method capable of realizing user authentication and progress management equivalent to those in electronic operation even in paper operation.

An information processing system according to the present invention for solving the above problems includes a case database for storing document data in which contents of a case to be approved are stored, information indicating the order of each person in charge of processing the case, and each person in charge An information processing system configured by communicably connecting an information processing apparatus having an approval flow database for storing approval flow data including information indicating a processing result of a person and a user terminal possessed by each person in charge The information processing apparatus obtains the contents of the case from the electronic operation state in which the document data of the case, which is electronic data, is handled by a decision flow from a user terminal possessed by a person in charge of processing the case. switching request to state of the paper production to process the artifact printed on paper, to no receiving switching request to the state of the electronic operation from the paper production And, printing and operation information receiving unit Update operation status related to the corresponding matters in response to the switching request in the case database, when receiving a switching request to the paper production from the electronic operation, the contents of the case to the paper A document data transmission unit that transmits the document data of the case acquired from the case database to the printing device, and a decision regarding the case acquired from the decision flow database when a request for switching from electronic operation to paper operation is received. An approval flow data writing unit that writes flow data to a storage medium mounted on the paper, a processing result receiving unit that receives a processing result for the case from the user terminal, and the processing result in the approval flow database . includes a decision flow database updating unit for writing with respect to the project, the use Processing terminal, said accepted by the user interface with respect to projects where the switching request from the electronic operation to the state of the paper production, or the switching request from the paper production to the state of the electronic operations, transmits to the information processing apparatus and parts, and the person in charge by the accepting an input of the processing result relating to transactions processing result reception unit, wherein if the project is paper production, the updating of the approval flow data definitive storage medium of the sheet by the processing result And a processing result transmission unit configured to transmit a processing result related to the case to the information processing apparatus.

  According to such an aspect, it is possible to manage the progress of a case approved by a paper document by the information processing system and to synchronize. As a result, when the person in charge performs the approval process, the result of the approval can be reflected in the information processing system. Each person in charge can check the progress of approval and search for matters at any time, as in the case of electronic operation from the information processing system, and can quickly and accurately execute the approval processing.

  Further, in the information processing system, the information processing device stores a user database that associates and stores identification information of each person in charge and authentication information for performing identity verification of each person in charge, and the case from the user terminal. The authentication information receiving unit that receives the identification information and authentication information of the person in charge of processing, and the authentication information stored in the user database in association with the identification information of the person in charge and the received authentication information An approval information comparison unit that performs the processing, and the approval flow database update unit writes the processing result into the approval flow database only when the authentication information matches.

  According to such an aspect, even in the case of a paper document, as in the case of electronic operation, it is possible to authenticate the person in charge who performs the approval process. As a result, it is possible to prevent fraud such as another person in charge impersonating himself / herself and making an approval process, and the same security as in electronic operation can be ensured.

  In addition, the problems disclosed by the present application and the solutions thereof will be clarified by the column of the best mode for carrying out the invention and the drawings.

  It is possible to manage the progress of a case approved by a paper document by an information processing system and to synchronize. Also, user authentication equivalent to that during electronic operation can be realized even during paper operation.

  Hereinafter, the best embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the components, types, combinations, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like described in this embodiment are merely illustrative examples, and the present invention is not limited to these descriptions.

=== Example of Overall Configuration ===
A configuration diagram showing an information processing system 900 (hereinafter also referred to as an electronic approval processing system 900) according to the present embodiment is shown in FIG. An electronic approval processing system 900 according to the present embodiment is configured by connecting an electronic approval processing device 1 and a client 2 via a network 4 so that they can communicate with each other. The electronic approval processing device 1 corresponds to the information processing device described in the claims. The client 2 corresponds to a user terminal described in the claims.

  The electronic approval processing apparatus 1 is a computer that manages information related to a matter drafted by a business application in an administrative organization or a private company, and an approval status, and the system form such as a server / client type or a Web type is not limited. As will be described in detail later, the electronic approval processing device 1 has a function of switching the approval process between operation using a paper document and operation using an electronic document, and a function of outputting information on the electronic document to a paper document and a storage medium.

  The client 2 is a computer connected to the electronic approval processing apparatus 1 via the network 4 and realized by a PC (Personal Computer) or the like. Although details will be described later, the client 2 has a function of synchronizing the progress status of the approval flow stored in the storage medium attached to the paper document and the progress status of the approval flow of the electronic document. Further, the client 2 acquires information regarding a person in charge of the approval process (hereinafter also referred to as a user) and the ID of the case for the approval process, and connects to the electronic approval processing apparatus 1 to determine whether the user can process ( Authentication is performed). Further, the client 2 acquires the approval process, and updates the progress information of the approval process in a later-described approval flow database provided in the storage medium attached to the paper document and the electronic approval processing apparatus 1.

The network 4 is a network that connects the electronic approval processing apparatus 1 and the client 2 and is realized by a wireless LAN, a wired LAN, the Internet, or the like.
The storage medium 3 is an updatable nonvolatile storage medium, and is realized by a flash memory, an IC chip, or the like. The recording medium 3 can also be a tag in RFID (Radio Frequency Identification).
The paper document 5 is a paper that is circulated among persons in charge during the approval process. The paper document 5 is printed with a document indicating the contents of the case to be approved by each person in charge.

=== Electronic Approval Processing Device ===
As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic approval processing apparatus 1 includes a processing unit 11, an output unit 12, a storage unit 13, an input unit 14, and a communication unit 15.

The processing unit 11 is connected to the output unit 12, the storage unit 13, the input unit 14, and the communication unit 15, and controls the entire electronic approval processing apparatus 1. The processing unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory, and is realized by the CPU executing a program stored in a memory at a specified address.
The output unit 12 outputs information for which an output command is issued from the processing unit 11. The output unit 12 is realized by all output devices such as a printer, a display, and a writer. The writer has a function of writing information to the storage medium 3.
The storage unit 13 is realized by a storage device such as a hard disk or a RAM (Random Access Memory), and stores information read and written by the processing unit 11.
The input unit 14 is realized by a keyboard for inputting text data, a scanner for reading image data, a reader for reading information from the storage medium 3, and the input data is passed to the processing unit 11.
The communication unit 15 is connected to the network 4 and communicates with the client 2 and other computers via the network 4. The communication unit 15 is realized by a network connection device, a communication API (Application Program Interface) with other business applications, or a servlet.

  Note that the output unit 12, the storage unit 13, and the input unit 14 may be configured as a part of the electronic approval processing apparatus 1, or may be configured separately from the electronic approval processing apparatus 1.

  In addition, the case database, the decision flow database, the user database, the operation information receiving unit, the document data sending unit, the decision flow data writing unit, the processing result receiving unit, the decision flow database updating unit, and the authentication information receiving unit described in the claims The authentication information comparison unit is executed by the CPU of the electronic approval processing apparatus 1 and cooperates with each hardware device constituting the processing unit 11, the output unit 12, the storage unit 13, the input unit 14, and the communication unit 15. It is realized by doing.

=== Client ===
The client 2 includes a processing unit 21, an output unit 22, an input unit 23, and a communication unit 24.

The processing unit 21 is connected to the output unit 22, the input unit 23, and the communication unit 24 and controls the entire client 2. The processing unit 21 includes a CPU and a memory, and is realized by the CPU executing a program stored in a memory at a specified address.
The output unit 22 outputs information output from the processing unit 21 and is realized by a display, a writer such as the storage medium 3, or the like.
The input unit 23 is realized by a keyboard for inputting text data, an input device such as a switch, a reader for reading information from the storage medium 3 or the like, and the input data is passed to the processing unit 21.
The communication unit 24 is connected to the network 4 and communicates with the electronic approval processing apparatus 1 and other computers via the network 4. The communication unit 24 is realized by a network connection device, a communication API with the electronic approval processing device 1, or a servlet.

  The output unit 22 and the input unit 23 may be configured as a part of the client 2 or may be configured separately from the client 2.

  The processing result receiving unit, the storage medium updating unit, and the processing result transmitting unit described in the claims are executed by the CPU of the client 2, and the processing unit 21, the output unit 22, the input unit 23, the communication unit This is realized by cooperating with each hardware device constituting 24.

<Storage unit of electronic approval processing device>
Next, FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of data held in the storage unit 13 of the electronic approval processing apparatus 1.
The storage unit 13 manages a user database 132, a case database 133, an approval flow database 134, and a management database 135 as information related to electronic approval processing by a DBMS (DataBase Management System) 131. Hereinafter, the database is also referred to as DB.

The user DB 132 is a database that manages the user information 9 of the electronic approval processing apparatus 1, and stores the identification information of each person in charge and authentication information for performing identity verification of each person in charge. The user information 9 includes a user ID that is identification information of each person in charge, authentication information at the time of login that is authentication information for confirming the identity of each person in charge, a user's title, a user's affiliation, and the like. It may also include user authority information. Examples of the login method include a password method, a biometric authentication method, and the like. Information stored in the authentication information varies depending on the login method.
The case DB 133 is a database that manages case IDs and case information, and includes case information 6 (corresponding to document data described in claims) in which the details of cases to be approved by each person in charge are described. Remember.
The decision flow DB 134 is a database that manages decision flow information and decision flow progress information associated with a case, and shows information indicating the order of each person in charge of the case and the processing result of each person in charge. The decision flow data 7 including the information to be shown is stored.
The management DB 135 is a database that manages the entire setting information of the electronic approval processing apparatus 1. The setting information includes information on business applications to be linked.

<Functional Description of Processing Unit of Electronic Approval Processing Device>
Next, the functional configuration of the processing unit 11 of the electronic approval processing apparatus 1 is shown in FIG. By executing the program in the processing unit 11, a user management function 111, an approval flow management function 112, a document management function 113, and a maintenance function 114 are realized.

The user management function 111 is a function that performs processing related to the user information 9 such as maintenance of the user information 9 stored in the user DB 132 and login authentication.
The document management function 113 is a function for performing processing related to the case information 6 such as searching for the case information 6 stored in the case DB 133, setting an attached file, and maintaining the case information 6.
The approval flow management function 112 is a function that performs processing related to the approval flow data stored in the approval flow DB 134.
The maintenance function 114 is a function for performing maintenance such as system setting of the electronic approval processing apparatus 1.

<Functional description of client processing unit>
Next, a functional configuration of the processing unit 21 of the client 2 is shown in FIG.
The user authentication function 211 is a function for performing authentication by connecting to the electronic approval processing apparatus 1 based on information of a user who performs an approval process on a paper document and item information of the paper document.
The approval process function 212 is a function for performing a process of reflecting the approval process performed on the paper document 5 by the user in the storage medium 3 and the approval flow DB 134.

<Functional explanation of output unit of electronic approval processing device>
Next, the functional configuration of the output unit 12 of the electronic approval processing apparatus 1 is shown in FIG. The output unit 12 outputs information to the outside according to the output command acquired from the processing unit 11.
The screen 121 displays information on the screen and includes a PC display and the like. The printer 122 prints information on paper. The writer 123 writes information into the storage medium 3. Other external output functions refer to all output functions other than the screen 121, the printer 122, and the writer 123, and include a ROM writer and an audio output device.

<Functional explanation of client output unit>
Next, the functional configuration of the output unit 22 of the client 2 is shown in FIG. The output unit 22 outputs information according to the output command acquired from the processing unit 21.
The screen 221 displays information on the screen, such as a PC display. The writer 222 writes information to the storage medium 3. The other external output function refers to all output functions other than the screen 221 and the writer 222, and includes a ROM writer and an audio output device.

<Data structure and overview>
Next, details of data held in the storage unit 13 of the electronic approval processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9. However, the illustrated data items are examples, and the arrangement order, format, additional information not shown, and the like are not limited as long as there is no specific description.

  The case information 6 holds a case ID 61, an operation state 62, and case information 63. The case ID 61 is a unique key that uniquely identifies the case. The operation state 62 indicates whether the case is paper operation or electronic operation, and is updated when the operation is switched. The case information 63 stores all other information related to the case that is associated with the case ID 61. Examples include an output image when a case is printed on a form, a file attached to the case, a case name, and the like.

  The approval flow data 7 includes a case ID 71, an approval order 72, an approval process 73, user information 74, a completion status 75, and a processing result 76, and indicates what processing is performed in the approval flow. . The case ID 71 is associated with the case ID 61 of the case information 6. The approval order 72 corresponds to the circulation order at the time of paper operation, and represents what order and what approval process is performed. The approval processing 73 represents processing in the approval order 72 in the approval flow, and stores approval processing such as drafting, approval, negotiation, approval, and examination. The user information 74 represents information related to the user who performs the approval process 73, and stores a user ID and a unique key that can uniquely identify the user. The completion state 75 indicates whether the approval process has been processed by the approver. The processing result 76 stores the processing result when the approval process 73 has been processed, and stores data such as approval and non-approval.

  In the case of the example shown in FIG. 8, the case where the case ID is AA-0001 is drafted by the user A, secondly approved by the user B, and thirdly, the viewing process is performed by the user C. Further, as a future process, it is necessary that the approval process is performed by the user D fourth, and the examination process is performed by the user E fifth, but in the example, it is not completed.

  The user information 9 includes identification information of each person in charge and authentication information for confirming each person's identity. The user ID represents information related to the user who performs the approval process, stores a unique key such as a user ID that can uniquely identify the user, and is associated with the user information 74 of the approval flow data 7. The authentication information is information for performing identity verification, such as a password and biometric authentication information.

<Description of processing>
Next, an approval flow in which paper operation and electronic operation are mixed will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 10 shows the circulation (paper and storage medium) at the time of paper operation, an example of the flow of approval processing, and the approval flow DB 134 from the left column. For simplification, peripheral devices are omitted in FIG. The black circles in FIG. 10 indicate the progress status of the approval flow on the approval flow DB 134, the paper document, and the storage medium. For example, when the progress state has advanced by one in the approval flow (for example, from the drafting state to the approval state), the black circle increases by one.

  In FIG. 10, the approval flow proceeds in the order of drafting, approval, consultation, approval, and examination. The drafting S601 and the approval S602 were performed on the electronic approval processing apparatus 1. Here, before proceeding to the council S604, in order to switch to paper operation, the information on the case held by the electronic approval processing apparatus 1 is output to the paper document 5 and the storage medium 3 (S603). After that, the conference S604 and the decision S605 are implemented by paper operation. At this time, the progress information of the storage medium 3 is updated in parallel with the stamping process on the paper document by each person in charge. Furthermore, the progress information of the decision flow DB 134 is also updated. Next, before proceeding to the process of examination S607, switching to electronic operation again (S606) is not reflected in the paper document and the storage medium regarding the approval processing performed after switching to electronic operation, and the approval flow DB 134 Update only.

<Switching from electronic operation to paper operation>
Here, the processing flow when switching the electronic operation case to the paper operation (S603) will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, in FIG. 11, the client 2 possessed by the person in charge of processing the case transmits information on the case to be switched to paper operation and a switching request to the electronic approval processing apparatus 1 (S701). The electronic approval processing apparatus 1 determines whether or not the requested item can be switched to paper operation (S702). When switching to paper operation, the operation status 62 of the relevant case is updated to paper operation (S703). Further, information for outputting the image data of the case is acquired (S704), and the decision flow data 7 for recording in the storage medium 3 is acquired (S705). Then, an output command is issued to the output unit 12 (S706).

<User interface>
Next, FIG. 12 shows an example of a user interface when the electronic approval processing apparatus 1 switches the case operation to the paper operation.
A screen 8 is a screen displayed on the client 2 connected to the electronic approval processing apparatus 1. The screen 8 includes an item search condition input field 81 and a search result display area 82. As function buttons, a search button 83, a detail display button 84, and a case operation state switching button 85 are provided. The matter search condition 81 is only one example, and is not limited. When the user inputs a search condition for a case and clicks the search button 83, a list 82 of cases hit by the search condition is displayed on the screen. The search result list includes a check box for each case, and a case to be processed can be processed by checking the check box. When switching to paper operation, the check box of the item to be switched is selected in the list, and the paper operation switching button of the operation switching button 85 is clicked. Then, the operation switching process shown in FIG. 10 is executed, and when the switching is possible, the operation is switched to the paper operation.

<Description of output information>
Next, the output processing in S707 will be described in detail using FIG. 13 as an example.
After switching to the paper operation, the electronic approval processing apparatus 1 acquires the case information 6 and the approval flow data 7 from the case DB 133 and the approval flow DB 134 in S704 and S705 of FIG. Then, an output command is issued to the output unit 12. As a result, the case information 6 is transmitted to a printing apparatus such as a printer, and the case information 6 is output via the printer 223. Here, instead of outputting all the case information 6 to the paper document 5, it is possible to print only the information necessary for the decision flow by the circulation of the normal paper document. Further, the output unit 12 writes the decision flow data 7 to the storage medium 3 mounted on the paper document 5 by a method such as pasting or attaching via the writer 222.

<Approval flow data>
Next, the correspondence between the decision flow data 7 of the decision flow DB 134 and the decision flow data of the paper document 5 will be described using FIG. 14 as an example. In FIG. 14, the approval flow data 7 is an example of the approval flow of the case with the case ID “AAA-0001”. The paper document 5 is an example of a printed paper document. It can be seen from the approval flow data 7 that the approval order and processing in the approval flow of the case with the case ID “AAA-0001” are the order of drafting, approval, approval, approval, and examination. The paper document 5 has a decision column 511, and a drafting sequence of drafting, approval, approval, approval, and examination, and a stamp column are printed. In addition, since the approval flow data 7 to the third approval process have been completed and are recognized, the marks of the users A, B, and C are printed in the approval column 511 of the paper document 5. To do. Since the fourth and fifth processes are in an incomplete state, nothing is printed in the stamping column of the decision column 511. Further, the matter ID 512 is printed on the paper document.

<Approval processing during paper operation>
Next, the processing flow at the time of paper operation (S604, S605) will be described with reference to FIGS.
When the person in charge confirms the contents of the form of the paper document 5 that has been circulated, and executes the approval process, first, user information and item information are input to the client 2 (S1201). The client 2 transmits the input user information and item information to the electronic approval processing apparatus 1. When it is determined in the electronic approval processing apparatus 1 whether or not the user can perform an approval process on the case (S1202), the user inputs information on the approval process to be performed to the client (S1203). The client 2 updates the decision flow data stored in the storage medium 3 (S1204). Further, the client 2 transmits approval flow data to the electronic approval processing device 1. The electronic approval processing apparatus 1 updates the approval flow data stored in the approval flow DB 134 (S1205). In addition, the user performs the same approval process on the paper document (S1206).

<About authentication processing>
Next, the authentication processing in S1202 of FIG. 15 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, in order to confirm whether the user is a user who can use the electronic approval processing device 1 (login authentication), the client 2 transmits the input user information to the electronic approval processing device 1 (S1301). The electronic approval processing apparatus 1 collates the received user information with the user information stored in the user DB 132 (S1302, S1303). This process is the same as the log-in process to a normal system, and the log-in authentication method may be a password method from a keyboard or biometric authentication such as fingerprint authentication or vein authentication.

  If the user has succeeded in login authentication to the electronic approval processing apparatus 1, the electronic approval processing apparatus 1 next determines whether or not the matter is a paper operation (S1305, S1306). The client 2 transmits the case ID acquired from the storage medium 3 attached to the paper document 5 (S1304) to the electronic approval processing apparatus 1, and the electronic approval processing apparatus 1 acquires the operation state (S1305) of the case from the case DB 133. Then, it is determined whether or not the paper is used (S1306). Here, the case ID input method is not limited to the form similar to the user information, and the case ID may be read from a storage medium using a reader or may be input by a user.

  If it is determined that the case is a paper operation, the electronic approval processing apparatus 1 next determines whether the user has the authority to perform the approval process on the case (S1307, S1308). The electronic approval processing apparatus 1 acquires the approval flow data 7 of the case (S1307), and determines whether the user has processing authority from the user information and the approval flow data 7 (S1308). Here, the determination condition includes whether or not the user in charge of the next approval process for the case is the user, whether or not the user can perform proxy approval, and the like. Here, in FIG. 16, the function of determining whether or not the user can perform the approval process is installed in the electronic approval processing apparatus 1, but may be installed in the client 2.

<About update of approval process data>
If the process is permitted by user authentication, an approval process is performed. With reference to FIG. 17, the process of updating the decision flow data will be described. An approval process that can be performed by the user is determined from the user information and the case information (S1401, S1402). Here, the feasible approval process is not limited to one type. For example, in the approval flow of FIG. 13, the process in charge of the user D is the approval of the fourth process. However, if the user D has the proxy approval authority of the user E, further examination processing is possible. Further, even if there is only one type of approval process, there are a plurality of processing contents (approval, non-approval, etc.), so the user needs to input the approval process to be executed and the contents of the approval to the client 2.

  After the client 2 obtains the approval process that can be performed by the user from the electronic approval processing apparatus 1, the client 2 outputs the approval process that can be performed by the user and the processing contents to the output unit 22 in a format that can be selected by the user. Let the user choose. For example, when the user D can execute the approval and examination processes, both the “decision” and “examination” processes are displayed on the screen 221 of the client 2, and the processing content options are “approved”. In the case of “non-approved”, options of “approved” and “non-approved” are provided for the processes of “decision” and “examination”, and are selected by the user (S1403, S1404, S1405).

  When the approval processing and the processing content are selected, the client 2 updates the approval flow DB 134 of the electronic approval processing device 1 and the approval flow information of the storage medium 3 attached to the paper document 5 (S1406, S1407). In addition, an approval process is performed on the paper document 5. For example, when the user D approves the approval process, the completion state of the fourth approval process of the case in the approval flow DB 134 is updated to completion, and the result is updated to the approval state. The storage medium 3 is similarly updated. In addition, an approval mark is stamped by the user D in the stamp field of the paper document 5.

<Switching from paper operation to electronic operation>
Next, FIG. 18 shows a processing flow when the paper operation item is switched to the electronic operation. The client 2 transmits to the electronic approval processing apparatus 1 information on a matter to be switched to electronic operation and a switching request (S901). The electronic approval processing apparatus 1 determines whether the requested item can be switched to electronic operation (S902). When switching to electronic operation, the electronic approval processing apparatus 1 updates the operation information of the case to electronic operation (S903).

  In the case of switching from paper operation to electronic operation, a processing request can be transmitted from the user interface illustrated on the screen 8 in FIG. 12, as in the case of switching from electronic operation to paper operation. When the user checks the check box of the item whose processing is to be switched and clicks the electronic operation switching button of the operation switching button 85, the process shown in S901 of FIG. 18 is executed. Switch to electronic operation.

  Although the present embodiment has been described above, in the present embodiment, the storage medium 3 that can be updated by the writer is attached to the paper document 5. The electronic approval processing apparatus 1 includes a document management function 113 that manages case information as an electronic document, a user management function 111 that manages user information, and an approval flow management function 112 that manages the progress of the case. The document management function 113 is connected to an output device that outputs an electronic document. The output device has a printer function for printing an electronic document on a paper document 5 and a writer function for writing case information and progress information to a storage medium 3 attached to the paper document 5.

  On the other hand, the client 2 is connected to the storage medium 3 and the electronic approval processing apparatus 1 and includes an approval processing function 212 and a user authentication function 211 for performing user authentication. The approval process function 212 includes a function for selecting an approval process and a DB update function for updating the progress status.

  The case information DB 133 holds the case information 6. The case information 6 includes a case ID 61, an operation state 62, and document information 62. The operation state 62 holds information indicating whether the case is currently operated in electronic operation or paper operation.

  The approval flow DB 134 holds the approval flow data 7. The approval flow data 7 holds a case ID 71, approval flow information, and progress information. The approval flow information holds an approval order 72 from the drafting of the case to completion of the final approval, approval processing content 73, user information 74 in charge of processing, and a completion state 75. The progress information holds the status of approval process or approval process.

  At the time of paper operation, approval flow data 7 is output to the paper document 5 and the storage medium 3. The approval process applied to the paper document 5, the progress information held by the storage medium 3, and the progress information held by the electronic approval processing apparatus 1 are synchronized.

  When the user performs an approval process at the time of paper operation, the user updates the storage medium 3 and the approval flow DB 134 via the client 2, but only when the user authentication is successful. User authentication is performed in two stages. First, the electronic approval processing apparatus 1 determines whether or not the user management function 111 can log in to the electronic approval processing apparatus 1 from the input user information. If it is determined that login is possible, the electronic approval processing apparatus 1 then determines that the user has responded to the case from the approval flow data 7 stored in the approval flow DB 134 and the case ID and user information read from the storage medium 3. To determine whether the approval process is possible.

  If it is determined that processing is possible, the storage medium 3 is updated and the decision flow DB 134 is updated. At the time of user authentication, one or more approval processes that can be processed by the user are determined. In one case, the processing content (approval or non-approval) is selected by the approval processing function 212 of the client 2. In the case of two or more, first, the approval processing function 212 of the client 2 selects which approval processing is performed, and then selects the processing content. The client 2 updates the selected update content to the storage medium 3 by the writer 222. The client 2 connects to the electronic approval processing apparatus 1 and updates the approval flow DB 134.

  As described above, since the content of the approval process is reflected in the electronic approval processing apparatus 1 even during paper operation, the approval flow can be normally continued even if a paper document and an electronic document are mixed in the same approval flow. In addition, the function of updating the storage medium 3 by the client 2 equipped with a writer that writes information to the storage medium 3 attached to the paper document at the time of approval processing, and further connecting the electronic approval processing apparatus 1 to the client 2 and performing user authentication. It is possible to implement user authentication with security equivalent to that at the time of electronic operation even during paper operation.

  Although the best mode for carrying out the invention has been described above, the above embodiment is intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

It is a block diagram of an electronic approval processing system, a paper document, and a storage medium according to the present embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the memory | storage part of the electronic approval processing apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the function of the process part of the electronic approval processing apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the function of the process part of the client which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the function of the output part of the electronic approval processing apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the function of the output part of the client which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the item information which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the approval flow data which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the user information which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows a process when the paper operation and electronic operation which concern on this Embodiment are mixed. It is a flowchart of the process which switches operation from electronic operation to paper operation concerning this Embodiment. It is an example of the screen interface which switches the operation | movement which concerns on this Embodiment. FIG. 4 shows information output from electronic data to a paper document and a storage medium when switching from electronic operation to paper operation according to the present embodiment. Details of information printed on a paper document when switching from electronic operation to paper operation according to the present embodiment are shown. It is a flowchart of the approval process at the time of paper operation concerning this embodiment. It is a flowchart of the user authentication process at the time of paper operation concerning this embodiment. It is a flowchart of the update process of the storage medium and approval flow DB at the time of paper operation concerning this embodiment. It is a flowchart of the process which switches operation from paper operation to electronic operation which concerns on this Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic approval processing apparatus 11 Processing part of electronic approval processing apparatus 12 Output part of electronic approval processing apparatus 133 User database 134 Case database 135 Approval flow database 136 Management database 2 Client 21 Client processing part 22 Client output part 23 Client input Part 3 Storage medium 4 Network 5 Paper document 6 Project information 7 Decision flow data 8 Screen interface example of operation switching function 9 User information 900 Electronic decision processing system

Claims (5)

A case database that stores document data describing details of cases to be approved, and approval flow data that includes information indicating the order of each person in charge of processing the case and information indicating the processing result of each person in charge are stored. An information processing system configured by communicably connecting an information processing apparatus having a decision flow database and a user terminal owned by each person in charge,
The information processing apparatus includes:
From the user terminal possessed by the person in charge of processing the matter, the content of the matter is printed on paper from the electronic operation state where the document data of the matter, which is electronic data, is handled in an approval flow, and the matter is processed An operation for receiving a request for switching to a paper operation state to be performed or a request for switching from the paper operation to the electronic operation state, and updating the operation state information related to the case in the case database in response to the switch request. An information receiver;
When receiving a request for switching from electronic operation to paper operation, a document data transmission unit that transmits document data of the matter acquired from the matter database to a printing apparatus that prints the content of the matter on paper;
When receiving a request for switching from electronic operation to paper operation, an approval flow data writing unit for writing approval flow data regarding the matter acquired from the approval flow database to a storage medium mounted on the paper;
A processing result receiving unit for receiving a processing result for the case from the user terminal;
An approval flow database update unit for writing the processing result with respect to the case in the approval flow database;
With
The user terminal is
A processing unit that receives a request for switching from the electronic operation to the paper operation state, or a request to switch from the paper operation to the electronic operation state, received at the user interface with respect to the matter;
A processing result receiving unit that receives an input of a processing result related to the case by the person in charge;
If the artifact is a paper production, and storage medium update unit by said processing result to update the approval flow data definitive storage medium of the sheet,
A processing result transmission unit that transmits a processing result related to the case to the information processing apparatus;
An information processing system characterized by this. The information processing system according to claim 1,
The information processing apparatus includes:
A user database for storing identification information of each person in charge and authentication information for confirming the identity of each person in charge;
An authentication information receiving unit for receiving identification information and authentication information of a person in charge of processing the matter from the user terminal;
An authentication information comparing unit that compares the authentication information stored in the user database with the identification information of the person in charge and the received authentication information; and
With
The information processing system, wherein the approval flow database update unit writes the processing result in the approval flow database only when the authentication information matches. A matter database that stores document data describing the details of the matter to be approved;
Approval flow data including information indicating the order of each person in charge of processing the case and information indicating the processing result of each person in charge;
From the user terminal possessed by the person in charge of processing the matter, the content of the matter is printed on paper from the electronic operation state where the document data of the matter, which is electronic data, is handled in an approval flow, and the matter is processed An operation for receiving a request for switching to a paper operation state to be performed or a request for switching from the paper operation to the electronic operation state, and updating the operation state information related to the case in the case database in response to the switch request. An information receiver;
When receiving a request for switching from electronic operation to paper operation, a document data transmission unit that transmits document data of the matter acquired from the matter database to a printing apparatus that prints the content of the matter on paper;
When receiving a request for switching from electronic operation to paper operation, an approval flow data writing unit for writing approval flow data regarding the matter acquired from the approval flow database to a storage medium mounted on the paper;
A processing result receiving unit for receiving a processing result for the case from the user terminal;
A user terminal possessed by each person in charge that is communicably connected to an information processing apparatus having an approval flow database update unit for writing the processing result with respect to the case in the approval flow database,
A processing unit that receives a request for switching from the electronic operation to the paper operation state, or a request to switch from the paper operation to the electronic operation state, received at the user interface with respect to the matter;
A processing result receiving unit that receives an input of a processing result related to the case by the person in charge;
If the artifact is a paper production, and storage medium update unit by said processing result to update the approval flow data definitive storage medium of the sheet,
A processing result transmission unit that transmits a processing result related to the case to the information processing apparatus;
A user terminal comprising: A case database that stores document data describing details of cases to be approved, and approval flow data that includes information indicating the order of each person in charge of processing the case and information indicating the processing result of each person in charge are stored. An information processing system control method configured by communicably connecting an information processing apparatus having an approval flow database and a user terminal owned by each person in charge,
The information processing apparatus includes:
From the user terminal possessed by the person in charge of processing the matter, the content of the matter is printed on paper from the electronic operation state where the document data of the matter, which is electronic data, is handled in an approval flow, and the matter is processed A request to switch to a paper operation state or a request to switch from the paper operation to the electronic operation state, and update the operation state information related to the matter in the matter database according to the switching request ,
When a request for switching from electronic operation to paper operation is received, the document data of the matter acquired from the matter database is transmitted to a printing apparatus that prints the content of the matter on paper.
When receiving a request for switching from electronic operation to paper operation, the decision flow data regarding the matter acquired from the decision flow database is written to a storage medium attached to the paper,
Receiving a processing result for the case from the user terminal;
The processing result, the writing with respect to the project in the approval flow database,
The user terminal is
A request for switching from the electronic operation to the paper operation state, or a request for switching from the paper operation to the electronic operation state, received at the user interface with respect to the matter is transmitted to the information processing apparatus,
Accepting input of processing results related to the case by the person in charge,
If the artifact is a paper production, and update of the approval flow data definitive storage medium of the sheet by the process result,
Transmitting a processing result relating to the case to the information processing apparatus;
A method for controlling an information processing system. In the control method of the information processing system according to claim 4,
The information processing apparatus has a user database for storing identification information of each person in charge and authentication information for performing identity verification of each person in charge,
The information processing apparatus receives identification information and authentication information of a person in charge of processing the matter from the user terminal,
The information processing apparatus compares the authentication information received in the user database with the identification information of the person in charge associated with the received authentication information,
The information processing system controls the information processing system to write the processing result for the case transmitted from the user terminal to the decision flow database only when the authentication information matches. Method.

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