JP4807382B2 - Processing flow control program, processing flow control device, and data processing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a processing flow control program, a processing flow control device, and a data processing system.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a data processing work progress management system is known in which a series of data processing work is performed while managing each work so as to be executed in a predetermined order. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  The progress management system includes a setting device that sets workflow information indicating the order of operations to be performed on data to be processed, a management server device that manages the progress of individual tasks based on the workflow information, and a server device. And a plurality of client devices having a function of executing a predetermined data processing operation in response to presentation of workflow information. In this progress management system, when data to be processed is input to each of a plurality of workflow information, data processing work is executed by each client device, and the processing state is managed by the management server device. Each data processing operation is executed in an order different from the input order.

  There is also known a print control apparatus that creates a processing procedure (workflow) including a plurality of processing steps based on printing information including printing characteristic information (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  The print control apparatus includes: a print information reading unit that reads print information; an information selection unit that selects a plurality of pieces of specific processing information for printing based on characteristic information included in the print information read by the print information reading unit; Based on the processing order storage means that stores the processing order among a plurality of printing processes, the processing order stored in the processing order storage means, and the information on the plurality of specific processes selected by the information selection means And a processing procedure generation means for generating the processing order of the plurality of specific processes. The print control apparatus generates a plurality of different processing procedures according to a plurality of pieces of print information.

JP-A-11-306253 JP 2005-316904 A

  It is an object of the present invention to arrange processing steps included in a desired order after a first processing step included in each processing flow information and up to a second processing step among a plurality of processing flow information processed in parallel. The present invention provides a processing flow control program, a processing flow control device, and a data processing system that can be processed by a computer.

  In order to achieve the above object, an aspect of the present invention provides the following processing flow control program, processing flow control device, and data processing system.

[1] An acquisition step of acquiring processing states of a plurality of processing steps included in the processing flow information from a processing unit capable of processing a plurality of processing flow information in parallel, and a monitoring target in a predetermined order from the plurality of processing flow information When the processing state acquired by the acquisition step is a stopped state in the first processing step included in the monitoring target processing flow information, the processing means is instructed to start processing, and the first When the processing state acquired by the acquisition step in the second processing step after the processing step of one processing step becomes a predetermined processing state, the monitoring target is added to the next processing flow information in the predetermined order. A processing flow control program for causing a computer to execute a control step for performing control to change the value.

[2] The processing flow control program according to [1], wherein the processing flow information to be monitored by the control step includes another processing step between the first processing step and the second processing step. .

[3] In the control step, when the type information is assigned to the first processing step, the monitoring target is added to the processing flow information including the processing step to which the type information having the same identity as the type information is assigned. The process flow control program according to [1], wherein the program is changed.

[4] The processing flow control program according to [1], wherein the control step changes the monitoring target when a predetermined time has elapsed after instructing the processing means to start processing.

[5] In the control step, when an error occurs in the second processing step, the monitoring target is changed, the changed processing flow information of the monitoring target is continued or interrupted, or designated instruction content The processing flow control program according to [1], which is executed based on the above.

[6] An acquisition unit that acquires processing states of a plurality of processing steps included in the processing flow information from a processing unit that can process a plurality of processing flow information in parallel, and a monitoring target in a predetermined order from the plurality of processing flow information And when the processing state acquired by the acquisition unit is a stopped state in the first processing step included in the monitored processing flow information, the processing unit is instructed to start processing, and When the processing state acquired by the acquisition unit in a second processing step after the processing step of one processing step becomes a predetermined processing state, the monitoring target is added to the next processing flow information in the predetermined order. A processing flow control device comprising control means for performing control to change the value.

[7] Processing means capable of processing a plurality of processing flow information in parallel, acquisition means for acquiring processing states of a plurality of processing steps included in the processing flow information from the processing means, and predetermined from the plurality of processing flow information And when the processing state acquired by the acquisition unit is in a stopped state in the first processing step included in the processing flow information of the monitoring target, the processing unit is instructed to start processing. In addition, when the processing state acquired by the acquisition unit in the second processing step subsequent to the first processing step becomes a predetermined processing state, the next processing flow is performed in the predetermined order. A data processing system comprising control means for performing control to change the monitoring target to information.

According to the first, sixth, and seventh aspects of the present invention, between the plurality of pieces of processing flow information that are processed in parallel, the second processing step is performed after the first processing step included in each processing flow information. The included processing steps can be processed in the desired order.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of pieces of processing flow information that are processed in parallel are continuously included after the first processing step included in each processing flow information and before the second processing step. Multiple processing steps can be processed in a desired order.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the process flow information to be monitored can be limited to the process steps whose type information is the same.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, even when a predetermined time has not elapsed in the monitoring target process flow information, the monitoring target process flow is changed to avoid deadlock. Can do.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when an error occurs in the process flow information to be monitored, the subsequent process according to the process flow information can be controlled.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a workflow system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The workflow system (data processing system) 1 includes a terminal device 2 that instructs execution of a job that designates a workflow for document data, and a process defined in the workflow for document data in response to the job execution instruction. A job control device (processing flow control device) 3 that controls to execute (processing steps) in a predetermined order, a printing device 4 as processing line means for performing printing processing, which is a kind of process, and these terminal devices 2 , The job control apparatus 3 and the printing apparatus 4 are connected to each other.

  “Workflow” means a flow of processing input document data, and is defined to execute a plurality of processes in a predetermined order. Note that the processing flow is not limited to a workflow. The document data includes data such as documents, photographs, diagrams, and illustrations.

  Each process receives data from the preceding process, performs a specific process corresponding to the type of process on the input data, and outputs output data as a processing result to the subsequent process. Document data to be processed is input to the first process in the workflow.

  The “job” refers to processing flow information for executing a plurality of processes defined in the workflow on the document data in a predetermined order by inputting the document data to be processed into the workflow. The job control apparatus 3 manages, as processing flow information, a plurality of jobs in which a plurality of document data to be processed are input to the workflow, and automates or semi-automates the execution of the plurality of jobs.

  The network 10 is a communication network such as a LAN (local area network) that transmits and receives data by wired communication (electric cable, optical cable, etc.), wireless communication (radio waves, infrared rays, etc.), and the like. In FIG. 1, each of the terminal device 2 and the printing device 4 is one, but may be two or more.

(Terminal device)
The terminal device 2 controls each unit of the terminal device 2, for example, stores a control unit realized by a CPU or the like, and a program or data such as a job execution instruction program, for example, by a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, or the like A storage unit implemented, a communication unit implemented by, for example, a network interface card connected to the network 10, an input unit that accepts data input operations, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, etc. For example, a display unit realized by a liquid crystal display or the like.

  Such a terminal device 2 can be composed of, for example, a computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile phone, or the like.

  The control unit of the terminal device 2 operates according to the job execution instruction program, thereby transmitting process definition information that defines a process and workflow definition information that defines a workflow to the job control device 3, and at the same time the workflow for document data The designation is accepted, and job designation information is transmitted to the job control device 3.

(Printer)
The printing device 4 controls each unit of the printing device 4, for example, a control unit realized by a CPU or the like, and stores a program or data of a control program, for example, a memory realized by a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, or the like. A printing unit that outputs a printed matter in which a visible image is formed on a printing medium such as paper based on print data, and a communication unit that is connected to the network 10 and is realized by a network interface card, for example. Yes.

  For the printing unit, for example, various image forming methods such as an electrophotographic method, an ink jet method, and a thermal transfer method can be used.

(Job control device)
The job control device 3 controls each unit of the job control device 3, for example, a control unit 30 realized by a CPU or the like, and stores various programs and data, for example, a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, or the like. A storage unit 31 is connected to the network 10 to transmit and receive data. For example, a communication unit 32 realized by a network interface card, a preflight processing unit 33 that executes a preflight process, and an imposition process are executed. And an imposition processing unit 34.

  Here, the “preflight process” refers to a process for verifying the validity of document data in advance. In addition, the “imposition process” refers to a print paper divided region so that when the printed print paper is subjected to paper folding, binding, etc., the processed print paper is arranged in page order. The process of allocating pages for printing. The preflight processing unit 33 and the imposition processing unit 34 constitute processing means.

  Such a job control device 3 can be constituted by, for example, a computer, a server, a workstation (WS), or the like.

  The storage unit 31 stores a job control program 310 to which the processing flow control program of the present invention is applied, a process management table 311, a workflow management table 312A, a job management table 313, and the like.

  The control unit 30 operates in accordance with the job control program 310 to input a plurality of processes constituting the workflow and setting means 300 for setting the processing order of those processes in the workflow management table 312A and a plurality of document data. It functions as a job registration unit 301 that registers a workflow as a job in the job management table 313, a job control unit 302 that controls the execution of a plurality of jobs registered in the job management table 313, and the like.

  The setting unit 300 performs a review process (first processing step) indicating that the subsequent process is an exclusive process (second processing step) at a position designated by the user in a plurality of processes constituting the workflow. to add. The review process is a process that is suspended by the job control unit 302 and may or may not include substantial processing.

  Here, the “exclusive process” is a process that is not executed in parallel with a process included in another workflow among a plurality of processes constituting the workflow. In addition, a plurality of exclusive processes included in a plurality of workflows are executed in accordance with an input order in which a plurality of data is input to each workflow.

  FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating an example of a process management table. In the process management table 311, process names and process specific parameters based on the process definition information transmitted from the terminal device 2 are recorded using the process ID as a key.

  The process-specific parameter is a parameter that needs to be specified when executing each process. Process-specific parameters are, for example, verification conditions such as font and color mode in the preflight process, imposition conditions such as imposition number and binding position in the imposition process, printing conditions such as image quality and paper size in the printing process, In the saving process, it is a saving destination folder or the like.

  FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating an example of a workflow management table. In the workflow management table 312A, a workflow name, a process information list, and the like based on the workflow definition information transmitted from the terminal device 2 are recorded using the workflow ID as a key.

  In the process information list, processes such as a preflight process, an imposition process, a printing process, and a storage process are arranged in accordance with a processing order instructed by a user using process names recorded in the process management table 311. .

  FIG. 2C is a diagram illustrating an example of a workflow management table in which a workflow to which a review process is added is recorded. In the workflow management table 312A, the setting unit 300 reviews the process information list corresponding to the workflow IDs “WF1” and “WF2” recorded in FIG. Has been added. Therefore, the printing process subsequent to the added review process is an exclusive process in the workflows “WF1” and “WF2”.

  The exclusive process is not limited to the printing process, and may be set to another process. In addition to indicating that the subsequent process is an exclusive process, the review process may be accompanied by a process of displaying temporary data being processed in order to prompt the user to approve or confirm, for example. . Even after registration of a workflow, the workflow name and the process information list may be editable.

  FIG. 3A illustrates an example of job designation information. The job designation information 11 is information transmitted from the terminal device 2, and includes a job name for identifying the job, a processing workflow ID for identifying the workflow recorded in the workflow management table by the workflow ID, and data to be processed. Input data. In the example of FIG. 3A, the workflow for inputting each document data is designated for five document data. The job name may be added by the job control device 3.

  FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating an example of the job management table. The job management table 313 shows job name based on the job designation information 11, processing workflow ID 110 and input data, and job processing information 12 updated as needed according to the job processing status using the job ID 100 as a key. The job status, processing process ID, temporary data during processing, and the like are recorded.

(Operation of the first embodiment)
Next, an example of the operation of the workflow system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

(1) Setting of exclusive process First, the terminal device 2 displays a registration screen for registering a workflow in response to an operation from the user. The user instructs the terminal device 2 through the registration screen to specify the workflow name and the processing order of a plurality of processes constituting the workflow.

  Next, based on the instructed content, the terminal device 2 creates workflow definition information including a workflow name and a process information list in which a plurality of processes are arranged in the instructed processing order, and the job control device 3 The workflow definition information is transmitted to the network 10 via the network 10.

  When the setting unit 300 of the job control apparatus 3 receives the workflow definition information via the communication unit 32, the setting unit 300 issues a new workflow ID. The setting unit 300 adds a new record with the issued workflow ID added to the workflow management table 312A, and registers the workflow name and process information list included in the accepted workflow definition information in the new record.

  Next, the user instructs to place a review process in front of a process that is to be executed as an exclusive process among a plurality of processes included in the process information list registered in the workflow management table 312A, in this case, the print process. Then, the terminal device 2 transmits the instruction information to the job control device 3.

  When the setting unit 300 of the job control apparatus 3 receives the instruction information, the setting unit 300 adds a review process immediately before the instructed printing process in the process information list of the workflow management table 312A.

  As described above, the setting unit 300 registers a plurality of workflows in which the review process is added before the printing process in the workflow management table 312A as illustrated in FIG. 2C. The workflow definition information may be created with a review process included.

(2) Job registration When the user specifies, for example, a workflow ID for inputting a plurality of document data stored in the storage unit of the terminal device 2 by the workflow ID and inputs the job name, the terminal device 2 The designation is accepted, job designation information is created, and the job designation information is transmitted to the job control apparatus 3. Note that a plurality of document data may be specified to be input to one workflow, or may be specified to be input to different workflows.

  Next, when accepting the job designation information, the job registration unit 301 of the job control device 3 issues a new job ID 100 so that the input order of the document data is input to the workflow, and the job designation information together with the job ID. The job name, the processing workflow ID 110 and the input data based on are registered in the job management table 313 as a new record.

  For example, the user A registers four document data constituting one book, “cover.pdf”, “Chapter 1.pdf” to “Chapter 3.pdf” in order, and the “Chapter 1. When another user B registers “reference document.pdf” between “pdf” and “Chapter 2.pdf”, the job management table 313 stores the document as illustrated in FIG. Five records to which new job IDs “JOB1” to “JOB5” are added in the data input order are newly registered. That is, a record corresponding to “reference document.pdf” is registered between “Chapter 1.pdf” and “Chapter 2.pdf”. The user A adds the document data “Cover.pdf” and “Chapter 2.pdf” to the workflow “WF2”, and the document data “Chapter 1.pdf” and “Chapter 3.pdf” to the workflow “WF1”. The user B specifies that the document data “reference document.pdf” is input to the workflow “WF3”.

(3) Job Execution Control Next, an example of an operation for controlling job execution in the job control apparatus 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the jobs “JOB1” to “JOB5” are registered in the job management table 313, the job control unit 302 of the job control apparatus 3 processes the workflow process information list specified in the registered jobs “JOB1” to “JOB5”. It is determined whether a review process is included in (S1).

  Next, when it is determined that the review process is included in the process information list of any job (S1: Yes), the job control unit 302 is a control target including a job including the review process. A job list is created (S2). For example, the control target job list created from the job management table 313 in FIG. 3B includes four jobs “JOB1”, “JOB2”, “JOB4”, and “JOB5”.

  Next, the job control unit 302 sets the job having the earliest input order among the jobs included in the control target job list, that is, the job “JOB1” as the monitoring target job (S3).

  Then, the job control unit 302 follows the review process according to the registration order in which jobs included in the created control target job list are registered in the job management table 313, that is, the input order in which the document data is input to the workflow. Execution control of each job is performed so that the exclusive process is executed (S10).

  On the other hand, if the job control unit 302 determines that no review process is included in any of the process information lists (S1: No), the execution control of each job is performed without performing the exclusive process execution control. (S11).

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of detailed operation of the execution control in step S10. The job control unit 302 performs parallel processing by applying the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 to each job. FIG. 6 is a timing chart illustrating an example of an execution state in which each process of a plurality of jobs is executed as a result of execution control performed by the job control unit 302.

  First, the job control unit 302 acquires the first process information from the process information list of each job (S101), and determines whether the process information indicates a review process (S102). If the job control unit 302 determines that the process is not a review process (S102: No), the job control unit 302 inputs document data to the process and sequentially instructs the process to start (S110).

  For example, in the job “JOB1”, the job control unit 302 determines that the top process is a preflight process and is not a review process (S102: No), and the preflight processing unit 33 receives document data “cover. "pdf" is input to instruct the start of processing (S110), and the preflight processing unit 33 that has received the instruction executes a preflight process for "cover.pdf".

  Then, the job control unit 302 updates the job status in the job management table 313 to “processing” and the processing process ID to “P1”. Thereafter, when the job control unit 302 receives a process completion notification from the preflight processing unit 33 (S111), the job control unit 302 determines whether or not the prefly process is the last process in the process information list (S130). Here, the job control unit 302 determines that the process is not the last process (S130: No), acquires the imposition process as the next process information (S101), and executes the imposition process unit 34 that executes the imposition process. Is instructed to start processing (S110), and the processing process ID is updated to "P2".

  In parallel with executing the process in the job “JOB1”, the job control unit 302 applies the flowchart of FIG. 5 to the jobs “JOB2” to “JOB5”. In other words, in the jobs “JOB2” and “JOB5”, the first process is the review process (S102: Yes), so the job control unit 302 sets the processing state of the jobs “JOB2” and “JOB5” to the suspended state. (S120), it is determined whether the jobs “JOB2” and “JOB5” are jobs to be monitored (S121). Since the job to be monitored here is job “JOB1” (S121: No), the process following the review process waits for processing of another job (S140), and the jobs “JOB2” and “JOB5” Update the job status to "Waiting for processing".

  Since the head process of the job “JOB3” is the printing process (S102: No), the job control unit 302 transmits the document data to the printing apparatus 4 and instructs the start of processing (S110). Performs a printing process based on the document data. Upon receiving a print processing completion notification from the printing apparatus 4 (S111), the job control unit 302 sequentially acquires process information (S101), and instructs the start of processing in the order of the preflight process and the imposition process (S110). .

  Thereafter, when the imposition process in the job “JOB1” is completed, the job control unit 302 acquires process information subsequent to the imposition process (S101), and since the process information is a review process (S102: Yes), The processing state of “JOB1” is set to a temporary stop state (S120). The job control unit 302 determines whether or not the job “JOB1” is a monitoring target (S121). Here, the job control unit 302 determines that the job is a monitoring target job (S121: Yes), and is an exclusive process and a review. In order to execute a printing process subsequent to the process, the printing apparatus 4 is instructed to start processing of the printing process in the job “JOB1” (S122).

  Next, when the job control unit 302 receives a notification of completion of the instructed printing process from the printing apparatus 4 (S123), the job control unit 302 deletes the job “JOB1” from the control target job list (S124).

  Next, the job control unit 302 searches for the job with the earliest input order in the control target job list from which the job “JOB1” has been deleted, and changes the job “JOB2” extracted as a result to the job to be monitored ( S125).

  At this time, the job status of the job “JOB2” is recorded as “processing waiting” in the job management table 313, and in the flowchart of FIG. 5 applied to the job “JOB2”, the processing is waiting in step S140. . The job control unit 302 determines that the job “JOB2” is the monitoring target job in step S121 by changing the monitoring target job to the job “JOB2” (S121: Yes), and the job “JOB2”. In order to execute the printing process subsequent to the review process, the printing apparatus 4 is instructed to start the printing process in the job “JOB2” (S122).

  When the job control unit 302 receives a print process completion notification of the job “JOB2” from the printing apparatus 4 (S123), the job control unit 302 deletes the job “JOB2” from the control target job list (S124), and thereafter the same as above. Thus, the print processes subsequent to the review process are also executed in order for the jobs “JOB4” and “JOB5”.

  In FIG. 6, the printing process of job “JOB2” is completed after the imposition process of job “JOB4”, and is waiting for processing in the review process of job “JOB4”, but printing of job “JOB2” is performed. When the process is completed prior to the imposition process of job “JOB4”, the print process of job “JOB4” is executed without waiting for the processing in the review process of job “JOB4”.

  As described above, the jobs “JOB1” to “JOB5” are executed in parallel, and the printing processes that are exclusive processes in the jobs “JOB1”, “JOB2”, “JOB4”, and “JOB5” are: It is executed by the printing apparatus 4 in accordance with the input order, and the printed materials are “reference document.pdf”, “cover page.pdf”, “chapter 1.pdf”, “chapter 2.pdf”, “chapter 3.pdf”. are output in the order of “pdf”. That is, by setting the printing process as an exclusive process, the printing processes included in the plurality of jobs to which the workflow is applied are sequentially executed by one printing apparatus 4 without increasing the size of the system.

(Application example)
As an application example according to the first embodiment, in addition to the case of controlling the above printing order, the following cases can be cited.

  For example, when the first process included in the first workflow is executed in the first and second workflows, and the result data output as a result is input to the second process included in the second workflow. Applies to Specifically, this is a case where the printing process as the second process executes the printing process on the data saved in the saving destination folder by the saving process as the first process. In this case, the storage process and the printing process are set as exclusive processes.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, one process subsequent to the review process is set as an exclusive process. On the other hand, the workflow system according to the second embodiment sets a plurality of continuous processes included in a predetermined exclusive section as exclusive processes.

  The job control apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment includes a setting unit 300 that sets an exclusive section indicating a plurality of consecutive processes as exclusive processes among processes included in a workflow, and an exclusive section set by the setting unit 300 Based on the above, job control means 302 for controlling the execution of a plurality of jobs is provided, and other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 7A illustrates an example of a workflow management table. In the process information list in the workflow management table 312B, two review processes having a gate-in attribute 13A and a gate-out attribute 13B that respectively define the entry and exit of the exclusive section are added together with the execution order of a plurality of processes.

  That is, the exclusive process is a process surrounded by a review process (gate-in) having the gate-in attribute 13A and a review process (gate-out) having the gate-out attribute 13B. The workflow “WF1” corresponds to the storage process and the print process, and the workflow “WF2” corresponds to the print process. In the present embodiment, the process arranged immediately before the review process (gate out) corresponds to the second processing step. Further, the number of exclusive processes included in the exclusive section may be three or more.

  FIG. 7B is a timing chart illustrating an example of an execution state of a plurality of jobs in which an exclusive section is set. In FIG. 7B, the job registration unit 301 converts each of the three document data into the job “JOB1” input to the workflow “WF1”, the job “JOB2” input to the workflow “WF2”, and the workflow “WF1”. The input job “JOB3” is registered, and these three jobs are executed in parallel under the control of the job control unit 302.

  First, the job control unit 302 creates a control target list including jobs “JOB1” to “JOB3”. Next, based on an instruction to start processing by the job control unit 302, a storage process and a print process in the job “JOB1” are sequentially executed, and a preflight process in the job “JOB2” is executed. When the preflight process of the job “JOB2” is completed, in the subsequent review process (gate-in), the job “JOB2” is not the job with the earliest input order in the control target list, and is determined to be waiting for processing. The job “JOB3” is determined to be waiting for processing in the review process (gate-in), which is the first process.

  Next, when the printing process of the job “JOB1” is completed, the job “JOB1” is deleted from the control target list by passing through the review process (gate-out). As a result, the process waiting for the job “JOB2” is released, and the printing process for the job “JOB2” is executed.

  When the printing process of job “JOB2” is completed, job “JOB2” is deleted from the control target list by passing through the review process (gate-out), the processing waiting for job “JOB3” is released, and job “JOB3” is released. The storage process and the printing process are sequentially executed.

  As described above, after a plurality of processes included in an exclusive section of a certain workflow are completed, an exclusive process included in another workflow is executed. For example, a plurality of processes are executed in one processing device. When it is necessary to execute continuously, it is possible to prevent a process included in another workflow from being interrupted and executed between the plurality of processes.

[Third Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, one control target job list is created based on a plurality of jobs, and a plurality of exclusive processes are executed in accordance with the input order. On the other hand, the workflow system according to the third embodiment sets a group attribute that separates an exclusive process into a plurality of groups for each exclusive process, and creates a control target job list for each group. Thus, a plurality of exclusive processes belonging to the same group are executed in accordance with the input order.

  The job control apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment is executed according to the input order for each group of a plurality of exclusive processes sorted by the set group attribute and the setting unit 300 that sets the group attribute to the exclusive process. As described above, the job control unit 302 that controls the execution of a plurality of jobs is provided, and other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 8A illustrates an example of a workflow management table. A review process in which the group attribute 14 is set is added to the process information list in the workflow management table 312C. Specifically, “Group A” is set as the group attribute 14 in the review processes of the workflows “WF1” and “WF3”, and “Group B” is set as the group attribute 14 in the review process of the workflow “WF2”. Is set.

  FIG. 8B is a timing chart showing an example of the execution order of a plurality of jobs in which group attributes are set. In FIG. 8B, the job registration unit 301 converts each of the four document data into the job “JOB1” input to the workflow “WF1”, the job “JOB2” input to the workflow “WF2”, and the workflow “WF3”. The input job “JOB3” and the input job “JOB4” in the workflow “WF2” are registered, and these four jobs are executed in parallel under the control of the job control unit 302.

  First, the job control unit 302 creates a control target list related to group A consisting of jobs “JOB1” and “JOB3” and a second control target list related to group B consisting of jobs “JOB2” and “JOB4”.

  Next, the print process of job “JOB1”, the preflight process of job “JOB2”, the save process of job “JOB3”, and the preflight process of job “JOB4” are executed in parallel, and saved in job “JOB3” When the process is completed, in the subsequent review process (group A), the job “JOB3” is not the job with the earliest input order in the control target list of group A, and is determined to be waiting for processing.

  When the printing process of job “JOB1” is completed and job “JOB1” is deleted from the control target list of group A, the waiting process of job “JOB3” is canceled, and the printing process of job “JOB3” is executed. Executed.

  Further, when the imposition process is completed after the preflight process in the jobs “JOB2” and “JOB4”, the job “JOB2” moves to the printing process, but the job “JOB4” is input in the control target list of the group B. Is not the earliest job, it is determined to be waiting for processing.

  When the preflight process of the job “JOB2” is completed and the job “JOB2” is deleted from the control target list of the group B, the process waiting for the job “JOB4” is canceled, and the print process of the job “JOB4” is released. Is executed.

  As described above, the exclusive process is executed in accordance with the input order for each group. For example, a plurality of printing apparatuses 4 are provided, and a group attribute is added corresponding to each printing apparatus instructed to execute the printing process. In such a case, the printing process is executed in each printing apparatus according to the input order, and the entire processing time can be shortened while guaranteeing the printing order.

[Fourth Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, an exclusive process whose input order is late is put on standby until an exclusive process whose input order is early is completed. In contrast, the workflow system according to the fourth embodiment sets a timeout time for controlling the execution of the exclusive process to the exclusive process, and the timeout time has elapsed since the exclusive process waited for processing. At this time, the execution of the exclusive process with the slow input order waiting for processing is started without waiting for the completion of the exclusive process with the fast input order.

  The job control apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment includes a setting unit 300 that sets a timeout time for an exclusive process, and when the set timeout time elapses after the exclusive process waits for processing, the input order is Job control means 302 is provided for starting execution of an exclusive process whose input order is delayed without waiting for completion of an early exclusive process, and the other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. .

  FIG. 9A illustrates an example of a workflow management table. In the process information list in the workflow management table 312D, the review process in which the timeout time 15 is set is added. For example, in the review process of the workflow “WF1”, “10 minutes” is recorded as the timeout time 15.

  FIG. 9B is a timing chart showing an example of the execution order of a plurality of jobs in which timeout times are set. In FIG. 9B, jobs “JOB1” and “JOB2”, each of which is input two document data into the workflow “WF1”, are registered by the job registration unit 301, and these two jobs are controlled by the job control unit 302. It is executed in parallel below.

  First, the job control unit 302 creates a control target list including jobs “JOB1” and “JOB2”. Next, the imposition processes of jobs “JOB1” and “JOB2” are executed in parallel, and the print process of job “JOB1” is continued without being determined to be waiting for processing in the review process. On the other hand, the job “JOB2” is determined to be waiting for processing in the review process, and starts counting the processing waiting time 150.

  Then, when the processing waiting time 150 has passed the timeout time 15 without completing the printing process of the job “JOB1”, the job “JOB2” is released from waiting for processing and the printing process is executed.

  As described above, by setting the timeout time for the exclusive process, even when the exclusive process waits for processing, the execution of the exclusive process is guaranteed by the elapse of the timeout time at the latest.

[Fifth Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, when an error occurs during the execution of the exclusive process, there is no information for controlling the subsequent execution of the exclusive process. On the other hand, the workflow system according to the fifth embodiment sets an error processing attribute in the exclusive process, and when an error occurs during the execution of the exclusive process, the subsequent processing is performed based on the error processing attribute. Controls the execution of exclusive processes.

  The job control apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment includes a setting unit 300 that sets an error processing attribute to an exclusive process, and a job control unit 302 that controls the execution of a plurality of jobs based on the set error processing attribute. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a workflow management table. A review process in which the error processing attribute 16 is set is added to the process information list in the workflow management table 312E. For example, in the review process of the workflow “WF1”, “error end” for stopping the execution of the exclusive process thereafter is recorded as the error processing attribute 16.

  Further, as an option for the error processing attribute 16, in addition to the above-mentioned “error end”, “error ignorance” that continues the execution of the subsequent job regardless of the occurrence of the error, For example, there is an “error stop” that temporarily stops execution until an instruction from the user is given, and the user can arbitrarily select from these three options.

  FIG. 11A is a timing chart showing an example of execution states of a plurality of jobs in which “error end” is specified as the error processing attribute. In FIG. 11A, jobs “JOB1” and “JOB2”, each of which is input two document data into the workflow “WF1”, are registered, and these two jobs are executed in parallel under the control of the job control unit 302. Is done.

  First, the job control unit 302 creates a control target list including jobs “JOB1” and “JOB2”. Next, the storage processes of the jobs “JOB1” and “JOB2” are executed in parallel, and the print process is executed for the job “JOB1” without being determined to be waiting for processing in the review process. On the other hand, the job “JOB2” is determined to be waiting for processing in the review process.

  When the job control unit 302 receives an error notification from the printing apparatus 4 that an error has occurred during the execution of the print process of the job “JOB1”, the job control unit 302 executes the job “JOB2” waiting for processing. Cancel and exit.

  FIG. 11B is a timing chart showing an example of execution states of a plurality of jobs in which “error ignorance” is designated as the error processing attribute. Similarly to FIG. 11A, after the storage process is executed in parallel, the print process is executed for job “JOB1”, and the job “JOB2” is determined to be waiting for processing in the review process.

  When the job control unit 302 receives an error notification in the printing process of the job “JOB1”, the job control unit 302 cancels the processing waiting for the job “JOB2” and executes the printing process of the job “JOB2”. .

  FIG. 11C is a timing chart illustrating an example of execution states of a plurality of jobs in which “error stop” is specified as the error processing attribute. Similarly to FIG. 11A, after the storage process is executed in parallel, the print process is executed for job “JOB1”, and the job “JOB2” is determined to be waiting for processing in the review process.

  Then, when the job control unit 302 receives an error notification in the printing process of the job “JOB1”, the job control unit 302 temporarily stops while waiting for processing of the job “JOB2”. Then, the job control unit 302 notifies the terminal device 2 to that effect. For example, when receiving a job resumption instruction from the user, the job control unit 302 resumes the printing process of the job “JOB2”, and issues an interruption instruction. If it is received, the process is terminated without executing the printing process of the job “JOB2”.

  As described above, by using the error control information to control the execution of the exclusive process after the error has occurred, for example, a printing process that is an exclusive process included in the jobs “JOB1” and “JOB2” Are executed and one printout is output, the print process of job “JOB1” results in an error, the execution of the print process of job “JOB2” is stopped, and a wasteful printout Can be suppressed.

[Other embodiments]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the setting unit, job registration unit, and job control unit of the job control device 3 are realized by the control unit and the job control program. It may be realized by hardware such as ASIC (Application Specific IC).

  The program used in each of the above embodiments may be read from a recording medium such as a CD-ROM into a storage unit in the apparatus, or from a server or the like connected to a network such as the Internet to the storage unit in the apparatus. You may download it.

  In each of the above embodiments, a review process is added to indicate an exclusive process in the workflow. However, information that can identify the exclusive process only needs to be added to the workflow. For example, each process has an exclusive process. It may be made to add the attribute which shows whether it is. It is not restricted to this.

  In addition, the constituent elements of the above embodiments can be arbitrarily combined without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the group attribute in the third embodiment and the timeout time in the fourth embodiment may be set in one exclusive process, or the attributes in the other embodiments are combined. You may make it set.

  In addition, the workflow system in each of the above embodiments only needs to include the functions and data of the job control device as the entire workflow system. For example, the preflight processing unit and the imposition processing unit are included in other processing devices. It may be provided.

  In the workflow system in each of the above embodiments, the monitoring target job is changed in the control target job list in accordance with the input order of the document data. However, the job may be changed in a predetermined arrangement order. Or the order of attributes such as file size, or the order specified by the user.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an image processing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 2A illustrates an example of a process management table, FIG. 2B illustrates an example of a workflow management table, and FIG. 2C illustrates a workflow management table in which a workflow to which a review process is added is recorded. It is a figure which shows an example. FIG. 3A illustrates an example of job designation information, and FIG. 3B illustrates an example of a job management table. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation for controlling job execution in the job control apparatus. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of detailed operation of the execution control in step S10 of FIG. FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing an example of execution states of a plurality of jobs. FIG. 7A shows an example of a workflow management table according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7B is a timing chart illustrating an example of an execution state of a plurality of jobs in which an exclusive section is set. FIG. 8A illustrates an example of a workflow management table according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8B is a timing chart showing an example of the execution order of a plurality of jobs in which group attributes are set. FIG. 9A illustrates an example of a workflow management table according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9B is a timing chart showing an example of the execution order of a plurality of jobs in which timeout times are set. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a workflow management table according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11A shows an example of an execution state of a plurality of jobs in which “error end” is designated as the error processing attribute, and FIG. 11B shows a plurality of cases in which “error ignorance” is designated as the error processing attribute. FIG. 11C is a timing chart illustrating an example of execution states of a plurality of jobs in which “error stop” is specified as the error processing attribute.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Workflow system, 2 ... Terminal device, 3 ... Job control apparatus, 4 ... Printing apparatus, 10 ... Network, 11 ... Job designation information, 12 ... Job processing information, 13A ... Gate-in attribute, 13B ... Gate-out attribute, 14 ... Group attribute, 15 ... Timeout period, 16 ... Error processing attribute, 30 ... Control unit, 31 ... Storage unit, 32 ... Communication unit, 33 ... Preflight processing unit, 34 ... Imposition processing unit, 100 ... Job ID, 110 ... Processing workflow ID 150 ... Processing waiting time 300 ... Setting means 301 ... Job registration means 302 ... Job control means 310 ... Job control program 311 ... Process management table 312A-312E ... Workflow management table 313 ... Job management table

Claims (7)

An acquisition step of acquiring processing states of a plurality of processing steps included in the processing flow information from processing means capable of processing a plurality of processing flow information in parallel;
When a monitoring target is selected in a predetermined order from the plurality of processing flow information, and the processing state acquired by the acquisition step is a stopped state in the first processing step included in the monitoring target processing flow information, Instructing the processing means to start processing, and when the processing state acquired by the acquisition step in the second processing step after the first processing step is a predetermined processing state, A processing flow control program for causing a computer to execute a control step for performing control to change the monitoring target to the next processing flow information in a predetermined order.   The processing flow control program according to claim 1, wherein the processing flow information to be monitored by the control step includes another processing step between the first processing step and the second processing step.   In the control step, when type information is assigned to the first processing step, the monitoring target is changed to processing flow information including a processing step to which type information having the same identity as the type information is assigned. The processing flow control program according to claim 1.   The processing flow control program according to claim 1, wherein the control step changes the monitoring target when a predetermined time has elapsed since the processing means was instructed to start processing.   When an error occurs in the second processing step, the control step changes the monitoring target, continues or interrupts the changed processing flow information of the monitoring target, or based on designated instruction content The processing flow control program according to claim 1 to be executed. Obtaining means for obtaining processing states of a plurality of processing steps included in the processing flow information from processing means capable of processing a plurality of processing flow information in parallel;
When a monitoring target is selected from the plurality of processing flow information in a predetermined order, and the processing state acquired by the acquisition unit is a stopped state in the first processing step included in the monitoring target processing flow information, Instructing the processing means to start processing, and when the processing state acquired by the acquisition means in a second processing step after the first processing step is a predetermined processing state, A processing flow control apparatus comprising: control means for performing control to change the monitoring target to the next processing flow information in a predetermined order. Processing means capable of processing a plurality of processing flow information in parallel;
Obtaining means for obtaining processing states of a plurality of processing steps included in the processing flow information from the processing means;
When a monitoring target is selected from the plurality of processing flow information in a predetermined order, and the processing state acquired by the acquisition unit is a stopped state in the first processing step included in the monitoring target processing flow information, Instructing the processing means to start processing, and when the processing state acquired by the acquisition means in a second processing step after the first processing step is a predetermined processing state, A data processing system comprising control means for performing control to change the monitoring target to the next processing flow information in a predetermined order.

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