JP4923592B2 - Workflow setting device, setting method, and workflow setting processing program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention is applied to an MFP (Multi Function Peripherals) that is a multifunction image forming apparatus having a printer function, a copy function, a facsimile function, a scan function, a mail communication function, and the like, and sets a workflow for executing a job. The present invention relates to a workflow setting apparatus, a setting method thereof, and a workflow setting processing program for causing a computer to execute a workflow setting process.

  For example, in an MFP, there is a case where a job is desired to be executed according to a workflow including a plurality of operation steps such as printing and copying. Conventionally, a workflow for executing such a job has been individually set according to the attribute of the job to be operated, for example, a document attribute or a user attribute.

Also, in e-mail communication, etc., a disclosure level corresponding to the importance of the document is set for each partner, and FAX transmission is performed to a group for broadcast communication using the set partner. A method is disclosed in which transmission is not performed to a partner having a disclosure level or lower (for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2000-324318 A

  However, in the conventional technology for setting individual workflows for each document attribute and user attribute, if the document attribute or user attribute of the job is different, it is necessary to reset a new workflow from 1 each time, which is inconvenient for the user. there were. There is also a problem that the number of workflow management increases.

  Further, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, ON / OFF of the operation of transmitting / not transmitting is automatically determined according to the attribute of the disclosure level of each user, but operations other than FAX transmission are performed. Therefore, the job cannot be executed along a workflow composed of a plurality of operation steps.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and even if job attributes are different, it is not necessary to reset a new workflow from 1 each time, improving user convenience and managing the workflow. It is an object of the present invention to provide a workflow setting device and a setting method capable of reducing the number, and a workflow setting processing program for causing a computer to execute the workflow setting processing.

The above problem is solved by the following means.
(1) Workflow skeleton setting means for setting a workflow skeleton composed of a plurality of operation steps based on a user input, and a plurality of attributes of a job to be operated for each operation step based on a user input. An operation content setting means for setting a plurality of different operation contents corresponding to a combination of a plurality of attributes common to all operation steps, a storage means for storing the framework and operation contents of the set workflow, and an input A job attribute determination unit that determines a plurality of attributes of the received job, an operation content stored in the storage unit when the submitted job is executed, and a plurality of attributes of the job determined by the job attribute determination unit based on the combination, by specifying the operation of each operation step in all operating steps, performing the job And a restriction condition for setting a restriction condition for the action step for restricting and executing the action of the action step or prohibiting the action of the action step based on a user input The operation of each operation step is executed according to the workflow generated by the setting unit and the workflow generation unit, and the operation of the operation step corresponding to the set restriction condition among the operation steps in the generated workflow is as follows. An image forming apparatus comprising: a workflow execution unit that restricts and executes the operation or prohibits the operation according to the restriction condition.
(2) The image forming apparatus according to (1), wherein the plurality of attributes of the job are a document attribute and a user attribute .
(3) a step of setting a skeleton of a workflow composed of a plurality of operation steps based on a user input, and a plurality of attributes of a job to be operated for each operation step based on a user input; A step of setting a plurality of different operation contents corresponding to a combination of a plurality of attributes common to all operation steps, a step of storing the set workflow skeleton and the operation content, and a plurality of attributes of the input job And determining the operation in each operation step based on a combination of the stored operation content and a plurality of attributes of the determined job at the time of executing the submitted job. Based on the process of generating the workflow for executing the process and the user input, the operation of the operation step is limited and executed. Is configured to execute the operation of each operation step according to the workflow generated in the step of setting the restriction step for the operation step for prohibiting the operation of the operation step and the step of generating the workflow, and each operation in the generated workflow Among the steps, the operation of the operation step corresponding to the set restriction condition includes a step of restricting and executing the action or prohibiting the action according to the restriction condition. A workflow setting method executed by an image processing apparatus.
(4) The workflow setting method according to item 3 above, wherein the plurality of attributes of the job are a document attribute and a user attribute.
(5) A process for setting a workflow skeleton including a plurality of operation steps based on a user input, and a plurality of attributes of a job to be operated for each operation step based on a user input. A process for setting a plurality of different operation contents corresponding to a combination of a plurality of attributes common to all operation steps, a process for storing the set workflow skeleton and operation contents, and a plurality of attributes of the input job And determining the operation in each operation step based on a combination of the stored operation content and a plurality of attributes of the determined job when executing the submitted job. Based on the process of generating the workflow for executing the action and the user input, the action of the action step is restricted and executed. Is a process for setting a restriction condition for an operation step for prohibiting the operation of the operation step, and the operation of each operation step is executed according to the workflow generated in the process of generating the workflow, and each operation in the generated workflow Among the steps, for the operation of the operation step corresponding to the set restriction condition, the operation of restricting the action or executing the process for prohibiting the action is executed in the computer of the image forming apparatus according to the restriction condition. Workflow setting processing program to let you.
(6) The workflow setting processing program according to (5), wherein the plurality of attributes of the job are a document attribute and a user attribute.

According to the invention described in (1) above, a workflow skeleton including a plurality of operation steps is set, and for each operation step, a plurality of attributes of the operation target job are common to all operation steps. A plurality of different operation contents corresponding to a combination of a plurality of attributes are set and stored in the storage means. At the time of executing the submitted job, the job attribute is determined, and the operation for each operation step in all operation steps is specified based on the determination result and the operation content stored in the storage means. Thus, a workflow for executing the job is generated, and the job is executed according to the workflow.

That, together with the previously set by common skeletal workflow, when execution of the job, specifying the operation content that matches the combination of a plurality of attributes common to the entered all operation steps a plurality of job attributes Thus, since a workflow corresponding to the job is generated, it is not necessary to reset a new workflow from 1 each time even if the job attributes are different. For this reason, a user's convenience can be improved. Moreover, since it is only necessary to manage the framework of the workflow and the set operation content, it is not necessary to manage many workflows set for each job attribute, and the number of workflow management can be reduced. Management becomes easier. In addition, based on the user input, a restriction condition is set for the operation step for restricting the operation of the operation step to be executed or prohibiting the operation of the operation step, and among the operation steps in the generated workflow. For the operation of the operation step corresponding to the set restriction condition, the restriction condition is set for each workflow because the action is executed with restriction or the action is prohibited according to the restriction condition. Even if it is not, it is convenient to set a common restriction condition so that it can be reflected in the workflow generated for each job.

According to the invention described in item (2) above, since the plurality of attributes of the job are the document attribute and the user attribute , for example, different operation contents can be set according to the combination of the document security level and the user .

According to the invention described in (3) above, the workflow skeleton is set in common, and at the time of job execution, a plurality of attributes of the input job and a plurality of attributes common to all operation steps are set . By specifying the operation content that matches the combination of the attribute attributes , a workflow corresponding to the job is generated. Therefore, even if the job attributes are different, there is no need to reset a new workflow from 1 each time. For this reason, a user's convenience can be improved. Moreover, since it is only necessary to manage the framework of the workflow and the set operation content, it is not necessary to manage many workflows set for each job attribute, and the number of workflow management can be reduced. Management becomes easier. In addition, based on the user input, a restriction condition is set for the operation step for restricting the operation of the operation step to be executed or prohibiting the operation of the operation step, and among the operation steps in the generated workflow. For the operation of the operation step corresponding to the set restriction condition, the restriction condition is set for each workflow because the action is executed with restriction or the action is prohibited according to the restriction condition. Even if it is not, it is convenient to set a common restriction condition so that it can be reflected in the workflow generated for each job.

According to the invention described in item (4) above, since the plurality of attributes of the job are the document attribute and the user attribute , for example, different operation contents can be set according to the combination of the document security level and the user .

According to the invention described in (5) above, it is possible to cause the computer of the image forming apparatus to execute a workflow setting process that does not require resetting a new workflow from 1 each time even if the job attributes are different. .

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a workflow setting apparatus A according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The workflow setting apparatus A is composed of an MFP which is a multifunctional image forming apparatus having a printer function, a copy function, a facsimile function, a scan function, a mail communication function, and the like, and includes an operation panel unit 11 and a workflow skeleton setting unit 12. An operation content setting unit 13, a workflow setting information storage unit 14, a workflow automatic generation unit 15, and a workflow execution unit 16.

  In addition to inputting mode selection and job setting conditions by the user, the operation panel unit 11 inputs operation steps for forming a skeleton when setting a workflow, and operates for each operation step. Used to input a plurality of operation contents corresponding to the target job attribute. In this embodiment, a case where job attributes are a document attribute and a user attribute is illustrated.

  The operation panel unit 11 includes a display unit 111. The display unit 111 displays the user setting screen 7 for the operation steps and other various setting screens, displays various messages, and the like, and includes a touch panel type liquid crystal element.

  The workflow skeleton setting unit 12 sets a workflow skeleton based on operation steps input by the user through the operation panel unit 11.

  The operation content setting unit 13 sets a plurality of operation contents corresponding to the document attribute and the user attribute for each operation step based on a user input from the operation panel unit 11. In addition, the operation content setting unit 13 also sets restriction information on the operation step based on the user input.

  The workflow setting information storage unit 14 stores information about a workflow skeleton including a plurality of operation steps set by the workflow skeleton setting unit 12 and a job for each operation step set by the operation content setting unit 113. Information on the operation content according to the attribute, restriction information on the operation step, and the like are stored.

  The workflow automatic generation unit 15 determines a document attribute and a user attribute of a job submitted by the user via the operation panel unit 11 when the workflow is executed, and stores each of the workflow setting information storage unit 14. To select the operation content corresponding to the determined job attribute from the operation content for each operation step, to specify the operation content in each operation step forming the workflow skeleton, and to execute the job The workflow is automatically generated. For this purpose, the workflow automatic generation unit 15 includes a document attribute determination unit 151 that determines the document attribute of the submitted job, and a user attribute determination unit 152 that determines the user attribute of the submitted job.

  The workflow execution unit 16 executes the workflow generated by the workflow automatic generation unit 13, and includes a scanner unit 161, a printer unit 162, a storage unit 163, and a network interface (I / F) unit 164. .

  The scanner unit 161 reads a document image at a predetermined resolution and converts it into image data that has been subjected to a predetermined process, and includes a light source, a prism, a CCD, and the like (not shown).

  The printer unit 162 prints and outputs image data on paper according to job data, and is configured by an electrophotographic mechanism (not shown).

  The storage unit 163 stores image data read by the scanner unit 161 as a file in a storage area such as a box.

  The network I / F unit 164 functions as a communication means for transmitting / receiving data to / from an external terminal (not shown) on the network.

  The workflow skeleton setting unit 12, the operation content setting unit 13, and the workflow automatic generation unit 15 are configured by a CPU 20 that performs overall control of the entire workflow setting device A. The CPU 20 operates according to an operation program recorded on a recording medium such as a ROM (not shown).

  Next, a procedure for setting a workflow using the workflow setting apparatus A shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

  First, the user inputs a plurality of operation steps forming a workflow skeleton using the operation panel unit 11. In this embodiment, the operation steps are input as follows.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 2, all operation steps are displayed in icon display in the icon display area 111a of the display screen of the display unit 111. Next, a predetermined icon is dragged to the setting area 111b of the screen from the operation steps displayed in the icon display area 111a.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3, if you want to set a workflow skeleton consisting of four operation steps: Step 1 is “Scan”, Step 2 is “Print”, Step 3 is “Mail Send”, and Step 4 is “File Send”. The user first drags the “scan” icon from the icon display area 111a to the setting area 111b, then drags the “print” icon, and then sequentially sends the “mail transmission” and “file save” icons. Drag to line up and down. When the “decision” button 111 c is pressed, the workflow skeleton setting unit 12 sets the workflow skeleton as shown in FIG. 3 and stores it in the workflow setting information storage unit 14. In order to cancel the setting of the workflow skeleton, the “cancel” button 111d may be pressed.

  Next, the user uses the operation panel unit 11 to input, for example, a plurality of operation contents corresponding to the document attribute and user attribute of the job as shown in FIG. 4 for each operation step. In the example of FIG. 4, there are three levels (high, medium, low) of document security levels as document attributes, and there are three destinations (Mr. A, Mr. B, and C) as user attributes. The operation details are set. For example, in Step 1, Step 2, and Step 4, the operation for the user attribute is not set, and different operation contents corresponding to only the document attribute are set. On the other hand, in Step 3, the operation content corresponding to the document attribute is not set, and different operation content corresponding to the user attribute is set.

  When the user inputs such operation content, the input operation content is determined by the operation content setting unit 13 and stored in the workflow setting information storage unit 14 in a state associated with each operation step.

  In this way, the operation contents for each operation step according to the workflow skeleton and job attributes are set in advance.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5, when the user designates the document attribute and the user attribute and inputs (inputs) a specific job from the operation panel 11, the workflow setting apparatus A performs the workflow for the input job. After generating, the job is executed according to this workflow.

  Specifically, after the document attribute determination unit 151 and the user attribute determination unit 152 of the workflow automatic generation unit 15 determine the document attribute and user attribute of the submitted job, the determined attribute and the workflow setting information storage unit 14 Is compared with the workflow setting information stored in. Then, by selecting an operation content that matches the document attribute and user attribute of the input job from the workflow setting information, the operation content for each operation step is specified, and a workflow for the job is generated. Thereafter, according to the generated workflow, the workflow execution unit 16 executes each operation step with the specified operation content.

  Next, the flow of processing from workflow setting to execution by the workflow setting apparatus A having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This process is executed by the CPU 20 of the workflow setting apparatus A operating according to an operation program stored in a recording medium such as a ROM (not shown).

  In FIG. 6, in step S401, it is determined whether or not an instruction to use an existing workflow skeleton is given by the user. If an instruction to use an existing workflow skeleton is given (YES in step S401). The process proceeds to step S406. If it is not an instruction to use an existing workflow skeleton (NO in step S401), the process proceeds to step S402.

  In step S402, the user waits for a workflow skeleton setting input, and if there is a workflow skeleton setting input (YES in step S402), in step S403, the workflow skeleton is determined based on the input, and the workflow setting storage unit 12, the process proceeds to step S404.

  In step S404, the user waits for the input of the operation content corresponding to the document attribute and the user attribute for each operation step as shown in FIG. 4 for each operation step. If YES (YES in step S404), the input operation content is confirmed and stored in the workflow setting storage unit 12 in step S405, and the process proceeds to step S406.

  In step S406, the process waits for a job to be input to the workflow. If the job is input (YES in step S406), the job condition is stored in the workflow setting information storage unit 12 in step S407, and the process proceeds to step S408. .

  In step S408, the workflow automatic generation unit 15 generates a workflow according to the input job attributes, for example, the document attribute and the user attribute. In step S409, the job is executed in the workflow execution unit 14 according to the generated workflow. Let

In this embodiment, the framework of a workflow composed of a plurality of operation steps Step 1 to Step 4 set as shown in FIG. 3, and the document attribute and user set for each operation step Step 1 to Step 4 as shown in FIG. Based on the operation content corresponding to the attribute, a workflow having the following pattern is automatically generated according to the attribute of the submitted job, and the workflow is executed.
<Workflow example>
(1) Document attribute of job to be submitted: level “low”, user attribute: Mr. A Step 1: Scan: Monochrome 300 dpi
-> Step 2: Print: Print-> Step 3: Send mail: Send email to Mr. A-> Step 4: Save file: Save in the public box (2) Document attribute of the input job: Level "Low", User attribute: Mr. B Step 1: Scan: Monochrome 300 dpi
-> Step 2: Print: Print-> Step 3: Send E-mail: Set Mr. B with a password and send E-mail-> Step 4: Save File: Save in the public box (3) Document attribute of the input job: Level "Low", User attribute : For Mr. C Step1: Scan: Monochrome 300 dpi
-> Step 2: Print: Print-> Step 3: Mail transmission: Encrypted to Mr. C and mail transmission-> Step 4: File storage: Save in shared box (4) Document attribute of the input job: Level "medium", User attribute: A In the case of Mr. Step1: Scan: Monochrome 300 dpi
-> Step 2: Print: Print only cover page-> Step 3: Send mail: Send mail to Mr. A-> Step 4: Save file: Save in personal box (5) Document attribute of the job to be input: Level "Medium", User attribute: Mr. B Step1: Scan: Monochrome 300 dpi
-> Step 2: Print: Print only cover page-> Step 3: Send mail: Set password for Mr. B and send mail-> Step 4: Save file: Save in personal box (6) Document attribute of job to be submitted: Level "Medium", user Attribute: Mr. C Step1: Scan: Monochrome 300 dpi
-> Step 2: Print: Print only cover page-> Step 3: Send mail: Encrypt to Mr. C and send mail-> Step 4: Save file: Save in personal box (7) Document attribute of the input job: Level "High", user Attribute: In the case of Mr. A Step1: Scan: Color 300 dpi
→ Step 2: Print: Do nothing (skip)
-> Step 3 mail transmission: Send mail to Mr. A-> Step 4: File save: Encrypt and save in personal box (8) Document attribute of the input job: Level "High", User attribute: Mr. B Step 1: Scan: Color 300 dpi
→ Step 2: Print: Do nothing (skip)
-> Step 3: Mail transmission: Set password for Mr. B and send mail-> Step 4: File save: Encrypted and saved in personal box (9) Document attribute of the input job: Level "High", User attribute: Mr. C Case Step1: Scan: Color 300 dpi
→ Step 2: Print: Do nothing (skip)
→ Step3: Mail transmission: Sending encrypted mail to Mr. C → Step4: File saving: Encrypting and saving in personal box In this way, the workflow skeleton is set to be common to all jobs. For each operation step to be formed, the operation content corresponding to the document attribute and the user attribute is set and stored, and at the time of executing the submitted job, the attribute of the job is determined, and based on the stored content For each step, the operation content corresponding to the attribute of the input job is specified and a workflow is generated. This eliminates the need for setting an individual workflow from 1 for each job attribute, improves usability, and improves user convenience. Moreover, since it is only necessary to manage the framework of the workflow and the set operation contents, it is not necessary to manage a large number of workflows set for each job attribute, and the number of workflow management can be reduced. Management becomes easier.

  Next, another example of setting a workflow will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Assume that the operation contents corresponding to the document attribute and the user attribute are set as shown in FIG. 8 for each operation step (scanning, mail communication, printing) forming the workflow skeleton shown in FIG.

  In this example, it is assumed that there are three levels (high, medium, low) of document security levels as document attributes, and three destinations (Mr. A, Mr. B, and Mr. C) as user attributes.

In this example, the following is added as restriction information for the operation step.
(A) Printing an encrypted document is prohibited.
(B) Only the cover is allowed to print a document for which a password is set.

  These restrictions are set by the operation content setting unit 13 and stored in the storage unit 14 when the user inputs using the operation panel unit 11. This is reflected when the workflow automatic generation unit 15 generates a workflow for the input job.

  In the example of FIG. 7, the framework of the workflow is formed by three operation steps of Step 1 (scan), Step 2 (mail transmission), and Step 3 (print), and each step is executed in order.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in Step 1, different operation contents are not set for the user attributes, but different operation contents corresponding to only the document attributes are set.

  In Step 2, different operation contents are set according to the combination of the document attribute and the user attribute.

  In Step 3, the operation content for the document attribute is not set, and different operation content according to the user attribute is set.

In this embodiment, a workflow having the following pattern is generated by the workflow automatic generation unit 15 in accordance with the attribute of the input job.
(1) Document attribute of job to be submitted: level “low”, user attribute: Mr. A Step 1: Scan: Monochrome 300 dpi
→ Step 2: Send mail: Send mail to Mr. A → Step 3: Do nothing (skip)
(2) Document attribute of job to be submitted: level “low”, user attribute: Mr. B Step 1: Scan: Monochrome 300 dpi
-> Step 2: Mail transmission: Send mail to Mr. B-> Step 3: Print: Print only cover page (3) Document attribute of the input job: Level "Low", User attribute: Mr. C Step 1: Scan: Monochrome 300 dpi
→ Step 2: Mail transmission: Mail transmission to Mr. C → Step 3: Print: Print (4) Document attribute of job to be submitted: Level “medium”, User attribute: Mr. A Step 1: Scan: Monochrome 300 dpi
→ Step 2: Do nothing (skip)
→ Step3: Do nothing (skip)
(5) Document attribute of job to be submitted: level “medium”, user attribute: Mr. B Step 1: Scan: Monochrome 300 dpi
→ Step 2: Email transmission: Set password for Mr. B and send email → Step 3: Print: Print only cover (6) Document attribute of job to be input: Level “medium”, User attribute: Mr. C Step 1: Scan: Monochrome 300 dpi
→ Step2: Send mail: Set password for Mr. C and send mail → Step3: Print: Print only cover page (Because password is set at Step 2, only cover page is printed)
(7) Document attribute of job to be submitted: level “high”, user attribute: Mr. A Step 1: Scan: Color 300 dpi
→ Step 2: Do nothing (skip)
→ Step3: Do nothing (skip)
(8) Document attribute of job to be submitted: level “high”, user attribute: Mr. B Step 1: Scan: Color 300 dpi
→ Step2: Encrypt to Mr. B and send mail → Step3: Do nothing (skip)
(Because it is encrypted in Step 2, it is set not to print)
(9) Document attribute of job to be submitted: level “high”, user attribute: Mr. C Step 1: Scan: Color 300 dpi
→ Step2: Encrypt to Mr. C and send mail → Step3: Do nothing (skip)
(Because it is encrypted in Step 2, it is set not to print)
As described above, among the automatically generated workflows, in the above-mentioned three cases (6), (8), and (9), the operation of Step 3 is restricted due to the restriction items after the specific operation. I understand.

  As can be seen from this example, even if you want to add restrictions to specific operation details, it can be realized by setting common restriction conditions, and it is necessary to set restrictions for each individual workflow. This is convenient and can improve user convenience.

  Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the user inputs operation steps for forming a workflow skeleton, operation contents corresponding to job attributes for each operation step, and operation step restriction conditions by the operation panel unit 11. You may input via a network from external terminals, such as a computer.

  Also, job attributes are not limited to only document attributes and user attributes.

It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the workflow setting apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the input screen for setting the framework | skeleton of a workflow. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the framework of a workflow. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement content according to the document attribute and user attribute which were set for every operation | movement step which forms the framework | skeleton of the workflow of FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the flow from job submission to workflow execution. It is a flowchart which shows the process from workflow setting to execution of a workflow. It is a flowchart which shows another example of the framework | skeleton of a workflow. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement content according to the document attribute and user attribute which were set for every operation | movement step which forms the framework | skeleton of the workflow of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

A workflow setting device 11 operation panel unit 12 workflow skeleton setting unit 13 operation content setting unit 14 storage unit 15 workflow automatic generation unit 151 document attribute determination unit 152 user attribute determination unit 16 workflow execution unit 161 scanner unit 162 printer unit 163 storage unit 164 Network interface section

Claims (6)

A workflow skeleton setting means for setting a workflow skeleton including a plurality of operation steps based on a user input;
Based on the user input, the each operation step, the operation contents for setting a plurality of different operations based on the combination of a plurality of attributes common to all a plurality of attributes of the operation steps of the operation target job Setting means;
Storage means for storing the framework and operation content of the set workflow;
Job attribute determination means for determining a plurality of attributes of the submitted job;
While executing the input job, and the operation contents stored in the storage means, based on a combination of attributes of the job that is determined by the job attribute determining means, the operation of each operation step in all operating steps A workflow generation means for generating a workflow for executing the job by specifying
Restriction condition setting means for setting a restriction condition for the operation step for restricting and executing the operation of the operation step or prohibiting the operation of the operation step based on a user input;
The operation of each operation step is executed according to the workflow generated by the workflow generation means, and the operation step corresponding to the set restriction condition among the operation steps in the generated workflow is the restriction condition. According to the workflow execution means for restricting and executing the operation or prohibiting the operation;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of attributes of the job are a document attribute and a user attribute . A step of setting a workflow skeleton including a plurality of operation steps based on user input;
A step of setting a plurality of different operation contents corresponding to a combination of a plurality of attributes that are a plurality of attributes of the operation target job and are common to all the operation steps, for each operation step, based on a user input; ,
Storing the set workflow skeleton and operation content;
Determining a plurality of attributes of the submitted job;
A workflow for executing the job by specifying the operation in each operation step based on the combination of the stored operation content and the determined plurality of attributes of the job when executing the submitted job Generating
Setting a restriction condition for the operation step for restricting the operation of the operation step to be executed or prohibiting the operation of the operation step based on a user input;
The operation of each operation step is executed according to the workflow generated in the step of generating the workflow, and the operation of the operation step corresponding to the set restriction condition among the operation steps in the generated workflow is described above. Performing the operation in a restricted manner or prohibiting the operation in accordance with a restriction condition;
A workflow setting method executed by an image processing apparatus. The workflow setting method according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of attributes of the job are a document attribute and a user attribute. A process for setting a workflow skeleton including a plurality of operation steps based on user input;
A process of setting a plurality of different operation contents corresponding to a combination of a plurality of attributes that are a plurality of attributes of the operation target job and are common to all the operation steps, for each operation step based on a user input; ,
A process of storing the framework and operation content of the set workflow;
Processing to determine multiple attributes of the submitted job,
A workflow for executing the job by specifying the operation in each operation step based on the combination of the stored operation content and the determined plurality of attributes of the job when executing the submitted job Processing to generate
A process of setting a restriction condition for the operation step for restricting the operation of the operation step to be executed or prohibiting the operation of the operation step based on a user input;
The operation of each operation step is executed according to the workflow generated in the process of generating the workflow, and the operation of the operation step corresponding to the set restriction condition among the operation steps in the generated workflow is described above. Processing to restrict or execute the operation or prohibit the operation in accordance with a restriction condition;
Is a workflow setting processing program for causing the computer of the image forming apparatus to execute. The workflow setting processing program according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of attributes of the job are a document attribute and a user attribute.

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