JP5054140B2 - Image processing apparatus, control method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a system for smoothly executing an operation of a centralized copy or printing center by an operator of the centralized copy or printing center at a centralized copy or printing center of a company, etc. Are related to an image processing apparatus and an order management apparatus.

  Conventionally, push scan or pull print has been proposed as an operation using the operation unit of the device. For example, in push scan, a document is placed on a document placement unit of an image reading device, and a scanning operation is started after a destination such as a folder in his / her PC is designated using the operation unit. At this time, the setting of the image reading mode and the destination are also specified using the operation unit of the device.

  On the other hand, in the pull print, the URL of the external device is designated using the operation unit of the printer device, and the page of the designated URL is printed. At this time, the print mode such as the paper type, the duplex mode, and the sort mode is also specified using the operation unit of the device.

JP 09-051397 A JP-A-11-134125

  In a centralized copy room or printing center of a company, a plurality of persons in charge (operators) sequentially execute a high-value-added editing operation that cannot be made in a general office in a plurality of processes. A workflow system on the PC exists to manage each process. Conventionally, it is necessary for an operator to use a workflow system on a PC in order to know which process job is currently in which process, when to be in charge of it, and which job should be processed. It was necessary to move between them, leading to a reduction in work efficiency. In addition, inventions such as push scan or pull print have been disclosed as systems that perform processing only with the operation unit of the device in order to prevent a reduction in work efficiency.

  However, push scan is a job that is completed in a single process that scans a document and sends it to a predetermined location, and works in conjunction with a workflow system on a PC that manages the process of jobs that require multiple processes. It wasn't.

  In addition, pull printing is a job that is completed in a single process by simply obtaining a document specified by the URL on the external device and printing it. The PC performs process management of a job that requires multiple processes. It was not linked to the above workflow system.

  The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances as described above, and facilitates the workflow of the operator in the centralized copy room and the printing center by linking the device and the workflow server and proceeding with the operation unit of the device. The object is to provide a system that can proceed.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following configuration. An image processing apparatus including an image forming unit that forms an image based on a medium on which an original image is recorded, wherein a plurality of processing instruction options that can be selected by a user are arranged in a specific display order. Display control means for controlling display on the operation panel, accepting means for accepting selection of processing instruction options displayed on the operation panel by the display control means, and processing related to the processing instruction options accepted by the accepting means. An execution means for executing, and a detection means for detecting that the medium is set in the image processing apparatus, and when the detection means detects that the medium is set, the display control means Is a processing instruction option related to the setting of the medium detected by the detection means is arranged at the head of the specific order, and In order to change the display of the operation panel so that processing instruction options not related to the setting of the medium detected by the recording detection unit are arranged, and to display a list of jobs on the operation panel A list button is displayed.

  According to the present invention, there is an effect that an operator can smoothly proceed with processing.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image processing system. Service ordering screen for the order receiving Web server on the orderer PC. The figure explaining the order flow on orderer PC. Screen for designating printing / manufacturing main body in order flow. The figure explaining the processing flow of the received copy / print order. Access software screen from the administrator PC to the order management device 4. The figure explaining the order management information storage part 45. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus in Embodiment 1. FIG. The figure explaining operator information / processing method setting information. 6 is a list display screen of information on process jobs in the operation unit of the image processing apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment. The detailed display screen of the information of the scanning process job in the operation unit of the image processing apparatus. The detailed display screen of the information of the printing process job in the operation unit of the image processing apparatus. The block diagram of an order management apparatus. 2 is a flowchart of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart 2 of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart relating to process job transmission of the order management apparatus 4; FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to a second embodiment. The screen of the access software from administrator PC to the order management apparatus 4 in Example 2. FIG. 10 is a list display screen of information on process jobs in the operation unit of the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment. 9 is a flowchart of an image processing apparatus in Embodiment 2. FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus in Embodiment 3. The workflow update screen in the operation unit of the image processing apparatus. 10 is a flowchart of an image processing apparatus in Embodiment 3. The figure explaining the order flow of a copy service and an output / bookbinding service. The figure which shows the screen which designates the delivery style The figure explaining the processing flow of the received scan order.

Example 1
[Workflow system configuration]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image processing system. The orderer places an order for various services, which will be described later, from the PC 1 via the intranet or the Internet 2 to the order receiving Web server 3. At this time, scan order, print format, bookbinding format, delivery format designation, electronic data for printing, and the like are sent to the order receiving Web server 3 via the intranet or the Internet 2 together with the orderer information. On the other hand, media such as a CD-ROM containing paper manuscripts and electronic data for printing services, which are original data when using a scanning service or a copying service, is sent to an output base by physical transport means such as in-house mail. .

  Various orders (orders) received by the order receiving Web server 3 are sent to the output base server 4, and the administrator PC 10 creates process jobs that are individual operations processed by each operator from the orders stored in the output base server 4. . The CPU of the order management apparatus transmits the process job created by the administrator PC to various devices such as PC9-1, PC9-2, MFP-A5, scanner B6, printer C7, and finisher 8 of each operator who requested. Scan processing, copy processing, editing processing, print processing, finishing processing, and the like are performed, and printed materials or bookbinding products, which are output of the processing results, are delivered to the orderer by in-house mail or the like. In the following, in this case, the output base server 4 that manages orders is handled as the order management device 4.

[Orderer's order processing]
FIG. 2 is a service ordering screen for the order receiving Web server 3 on the orderer PC 1. On this screen, six service order buttons 12 to 17 are displayed. The “output / bookbinding service” 12 is an entry button for ordering the output / bookbinding service, and inputs electronic data and prints it in a specified format. This is a service for performing bookbinding processing (such as stapling or case binding) on a print result and sending it to a designated delivery destination. Next, a “poster / panel service” 13 is an entrance button for ordering a poster panel service, which inputs electronic data and prints it in a large size in a specified format. Furthermore, this is a service for performing specified panel processing on a printed result and sending it to a specified delivery destination. The “copy service” 14 is an entrance button for ordering a copy service, which submits a paper document, scans it with a specified format, and prints it with a specified format. Furthermore, it is a service that performs a designated bookbinding process on a printed matter and sends it to a designated delivery destination.

  The “reorder service” 15 is an entrance button for ordering the reorder service, and is a service for reordering the same order as the previously ordered service. Is no need. The “stored document ordering service” 16 is an entrance button for placing an order for the stored document ordering service, and is a service for specifying and printing a stored document stored at the output base and sending it to a specified delivery destination. . In this case, the print format is fixed for each stored document. The “scan service” 17 is an entrance button for ordering a scan service, and submits a paper document and scans it in a specified format. The scanned image data is a service for performing the specified processing and sending it to the specified destination.

  FIG. 3A is a screen of the orderer PC 1 when electronic data is submitted in the order of the output / bookbinding service order. First, L101 instructs whether electronic data is electronically submitted or physically sent using a medium such as a CD-ROM. In the case of electronic submission, an input file name existing in the orderer's PC is written at L102 or a reference button 22 is pressed to specify the input file name in the orderer's PC.

  L103 designates the number of pages of the submitted file. L104 designates the OS when the submitted file is created. L105 designates a creation application when the submission file is created. Then, when the OK button 23 is pressed, these pieces of information are sent to the order management apparatus (output base server) 4 via the order receiving Web server. When the submission file is electronically submitted, the submission file designated in L102 is also electronically sent to the order management apparatus 4 via the order receiving Web server at the same time. On the other hand, when an input file is submitted by media, the media is sent to an output base using in-house mail or courier service. The orderer submits electronic data relating to the order placed in this way.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram for explaining an ordering flow of the copy service and the output / bookbinding service on the orderer PC. In the case of the copy service button, first, in S11, the copy service button 14 of FIG. 2 is selected. In S12, a paper document type and a process at the time of document reading, which will be described later with reference to FIG. In step S13, a printing / manufacturing main body to be described later with reference to FIG. 4 is designated. Next, in S14, a delivery format described later with reference to FIG. In step S15, the order information and orderer information described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, in the case of the output / bookbinding service, the output / bookbinding service button 12 shown in FIG. 2 is selected in S21. In S22, the electronic data submission method shown in FIG. 3A is designated. In step S23, a printing / manufacturing main body, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 4, is designated. In step S24, a delivery format described later with reference to FIG. In step S25, the order information and orderer information described later with reference to FIG. Next, in S26, the process waits for a proof print for confirming the printing result to be delivered. After confirming that, a proof is approved by telephone or e-mail in S27. This proof is printed and approved, for example, in the case of 100 copies, only one copy is printed, the orderer's intention is checked for color and appearance, and the remaining 99 copies are printed. If you want to. Although description of the ordering flow in the case of the scan service is omitted, the same settings as in the copy service S12, S14, and S15 are performed.

  FIG. 3B is a screen of the orderer PC when designating processing at the time of submission and reading of a paper document in the order flow of the copy service and the scan service. First, L201 designates whether the original is a book original or a sheet original that has been bound, and specifies the size of the original. In FIG. 3B, the A4 book document is selected. L202 specifies whether to scan in color or in black and white. L203 designates single-sided original or double-sided original. L204 designates whether to perform processing such as tilt correction, dust removal, and punch mark erasing during scanning.

  Similarly, L205 is a setting relating to the format of the scanned image data. L206 is a reading resolution setting. L207 is a setting of the number of pages of the document. L208 is a setting for whether the scanned image data is sent by E-Mail, put in a shared folder, or sent in media. L209 is the setting of the destination. In this way, the client specifies the processing at the time of reading together with the submission of the paper manuscript relating to the order.

  FIG. 4 is a screen for designating printing / bookbinding in the ordering flow of the copy / output / bookbinding service. L301 designates the print finish size, and A4 is selected in FIG. L302 specifies whether to print in color or monochrome. L303 designates single-sided printing or double-sided printing. L304 designates the paper type used for printing.

  Similarly, L305 is a setting relating to cover printing. L306 is a setting for the bookbinding body how to bind the printed paper. L307 is a setting related to punch processing for printed paper. L308 is a setting relating to edge cutting processing for printed paper. L309 is a copy number setting. The orderer designates the printing / manufacturing body for the order placed in this way.

  FIG. 25A is a screen for specifying a delivery format in the order flow of the copy service and the output / bookbinding service. First, L401, L405, and L409 are designations regarding how the output product of the copy service and the output / bookbinding service is delivered to the orderer. L401 is sent by in-house mail, and L405 is sent by courier. , L409 is selected when the orderer goes to pick up to the output base. L402 to L404 are settings relating to the destination in the case of sending by in-house mail, L406 to L408 are settings relating to the destination in the case of sending by courier, and L410 is a take-over schedule when going to pick up This is a setting for the day. In this way, the orderer designates the delivery format related to the ordered order.

  FIG. 25 (2) is a screen for confirming the order in the order flow of various services. First, L501 is a type of service to be ordered, L502 is a display of an approximate estimate of the service to be ordered, and a desired delivery date is entered in L503. L504 to L509 are information confirmation displays related to the orderer. The orderer confirms the contents and presses the OK button 31 to place an order for the service.

[Process of order acceptance system]
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the processing flow of the copy / print order received by the order management apparatus 4. The received copy order is classified into a simple copy order that can be simply copied by a copying machine, and a general copy order that is electronically edited after being scanned by a scanner and then printed to be copied. For example, an order for which no processing is selected in L204 in FIG. 3B is a simple copy order, and an order for which processing is selected is a general copy order. In the simple copy order, an order is first received in S31, and a paper document is waited for in S32. In S33, a copy job for copying the received paper document with a copying machine is executed. In S34, bookbinding such as case binding and saddle stitch binding is performed. Next, in S35, it is sent to the designated delivery destination and charged for the price.

  Next, in the case of a general copy order, an order is received in S41, and a paper manuscript is waited for in S42. In S43, a scan job for scanning the received paper document with a scanner is executed. In S44, processing such as tilt correction, dust removal, and punch hole elimination is performed on the scanned image data. In S45, the processed image data is stored for later reordering as necessary. In S46, a print job for printing by the printer is executed. In S47, bookbinding such as case binding and saddle stitch binding is performed. In S48, a request is sent to the designated delivery destination.

  Each copy order received in this way may be processed by the operator as a single copy job, or may be processed by the operator for each process job as a scan job, editing job, and print job. In the present embodiment, the individual services ordered by the orderer are “ordered”, and the individual operations processed by each operator are set by the administrator PC 10 in order to execute the order. These individual operations are called “process jobs” to distinguish them.

  Next, in the case of a print order, an order is received in S51, and electronic data is received via the order receiving server in S52, or waiting for delivery of media. In S53, editing / processing such as page number addition, imposition, or color correction is performed on the received electronic data. In S54, the edited / processed electronic data is stored for later reordering as necessary. In S55, the printer executes a print job for performing one proof print of the number of copies. In S56, the proof print is sent to the orderer to obtain proof approval. In S57, the remaining number of copies is printed, and in S58, bookbinding such as case binding and saddle stitching is performed. Next, in S59, it is sent to the designated delivery destination and charged for the price.

  FIG. 6 is a screen of the access software from the administrator PC 10 to the order management apparatus 4 in the first embodiment. On this screen, the administrator confirms the status of each order, changes each process / job of each order, and assigns an operator who processes the process / job. The operator in this case refers to a person in charge of executing a process job.

  FIG. 26 is a diagram for explaining the processing flow of the received scan order. In the case of a scan order, an order is received in S61, and a paper document is waited for in S62. In S63, a scan job for scanning the received paper document with a scanner is executed, and in S64, processing such as tilt correction, dust removal and punch hole removal is performed on the scanned image data. In step S65, the processed image data is stored for later reordering as necessary. Next, in S66, the information is sent to the designated delivery destination and charged.

  Reference numeral 34 in FIG. 6 is a pull-down list for selecting which person in charge and which process / job are displayed on the display unit of the administrator PC. For example, when the control unit of the administrator PC 10 recognizes that “operator A” has been selected, a list of processes and process jobs assigned to the operator A is displayed on the display unit connected to the administrator PC 10. When “all” is selected, a list of information on all processes and process jobs including processes and process jobs not assigned to any operator is displayed as shown in FIG.

  L602 indicates display items of information of each process and process job, the order ID of the order including the process job information, the ordering person of the order, the delivery date of the order, the order type, and the information of the process job The person in charge, the current process and the processing status of the process job are displayed on the display unit connected to the administrator PC 10. L603 is a display of the order details of the order ID “0055”, and L604 is a display of the order details of the order ID “0080”. From the displayed orders, the control unit of the administrator PC 10 recognizes the order to be operated selected by the administrator. In FIG. 6, it is recognized that L604 is selected. When the person in charge of the selected order is to be changed, a new operator is selected from the pull-down list 35 shown in FIG.

  Further, when it is desired to change the process of the selected order, a new process is selected from the pull-down list 37 shown in FIG. The manager manages the progress of each process job of each order, advances the process according to the progress, and assigns a new person in charge (operator).

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the order management information storage unit. Information relating to orders received by the order receiving Web server is sent to the order management apparatus 4, and information relating to each order is centrally managed in the DRAM 72 which is a storage unit of the order management apparatus 4. A block diagram showing the configuration of the order management apparatus 4 is shown in FIG. First, in FIG. 7, the first order 42 is a case of a scan order. L701 is an order ID, L702 is an order date, L703 is a delivery date, L704 is an order type, L705 is a current person in charge, L706 is a current process / process job, and L701 to L706 are order progress management information. is there.

  L707 is a document type, L708 is a document size, L709 is a color / monochrome document type, and L709 to L711 are document information. Next, L712 to L713 indicate processing methods for processing the scanned image data. L715 is scanned image data. L716 is information about the destination of the scanned image data, and L718 to L719 are the name and contact information of the orderer.

  Next, the second order 43 is a print order. Like the order 42, the order management information storage unit manages various pieces of order information and is stored in the storage unit of the order management apparatus 4.

  As described above, the process job held in the order management information storage unit 45 includes a processing method that is setting information when processed in the image processing apparatus, such as a processing style at the time of scanning or a main body style at the time of printing. Therefore, the operator only needs to receive the information of the process job that he / she is in charge of, and there is no need to set a processing method using the operation unit of the device. Note that the setting content of the processing method set here is set by the orderer when placing an order, and is displayed as an order receiving parameter on the operation unit of the image processing apparatus.

[Configuration of Image Processing Apparatus in Embodiment 1]
FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the image processing apparatus 5 corresponding to the device in the first embodiment. First, the image reading unit 51 reads a document placed on the image placing unit, generates image data, and stores the image data in the image memory 52. The data held in the image memory 52 is sent via the network I / F 56 and the network 61 to the orderer's PC or the order management apparatus 4 and each operator's PC.

  The print job received from the order management apparatus 4 is developed as bitmap data on the image memory and printed by the image forming unit 53.

  At the time of copying, the image data read by the image reading unit 51 is printed by the image forming unit 53 and copied. The control unit 55 controls the entire apparatus, and holds a device ID that is identification information of the image processing apparatus 5 therein. The IC card reader / writer 57 is for reading and writing the contents of the IC card 58 for each operator. The IC card for each operator holds operator information and processing method setting information 59. The HD 60 is for holding long-term or temporary image data and programs, and the operation unit 54 is for the operator to perform various operations. The operation unit 54 has a configuration in which a liquid crystal display unit and a touch panel are provided on the surface thereof. Other devices are also connected on the network, and each device has a different device ID.

  The image processing apparatus in this case is a multi-function machine including an image reading unit and an image forming unit as shown in FIG. 8, but an apparatus including either an image reading unit or an image forming unit is also handled as an image processing apparatus.

[Configuration of IC card]
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining operator information and processing method setting information held in an IC card for each operator. Note that information to be described later is held in a rewritable storage unit in the IC card. L801 is an operator ID that is identification information of the operator, and L802 is an operator name. L803 is a password 1 for confirming whether the operator is an authorized owner of the IC card. L804 is a second password when the order management apparatus 4 authenticates the IC card. Since the password 2 is not input by the operator, a complicated password having a large number of digits can be used.

  L805 is an operator's affiliation, and L806 is an operator's contact information. In L807 to L814, a processing method when the operator uses a device having a device ID = 100 is set in advance. First, L808 indicates the device ID of the target device, and L809 indicates the type of process job processed by the operator holding this IC card. In this embodiment, the device ID = 100 indicates a multi-function peripheral having a scanner, a copy, and a printer function, so that a scan job, a copy job, and a print job can be processed.

  Next, L810 instructs whether or not to perform inclination correction of the read image data using the multifunction peripheral (device ID = 100) when a scan job is processed by this device. Depending on the type of device, there may be cases where the device does not have an inclination correction function, or the accuracy is poor even if it has an inclination correction function. In such a case, it may be better to send the scan data to the PC and perform the tilt correction on the PC without performing the tilt correction on the scanner device. Therefore, the operator designates L810 in advance according to the preference of each operator and the capability of each device.

  L811 instructs whether or not to execute OCR processing in this MFP (device ID = 100) when processing a scan job in the same manner. Similarly, L812 designates whether or not stapling is executed using this device (device ID = 100) at the time of printing, but the stapling function of the device has a limit on the number of sheets that can be stapled, and the number of sheets is large. In some cases, it may be better to staple using a different finisher. Therefore, L812 is designated in advance according to the preference of each operator and the capability of each device.

  Similarly, L813 and L814 designate whether or not to execute punch processing or cutting processing at the time of printing in the device. Similarly, L815 to L819 set in advance a processing method when this operator uses a device with device ID = 101, and L820 to L825 are cases where this operator uses a device with device ID = 102. The processing method is set in advance.

[Operations in the Operation Unit of the Image Processing Apparatus in Embodiment 1]
FIG. 10 is a process job information display screen in the device operation unit according to the first exemplary embodiment. When the operator installs his / her IC card in the device, information on the process job in charge of the operator holding the IC card and processing using this device is displayed on the device operation unit as shown in FIG. The

  The information of the process job to be displayed can be selected by the scan job list button 67, the copy job list button 68, the print job list button 69, and all the job buttons 70, and the control unit 55 of the image processing apparatus is selected by the operator. When the button is recognized, the process job information displayed on the device operation unit 54 is changed according to the selection. For example, the state of FIG. 10 is a display state when all process job lists 70 are selected, and “all” is also displayed in L901. In this embodiment, when the control unit 55 of the image processing apparatus recognizes that “all job list” has been selected, L904 to L907 include process job information relating to the operator A wearing the IC card, All of the process job information that can be processed using this device is displayed.

  This display order is displayed for each item by pressing the sort button 71 for the delivery date and the sort button 72 for the process job type. The operator uses the up / down keys 63 or 64 to select a process job to be executed from the list of process jobs. FIG. 10 shows a state where a copy order scan job with the order ID “0055” is selected. When a process job is selected and the selection button 65 is pressed, a transition is made to a detailed information screen for each process job, which will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  In addition, when the sensor unit of the document placement unit detects that the document is placed on the document placement unit of the image reading unit 51, it is detected from the sensor unit that the document is placed on the document placement unit. The control unit 55, which is transmitted to the control unit 55 of the apparatus and recognizes the information, has a high possibility that the operator performs a scan or copy process, so that the scan job or the copy job is processed earlier than the print job. Are displayed on the operation unit 54. Specifically, the display order of the list is changed so that the top of the display order is a scan job or a copy job.

  As a result, the information on the process job that the user is going to execute is automatically displayed at a position that is easily recognized by the operator, so even if a large amount of process job information is displayed on the operation unit, it is relatively easy. It is possible to detect information on process jobs scheduled to be processed.

  FIG. 11 is a scan job detail display screen in the operation unit 54 of the image processing apparatus that is transitioned to when the control unit 55 recognizes that the order ID “0055” that is the scan job in FIG. 10 has been selected. Reference numeral 74 in FIG. 11 displays general information when an L904 scan job is selected from the process job information displayed on the operation unit 54 in FIG. Next, in the area 75, the control unit 55 recognizes parameters such as the document type, document size, color or monochrome document classification, single-sided / double-sided document classification, document name, etc. designated by the orderer with respect to the scan job. 54.

  In an area 76 in FIG. 11, an execution parameter which is a processing method when the scan job is actually scanned is displayed. A key for changing each parameter is displayed at 77 in FIG. When the change target is selected with an up / down key (not shown), the key to be changed is reversed. When the left / right key (not shown) is pressed in this state, the other setting values of the respective setting items are displayed at 76. Normally, the control unit 55 recognizes the parameter at the time of order receipt at 75 and automatically copies the parameter to the area 76 for execution. However, when the orderer makes an incorrect order, the operator sets this 77. Various parameters can be changed by operation. In the example of FIG. 11, if the orderer has designated a book document but the received document is a sheet document, the execution value is changed to a sheet document by the operator, and the control unit 55 that has recognized the change displays the display unit. The display content of 54 is updated.

  In addition, the orderer specifies PDF + OCR processing as the format, but in the processing method setting information L811 described with reference to FIG. 9, the operator controls that this device does not perform the OCR processing function. When the unit 55 recognizes, the execution value is automatically changed to only PDF. However, even if it is automatically reflected as the default value, it can be changed by the operator using the 77 keys. Further, when the reflected value is not reflected in the execution value of the image processing apparatus, the OCR process and the punch mark erasing process are executed using the PC (operator PC 9-1 or operator PC 9-2) of another apparatus after scanning with this image processing apparatus. For scan jobs with simple destinations, the device sends them directly to the orderer by e-mail. However, for complex scan jobs that require processing, the scanned image data is once sent to the operator A's PC. In some cases, the operator A performs a machining operation. In this case, the destination is changed to the operator A.

  After confirming various parameters and making corrections as necessary, when the setting save button 79 is pressed, the storage information stored in the order management information storage unit 45 in the order management apparatus 4 described with reference to FIG. Updated. Next, when the scan is executed, the scan is executed according to the 76 parameters designated as the execution value, and the scan data is sent to the designated destination. The number of pages of the document is counted by a document feeder (not shown), and the actually read value is reflected on the execution value.

  In this way, the parameter designated by the orderer can be automatically set as an execution value, so that the operator can save time and effort. Furthermore, when the processing method setting information specified for the IC card and the parameter specified by the orderer are different, the processing method setting information specified for the IC card is prioritized and the execution parameter is automatically changed.

  In addition, the operator can check whether the parameters such as the document type and size designated by the orderer, and single-sided or double-sided are correct at the device immediately before scanning, and can correct the parameters on the spot.

  FIG. 12 is a detailed display screen of the print job in the device operation unit that is transitioned to when the order ID “0081”, which is a print job, is selected in FIG. The configuration is the same as that shown in FIG. 11, but execution parameters that are processing methods for printing are displayed. In addition, settings relating to finishing processing such as punch setting and cutting setting can be automatically reflected as they are in the execution value in this device in accordance with the setting such as L812 to L814 of the processing method setting information described in FIG. It is. If it is not reflected in the execution value in this device, punch processing or cutting processing is executed using the finisher of another apparatus after printing with this device.

  12. When various parameters are confirmed in FIG. 12 and corrections are made as necessary, when a setting save button is pressed, storage stored in the order management information storage unit 45 in the order management apparatus 4 described in FIG. When the information is updated and reprinting is executed, printing is executed according to the parameter specified as the execution value.

  Although omitted in the present embodiment, the same processing as in FIGS. 11 and 12 is performed for the copy job.

  The order parameters shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 are parameters set by the orderer at the time of ordering, and the parameters are automatically reflected as device execution parameters. This eliminates the need for the operator to set all the execution parameters in the device, and only changes the point desired to be changed according to the status of the device, leading to improved operability.

  FIG. 26 is a detailed display screen of a delivery slip print job in the device operation unit that is transitioned to when a delivery job is selected in FIG. The configuration is the same as in FIG. 11, but the parameters for printing the delivery slip are displayed. In FIG. 26, after confirming various parameters and making corrections as necessary, when the setting save button is pressed, the order management information in the output base server described in FIG. 7 is updated. Next, when the delivery slip print is executed, the delivery slip print is executed according to the parameter designated as the execution value. For example, a delivery slip for in-house flights, a delivery slip for delivery agent A, or a delivery slip for delivery agent B is printed by this device according to the delivery type. The operator attaches the delivery slip to a copy, printed matter or bookbinding and sends it out, so that the trouble of posting the destination becomes unnecessary, and a mistake in posting can be prevented.

[Configuration of order management device]
A block diagram showing the configuration of the order management apparatus 4 is shown in FIG. The order management device 4 comprises the order management device 4 as a whole, including the processing unit 80 and peripheral devices. The processing unit 80 stores an order from a CPU 70 that controls the whole in accordance with a control program, a bus 81 that connects system components to each other, a program executed by the CPU 70 and a ROM 71 that stores it, and an order receiving Web server that receives an order from an orderer. A DRAM 72, a graphic adapter 74 having a control function for displaying graphic information on a display unit 77 such as an LCD, a keyboard controller 76 that controls an interface with an input device 79 such as a keyboard, the order receiving Web server 3, or an administrator PC 10. A network I / F 73 that is a serial interface that controls communication between the two is included.

  The processing unit 80 is connected to a display unit 77 that displays graphic information and the like to the operator via the graphic adapter 74. Further, a hard disk drive (HDD) 78, which is a mass storage device storing programs and data, is provided. In FIG. 13, the order management apparatus 4 is described as being connected to the administrator PC. However, the order management apparatus 4 itself may be the administrator PC.

[Control Flow 1 in Image Processing Apparatus]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining a control flow of the image processing apparatus 5 according to the first embodiment. Note that the processing of each step is performed by the control unit 55 that controls the entire apparatus of the image processing apparatus 5.

  When the control unit 55 recognizes that the device has been activated by the user, the control unit 55 determines whether or not the IC card 58 is attached to the IC card reader / writer 57 (S101). S102), returning to S101. Note that the other processing here refers to normal copying or scanning processing other than processing using the IC card in this embodiment.

  When the control unit 55 recognizes that the IC card 58 is mounted on the IC card reader / writer 57 in S101, the IC card information read by the IC card reader / writer 57 is transmitted to the control unit 55. The control unit 55 that has recognized the information of the IC card displays a screen that allows the operation unit 54 to input the password 1. Then, the control unit 55 recognizes the password 1 input by the operator to the operation unit 54 of the image processing apparatus, collates the input password 1 and the password 1 held in the IC card, and compares the input password with the password in the IC card. It is determined whether or not the password 1 matches (S103).

  As a result of the collation, when the control unit 55 determines that the input password and the password 1 in the IC card match, the control unit 55 provides the device ID of the image processing apparatus in which the IC card is mounted and the information of the IC card by the operator. The data is transmitted to the order management apparatus 4 via the network I / F 56 (S104: S104 corresponds to a transmission means and a transmission process in this embodiment). The IC card information transmitted in S104 only needs to transmit at least an operator ID representing identification information of an operator who operates the image processing apparatus. As the type of process job information requested in S104, process job information that can be processed by the operator in each device in the processing method setting information described in FIG. 9 in the IC card for each operator is requested. In the example of FIG. 9, the operator A attaches an IC card to the image processing apparatus with the device ID = 100, and acquires the process job information from the control unit 55 of the image processing apparatus with the device ID = 100 to the order management apparatus. When requesting, the order management apparatus 4 is requested for all of the scan job, copy job, and print job that the operator A is in charge of according to the setting of L809 in FIG.

  On the other hand, when the operator A attaches an IC card to the image processing apparatus with the device ID = 101 and requests the order management apparatus 4 to acquire process job information from the control unit 55 of the image processing apparatus with the device ID = 101, According to the setting of L817 in FIG. 9, operator A has requested all of the scan jobs.

  The control unit 55 acquires process job information responding to the information transmitted in S104 from the order management apparatus 4 via the network I / F 56 (S105: S105 corresponds to an acquisition unit and an acquisition process in this embodiment). ). The process job information acquired in S105 refers to either process process information for execution or process job information for display. Note that the process job information acquired in S105 refers to the process job information for execution. At this stage, the process job information for display is acquired and then the process job selected by the operator is handled. The configuration may be such that information on the process job for execution is received, and the configuration will be described later with reference to FIG. Further, the process job information for execution refers to electronic data that is the basis for processing using a device such as scanning or printing, and a processing method at the time of order set by the orderer. Specific examples include 42 and 43 shown in FIG.

  Next, in order to display information on the plurality of process jobs acquired in S105 on the operation unit 54, the control unit 55 transmits information on the plurality of process jobs to the operation unit 54, and information on the plurality of process jobs to be processed by the operator. (S106: S106 corresponds to the display means and display step in this embodiment). The operation unit 54 includes a touch panel, and the control unit 55 recognizes which operation is instructed by the operator (S107).

  If the control unit 55 recognizes that the operation in S107 is an instruction relating to changing the display method of process job information, such as “scan job list”, “print job list”, and “sort by delivery date”, the instruction The process job information to be displayed or the display order is changed (S108), and the process returns to S106 to update the display content of the operation unit 54. On the other hand, when the control unit 55 recognizes that any of the displayed process job information is selected by the operator in S107 (corresponding to the selection means and the selection process in this embodiment), the selected process job is selected. The detailed information is displayed on the operation unit 54 in the format shown in FIGS. 11 to 12 (S109).

  Next, the control unit 55 recognizes which operation is instructed by the operator using the touch panel of the operation unit 54 (S110). In S110, when the control unit 55 recognizes that the change of various execution parameters indicated by 76 in FIG. 11 and 85 in FIG. 12 is instructed by the operator (S111), the control unit 55 recognizes the parameter changed by the operator. In order to display the change result on the operation unit 54, the process returns to S109. If the parameter is not changed by the operator in S111, the process proceeds according to the parameter at the time of ordering or the processing method setting set in the IC card as described above.

  On the other hand, if it is recognized in S110 that execution of scanning, copying, printing, etc. has been instructed, the process job selected in S107 is recognized and the operation is executed (corresponding to the execution means and execution process in this embodiment). ). Execution here means that each process job is processed using an apparatus corresponding to the current process. For example, when information on a process job whose current process is a scan is acquired, the process is performed by the image reading apparatus. Is called. If the parameter is changed in S111, scanning, copying, and printing are executed in a form that reflects the changed parameter. Specifically, when the execution instruction is scan, the control unit 55 executes the image reading unit 51 according to the currently set execution parameter. When the execution instruction is copy, the control unit 55 executes the image reading unit 51 according to the currently set execution parameter, and temporarily stores the read image data in the image memory 52. The control unit 55 executes the image forming process by executing the image forming unit 53 on the image data stored in the image memory 52 in accordance with the currently set execution parameter.

  When the control unit 55 recognizes that the execution of the scan, copy, print operation, etc. is completed, the execution result is sent to the order management apparatus 4 and the process is terminated (S112).

[Control Flow 2 in Image Processing Apparatus]
FIG. 14 shows a flow for acquiring information of a process job for execution in S105. However, as another configuration, the process job information for display is acquired from the order management apparatus, and the process job information for execution corresponding to the process job selected from the process job information for display is received later. It may be a configuration. In this case, the processing content of the image processing apparatus is different from the flowchart of FIG.

  First, S1201 to S1204 are the same as S101 to S104 in FIG. The control unit 55 of the image processing apparatus acquires information on the process job in response to the information transmitted in S104 from the order management apparatus 4 via the network I / F 56 (S1205). The process job information acquired in step S1205 is display process job information to be displayed on the operation unit 54 of the image processing apparatus, and is displayed on a device operation unit such as L904 and L905 in FIG. And does not include information on process jobs for execution.

  Next, in order to display information on the plurality of process jobs acquired in S1205 on the operation unit 54, the control unit 55 transmits information on the plurality of process jobs to the operation unit 54, and displays information on the process jobs to be processed by the operator. (S1206). The operation unit 54 includes a touch panel, and the control unit 55 recognizes which operation is instructed by the operator (S1207).

  If the control unit 55 recognizes that the operation in step S1207 is an instruction related to a display method change of process job information such as “scan job list”, “print job list”, “sort by delivery date”, the instruction The process job information to be displayed or the display order is changed according to (S1208), and the process returns to S1206 to update the display content of the operation unit 54. On the other hand, when the control unit 55 recognizes that any of the displayed process job information is selected in S1207, the process information for execution corresponding to the selected process job information is received (S1209). ). This is a significant difference from the flowchart of FIG. The effect on this point will be described later.

  Next, the control unit 55 transmits the details of the information of the process job for execution received in S1209 to the operation unit 54 for display (S1210), and which operation is instructed by the operator using the touch panel of the operation unit 54. Is recognized (S1211). When the control unit 55 recognizes that the change of various execution parameters shown in 76 of FIG. 11 and 85 of FIG. 12 is instructed by the operator in S1211, the control unit 55 recognizes the parameters changed by the operator (S1212). In order to display the change result on the operation unit 54, the process returns to S1210. If no parameter change instruction is issued by the operator in step S1211, the process proceeds according to the parameter at the time of ordering or the processing method setting set in the IC card as described above.

  On the other hand, if it is recognized in S1211 that execution of scanning, copying, printing, or the like has been instructed, the process information for execution received in S1209 is recognized and the operation is executed. If the parameter is changed in step S1212, scanning, copying, and printing are executed in a form that reflects the changed parameter.

  When the control unit 55 recognizes that the execution of the scan, copy, print operation, etc. is completed, the execution result is sent to the order management apparatus 4 and the process is terminated (S1213).

  In the flowchart of FIG. 14, the process job information for execution was received at the time of S105. However, in this flowchart, the process job information for display is acquired once and the process selected from the process job information is selected. Information on the process job for execution corresponding to the job is received. Accordingly, in the flowchart of FIG. 14, the operator who installed the IC card has received all the information of the job for execution to be processed using the image processing apparatus, but in the flowchart of FIG. 15, the execution selected by the operator Only process job information can be received, leading to saving of the HD 60 as a storage unit of the image processing apparatus and reduction of the amount of data transmitted and received on the network.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the process job information displayed on the operation unit of the device is a process job that is handled by the operator holding the IC card, and the process job information that can be processed by the device equipped with the IC card. Will be displayed. As a result, the operator can grasp the process job that he / she is in charge of only with the operation unit of the device without going back and forth between the PC on which the workflow system is mounted and the device.

[Process job transmission flow in order management device]
Next, FIG. 16 shows a flow for transmitting process job information from the order management apparatus 4 to the image processing apparatus.

  The CPU 70 of the order management apparatus 4 receives the order from the orderer received by the Web server 3 via the network I / F 73 and stores it in the DRAM 72 (S1101). Subsequently, a process job for each work to be processed by each operator is generated from the order stored in S1101 by the administrator PC 10 connected to the order management apparatus 4, and the process job is recognized by the CPU 70 of the order management apparatus 4. (S1102). The information recognized in S1102 indicates operator information in charge of processing each process job allocated by the administrator PC 10, progress information of each order changed by the administrator PC 10, and the like. The information recognized in S1102 is stored in the order management information storage unit 45 in the order management apparatus 4 in the format shown in FIG. 7 (S1103). Specifically, the DRAM 72 of the order management apparatus 4 stores the data.

  The CPU 70 of the order management apparatus 4 receives the device ID and IC card information transmitted from the image processing apparatus in S104 of FIG. 14, and recognizes the contents of each information (S1104). Based on the information recognized in S1104, the CPU 70 extracts the process job information corresponding to the information included in the device ID and the IC card from the DRAM 72 stored in S1103 (S1105). The process job information extracted here refers to information about an execution process job that is actually executed in the image processing apparatus, or information about a display process job displayed on the operation unit 54 of the image processing apparatus. .

  Based on the IC card information and the device ID recognized in S1104, the process job information that can be processed by the operator is extracted from the DRAM 72 using the image processing apparatus as the transmission source. Here, in order to deepen the understanding of this step, a description will be given using a specific example.

  For example, when the operator A attaches the IC card of FIG. 9 to the image processing apparatus with the device ID = 101, the information recognized by the CPU 70 of the order management apparatus 4 is the information of the IC card of FIG. 9 and the device ID of the transmission source = 101. It is. The IC card in FIG. 9 describes that only scanning is performed when device ID = 101 is used. Therefore, the CPU 70 of the order management apparatus 4 that has recognized the IC card information and the device ID has the device ID = 101 for processing only the scan job as the transmitted device ID, and therefore the process job stored in S1103. Only the scan job handled by the operator A is extracted from the DRAM 72 from the information.

  The CPU 70 transmits the process job information extracted in S1105 to the image processing apparatus via the network I / F (S1106).

  In this way, the process control unit 55 of the device recognizes the process job information transmitted from the order management apparatus 4, and proceeds to S105 in FIG. 14 or the processing after S1205 in FIG.

(Example 2)
The second embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment in that the configuration of the device operation unit, the extraction method when extracting the process job of the order management apparatus 4, and the order management apparatus 4 holds the device schedule function. ing. For this reason, only a difference part is demonstrated.

[Configuration of Image Processing Apparatus in Embodiment 2]
FIG. 17 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment is that the order management apparatus 4 has a device scheduler 106. The device scheduler 106 is for scheduling which device is to execute each process job, which is each process of each order held by the order management apparatus 4.

  FIG. 18 is a screen of the access software from the administrator PC 10 to the order management apparatus 4 in the second embodiment. The difference from FIG. 6 which is the same screen in the first embodiment is that the scheduled execution date and time and the scheduled execution device of each process of each order are specified. For example, L1003 indicates that the process job of the order with the order ID “0055” is scheduled to be executed on the device A between 13:00 and 13:30 on 12/8. The scheduled execution date / time and scheduled execution device can be set by selecting a change destination from the pull-down list 112 or 113 in FIG. 18 and pressing the scheduled execution date / device change key 114 with the process job selected. However, it cannot be changed to a combination with the execution date and device already reserved.

  In FIG. 18, for simplification of explanation, it is not possible to designate the scheduled execution date and time and the scheduled execution device for a plurality of processes of an order, but it is also possible to reserve a plurality of processes in advance. In this embodiment, the operator's PC can also be reserved as a device for executing the editing process. However, the operator may be reserved instead of the operator's PC. Allows for multiple reservations.

[Operations in the Operation Unit of the Image Processing Apparatus in Embodiment 2]
FIG. 19 is a display screen of process job information of the operation unit of the device A according to the second embodiment. The first difference from FIG. 10, which is the same screen in the first embodiment, is that the scheduled execution date and time of each process / job and the scheduled execution device are displayed. For example, L1104 indicates that the scan process and the process job of the order with the order ID “0055” are scheduled to be executed on the device A between 13:00:00 and 13:30 on 12/8. This indicates that the printing process and the process job for the order with the order ID “0081” are scheduled to be executed by either device A or device C between 13:40 and 14:00 on 12/8. When the execution is scheduled for a plurality of devices, the operator selects one of the devices, and the execution is instructed by the operation unit of the device, whereby the processing is performed only for the device. In this way, in FIG. 19, only information on process jobs in which device A is designated or information on process jobs to be processed is displayed, and other devices are designated even if the processing contents are the same. Information on the process job that is being displayed is not displayed.

  The second difference from FIG. 10 is that the process job information can be sorted by the sort key 123 for sorting by the scheduled execution date and the sort key 124 for sorting by the execution device. When the control unit 55 of the device A recognizes that the sort 123 on the scheduled execution date or the sort 124 is pressed on the execution device, the display order of the operation unit is changed and displayed according to the pressed button.

  As a result, it is possible not only to easily grasp processes / jobs whose execution scheduled dates and times are close, but also to easily grasp processes / jobs reserved only by this device.

[Control Flow of Image Processing Apparatus in Embodiment 2]
FIG. 20 is a flowchart of the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment. Steps S201 to S203 are the same as S101 to S103 in the flowchart of FIG. If the control unit 55 recognizes that the input password matches the password 1 in the IC card as a result of the verification, the device ID of the image processing apparatus in which the IC card is mounted, the IC card information, and the request schedule range are displayed. The data is transmitted to the order management apparatus 4 via the network I / F 56 (S204). The requested schedule range specifies the range of process job information scheduled based on the current date and time. For example, request only the process job information reserved on the current day. Is possible.

  The control unit 55 acquires the process card information corresponding to the IC card information, the device ID, and the request schedule range transmitted in S204 from the order management apparatus 4 via the network I / F 56 (S205). Since the subsequent processing is the same as that after S106 in FIG. In S205, it is assumed that the process job information for execution is received. However, the process job information for display to be displayed on the operation unit 54 is acquired, and then the process job selected by the operator is handled. It may be configured to receive information on a process job for execution.

  Further, the difference between the first embodiment and the second embodiment in the order management apparatus will be described. In the second embodiment, since the IC card information, the device ID, and the request schedule range are received from the image processing apparatus, the CPU 70 of the order management apparatus receives the corresponding process job from the DRAM 72 based on the IC card information, the device ID, and the request schedule range. Information is extracted and transmitted to the image processing apparatus. The other processes are the same as those in the first embodiment, and are omitted.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, since the processing device is designated in advance for each process job by the order management apparatus 4, the process job information displayed on the operation unit of the device is the process job in charge of the operator holding the IC card. The process job information specified to be processed by the device with the IC card and the process device information for which the process device is undetermined are further limited to those corresponding to the requested schedule range. As a result, the process job information displayed on the operation unit of the device is limited, so that the operator can easily select the process job to be processed.

(Example 3)
The third embodiment of the present invention is different from the first and second embodiments in the workflow management function of the order management apparatus 4. For this reason, only a difference part is demonstrated.

[Configuration of Image Processing Apparatus in Embodiment 3]
FIG. 21 is a block diagram of an image reading apparatus according to the third embodiment. The difference from the first and second embodiments is that the order management apparatus 4 has a workflow management unit 131. The workflow management unit 131 schedules which process job, which is each process of each order held by the order management apparatus 4, is to be executed on which device, and progresses each process while sequentially managing its progress. It is for letting you. The device scheduler of the second embodiment is a function that only reserves execution of each process job of each order. However, the workflow management unit 131 of this embodiment processes each order in what process, by whom, and by which device. It also has a workflow progress function, such as defining such a processing workflow and notifying the operator of the defined processing workflow according to the progress status of each process job, and alerting the administrator for orders that are delayed in processing. Is different. Also, the HD 60 may hold a comment group for transmission to the next operator or administrator at the end of processing.

[Operations in the Operation Unit of the Image Processing Apparatus in Embodiment 3]
FIG. 22 is a workflow update screen in the operation unit 54 of the image processing apparatus. In the scan execution screen of FIG. 11 of the first embodiment, when the scan execution is performed, the scan result is notified to the order management apparatus 4 and the processing is completed. 11 to the workflow update screen in FIG. 22 from the execution screen as shown in FIG. L1201 in FIG. 22 displays information on the process job that is the current processing target.

  Then, in 142 of FIG. 22, information of all processes / jobs of the order including the information of the process job is displayed. In the example of FIG. 22, this order is processed by a workflow composed of five steps including an order receiving process, a scanning process, an editing / processing process, a printing process, and a delivery process, and is currently in the second scanning process. This indicates that the operator A is scheduled to scan the MFP-A at 15: 00 to 15:30 on 12/7. Thus, by displaying all the steps of the order, it is possible to easily grasp the future schedule and the overall progress. Moreover, the person in charge of the next process can also be grasped.

  In the example of FIG. 22, the operator A selects the operator B as the next operator at 143 in FIG. 22 in the case of normal end after executing the scan process job with the image processing apparatus equipped with the IC card. 22, the editing / machining process is selected as the next process, a comment for the next operator / process is entered in 145 of FIG. 22, and when the OK key 146 is pressed, the information is recognized by the control unit 55, The data is sent to the workflow management unit 131 in the order management apparatus 4 via the network I / F. The comment here is a message to be communicated to the manager or the operator of the next process by the operator who performed the process. Even if a comment is arbitrarily created, it is stored in advance in the HD 60 which is a storage unit of the image processing apparatus. You may make it select from the memorize | stored comment group.

  When the CPU 70 of the order management apparatus recognizes information from the image processing apparatus, the process of the workflow management unit is advanced to the next process, and the operator of the next process is notified of the comment. On the other hand, if the received document has a problem and could not be executed normally, the administrator is selected as the next operator at 143 in FIG. 22, the orderer confirmation is selected as the next process at 144, and the area of 145 Then, a comment such as “the received document has a problem and scanning could not be executed normally” is entered, and the OK key 146 is pressed. Then, these pieces of information are sent to the workflow management unit 131 in the order management apparatus 4, and the workflow is progressed and the administrator has input a problem such as “the received document has a problem and scanning could not be executed normally”. Will be notified.

  As described above, the workflow can be advanced using the operation unit 54 of the image processing apparatus, and the processing process of the workflow can be changed, so that even an operator with low IT skill who cannot use the PC can use the operation unit of the device. It becomes possible to control the workflow only with this.

  In addition, since the device operation unit 54 is used to input a comment for the next process, for example, the scan process is performed on the device, and the point that is noticed is immediately input on the operation unit of the device. Notification can be made and information transmission leakage can be reduced.

[Control Flow of Image Processing Apparatus in Embodiment 3]
FIG. 23 is a flowchart of the image processing apparatus according to the third embodiment. S301 to S303 are the same as S101 to S103 in FIG. If the control unit 55 determines that the input password matches the password 1 in the IC card as a result of the collation, the device ID and IC card information of the image processing apparatus attached by the operator and the requested process are stored in the order management apparatus 4. Transmit (S304). The request process refers to requesting information on a process job in a specified process. For example, when a scan process is specified, information on a process job in the current scan process is requested. Similarly, by designating a printing process or a copying process, only information on process jobs currently in the printing process or copying process is requested.

  Next, the control unit 55 obtains the IC card information, the device ID and the process job information corresponding to the requested process transmitted in S304 and the process information of the corresponding process job from the order management apparatus 4 via the network I / F. The process job information is acquired (S305). It is assumed that the process job information acquired in S305 is the process job information for execution. The process information here is information on processing steps other than the main processing job of the order including the main processing job displayed in L1203 and L1205 to L1207 in FIG. The date and time, the scheduled device, etc. Further, in the present application, it is only necessary to display at least the subsequent process information. For example, even when only the subsequent stage of the main process job is displayed, the process information at the front and rear stages of the main process job may be displayed. I do not care.

  Note that the processing from S306 to S311 is the same as S106 to S111 in FIG.

  In this embodiment, after scanning, copying, and printing are performed, the operator inputs the next process, a person in charge of the next process, a comment on the next process, etc. on the screen of FIG. Are transmitted to the order management apparatus 4 (S312).

  In this embodiment, the information of the process job for execution is acquired in S305, but only the process job information for display to be displayed on the operation unit 54 is acquired in S305, and the selected process job is acquired. It may be configured to receive information on the process job for execution corresponding to the later.

  Further, the difference from the first and second embodiments in the order management apparatus will be described. In the third embodiment, since the IC card information, the device ID, and the request process are received from the image processing apparatus, the CPU 70 of the order management apparatus obtains information on the corresponding process job from the DRAM 72 based on the IC card information, the device ID, and the request process. Extracted and transmitted to the image processing apparatus. The other processes are the same as those in the first and second embodiments, and are therefore omitted.

  As described above, the process job information displayed on the operation unit of the device in the third embodiment is a process job in charge of the operator holding the IC card, and is specified to be processed by the device with the IC card attached. In addition to the process job information, other process information related to the process job information is also displayed. As a result, the process job information displayed on the operation unit of the device is limited and can be easily selected, and a comment can be transmitted to an operator or manager of another process.

  Another configuration of the third embodiment is shown below. This configuration is a combination of Embodiments 2 and 3, and only a part of the flowchart shown in FIG. 23 is different. Therefore, only different points are described.

  The point is that the requested schedule range is transmitted to the order management apparatus 4 together with the device ID and IC card information of the image processing apparatus mounted by the operator and the requested process as information to be transmitted to the order management apparatus in S304. Thus, what is displayed on the operation unit of the device is a process job that is handled by an operator holding the IC card, together with a process job that is designated to be processed by the device with the IC card attached, and the requested process and This is process job information corresponding to the requested schedule range. This makes it possible to further limit the process job information displayed on the operation unit of the device.

  In addition, a different point is described as the processing contents of the operator management apparatus at this time. When the second and third embodiments are combined, the IC card information, the device ID, the request schedule range, and the request process transmitted from the image processing apparatus are received, so the CPU 70 of the order management apparatus has the IC card information, the device ID, and the request schedule range. Based on the requested process, information on the corresponding process job is extracted from the DRAM 72 and transmitted to the image processing apparatus. The other processes are the same as those in the first and second embodiments, and are therefore omitted.

  In each of the embodiments described above, the contact IC card 58 and the contact IC card reader / writer 57 are used. However, a non-contact wireless IC card and a wireless IC card reader / writer may be used. Absent. Further, not only the radio wave type IC card but also one capable of exchanging operator identification information and service list information information in a non-contact manner. For example, a mobile phone, PHS, PDA, or infrared communication method can be used. Further, a configuration in which the operator ID and password are directly input to the operation unit of the device or a configuration in which the operator identification information is obtained by bio-authentication means such as fingerprint authentication may be used.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the process job information is displayed and the process job is selected by the device operation unit 54. However, the operation unit 105 of the front-end PC 106 used exclusively for the device 5 is used. You can use it.

  In each of the embodiments described above, when a process job information request is received from a device, the CPU 70 of the order management apparatus 4 extracts a process job corresponding to the device ID. The control unit on the device side may perform the extraction process based on the device ID without performing the extraction process based on the device ID.

  In the above embodiments, the order management apparatus 4 and various devices are connected via an intranet. However, the same applies to the case where the order management apparatus 4 exists on the Internet.

4 Order Management Device 55 Control Unit of Image Processing Device 80 Processing Unit of Order Management Device 70 CPU of Order Management Device

Claims (9)

An image processing apparatus including an image forming unit that forms an image based on a medium on which an original image is recorded,
Display control means for controlling the display of the operation panel of the image processing apparatus in a manner in which a plurality of processing instruction options that can be selected by the user are arranged in a specific display order;
Receiving means for receiving selection of processing instruction options displayed on the operation panel by the display control means;
Executing means for executing processing related to the processing instruction option received by the receiving means;
Detecting means for detecting that the medium is set in the image processing apparatus;
When the detection unit detects that the medium is set, the display control unit displays a processing instruction option related to the setting of the medium detected by the detection unit as a head of the specific order. And changing the display of the operation panel so that processing instruction options that are not related to the setting of the medium detected by the detecting means are subsequently arranged ,
Wherein the operation panel, the image processing apparatus according to claim Rukoto list button for displaying a list of jobs is displayed. When the detection unit detects that a paper medium is set, the display control unit selects a copy processing instruction option or a scan processing instruction option related to the setting of the paper medium detected by the detection unit. Is arranged at the top and the display on the operation panel is changed so that the print processing instruction options not related to the setting of the medium detected by the detecting means are subsequently arranged. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. 2. The display of the operation panel of the image processing apparatus is controlled by the display control means in a manner in which a plurality of processing instruction options that can be selected by a user are arranged in a list in order in a vertical direction. 2. The image processing apparatus according to 2. A control method executed in an image processing apparatus including an image forming unit that forms an image based on a medium on which an original image is recorded,
A display control step of controlling the display of the operation panel of the image processing apparatus in a manner in which a plurality of processing instruction options that can be selected by the user are arranged in a specific display order;
A receiving step for accepting selection of processing instruction options displayed on the operation panel by the display control step;
An execution step of executing processing related to the processing instruction option received by the reception step;
A detection step of detecting that the medium is set in the image processing apparatus;
When it is detected that the medium is set by the detection step, the display control step is configured such that the processing instruction option related to the setting of the medium detected by the detection step is the head of the specific order. And changing the display of the operation panel so that processing instruction options that are not related to the setting of the medium detected by the detection step are subsequently arranged ,
Wherein the operation panel, the control method characterized by Rukoto list button for displaying a list of jobs is displayed. When it is detected that the paper medium is set by the detection step, the display control step is a copy processing instruction option or a scan processing instruction option related to the setting of the paper medium detected by the detection step. Is arranged at the top and the display of the operation panel is changed so that the print processing instruction options not related to the setting of the medium detected by the detection step are subsequently arranged. The control method according to claim 4. 5. The display on the operation panel of the image processing apparatus is controlled by the display control step in such a manner that a plurality of processing instruction options that can be selected by the user are arranged in a list in order in the vertical direction. 5. The control method according to 5. A program executed in an image processing apparatus including an image forming unit that forms an image based on a medium on which an original image is recorded,
Display control means for controlling the display of the operation panel of the image processing apparatus in a manner in which a plurality of processing instruction options that can be selected by the user are arranged in a specific display order;
Receiving means for receiving selection of processing instruction options displayed on the operation panel by the display control means;
Executing means for executing processing related to the processing instruction option received by the receiving means;
Causing the image processing apparatus to function as detection means for detecting that the medium has been set in the image processing apparatus;
When the detection unit detects that the medium is set, the display control unit displays a processing instruction option related to the setting of the medium detected by the detection unit as a head of the specific order. And changing the display of the operation panel so that processing instruction options that are not related to the setting of the medium detected by the detecting means are subsequently arranged ,
Wherein the operation panel, program characterized Rukoto list button for displaying a list of jobs is displayed. When the detection unit detects that a paper medium is set, the display control unit selects a copy processing instruction option or a scan processing instruction option related to the setting of the paper medium detected by the detection unit. Is arranged at the top and the display on the operation panel is changed so that the print processing instruction options not related to the setting of the medium detected by the detecting means are subsequently arranged. The program according to claim 7. 8. The display of the operation panel of the image processing apparatus is controlled by the display control means in a state in which a plurality of processing instruction options that can be selected by a user are arranged in a list in order in a vertical direction. 8. The program according to 8.

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