JP5608597B2 - Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and information processing program - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program that execute processing according to a workflow.

  In recent years, an image forming apparatus having a scanner function, such as an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral), includes a scanned image file and a file (XML file) in which parameters (metadata) necessary for executing a standard process are described. A meta-scan function that can be sent to the server is provided. When the meta scan is executed by the MFP, a scanned file and an XML file are created and stored in the server. The program on the server detects the stored file and executes the workflow. In the processing according to the workflow, information obtained by analyzing the XML file is used.

  Conventionally, a workflow that operates on a server that cooperates with an MFP and a meta-scan function must be set for the MFP and the server. For example, the administrator sets the format of the XML file to be output to the server for the MFP, and determines what data contained in the XML file output from the MFP is used for what processing to the server. Set.

JP 2010-45785 A

  In this way, when creating a workflow to be executed on the server, it is necessary to work while grasping the settings for the MFP and the settings for the workflow for the server. There was sex.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program capable of easily and reliably setting a workflow.

According to the embodiment, the information processing apparatus sets a setting file including a plurality of different setting contents indicating information to be output together with a scan file read by scanning, which is set in association with the meta-scan function in the image reading apparatus . input means for inputting through the external information processing device or network from the image reading apparatus, the setting screen for setting with respect to the workflow process for the meta scan files that are read by the function, a plurality of setting items included in the setting screen A setting means for setting a plurality of setting contents included in the setting file in association with each other, and a setting screen set by the setting means is transmitted to the external information processing apparatus via the network, and the external information processing apparatus Display means for displaying.

The figure which shows an example of schematic structure of the workflow system (information processing system) in this embodiment. The figure which shows schematic structure of the file storage destination in the storage server in this embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen using an MFP setting tool according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen using an MFP setting tool according to the present embodiment. The flowchart which shows the flow of the mapping setting process in the management server in this embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the data setting edit screen in this embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the attribute mapping edit screen in this embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the backup file used for the setting of the attribute mapping edit screen in this embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the field mapping edit screen in this embodiment. The flowchart which shows the workflow setting process of the management server in this embodiment. The figure which shows the detail of the workflow element (processing content) in this embodiment. The flowchart which shows the workflow process of the management server in this embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the information contained in the XML file in this embodiment.

Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
The workflow system according to the present embodiment executes a series of processes (tasks) according to a specific purpose as one workflow for the scanned scan file. The workflow system is realized in a system including, for example, one or more servers connected to a digital multifunction peripheral (MFP (Multi Function Peripheral)) and one or more personal computers.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a workflow system (information processing system) in the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the workflow system according to the present embodiment includes a digital multifunction peripheral 1 (hereinafter referred to as MFP 1), a management server 3, a personal computer (PC) 4, a storage server 5, and a local area network 6. . Note that a plurality of management servers 3 or a plurality of personal computers 4 may be connected to the local area network 6.

  The MFP 1 functions as an image forming apparatus or an image reading apparatus. The MFP 1 has a scanner function, a printer function, a network communication function, a facsimile function, and the like. The management server 3 is a server computer. The MFP 1, the management server 3, the personal computer 4, and the storage server 5 have various processing functions that are realized when the control unit (CPU) executes application programs stored in the memory. The personal computer 4 is a terminal device used by a user or a system administrator. The MFP 1, the management server 3, and the storage server 5 have a function of performing data communication via the local area network 6. The personal computer 4 may be connected to the local area network 6 as necessary.

  In the system according to this embodiment, for example, the meta scan is executed by the MFP 1, the scan file and the XML file are transmitted to the management server 3, the process by the workflow is executed, and the storage destination and attached information in the storage server 5 are obtained from the XML file. It is assumed that the scan file and attached information are stored in an appropriate storage location according to the workflow rules.

  The MFP 1 includes a scanner (image reading unit) 11, a printer (image forming unit) 13, an operation panel 17, and a system control unit 20. Further, the MFP 1 may be equipped with a facsimile interface for transmitting and receiving facsimile data.

  The scanner 11 reads an image on the document surface by optically scanning the document surface. The scanner 11 converts the image on the document surface into color image data (multi-valued image data) or monochrome image data. The scanner 11 includes a scanning mechanism, a photoelectric conversion unit, an automatic document feeder (ADF), and the like.

  The printer 13 is a unit that forms an image based on color image data (multi-valued image data) or monochrome image data on a sheet. The printer 13 is not limited to a specific image forming method. For example, the printer 13 may be an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a printing method such as an inkjet method or a thermal transfer method.

  The operation panel 17 is a user interface. The operation panel 17 includes, for example, various operation keys and a display unit with a built-in touch panel. The operation panel 17 functions as an operation unit for a user to input an operation instruction and a display unit for displaying guidance for the user.

  The system control unit 20 comprehensively controls each unit in the MFP 1. For example, the system control unit 20 controls the scanner 11 and the printer 13. The system control unit 20 acquires a user instruction from the operation panel 17. The system control unit 20 includes a CPU 21, a main memory 22, a FROM 23, an image processing unit 24, a network interface 25, a page memory 26, an HDD 28, and the like.

The CPU 21 is a control unit that controls the MFP 1. The CPU 21 implements various processing functions by executing programs recorded in the FROM 23 or the HDD 28. The processing function realized by the CPU 21 includes a meta scan function. In the meta scan function, the scan file (image file) read by the scan by the scanner 11 and the XML file generated according to the setting by the administrator can be transmitted to the management server 3. The main memory 22 is configured by a random access memory (RAM) or the like. The main memory 22 functions as a working memory. The FROM 23 is composed of a rewritable nonvolatile memory. The FROM 23 records a control program and control data for controlling the operation of the MFP 1. The FROM 23 is written with control data or setting information. Various flags indicating various operation states may be recorded in the FROM 23.

  The image processing unit 24 performs image processing on image data read by the scanner 11 or image data received from the personal computer 4 via a network. The network interface 25 is a LAN interface for communicating with an external device via the local area network 6. The page memory 26 is a memory for developing image data for printing. The page memory 26 can secure an area for developing at least one page of image data. The HDD 28 is a large-capacity memory for data recording. For example, the HDD 28 stores image data to be printed.

Next, the configuration of the management server 3 will be described.
The management server 3 includes a CPU 31, a RAM 32, a ROM 33, a network interface (I / F) 34, and an HDD 35.
The CPU 31 is a control unit that controls the entire management server 3. The CPU 31 implements various processing functions based on programs (including information processing programs) recorded in the ROM 33 and the HDD 35. The RAM 32 is a working memory. The ROM 33 records a control program, control data, and the like that control basic operations of the management server 3. The HDD 35 is a data recording device. The network interface 34 is a LAN interface for performing data communication with each device in the local area network 6. For example, the management server 3 can send and receive data to and from the MFP 1 via the local area network 6 through the network interface 34.

The personal computer 4 includes a CPU 41, a RAM 42, a ROM 43, a network interface (I / F) 44, an HDD 45, a display unit 46, and an operation unit 47.
The CPU 41 implements various processing functions based on programs (including information processing programs) recorded in the ROM 43 and the HDD 45. The RAM 42 is a working memory. The ROM 43 records a control program, control data, and the like that control basic operations of the personal computer 4. The HDD 45 is a data recording device. The network interface 44 is a LAN interface for performing data communication with each device in the local area network 6. For example, the personal computer 4 can transmit / receive data to / from the MFP 1 via the local area network 6 by the network interface 44.

  Further, the storage server 5 has the same configuration as the management server 3 and will not be described in detail. The storage server 5 implements a content management system for storing various information, and a document library therein can register documents and column information as a set. The storage server 5 stores the scan file and attached information read by the MFP 1 through the management server 3.

Next, the operation of the system in this embodiment will be described.
Here, a description will be given taking the user situation as an example. That is, “The sales department wants to scan the business documents for business negotiations and store them in the storage server 5”, “In that case, it wants to store the customer name, the branch in charge, and the business negotiation start date together”, “ I want to divide it by the person in charge. For this purpose, the MFP 1 scans the document by the meta-scan function, and stores the scan file and column information (customer name, branch in charge, information on the start date of the negotiation) in the storage server 5 in a predetermined storage location. It is assumed that a series of processing environments (workflows) are created.

  Hereinafter, (a) environment setting of the storage server 5 as the storage destination, (b) meta scan setting of the MFP 1 as the storage source, and (c) management for associating the settings in the storage server 5 with the settings in the MFP 1 Description will be made in the order of mapping setting of the server 3, (d) workflow setting using the mapping setting, and (e) flow when using the processing environment in which the user is set. Note that (a) to (d) are processes performed by the administrator through the personal computer 4, and (e) is an operation performed by the user. In this embodiment, in the mapping setting in the management server 3, setting work (b) is used to facilitate the setting work.

First, (a) environment setting of the storage server 5 as a storage destination will be described.
(1) The following environment is created in the storage server 5 as a storage destination. FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of a file storage destination in the storage server 5.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the storage server 5 is provided with a “sales site” as a site that can be accessed from the outside. The “document library” in which the file is stored has the name “sales document” and is stored in the document library. It is assumed that there are three folders “consultation document” and three column names “customer name”, “in charge of branch”, and “consultation start date” registered in the document library.

  (2) The authentication ID and authentication password of the person in charge are set in the storage server 5 so that the file stored in the storage server 5 can be accessed.

Next, (b) the meta scan setting of the MFP 1 as the storage source will be described.
(1) The administrator accesses the MFP 1 from the personal computer 4 and sets the following meta scan using a setting tool provided in the MFP 1.

  That is, the meta scan name “negotiation scan” and the output destination “¥¥ management server 3 server ¥ negotiation scan” are set, and “addition 1: Target-business negotiation (fixed)” “addition 2: customer” is set as the XML file output content. “Add 3: Branch” “Add 4: Date” “Add 5: UserId” “Add 6: UserPassword” are set.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a setting screen using the setting tool of the MFP 1. On this setting screen, settings are made for each field, for example, as shown in FIG. That is, “addition 1: Target” is “business negotiation” (fixed), “addition 2: Customer” is the customer name, “addition 3: Branch” is the branch in charge, and “addition 4: Date” starts the negotiation. The authentication ID is set in “Add 5: UserId”, and the authentication password is set in “Add 6: UserPassword”.

  The contents set here are input by the user when the meta scan is executed. For example, “addition 1: Target” always has “business negotiation”, “addition 2: Customer” has “AA Trading” as the customer name, and “addition 3: Branch” has “BB branch” as the branch in charge. "Addition 4: Date" has "YYYY MM month DD date" as the negotiation start date, "Addition 5: UserId" has an authentication ID "00012345", and "Addition 6: UserPassword" has an authentication password. “Pass” is set.

  (2) The administrator accesses the MFP 1 from the personal computer 4 and obtains a backup file including the setting contents set for the meta scan name “negotiation scan” through the setting tool of the MFP 1. This backup file is recorded in the HDD 45 of the personal computer 4 as a file name “SampleBackupFile”, for example.

Next, (c) the mapping setting of the management server 3 for associating the setting in the storage server 5 with the setting in the MFP 1 will be described.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the mapping setting process in the management server 3.
(1) The administrator accesses the management tool of the management server 3 from the personal computer 4. When there is access to the management tool (Yes in step A1), the management server 3 transmits a mapping backup file registration screen to the personal computer 4 (step A2).

  (2) The personal computer 4 displays the mapping backup file registration screen, and registers the backup file for the negotiation scan in the management server 3 through this screen. That is, the personal computer 4 designates the backup file name “SampleBackupFile” and transmits the file having the corresponding file name recorded in the HDD 45. In addition, the personal computer 4 sets the mapping name “mapping negotiation scan”.

  (3) In accordance with the backup file “SampleBackupFile”, the management server 3 generates a mapping creation screen in which “negotiation scan backup file (SampleBackupFile)” is set as the registration support file as the largest mapping, and the personal computer 4 (step A4). The personal computer 4 displays a mapping creation screen.

  (4) When the management server 3 is instructed to move from the mapping creation screen to the detailed setting screen of the mapping name “mapping negotiation scan” in the personal computer 4, the management server 3 transmits the mapping detailed setting screen (step A5).

  (5) When the personal computer 4 is instructed to display the data setting setting screen among the mapping detail setting screens, the personal computer 4 receives the data setting setting screen from the management server 3 and displays the data setting screen (step). A6).

  (6) FIG. 6 shows an example of a data setting editing screen for data setting. As shown in FIG. 6, on the data setting editing screen, “SampleBackupFile” as the registered use file, the meta scan name “negotiation scan” corresponding to the file, and “mapping group name” as the mapping group name are displayed on the data setting editing screen. “Mapping negotiation scan” is displayed, and “Data setting 1” is displayed as the data setting name.

  In the data setting edit screen, “addition 1: Target-business negotiation” set in the backup file “SampleBackupFile” is set in the field Fa2 as the meta-scan content confirmation key (use set) in the field Fa2, and the registration destination "Storage server site-sales site", "document library-sales document", "folder-business negotiation document", and "mapping name-column business negotiation scan" are set in the field Fa4 (step A7). This means that if the XML file generated by the meta scan in the MFP 1 includes information “addition 1: Target” and the value is (business negotiation), this mapping (data setting 1) is used. It is.

  (7) Next, when the display of the attribute mapping edit screen is instructed among the detailed settings, the management server 3 generates the attribute mapping edit screen according to the backup file “SampleBackupFile” and transmits it to the personal computer 4. (Step A8). The personal computer 4 displays an attribute mapping edit screen. On this screen, the details of the column information (customer name, branch in charge, and negotiation start date information) registered in the storage server 5 are set.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the attribute mapping editing screen.
In the attribute mapping editing screen shown in FIG. 7, the registration usage file “SampleBackupFile” is set, and “consultation scan” is set in the usage set of the field Fb1. The attribute mapping name in the field Fb2 is set with the mapping name set in the field Fa5 on the data setting edit screen, that is, the “column negotiation scan” specified in the meta scan setting of the MFP1.

  In the field Fb3, a storage location of the file read by the MFP 1 and a set of column information are set. That is, based on the contents set in the backup file “SampleBackupFile”, “Add 2: Customer” — “Customer Name”, “Add 3: Branch” — “Branch in Charge”, “Add 4: Date” — “ Each information of “negotiation start date” is set in the field Fb3.

  This means that when the mapping name (column negotiation scan) is designated in the data setting, the contents of the XML file are mapped to the registration destination according to the contents of the column.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of a backup file used for setting the attribute mapping editing screen. In FIG. 8, the range of F1 corresponds to one set of backup, F2 represents representative information in the set, and F3 represents detailed information in the set. The management server 3 searches the association information shown in F4 and F5 included in the backup file, reads the detailed information of F6 corresponding to this information, and sets it on the setting screen. Similarly, the backup file includes information on other setting contents in “ENHANCEDSETTING” (omitted in FIG. 8). The backup file shown in FIG. 8 shows an example and does not correspond to the specific example described in the present embodiment.

  (9) Next, when the display of the detailed setting screen is instructed, the management server 3 transmits a field mapping edit screen to the personal computer 4 (step A10). The personal computer 4 displays a field mapping setting screen. On the field mapping setting screen, authentication information for the storage server 5 as a registration destination is set (step A11).

  (10) In the field mapping setting screen, each information of “addition 5: UserId” − “authentication ID” and “addition 6: UserPassword” − “authentication password” set in the backup file “SampleBackupFile” is set.

FIG. 9 shows an example of the field mapping editing screen.
In the field mapping editing screen shown in FIG. 9, the field Fc2 corresponding to “addition 5: UserId” and “addition 6: UserPassword” is set. However, the setting by the field mapping editing screen does not directly set the information set in the backup file, but can use the specified item of the content in the XML file generated by the meta scan in the MFP 1 as the authentication information. This is set in the field Fc3.

  (11) The management server 3 stores the above-described creation content designated by the administrator through the personal computer 4 in, for example, the HDD 35 (step A12).

  In this way, the management server 3 in the present embodiment can determine necessary setting contents based on the backup file indicating the setting contents in the MFP 1 and can set and present them on each editing screen. Therefore, the labor of the administrator who performs the setting work through the personal computer 4 can be greatly reduced, and the possibility of erroneous setting can be reduced.

  In the above description, it is assumed that the management server 3 automatically sets each field uniquely on the attribute mapping edit screen and the field mapping edit screen based on the information set in the backup file. However, if the setting target cannot be uniquely identified by the information read from the backup file, the candidate information may be displayed so that the administrator can arbitrarily select the setting target candidate on the setting screen. .

Next, (d) workflow setting using mapping setting will be described.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the workflow setting process in the management server 3.

  (1) The administrator accesses the workflow creation screen from the personal computer 4 through the management tool of the management server. The management server 3 transmits a workflow setting screen to the personal computer 4 (step B1). The personal computer 4 displays a workflow setting screen. The administrator sets, for example, the workflow name “workflow negotiation scan”, the workflow element (processing content) “meta-scan file import”, “mapping”, and “storage in storage server” through the workflow setting screen (step B2).

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing details of the workflow element (processing content).
In the workflow element, (A) in the meta scan file import, the stored scan file and the XML file are detected and incorporated in the workflow. (B) In the mapping, the contents of the XML file are read according to the set mapping. (C) In storage in the storage server, files and columns are registered in the storage server 5 according to the specified contents.

  (2) Further, a detailed setting value is set for each workflow element. Each element is provided with an individual detailed setting item as shown in FIG. 11, and operates in accordance with the setting. In particular, for the mapping element (B), the mapping (mapping negotiation scan) set as described above is set as the usage mapping.

  (3) The management server 3 creates and stores the workflow set as described above (steps B3 and B4).

Next, (e) a flow when the user uses the set processing environment will be described.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing workflow processing in the management server 3.

  (1) The user moves in front of the MFP 1 with a document to be stored.

  (2) The user selects a meta scan by operating the operation panel 17 of the MFP 1 and selects a meta scan (negotiation scan) preset by the administrator.

  (3) The user selects “Customer”-“AA Trading”, “Branch”-“BB” through the operation panel 17 of the MFP 1 from the displayed items other than the first fixed item (business negotiation). “Branch”, “Date”-“MM month DD day of YYYY”, “UserId”-“00012345”, “UserPassword”-“pass” are input respectively.

  (4) The user sets a document in the MFP 1 and selects a meta scan start button.

  (5) The MFP 1 executes a scan, digitizes the document, and an XML file including information input by the user through the operation panel 17 in a storage location (¥¥ management server ¥ business negotiation) designated in advance. (Scan). In the XML file output at this time, as shown in FIG. 13, “addition 1: Target-business negotiation” “addition 2: Customer-AA trading” “addition 3: Branch-BB branch” “addition 4: Date- “YYYY MM month DD date”, “Addition 5: UserId-00012345”, “Addition 6: UserPassword-pass” are described (Targets set in advance are not displayed at the time of input and are not displayed in the XML file. Automatically output).

(6) The management server 3 detects that the file is stored in the monitored folder (C: ¥ negotiation scan) according to the workflow (workflow negotiation scan) set in advance, and detects the workflow (workflow negotiation scan). ) the start (FIG. 12, step C 1~C3).

(7) The activated workflow handles the information described in the scan file and the XML file according to the prior setting and stores the information in the storage server 5. At this time, “UserId-00012345” and “UserPassword-pass” are used to access the storage server 5, and “storage file: scan file” is stored as storage information after access permission, and the column related thereto is stored. “Customer name—AA trading”, “Branch in charge—BB branch”, “Business negotiation start date—MM month DD day of YYYY” is stored.

  In the above description, the administrator registers the backup file including the setting contents set in the MFP 1 through the personal computer 4 in the management server 3. However, the backup file is registered in the management server 3 by another method. You may make it do. For example, the management server 3 may directly access the MFP 1 and read and register the backup file from the MFP 1. Alternatively, the management server 3 may directly access the MFP 1 to read and register a setting file (not a backup file) recorded in the MFP 1. In addition to the management server 3, a server that reads and manages (records) a backup file of the MFP 1 (a plurality of MFPs) is provided, and the management server 3 receives backup files necessary for execution (setting) of the workflow from this server. May be obtained and registered.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Digital multifunction device, 3 ... Management server, 4 ... Personal computer, 5 ... Storage server, 11 ... Scanner, 13 ... Printer, 17 ... Operation panel, 20 ... System control part, 21 ... CPU, 22 ... Main memory, 23 ... FROM, 24 ... Image processing unit, 25 ... Network interface, 26 ... Page memory, 28 ... HDD, 31 ... CPU, 32 ... RAM, 33 ... ROM, 34 ... Network interface, 35 ... HDD, 41 ... CPU, 42 ... RAM, 43... ROM, 44... Network interface, 45... HDD, 46.

Claims (5)

A setting file including a plurality of different setting contents indicating information to be output together with a scan file read by scanning, which is set in association with the meta-scan function in the image reading apparatus, is transferred from the external information processing apparatus or the image reading apparatus to the network. Input means to input through ,
A setting screen for setting with respect to the workflow processing for the scan files that are read by the meta scan function sets a plurality of settings contained in the configuration file each a plurality of setting items included in the setting screen in association with Setting means;
An information processing apparatus comprising: display means for transmitting a setting screen set by the setting means to the external information processing apparatus through the network and causing the external information processing apparatus to display the setting screen. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input unit provides a file registration screen to an external information processing apparatus and inputs the setting file through the file registration screen. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit inputs and sets other setting contents other than a plurality of setting contents included in the setting file from the external information processing apparatus through the setting screen. A setting file including a plurality of different setting contents indicating information to be output together with a scan file read by scanning, which is set in association with the meta-scan function in the image reading apparatus, is transferred from the external information processing apparatus or the image reading apparatus to the network. Enter through
A setting screen for setting with respect to the workflow processing for the scan files that are read by the meta scan function sets a plurality of settings contained in the configuration file each a plurality of setting items included in the setting screen in association with ,
An information processing method for transmitting the set setting screen to the external information processing apparatus via the network and causing the external information processing apparatus to display the setting screen. Computer
A setting file including a plurality of different setting contents indicating information to be output together with a scan file read by scanning, which is set in association with the meta-scan function in the image reading apparatus, is transferred from the external information processing apparatus or the image reading apparatus to the network. Input means to input through ,
A setting screen for setting with respect to the workflow processing for the scan files that are read by the meta scan function sets a plurality of settings contained in the configuration file each a plurality of setting items included in the setting screen in association with Setting means;
An information processing program for transmitting a setting screen set by the setting means to the external information processing apparatus through the network and causing the external information processing apparatus to display the setting screen.

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