JP6331455B2 - Information processing system, control method thereof, information processing server, control method thereof, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention is an information processing system, and control method thereof to perform processing in the processing apparatus installed in a network communication from a cloud system is controlled from the cloud system and the information processing server, a control method thereof, And the program.

  A mechanism (hereinafter referred to as a cloud system) that provides computer resources (hardware, software, processing performance, storage area, etc.) as a service through the Internet has been used by increasing the speed of the Internet line and improving security technology.

  In the cloud system, when a processing request is issued from the client terminal to the cloud system, the cloud system can execute the process and return a processing result. For example, when data storage or acquisition is requested to a storage area in the cloud system, data storage or acquisition is executed in response to the request. That is, processing is executed in the cloud system in response to a request from the client terminal to the cloud system (hereinafter referred to as a request).

  However, with the diversification of services provided by the cloud system, the cloud system requests processing from an in-house system or multifunction device (hereinafter, processing device) installed on the in-house network (for example, LAN) (request) Need to send).

  Generally, a firewall is installed between an internal network and an external network (for example, the Internet). In order to realize the above case, this firewall must be set to allow requests from the cloud system. More specifically, a specific port is opened so that a request from the cloud system passes. However, if the request from the cloud system is permitted, there is a problem that the security is reduced.

  Therefore, in Patent Document 1 below, an external system (cloud system) transmits an email containing instruction data for operating an image forming apparatus (multifunction machine) installed in an in-house network to the image forming apparatus, and A mechanism is disclosed in which an image forming apparatus that has received an e-mail executes processing according to command data included in the e-mail. In other words, the cloud system does not send requests directly, but uses the existing mail receiving port, so the cloud system instructs the devices on the in-house network without changing the firewall settings. Can be issued.

JP 2006-72793 A

  However, in order to adopt the mechanism of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to make a major modification to enable processing by electronic mail. Furthermore, when there are a plurality of in-house processing devices that wish to transmit requests from the cloud system, the mechanism of Patent Document 1 must be adopted for all the processing devices, which is not realistic.

  As described above, if you take measures such as eliminating the firewall installed between the cloud system and the in-house processing device or opening the port, requests from the cloud system to the in-house processing device will pass, and seamlessly However, as mentioned above, this cannot be done due to security issues.

  Therefore, there is a problem that a company cannot transmit a request from a cloud system to an in-house processing device, and the introduction of seamless cooperation between the cloud system and the in-house processing device does not proceed.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism capable of executing processing from a cloud system in a processing device installed in a network in which communication from the cloud system is controlled.

The information processing server according to the present invention is communicatively connected to a processing device provided internal network cloud system or these access for providing cloud services is limited in order to achieve the above object, before a job acquiring unit that acquire a job that will be managed by the serial cloud system, depending on the job acquired by the job acquiring unit, further comprising a job execution means for instructing execution of a predetermined processing to the processing device Features.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to execute processing in a processing apparatus installed in a network in which communication from a cloud system is controlled, from the cloud system.

It is a figure which shows an example of the system configuration | structure of the information processing system in embodiment of this invention. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image processing server 101, a client terminal 102, and a cloud system 105. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional configurations of an image processing server 101, a client terminal 102, and a cloud system 105. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of a series of processes for installing an application in the image processing server 101 and a flow of a series of processes for generating a business application in the cloud system 105. It is a figure which shows an example of a screen structure of the application management DB registration screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a table structure of application management DB600. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen configuration of a business application development screen 700. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen configuration of a business application screen 800. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of a series of processes for accepting a processing request to an in-house system 103 or a multifunction peripheral 104 through a business application screen 800. It is a figure which shows an example of a table structure of job management DB1000. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of a series of processes in which the image processing server 101 acquires a job generated by the cloud system 105 and requests the in-house system 103 or the multifunction peripheral 104 to perform processing. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of a series of processes in which the image processing server 101 acquires a job generated by the cloud system 105 and requests the in-house system 103 or the multifunction peripheral 104 to perform processing following FIG. 11. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the process which the parameter XML1303 produces | generates. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a screen configuration of a notification screen 1400. 12 is a flowchart according to the second embodiment showing an example of a flow of a series of processes in which the cloud system 105 generates a parameter XML 1303. It is a figure which shows an example of the table structure of job management DB1000 in 2nd Embodiment. 10 is a flowchart according to the second embodiment illustrating an example of a flow of a series of processes in which the image processing server 101 acquires a job generated by the cloud system 105 and requests the in-house system 103 or the multifunction peripheral 104 to perform processing. Continuing to FIG. 17, the image processing server 101 acquires a job generated by the cloud system 105, and shows an example of a flow of a series of processing for requesting processing to the in-house system 103 or the multifunction peripheral 104 according to the second embodiment. It is a flowchart in.

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

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of an information processing system according to the present invention. The image processing server 101 (information processing server), the client terminal 102, the in-house system 103, and the multi-function peripheral 104 can communicate with each other via a network (second network) such as a LAN 106 (Local Area Network). It is connected to the. Further, the cloud system 105 is connected to a network (first network) such as the Internet 108. Furthermore, the LAN 106 and the Internet 108 are connected via a firewall 107. In the present invention, a device including these various devices and servers is referred to as an information processing system. The configuration of various terminals or servers connected to the network in FIG. 1 is an example, and it goes without saying that there are various configuration examples depending on the application and purpose.

  The image processing server 101 is a server for receiving an instruction to execute processing in the cloud system 105 and instructing execution of processing to the in-house system 103 or the multifunction peripheral 104. It has a function to mediate cooperation between the cloud system 105 and the in-house system 103, a function to link with various devices such as the multifunction peripheral 104 and a printer, and a function to generate a form. In the present embodiment, the image processing server 101 is described as a server device, but may be an information processing device such as a personal computer.

  The client terminal 102 is an information processing apparatus for receiving an instruction from a user and instructing the image processing server 101 and the cloud system 105 to execute processing. It provides functions for developing applications in the image processing server 101, developing business applications in the cloud system 105, and using (operating) business applications in the cloud system 105.

  The in-house system 103 is an on-premises system installed inside the firewall 107. For example, a core system represented by ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), and an information system such as SFA (Sales Force Automation) and ECM (Enterprise Content Management) are included.

  The multifunction machine 104 is an office device such as a printer or a scanner. A function for printing a form generated by the image processing server 101 and a function as a scanner for scanning paper data and storing it in the image processing server 101 and various systems are provided.

  In the present embodiment, a form in which processing is executed from the cloud system 105 to the in-house system 103 and the multifunction peripheral 104 installed inside the firewall 107 will be described. However, an apparatus or system (processing) installed inside the firewall 107 is described. Device), it is not limited to the in-house system 103 or the multifunction peripheral 104. It may be the client terminal 102 or another device.

  The cloud system 105 is a system that provides computer resources (hardware, software, processing performance, storage areas, etc.) as services through the Internet 108. The cloud system 105 in this embodiment can develop business applications.

  In addition, the cloud system 105 in the present embodiment may be configured from a single server or a server group including a plurality of servers. In the latter case, a server that virtualizes the plurality of servers and starts up as if it were one computer can be considered. If such a server is assumed to be cloud computing, the server may generate a plurality of virtual machines in its own system. Such a server uses the plurality of virtual machines to perform processing in parallel.

  The firewall 107 is a firewall installed between the LAN 106 and the Internet 108. The firewall 107 provides a function of allowing only limited communications (for example, e-mail) to pass through on-premises from the Internet 108 and blocking other communications as unauthorized access. Also in this embodiment, from the viewpoint of security, the firewall 107 controls communication so that requests from the cloud system 105 to the device or system connected to the LAN 106 do not pass.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image processing server 101, the client terminal 102, and the cloud system 105 in the embodiment of the present invention.

  The CPU 201 comprehensively controls each device and controller connected to the system bus 204.

  Further, the ROM 202 or the external memory 211 is necessary for realizing a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) or an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as OS), which is a control program of the CPU 201, or a function executed by each server or each PC. Various programs are stored. The RAM 203 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 201.

  The CPU 201 implements various operations by loading a program necessary for execution of processing into the RAM 203 and executing the program.

  An input controller (input C) 205 controls input from an input device 209 such as a keyboard or a pointing device such as a mouse.

  A video controller (VC) 206 controls display on a display device such as the display 210. The display device may be a CRT or a liquid crystal display.

  The memory controller (MC) 207 is an adapter to a hard disk (HD), flexible disk (FD) or PCMCIA card slot for storing boot programs, browser software, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, various data, and the like. Controls access to an external memory 211 such as a card-type memory connected via the.

  A communication I / F controller (communication I / FC) 208 is connected to and communicates with an external device via a network, and executes communication control processing in the network. For example, Internet communication using TCP / IP is possible.

  Note that the CPU 201 enables display on the display 210 by executing outline font rasterization processing on a display information area in the RAM 203, for example. Further, the CPU 201 enables a user instruction with a mouse cursor (not shown) on the display 210.

  Various programs and the like used by the various apparatuses and servers of the present invention to execute various processes described later are recorded in the external memory 211 and executed by the CPU 201 by being loaded into the RAM 203 as necessary. is there. Furthermore, definition files and various information tables used by the program according to the present invention are stored in the external memory 211.

  Next, a functional configuration diagram illustrating module configurations of the image processing server 101, the client terminal 102, and the cloud system 105 will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the functional configurations of the various terminals or servers in FIG. 3 are merely examples, and there are various configuration examples depending on applications and purposes.

  The image processing server 101 includes a request processing unit 311, a job acquisition unit 312, a definition file storage unit 313, a definition file acquisition unit 314, a job execution unit 315, an adapter unit 316, an execution state registration unit 317, and an interface file generation unit 318. .

  The request processing unit 311 is a functional unit for processing a request from the client terminal 102. More specifically, requests such as application installation requests and interface file acquisition requests to be described later are processed.

  The job acquisition unit 312 is a functional unit for acquiring jobs generated by the cloud system 105 from the cloud system 105 at regular intervals. In the cloud system 105, a job that can be executed by the application of the image processing server 101 is generated in the external memory 211 or the like of the cloud system 105. The image processing server 101 acquires the generated job and instructs the in-house system 103 and the multifunction peripheral 104 to execute predetermined processing instead of the cloud system 105. By doing so, the cloud system 105 can be linked without directly sending a request to a processing apparatus such as the in-house system 103 or the multifunction machine 104.

  The definition file storage unit 313 (definition file storage unit) is a storage unit that stores a definition file that defines a series of processing flows corresponding to a job. The definition file is a file described by, for example, BPEL (Business Process Execution Language). If a flow of a series of processes is described in the definition file, the series of processes is executed as the job is executed. More specifically, a series of processing flow of obtaining parameters and form data templates included in the job, generating form data based on these parameters, and issuing a print instruction to the multifunction peripheral 104 using BPEL. If defined in the definition file, the application executes the process according to the defined process flow.

  The definition file acquisition unit 314 is a functional unit for acquiring a definition file corresponding to the job acquired by the job acquisition unit 312 from the definition file storage unit 313.

  The job execution unit 315 is a functional unit for executing a series of processing flows indicated by the definition file acquired by the definition file acquisition unit 314. When the job execution unit 315 executes processing based on the definition file, an application installed in the image processing server 101 instructs the in-house system 103 or the multifunction peripheral 104 to execute predetermined processing.

  The adapter unit 316 is an adapter (module) for executing each process indicated by the definition file. The adapter unit 316 can be added to the image processing server 101 as necessary. In this embodiment, a cloud system cooperation unit 316-1, an in-house system cooperation unit 316-2, and a multifunction peripheral cooperation unit 316-3 are provided.

  The cloud system cooperation unit 316-1 is an adapter for transmitting and receiving information to and from the cloud system 105. The in-house system cooperation unit 316-2 is an adapter for transmitting / receiving information to / from the in-house system 103. The multifunction device cooperation unit 316-3 is an adapter for transmitting and receiving information to and from the multifunction device 104. By using these linkage adapters, the image processing server 101 can be linked with other systems and devices. In the present embodiment, the description is made on the assumption that the above adapter is used, but other adapters may be provided. For example, an adapter for generating form data or an adapter for converting a file format.

  The execution state registration unit 317 is a functional unit for registering the execution state of the job being executed by the job execution unit 315 in the cloud system 105. The execution state is managed with statuses such as “ready”, “processing”, and “done”, for example. By managing the job execution status, it is possible to prevent duplicate jobs from being executed and to notify the user of the job execution status.

  The interface file generation unit 318 is a functional unit that generates an interface file for the cloud system 105 to generate a job that can be executed by an application installed in the image processing server 101. The interface file will be described later.

  The client terminal 102 includes a web browser unit 321. The web browser unit 321 is a web browser for displaying a web page described in a language such as HTML (HyperText Markup Language). It has a function of displaying a screen generated by the cloud system 105.

  The cloud system 105 includes a request processing unit 351, a job registration unit 352, an execution state notification unit 353, a screen generation unit 354, a business application generation unit 355, and a DB storage unit 356.

  The request processing unit 351 is a functional unit for processing requests from the image processing server 101 and the client terminal 102. More specifically, requests such as business application generation requests and job execution requests are processed.

  When the job registration unit 352 receives a job execution request from the client terminal 102 through the request processing unit 351, the job registration unit 352 is a functional unit for registering in the DB storage unit 356 a job that can be executed by the application of the image processing server 101. The job acquisition unit 312 of the image processing server 101 acquires the job thus registered, and executes processing corresponding to the job.

  The execution state notification unit 353 is a functional unit for notifying the user of the execution state of the job registered by the execution state registration unit 317. The notification method is not particularly limited.

  The screen generation unit 354 is a functional unit for generating a screen that can be displayed by the Web browser unit 321 of the client terminal 102. The business application generation unit 355 is a functional unit for generating a business application that operates on the cloud system 105. For example, there are various business applications such as an application for creating an estimate and an application for transmitting a FAX of an order form. By operating the business application in accordance with an instruction from the user, the in-house system 103 and the multifunction peripheral 104 are operated.

  The DB storage unit 356 (storage unit) is a storage unit for storing a database such as an application management DB 600, a job management DB 1000, which will be described later, and a business application DB used for other business applications.

  Next, a flow of a series of processes for installing an application in the image processing server 101 and a series of processes for generating a business application in the cloud system 105 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, preparation for executing the processing instructed by the cloud system 105 by the in-house system 103 or the multifunction peripheral 104 will be described.

  In step S <b> 401, the CPU 201 of the client terminal 102 receives a programming operation from the user and develops an application that can be executed by the image processing server 101. Here, a definition file is generated and what kind of processing is executed is defined.

  In step S <b> 402, the CPU 201 of the client terminal 102 transmits an application installation request developed in step S <b> 401 to the image processing server 101. At this time, the definition file is also transmitted.

  In step S <b> 403, the CPU 201 of the image processing server 101 receives the application installation request transmitted from the client terminal 102. In step S <b> 404, the CPU 201 of the image processing server 101 installs an application developed on the client terminal 102. At this time, the definition file corresponding to the application is stored in the definition file storage unit 313 in association with the application.

  In step S405, the CPU 201 of the image processing server 101 generates an interface file corresponding to the application installed in step S404. The interface file is a file described in a Web service description language such as WSDL (Web Services Description Language), for example, and functions that can be executed by the installed application (Web service) and messages used to execute the function. Format, protocol, etc. are described.

  In step S406, the CPU 201 of the image processing server 101 starts the operation of the application installed in step S404. Thereafter, when execution of processing in the operated application is instructed, a definition file corresponding to the application is acquired from the definition file storage unit 313, and a series of processing flows indicated by the definition file are sequentially executed.

  In step S407, the CPU 201 of the image processing server 101 transmits the processing result for the request accepted in step S403 to the client terminal 102.

  In step S <b> 408, the CPU 201 of the client terminal 102 receives the processing result transmitted from the image processing server 101. If necessary, the user is notified of the processing result.

  In step S409, the CPU 201 of the client terminal 102 transmits an interface file acquisition request generated in step S405. In particular, an interface file acquisition request corresponding to an application designated by the user is transmitted.

  In step S <b> 410, the CPU 201 of the image processing server 101 receives the interface file acquisition request transmitted from the client terminal 102. In step S411, the CPU 201 of the image processing server 101 acquires the requested interface file from the external memory 211 or the like and transmits it to the client terminal 102.

  In step S <b> 412, the CPU 201 of the client terminal 102 receives the interface file transmitted from the image processing server 101. The client terminal 102 that has acquired the interface file displays an application management DB registration screen 500 as shown in FIG. 5 in response to an instruction from the user, inputs the application name of the application corresponding to the interface file, and calls the application. Endpoint input and interface file selection are accepted. The application management DB registration screen 500 includes an application name input field 501, an endpoint input field 502, and an interface file selection field 503. The above-described input and selection of various information are performed through these input fields and selection fields.

  When the pressing of the registration button 504 is accepted on the application management DB registration screen 500, in step S413, the CPU 201 of the client terminal 102 selects the interface file received in the interface file selection field 503 as the application name input field 501 or the end. The information received in the point input field 502 is transmitted to the cloud system 105 together with the information received.

  In step S 414, the CPU 201 of the cloud system 105 receives the interface file transmitted from the client terminal 102. In step S415, the CPU 201 of the cloud system 105 uses the received interface file to generate a parameter schema to be passed to the application corresponding to the interface file, and registers it in the application management DB 600 as shown in FIG. Further, information indicating the application name and endpoint received in step S414 is also registered in the application management DB 600 in association with the registered schema.

  The application management DB 600 is stored in the DB storage unit 356 of the cloud system 105 and includes an application ID 601, an application name 602, an endpoint 603, and a schema 604. The application ID 601 is identification information for each application indicated by the interface file received by the cloud system 105. The application name 602 indicates the name of the application. The end point 603 indicates a place where an application execution request is received. The schema 604 stores a schema corresponding to the application. In this embodiment, XML (Extensible Markup Language) is used as the schema. However, any form may be used as long as an application running on the image processing server 101 can be interpreted.

  In step S416, the CPU 201 of the cloud system 105 transmits the execution result of the processing based on the interface file received in step S414 to the client terminal 102.

  In step S417, the CPU 201 of the client terminal 102 receives the processing result transmitted from the cloud system 105. If necessary, this processing result is notified to the user.

  Then, the client terminal 102 displays a business application development screen 700 as shown in FIG. 7 on the display 210 of the client terminal 102 in order to develop a business application to be operated in the cloud system, and accepts screen development from the user. In the business application development screen 700, components such as input fields and buttons constituting the screen can be selected from the component selection field 702 and arranged on the screen. They are arranged from the component selection column 702 by drag & drop or the like. When the button processing accepts a right click on the button, the processing content when the button is pressed can be described.

  In other words, this button receives a job generation process executable by an application registered in the application management DB 600 (which application is to be activated, what parameters are to be specified at the time of activation, a process completion status and a message). In other words, a job is generated in the cloud system 105, and the image processing server 101 can acquire the job and execute a corresponding process.

  In step S <b> 418, the CPU 201 of the client terminal 102 transmits a generated business application generation instruction to the cloud system 105. In step S419, the CPU 201 of the cloud system 105 receives the business application generation instruction transmitted from the client terminal 102. In step S420, the CPU 201 of the cloud system 105 generates a business application that has received the generation instruction, and starts operation. The resulting screen developed on the business application development screen 700 is a screen as shown in the business application screen 800 of FIG.

  In step S <b> 421, the CPU 201 of the cloud system 105 transmits the business application generation result to the client terminal 102. In step S <b> 422, the CPU 201 of the client terminal 102 receives the processing result transmitted from the cloud system 105. If necessary, the processing result is notified to the user.

  Next, a series of processing for accepting a processing request to the in-house system 103 or the multifunction peripheral 104 through the business application screen 800 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In step S901, the CPU 201 of the client terminal 102 transmits a login request to the business application of the cloud system 105 according to an instruction from the user. In step S <b> 902, the CPU 201 of the cloud system 105 receives a login request from the client terminal 102. In step S903, the CPU 201 of the cloud system 105 executes login to the business application. At this time, authority control may be performed according to the logged-in user to limit functions that can be used in the business application.

  In step S <b> 904, the CPU 201 of the cloud system 105 transmits the login processing result to the client terminal 102. In step S <b> 905, the CPU 201 of the client terminal 102 receives the processing result transmitted from the cloud system 105.

  In step S <b> 906, the CPU 201 of the client terminal 102 transmits an acquisition request for the business application screen 800 to the cloud system 105. In step S <b> 907, the CPU 201 of the cloud system 105 receives the business application screen 800 acquisition request transmitted from the client terminal 102. In step S <b> 908, the CPU 201 of the cloud system 105 generates a business application screen 800 that can accept a job execution instruction (screen generation unit) and transmits it to the client terminal 102.

  In step S909, the CPU 201 of the client terminal 102 receives the business application screen 800 transmitted from the cloud system 105. In step S910, the received business application screen 800 is displayed on the display 210. Then, an operation for each input field and button provided in the business application screen 800 is accepted.

  In step S911, the CPU 201 of the client terminal 102 determines whether a job execution instruction has been received. For example, it is determined whether the print button 801 on the business application screen 800 has been pressed. If it is determined that a job execution instruction has been received, the process proceeds to step S912. If it is determined that a job execution instruction has not been received, the process waits as it is.

  In step S <b> 912, the CPU 201 of the client terminal 102 transmits a job execution instruction to the cloud system 105. At this time, various information input on the business application screen 800 is also transmitted. In step S <b> 913, the CPU 201 of the cloud system 105 receives a job execution instruction transmitted from the client terminal 102.

  In step S <b> 914, the CPU 201 of the cloud system 105 updates the business application DB (not shown) corresponding to the business application stored in the DB storage unit 356 based on the information input on the business application screen 800. That is, data registration is executed as a function of the business application.

  In step S <b> 915, the CPU 201 of the cloud system 105 registers (generates) a job that can be executed by the image processing server 101 in the job management DB 1000 as illustrated in FIG. 10 stored in the DB storage unit 356 (job generation unit). .

  The job management DB 1000 is stored in the DB storage unit 356 of the cloud system 105, and includes a job ID 1001, application ID 1002, job parameter 1003, job creator 1004, job creation date and time 1005, status 1006, job result notification 1007, job execution result 1008, job It consists of a message 1009 and job update date and time 1010.

  The job ID 1001 is identification information uniquely assigned for each job. The application ID 1002 is identification information for identifying the application of the image processing server 101 that executes the job. The application ID 1002 corresponds to the application ID 601 of the application management DB 600. The job parameter 1003 is various information (parameters) input on the business application screen 800 and necessary for executing the job. A job creator 1004 indicates a user who created a job. The job creation date / time 1005 indicates the year / month / day / hour / minute / second when the job was created. The status 1006 indicates the execution state of the job. The job result notification 1007 indicates to which user the job execution result is notified. A job execution result 1008 indicates a job execution result. A job message 1009 indicates the content of a message used to notify the job execution result. The job update date / time 1010 indicates the year / month / date / time / minute / second at which the record was updated.

  When registering a job, a new record is created in the job management DB 1000 and information is stored in each item. The job ID 1001 is assigned a new job identification number. The application ID 1002 stores the application ID 601 of the job for which execution has been instructed. As described above, the job parameter 1003 stores various information input on the business application screen 800. The job creator 1004 stores the user name of the user who has logged in at step S903. The job creation date / time 1005 stores the year / month / day / hour / minute / second at which the job registration was executed. In the status 1006, “ready” is stored. That is, information indicating that the job is not yet executed is stored. The job result notification 1007 stores a job creator 1004 and an administrator. If there is a user who wants to notify the job result, the user may be included. Leave the other fields blank. For example, the registration state of the job at this stage is as shown by the record of job ID 1001 “4” in the job management DB 1000 of FIG. In this way, a job that can be executed by the application of the image processing server 101 in the cloud system 105 is generated.

  In step S <b> 916, the CPU 201 of the cloud system 105 transmits the job registration result to the client terminal 102. In step S917, the CPU 201 of the client terminal 102 receives the processing result transmitted from the cloud system 105 and notifies the user as necessary.

  Next, a series of processing in which the image processing server 101 obtains a job generated by the cloud system 105 and requests the in-house system 103 or the multifunction peripheral 104 to perform processing using the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. explain.

  In step S1101, the CPU 201 of the image processing server 101 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous step S1101 was executed. That is, since the image processing server 101 acquires a job from the cloud system 105 every predetermined time, it is determined in step S1101 whether or not the predetermined time has elapsed. If it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S1102. If it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed, the system waits until the predetermined time elapses.

  In step S <b> 1102, the CPU 201 of the image processing server 101 transmits acquisition requests for the job management DB 1000 and the application management DB 600 to the cloud system 105.

  In step S <b> 1103, the CPU 201 of the cloud system 105 receives acquisition requests for the job management DB 1000 and the application management DB 600 transmitted from the image processing server 101. In step S <b> 1104, the CPU 201 of the cloud system 105 acquires the job management DB 1000 and the application management DB 600 from the DB storage unit 356 of the cloud system 105 and transmits them to the image processing server 101.

  In step S <b> 1105, the CPU 201 of the image processing server 101 receives the job management DB 1000 and application management DB 600 transmitted from the cloud system 105. That is, a job generated in the cloud system is acquired from the cloud system 105 (job acquisition means). Although the application management DB 600 may be managed by the image processing server 101, all the databases can be managed by the cloud system 105 by managing by the cloud system 105. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the cloud system 105 stores the application management DB 600.

  In step S1106, the CPU 201 of the image processing server 101 refers to the status 1006 of each record in the job management DB 1000 to determine whether there is a record that is “ready”. That is, it is determined whether there is an unexecuted job. If it is determined that there is an unexecuted job, the process proceeds to step S1107. If it is determined that there is no unexecuted job, the process returns to step S1101.

  In step S1107, the CPU 201 of the image processing server 101 repeatedly executes the processing from step S1108 to step S1213 until there is no unexecuted job (until there is no record whose status 1006 is “ready”).

  In step S1108, the CPU 201 of the image processing server 101 refers to a record in the job management DB 1000 in which the processing from step S1108 to step S1213 has not been executed and the status 1006 is “ready”.

  In step S <b> 1109, the CPU 201 of the image processing server 101 transmits an update request for the status 1006 of the record being referred to the cloud system 105. That is, a request is transmitted to register the job execution status (execution status registration means). In step S <b> 1110, the CPU 201 of the cloud system 105 receives the update request for the status 1006 of the record being referred to transmitted from the image processing server 101. In step S1111, the CPU 201 of the cloud system 105 changes the status 1006 of the record being referenced to “processing” (execution state registration unit). That is, it is updated to indicate that the job is being executed. The update example in step S1111 is a record having a job ID 1001 of “3” in FIG.

  When the update is completed, in step S1112, the CPU 201 of the cloud system 105 transmits the update result of status 1006 to the image processing server 101. In step S <b> 1113, the CPU 201 of the image processing server 101 receives the processing result transmitted from the cloud system 105.

  The description will be moved to FIG. After the processing in step S1113 is completed, in step S1201, the job parameter XML indicated by the record being referred to is generated. The parameter XML is an XML file generated by storing the job parameter 1003 of the record being referred to in a schema 604 that can be read by an application that executes the job of the record being referenced. Processing is executed by the application of the image processing server 101 reading this parameter XML. That is, since the readable schema 604 is different for each application, the schema 604 is stored in the application management DB 600 for each application.

  A schematic diagram of the parameter XML is shown in FIG. For example, when the job parameter 1003 indicated by 1302 is poured into the schema 604 indicated by 1301, a parameter XML as indicated by 1303 is generated.

  In step S1202, the CPU 201 of the image processing server 101 executes an application corresponding to the job indicated by the record being referred to (job execution unit). At this time, the definition file corresponding to the application stored in the definition file storage unit 313 is acquired, and a series of processes defined in the definition file is executed using the adapter of the adapter unit 316 corresponding to the process. To do. The application to be executed is specified from the end point 603 of the record of the application management DB 600 having the application ID 601 corresponding to the application ID 1002 of the job indicated by the record being referred to.

  In the series of processes, when a process in a processing apparatus such as the in-house system 103 or the multifunction machine 104 is defined, in step S1203, the CPU 201 of the image processing server 101 executes the predetermined process to the processing apparatus. Instruct. In step S1204, the in-house system 103 or the multifunction peripheral 104 operates in response to an instruction from the image processing server 101. In step S1205, the processing result is transmitted to the image processing server 101. In step S1206, the CPU 201 of the image processing server 101 receives a processing result from a processing apparatus such as the in-house system 103 or the multifunction peripheral 104.

  When execution of a series of processes defined in the definition file is completed, in step S1207, the CPU 201 of the image processing server 101 transmits an update request for the job management DB 1000 to the cloud system 105 in order to update the status 1006 of the record being referred to. To do.

  In step S <b> 1208, the CPU 201 of the cloud system 105 receives the job management DB 1000 update request transmitted from the image processing server 101. In step S1209, the CPU 201 of the cloud system 105 updates the status 1006 of the record being referred to to “done” (execution state registration unit). That is, it is updated to the effect that the job has been executed.

  In step S1210, the CPU 201 of the cloud system 105 further stores the job execution result in the job execution result 1008 of the record being referred to. If the series of processing is successful, “success” is registered, and if failed, “failure” is registered. Along with this, a message to be notified to the user is also registered in the job message 1009. The registration example when the series of processing is successful is a record with a job ID 1001 of “2” in FIG. 10, and the registration example when the series of processing is unsuccessful is a record with a job ID 1001 of FIG.

  In step S <b> 1211, the CPU 201 of the cloud system 105 transmits a request to the client terminal 102 to notify the job execution state and execution result. At this time, since a request from the cloud system 105 to the client terminal 102 does not pass, a notification screen 1400 as shown in FIG. 14 is generated using the job management DB 1000 and transmitted to the client terminal 102. In step S <b> 1212, the CPU 201 of the client terminal 102 receives the notification screen 1400 transmitted from the cloud system 105. In step S <b> 1213, the received notification screen 1400 is displayed on the display 210. Notify the execution status and execution result.

  As described above, the cloud system 105 does not directly send a request to the processing apparatus, but the image processing server 101 acquires a job generated by the cloud system 105, and the image processing server 101 replaces the cloud system 105. By sending a request to the processing device, the cloud system and the processing device can be seamlessly linked while ensuring security.

  Next, the second embodiment will be described. In the embodiment described above, the image processing server 101 acquires the application management DB 600 and the job management DB 1000 from the cloud system 105, and the image processing server 101 uses the schema 604 of the application management DB 600 and the job parameter 1003 of the job management DB 1000 to set the parameters. XML was generated. As described above, managing various DBs in an integrated manner with the cloud system 105 reduces the time and effort of user management, but a load is required for the image processing server 101 to acquire the application management DB 600. Therefore, in the second embodiment, a mode in which the cloud system 105 generates the parameter XML will be described.

  Since the system configuration, hardware configuration, and functional configuration in the second embodiment are the same as those in the above-described embodiment, description thereof will be omitted. Also, since the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 and the accompanying screen and application management DB 600 are the same, description thereof will be omitted.

  First, a series of processing for accepting a processing request to the in-house system 103 or the multifunction peripheral 104 through the business application screen 800 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The flowchart in FIG. 15 is a modification of the flowchart in FIG. 9 in the above-described embodiment. For this reason, the same step numbers as in FIG. 9 are assigned to steps for performing the same processing as in FIG. Since this step is the same processing, description thereof is omitted.

  In step S1501, the CPU 201 of the cloud system 105 acquires the schema of the application that executes the job from the schema 604 of the application management DB 600, and flows various information input on the business application screen 800 into the schema 604, thereby parameter XML. Is generated. In step S1502, the CPU 201 of the cloud system 105 registers the job in the job management DB 1000 as in step S915 described above, and the parameter XML generated in step S1501 is stored in the parameter XML 1601 of the job management DB 1000 shown in FIG. Store. In the second embodiment, the job management DB 1000 includes a parameter XML 1601 and an end point 1602 instead of the job parameter 1003. The parameter XML 1601 stores the parameter XML generated in step S1501. An end point 1602 indicates an end point stored in the end point 603 of the application management DB 600. As described above, information necessary for executing a job in the image processing server 101, which is information indicated by the application management DB 600, is embedded in the job management DB 1000.

  Next, a series of processes in which the image processing server 101 acquires a job generated by the cloud system 105 and requests the in-house system 103 or the multifunction peripheral 104 to perform processing, using the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. explain. The flowcharts of FIGS. 17 and 18 are modifications of the flowcharts of FIGS. 11 and 12 in the above-described embodiment. For this reason, the same step numbers as those in FIGS. 11 and 12 are assigned to steps in which the same processing as in FIGS. Since this step is the same processing, description thereof is omitted.

  In step S <b> 1701, the CPU 201 of the image processing server 101 transmits an acquisition request for the job management DB 1000 illustrated in FIG. 16 to the cloud system 105.

  In step S <b> 1702, the CPU 201 of the cloud system 105 receives the acquisition request for the job management DB 1000 illustrated in FIG. 16 transmitted from the image processing server 101. In step S <b> 1703, the CPU 201 of the cloud system 105 acquires the job management DB 1000 illustrated in FIG. 16 from the DB storage unit 356 of the cloud system 105, and transmits these to the image processing server 101.

  In step S <b> 1704, the CPU 201 of the image processing server 101 receives the job management DB 1000 illustrated in FIG. 16 transmitted from the cloud system 105. Thus, unlike the embodiment described above, the application management DB 600 is not acquired.

  The description will be shifted to FIG. In step S1801, the parameter XML of the job being referred to is acquired from the job management DB 1000 shown in FIG. More specifically, the parameter XML stored in the parameter XML 1601 in the record of the job being referred to is acquired. Then, the application is executed using the parameter XML acquired for the application indicated by the endpoint 1602 in the process described later.

  With such a configuration, the parameter XML can be generated by the cloud system 105, and the generated parameter XML can be used for executing the application.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, there is an effect that the processing in the processing apparatus installed in the network in which communication from the cloud system is controlled can be executed from the cloud system.

  The present invention can be implemented as a system, apparatus, method, program, storage medium, or the like, and can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices. You may apply to the apparatus which consists of one apparatus.

  Note that the present invention includes a software program that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments directly or remotely from a system or apparatus. The present invention also includes a case where the system or the computer of the apparatus is achieved by reading and executing the supplied program code.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. That is, the present invention also includes a computer program for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, or the like.

  Examples of the recording medium for supplying the program include a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, and CD-RW. In addition, there are magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R), and the like.

  As another program supply method, a browser on a client computer is used to connect to an Internet home page. The computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function can be downloaded from the homepage by downloading it to a recording medium such as a hard disk.

  It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. Let It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the downloaded key information and install the program on a computer.

  Further, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the computer executing the read program. In addition, based on the instructions of the program, an OS or the like running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can also be realized by the processing.

  Further, the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Thereafter, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  The above-described embodiments are merely examples of implementation in carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited thereto. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the technical idea or the main features thereof.

101 Image processing server 102 Client terminal 103 In-house system 104 Multifunction machine 105 Cloud system 106 LAN
107 Firewall 108 Internet 201 CPU
202 ROM
203 RAM
204 System bus 205 Input controller 206 Video controller 207 Memory controller 208 Communication I / F controller 209 Input device 210 Display 211 External memory

Claims (13)

An information processing server that is communicably connected to a processing device provided in an internal network in which access from a cloud system for providing a cloud service is restricted,
Job acquisition means for acquiring a job managed in the cloud system;
An information processing server comprising: job execution means for instructing the processing apparatus to execute predetermined processing according to a job acquired by the job acquisition means. A definition file storage unit that stores a definition file in which a series of processes corresponding to the job is defined;
The job execution means is a definition file corresponding to a job acquired by the job acquisition means, and executes a series of processes defined by a definition file stored in the definition file storage means. Item 6. The information processing server according to Item 1.   The job execution unit executes a series of processes defined in a definition file corresponding to the job acquired by the job acquisition unit, using an adapter corresponding to the process. Information processing server.   The job execution unit executes the predetermined process using form data generated based on a parameter included in the job acquired by the job acquisition unit and a predetermined template. 4. The information processing server according to any one of items 1 to 3. The information processing server
An execution state registration unit for registering the execution state of the job executed by the job execution unit in the cloud system;
The cloud system
5. The information processing server according to claim 1, further comprising an execution state notifying unit that notifies the execution state of the job by using the registered execution state of the job.   The job execution means instructs the processing apparatus to execute a predetermined process in accordance with a job that is not executed by the job execution means. Information processing server described in 1.   The information processing server according to claim 1, wherein the job acquisition unit acquires the job from the cloud system every predetermined time. The cloud system
A screen generation means for generating a receivable screen an execution instruction of the job,
When receiving an instruction to execute the job in the screen generated by the screen generating unit, a job generating means for generating a job executable in the information processing server,
The information processing server according to claim 1 , further comprising:   The information processing server according to claim 1, wherein the internal network restricts communication from the cloud system by a firewall provided in the internal network. A method for controlling an information processing server that is communicably connected to a processing device provided in an internal network where access from a cloud system for providing a cloud service is restricted,
A job acquisition step of acquiring a job managed in the cloud system;
A method for controlling an information processing server, comprising: a job execution step for instructing the processing apparatus to execute a predetermined process according to the job acquired in the job acquisition step .   The program for functioning a computer as each means of the information processing server described in any one of Claims 1-9. An information processing system including a cloud system for providing a cloud service, and an information processing server communicably connected to a processing device provided in an internal network in which access from the cloud system is restricted,
The information processing server
Job acquisition means for acquiring a job managed in the cloud system;
An information processing system comprising: job execution means for instructing the processing apparatus to execute predetermined processing according to a job acquired by the job acquisition means. A control method for an information processing system, which includes a cloud system for providing a cloud service, and an information processing server that is communicably connected to a processing device provided in an internal network where access from the cloud system is restricted. And
A job acquisition step in which the information processing server acquires a job managed by the cloud system;
A method for controlling an information processing system, comprising: a job execution step in which an information processing server instructs the processing device to execute a predetermined process according to the job acquired in the job acquisition step .

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