JP6390188B2 - Information processing system and information processing method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing system and an information processing method.

  Provided is a cloud service realized by cooperation between an apparatus such as an image forming apparatus used in an office and one or more computers (hereinafter simply referred to as “server”) connected to the apparatus via the Internet or the like. Yes. For example, the image forming apparatus scans image data from a document, uploads the image data to a server, the server executes a processing process on the image data, and a result of the processing process is determined in a predetermined manner. Services such as saving to storage are provided.

  Conventionally, a place for performing processing on image data has been fixed at one place such as a server. There is a possibility that data is uploaded from a large number of devices to the server. If it does so, the load of a server will increase and it is anticipated that the process etc. with respect to each image data will be prolonged.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to improve flexibility regarding execution of processing on data uploaded from a device.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an information processing system including one or more information processing apparatuses, a reception unit that receives data and a processing request related to the data from a device connected via a network, and the processing request An information processing device that executes a process that uses the data among a plurality of information processing devices that execute a process according to the processing request, and capability information of each information processing device related to the process And a selection unit that selects based on the state information of each information processing apparatus.

  It is possible to improve flexibility regarding execution of processing on data uploaded from a device.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the information processing system in 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of the service provision apparatus in 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of the apparatus in 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the function structural example of the service provision apparatus in 1st embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the conceptual model of a profile. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a profile memory | storage part. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a profile apparatus corresponding | compatible memory | storage part. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a profile edit screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a setting of the priority matter in a project setting screen. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating an example of the process sequence of the execution process of the job of the cloud scan service in 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation screen displayed based on a profile. It is a figure which shows the structural example of capability information. It is a figure which shows the structural example of state information. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the determination information in 1st embodiment. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the 1st example of the process sequence of the job execution process of the cloud scan service in 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the determination information in 2nd embodiment. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the 2nd example of the process sequence of the execution process of the job of the cloud scan service in 2nd embodiment. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the 3rd example of the process sequence of the execution process of the job of the cloud scan service in 2nd embodiment. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the 4th example of the process sequence of the execution process of the job of the cloud scan service in 2nd embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information processing system according to the first embodiment. In the information processing system 1 shown in FIG. 1, the service providing environment E2 and the user environment E1 can communicate with each other via a wide area network such as the Internet. Further, the service providing apparatus 20 and the mediating apparatus 50 can communicate with each other via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. Furthermore, the service providing device 20 and the mediation device 50 and the external system 40 can communicate with each other via a network such as a LAN or the Internet.

  The service providing environment E2 is a system environment in an organization that provides a cloud service via a network. In the present embodiment, a cloud service will be described as a specific example. However, the present embodiment relates to a service provided via a network, such as a service provided by an ASP (Application Service Provider) or a Web service. Forms may be applied.

  The service providing environment E2 includes a service providing device 20. The service providing device 20 provides a predetermined service via a network. One of the services provided by the service providing apparatus 20 is a “cloud scan service”. In this embodiment, a cloud scan service will be described. The cloud scan service is a service that stores image data (hereinafter referred to as “scanned image”) scanned by the device 10 in the user environment E1 in a preset storage destination. Note that the service providing apparatus 20 may be installed in the user environment E1. That is, the service providing environment E2 may be included in the user environment E1.

  The user environment E1 is a system environment in an organization such as a user company of the device 10. In the user environment E1, one or more devices 10 and the administrator terminal 30 are connected via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

  The device 10 according to the present embodiment is an image forming apparatus having a scanning function. In addition to the scan function, a multifunction device having functions such as printing, copying, or fax (FAX) communication may be used as the device 10. Any device other than the image forming apparatus may be used as the device 10 as long as the device has an image data input function or a storage function and can transmit the image data via a network. For example, a PC, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a mobile phone, a digital camera, or another device may be used as the device 10.

  The administrator terminal 30 is a terminal used by the administrator of the device 10 in the user environment E1. Examples of the administrator terminal 30 include a PC (Personal Computer), a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance), a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or a mobile phone.

  The external system 40 is a computer system external to the service providing apparatus 20. The external system 40 provides a cloud service via a network, for example. One example of the cloud service provided is online storage. Online storage is a service that lends a storage area of the storage. In the cloud scan service provided by the service providing apparatus 20, the external system 40 is a candidate for a delivery destination of a scan image or data generated by a predetermined process on the scan image. The external system 40 may be operated by an organization different from the system that operates the service providing apparatus 20, or may be operated by the same organization.

  The mediation device 50 is a computer that mediates or relays the upload of data to the external system 40 by the service providing device 20. Specifically, each intermediary device 50 absorbs a difference in a unique or individual interface (for example, API (Application Program Interface)) for each external system 40, and uses a common interface (for example, API) as a service. This is provided to the providing device 20. As a result, the service providing apparatus 20 can upload data to each external system 40 via the mediation apparatus 50 without knowing an interface unique to each external system 40. However, the service providing device 20 may directly access the external system 40 without using the mediation device 50.

  Each intermediary device 50 is different from each other in cooperation or corresponding external system 40. However, the linked external systems 40 may overlap between the intermediary devices 50.

  Note that one intermediary device 50 may cooperate with a plurality of external systems 40. Further, the mediation device 50 and the service providing device 20 may be realized by one computer or one computer system. Further, the intermediary device 50 may be installed in the service providing environment E2.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the service providing apparatus according to the first embodiment. 2 includes a drive device 200, an auxiliary storage device 202, a memory device 203, a CPU 204, and an interface device 205, which are mutually connected by a bus B.

  A program for realizing processing in the service providing apparatus 20 is provided by a recording medium 201 such as a CD-ROM. When the recording medium 201 storing the program is set in the drive device 200, the program is installed from the recording medium 201 to the auxiliary storage device 202 via the drive device 200. However, it is not always necessary to install the program from the recording medium 201, and the program may be downloaded from another computer via a network. The auxiliary storage device 202 stores the installed program and stores necessary files and data.

  The memory device 203 reads the program from the auxiliary storage device 202 and stores it when there is an instruction to start the program. The CPU 204 executes functions related to the service providing apparatus 20 in accordance with a program stored in the memory device 203. The interface device 205 is used as an interface for connecting to a network.

  The service providing apparatus 20 may be a computer system (information processing system) including a plurality of computers (information processing apparatuses) having hardware as shown in FIG. That is, the process executed by the service providing apparatus 20 in the later description may be executed by being distributed to a plurality of computers.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the device according to the first embodiment. 3, the device 10 includes hardware such as a controller 11, a scanner 12, a printer 13, a modem 14, an operation panel 15, a network interface 16, and an SD card slot 17.

  The controller 11 includes a CPU 111, a RAM 112, a ROM 113, an HDD 114, an NVRAM 115, and the like. The ROM 113 stores various programs and data used by the programs. The RAM 112 is used as a storage area for loading a program, a work area for the loaded program, and the like. The CPU 111 realizes various functions by processing a program loaded in the RAM 112. The HDD 114 stores a program and various data used by the program. The NVRAM 115 stores various setting information and the like.

  The scanner 12 is hardware (image reading means) for reading image data from a document. The printer 13 is hardware (printing means) for printing print data on printing paper. The modem 14 is hardware for connecting to a telephone line, and is used to execute transmission / reception of image data by FAX communication. The operation panel 15 is hardware including input means such as buttons for accepting input from the user, display means such as a liquid crystal panel, and the like. The network interface 16 is hardware for connecting to a network such as a LAN (whether wired or wireless). The SD card slot 17 is used for reading a program stored in the SD card 80. That is, in the device 10, not only the program stored in the ROM 113 but also the program stored in the SD card 80 can be loaded into the RAM 112 and executed. The SD card 80 may be replaced by another recording medium (for example, a CD-ROM or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory). That is, the type of recording medium corresponding to the positioning of the SD card 80 is not limited to a predetermined one. In this case, the SD card slot 17 may be replaced by hardware corresponding to the type of recording medium.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the service providing apparatus according to the first embodiment. 4, the service providing apparatus 20 includes a UI unit 211, an authentication unit 212, a profile management unit 213, a data reception unit 214, a job execution unit 215, an information acquisition unit 216, a processing subject selection unit 217, a processing processing unit 218, and A distribution processing unit 219 and the like. Each of these units is realized by processing that one or more programs installed in the service providing apparatus 20 cause the CPU 204 to execute.

  The service providing apparatus 20 also uses a profile storage unit 231, a profile device correspondence storage unit 232, a job data storage unit 233, a user information storage unit 234, a determination information storage unit 235, an external information storage unit 236, and the like. Each of these storage units can be realized using a storage device connected to the auxiliary storage device 202 or the service providing device 20 via a network.

  The UI unit 211 provides a user interface for the service providing apparatus 20 via a network. In the present embodiment, the UI unit 211 provides a user interface to the administrator terminal 30. Note that the user interface may be a Web UI configured by Web pages.

  The authentication unit 212 authenticates a user of a client (for example, the administrator terminal 30 or the device 10) accessing the service providing apparatus 20. The device 10 operated by the authenticated user can access the service providing apparatus 20.

  The profile management unit 213 registers a profile in the profile storage unit 231 or reads a profile stored in the profile storage unit 231. The profile is information including configuration information on a screen displayed on the device 10 and setting information regarding processing executed in response to an operation on the configuration element regarding the cloud scan service. The job executed in the device 10 regarding the cloud scan service is executed according to the profile. Details of the profile will be described later.

  The data receiving unit 214 receives a scanned image transmitted (uploaded) from the device 10. The job execution unit 215 controls the execution of the job executed in the service providing apparatus 20 with respect to the data received by the data reception unit 214. Hereinafter, data to be processed in a job, such as a scan image and data generated based on the scan image, is referred to as “job data”. A job is a unit of execution of the cloud scan service. That is, each job is distinguished for each execution unit of the cloud scan service.

  In the cloud scan service, the information acquisition unit 216 acquires information used to select the execution subject from among a plurality of apparatuses that are candidates for the execution subject of processing for job data. Processing for job data is to generate new information or data based on information included in job data, such as OCR (Optical Character Recognition) processing, data format conversion processing, translation processing for OCR results, etc. Refers to processing. In the first embodiment, candidates for the execution subject of the processing for job data are the mediation device 50 and the external system 40 in addition to the service providing device 20. In other words, the mediation device 50 may have not only mediating data upload from the service providing device 20 to the external system 40 but also a capability of executing processing on the data. Some external systems 40 can perform OCR (Optical Character Recognition) processing or the like on data to be stored. Therefore, the external system 40 can also be an execution subject of processing.

  The information used for selecting the execution subject of the processing for job data is, for example, information indicating the capability of each device related to the processing (hereinafter referred to as “capability information”), and the current state of each device. Information (hereinafter referred to as “state information”). The capability information is, for example, information indicating the function of the device, the performance related to the function, and the like. The status information includes, for example, information indicating the congestion status of the processing process in each device (hereinafter referred to as “congestion information”) and information indicating the operating status of the software that executes the processing processing in each device (hereinafter referred to as “operation status”). Information ”)).

  Based on the capability information and state information acquired by the information acquisition unit 216, and the determination information stored in the determination information storage unit 235, the processing main body selection unit 217 is a device (processing process) that is the execution main body of the processing process. Execution location). The determination information is information indicating an apparatus that is a subject of processing for each combination of a value that can be taken as capability information and a value that can be taken as state information.

  The processing processing unit 218 executes processing on job data when the service providing apparatus 20 becomes the execution subject of the processing. The distribution processing unit 219 distributes job data to the mediation device 50 or the external system 40.

  The profile storage unit 231 stores a profile. The profile device correspondence storage unit 232 stores correspondence information between the profile and the device 10. The job data storage unit 233 stores job data. The user information storage unit 234 stores a tenant ID, a user name, a password, an email address, and the like for each user who is permitted to use the service providing apparatus 20.

  The tenant ID is identification information of a tenant to which the user belongs. In this embodiment, “tenant” refers to an organization that has purchased a license for the cloud scan service. For example, one company can be one tenant. In addition, one department constituting one company may be one tenant. That is, a plurality of tenants may exist in one company. In any case, the tenant is a set of one or more individual users who actually use the device cooperation service. Further, the organization does not have to be an organization related to a company, and may be an arbitrary group or a circle. Moreover, the organization which one person comprises may be sufficient. In the present embodiment, one user environment E1 corresponds to one tenant.

  The external information storage unit 236 stores capability information of the external system 40 in advance. In the present embodiment, the mediation device 50 is constructed on the premise of cooperation with the service providing device 20, and thus includes an interface (API (Application Program Interface) or the like) required by the service providing device 20. For example, the mediation device 50 can send back the capability information and the state information in response to the acquisition request for the capability information and the state information from the information acquisition unit 216. On the other hand, the external system 40 is constructed independently of the service providing apparatus 20. Therefore, the external system 40 cannot respond to the capability information and status information acquisition request from the information acquisition unit 216. Therefore, as the capability information of the external system 40, information created in advance by the operator of the service providing apparatus 20 or the like is stored in the external information storage unit 236. Note that the external information storage unit 236 does not store state information of the external system 40. This is because the state information is information indicating the state at that time and cannot be stored in advance.

  Next, the profile will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a conceptual model of a profile. As shown in FIG. 5, each device 10 is associated with one profile. However, a plurality of profiles may be set for one device 10, or different profiles may be set for one user 10 for each user.

  A profile includes one or more groups. The group is a concept corresponding to, for example, a tab window on the operation screen. In FIG. 5, “sales” and “development” are shown as specific examples of the group. These correspond to the sales tab window or the development tab window, respectively.

  One group includes one or more projects and zero or more intermediary information. A project is a concept corresponding to an operation component such as a button arranged on a tab window, for example. In FIG. 5, “slip”, “daily report”, “product information”, “customer information”, “delivery information”, and the like are shown as specific examples of the project. These correspond to, for example, each button arranged in the sales tab window.

  The mediation information is information indicating mediation devices 50 that can be selected as mediation destinations for the external system 40 in each project belonging to the group. Specifically, the mediation information includes an address of the mediation device 50, authentication information for accessing the mediation device 50, and the like. A password may be used as an example of authentication information. The mediation information may be set not for each group but for each project.

  One project includes reading conditions, external linkage information, processing information, and priorities. The reading condition is a reading condition at the time of scanning. The external cooperation information is information indicating which folder of which external system 40 is a storage destination for job data. The processing information is information indicating processing (image processing) that is performed before storage on the scanned image data. The priority is information indicating which of the speed and quality is prioritized for the job related to the project. In the present embodiment, priority is applied particularly to processing.

  The profile entity having the above-described configuration is stored in the profile storage unit 231 as shown in FIG. 6, for example.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the profile storage unit. The profile storage unit 231 includes items such as a tenant ID, a profile name, a group, and a project for each profile.

  The tenant ID is the tenant ID of the tenant to which the profile belongs. The profile name is a profile identification name. A group is a group included in a profile. A record for each group (hereinafter referred to as “group record”) is formed in a record for one profile. A project is a project included in a group. A record for each project (hereinafter referred to as “project record”) is formed in one group record.

  One group record includes a group name, mediation information, and one or more project records. The group name is a group identification name, and is also a label displayed on the tab of the tab window corresponding to the group. The mediation information is set for a group that allows job data to be uploaded to the external system 40 via the mediation device 50. The contents of the mediation information are as described in FIG. When the mediation information can be set for each project, the mediation information is included in the project record.

  One project record includes a project name, reading conditions, processing information, external linkage information, and priorities. The project name is an identification name of the project, and is also a label of a button corresponding to the project. In the present embodiment, the project name matches the folder name of the external linkage information. The meanings of reading conditions, processing information, external linkage information, priority items, and the like are as described in FIG.

  Further, the association between the device 10 and the profile is stored in the profile device correspondence storage unit 232.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the profile device correspondence storage unit. As shown in FIG. 7, the profile device correspondence storage unit 232 stores the machine number and the profile name in association with each other. The machine number is identification information for each machine (individual) of the device 10. For example, a manufacturing number or a serial number may be used as the machine number.

  Note that the information stored in the profile storage unit 231 is registered by, for example, a setting operation via the profile editing screen provided by the UI unit 211 for the administrator terminal 30 in the tenant using the cloud scan service.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the profile editing screen. A profile editing screen 710 shown in FIG. 8 includes a tree area 711, a project editing area 712, and the like.

  In the tree area 711, a tree component in which a profile is assigned to a node in the first hierarchy and a group belonging to the profile is assigned to a node in the second hierarchy is displayed.

  For example, when a right click is performed in a state where the mouse cursor is positioned in a blank area in the tree area 711, the administrator terminal 30 displays a context menu including a menu item “add profile”. When the “add profile” menu item is selected, the administrator terminal 30 displays a screen for inputting a profile name and the like. When the profile name is input via the screen, the administrator terminal 30 adds a new first layer node related to the profile name to the tree area 711. When a node corresponding to any profile is right-clicked, the administrator terminal 30 displays a context menu including an “add group” menu item. When the “add group” menu item is selected, the administrator terminal 30 displays a screen for inputting a group name, mediation information, and the like. When a group name, mediation information, and the like are input via the screen, the administrator terminal 30 adds a node related to the group name under the right-clicked node. The mediation information is stored in the memory of the administrator terminal 30 in association with the group name.

  The project edit area 712 includes a project list area 713, a new project button 714, an edit button 715a, a copy button 715b, a delete button 715c, an OK button 717, and the like.

  In the project list area 713, information on projects is displayed in a list format for each project belonging to the group selected in the tree area 711. That is, one line in the project list area 713 corresponds to one project. When “▼” or “▲” in the “change order” column of the project list area 713 is operated, the administrator terminal 30 changes the order of the rows. Specifically, when “▼” is selected, the administrator terminal 30 exchanges the row where “▼” is selected with the row below the row. When “▲” is selected, the administrator terminal 30 exchanges the row where “▲” is selected with the row above the row. The line order corresponds to the display order of the buttons corresponding to the project.

  When the new project button 714 is pressed, the administrator terminal 30 adds a new line to the project list area 713. When the edit button 715a is pressed, the administrator terminal 30 is a screen for setting the project name, reading conditions, processing information, external linkage information, priority, and the like of the project relating to the row selected in the project list area 713. (Hereinafter referred to as “project setting screen”).

  For example, on the project setting screen, the priorities may be set via UI parts as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of setting priority items on the project setting screen. In the project setting screen 720 shown in FIG. 9, in the priority setting area 721, weights for speed and quality can be set by sliding a knob (black circle) on the horizontal axis with speed and quality as both ends. ing. However, such GUI (Graphical User Interface) is only an example. For example, a numerical value may be input for each of speed and quality, so that weighting for speed and quality may be set, and a radio having “speed”, “quality”, and “balance” as options. The priority may alternatively be selected by a button. “Balance” means combining both speed and quality in a balanced manner.

  In FIG. 9, setting areas for other items constituting the project are omitted for convenience.

  When reading conditions, external linkage information, and priorities are input via the project setting screen 720 and processing information is set as necessary, the administrator terminal 30 displays the set values in the project list area. Reflected in the row selected in 713. Note that in response to pressing of the new project button 714, the project setting screen 720 may be displayed, and a line including the value input to the project setting screen 720 may be newly added.

  When the copy button 715b is pressed, a copy of the line selected in the project list area 713 is added after the line or at the end of the project list area 713. When the delete button 715c is pressed, the administrator terminal 30 deletes the row (that is, the project) selected in the project list area 713.

  The editing result on the profile editing screen 710 is transmitted from the administrator terminal 30 to the profile management unit 213 of the service providing apparatus 20. The profile management unit 213 stores the editing result in the profile storage unit 231.

  Note that information stored in the profile device correspondence storage unit 232 is also set in the administrator terminal 30 via a predetermined screen provided by the UI unit 211, for example.

  Hereinafter, a processing procedure executed in the information processing system 1 will be described. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of a processing procedure of job execution processing of the cloud scan service in the first embodiment. It is assumed that the user of the device 10 has been authenticated by the authentication process by the authentication unit 212 of the service providing apparatus 20 before the process illustrated in FIG. Further, it is assumed that a profile associated with the device 10 is downloaded to the device 10 due to the success of the authentication process, and an operation screen based on the profile is displayed on the operation panel 15 of the device 10.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen displayed based on a profile. The operation screen 810 shown in FIG. 11 corresponds to the profile whose profile name is “A4pf” in FIG. 6.

  On the operation screen 810, tabs 811 and 812 correspond to groups, respectively. Buttons 813 to 816 displayed when the tab 811 is selected correspond to projects belonging to the group corresponding to the tab 811. A project is selected by pressing any button on the operation screen 810.

  When the user selects a project to be executed via the operation screen 810 and inputs a scan start instruction (S110), the scanner 12 of the device 10 follows the reading conditions in the project relating to the selected project name. The original is read (S120). As a result, image data (scanned image) indicating an image read from the document is generated.

  Note that, for example, when a predetermined operation is performed in a state in which any of the buttons 813 to 816 is selected, information on a project related to the selected button (hereinafter referred to as “project information”) is performed by the user. The setting may be changed. The project information includes reading conditions, processing information, external linkage information, and priorities of the project. Since the user's settings at the time of job execution are thought to more strongly indicate the user's intention with respect to the contents preset in the profile, the contents newly set for this job are The project information may be overwritten.

  Subsequently, the device 10 transmits (uploads) the scanned image to the data receiving unit 214 of the service providing apparatus 20 (S130). The data receiving unit 214 stores the received scanned image in the job data storage unit 233. Along with the storage, a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) is assigned to the scanned image. The URI (hereinafter referred to as “data URI”) is identification information for each job data and information indicating the storage position of the job data. When there are a plurality of documents and a plurality of scanned images are uploaded, a data URI is assigned to each scanned image. Subsequently, the data receiving unit 214 returns the data URI to the device 10 (S140). The device 10 receives the data URI.

  Subsequently, the device 10 receives the job information including the data URI, the profile name, the group name, and the project name related to the selected project, and the project information of the project related to the project name, etc. To the job execution unit 215 (S150). The project information included in the job information is information indicating processing to be executed by the service providing apparatus 20 or the like. Therefore, the job information is an example of a processing request related to job data related to the data URI. Hereinafter, the project is referred to as a “target project”, and a group to which the project belongs is referred to as a “target group”.

  When the job information is received by the job execution unit 215, the information acquisition unit 216 transmits an acquisition request for capability information and state information to the mediation device 50 specified based on the mediation information related to the target group ( S160). In response to the request, the mediation device 50 returns its capability information and current status information (S170).

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of capability information. In FIG. 12, capability information includes function information, device information, and the like.

  The device information is information related to the software of the device related to the capability information. For example, if the device is the mediation device 50, the information is related to software that causes the device to function as the mediation device 50. The device information includes items such as name, ID, manufacturer name, version, and update date. The name is an identification name of the software. The ID is identification information for each individual software. The manufacturer name is the name of the manufacturer of the software. The version is the version of the software. The update date / time is the update date / time of the software.

  The function information includes information indicating quality and speed for each function of the device related to the capability information. In FIG. 12, an example is shown in which the quality is expressed by numerical values of 10 levels and the speed is expressed by 2 levels of “1” and “2”, but the quality and speed are expressed by other scales. May be. In the present embodiment, “1” indicates that it is fast, and “2” indicates that it is slow.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of state information. In FIG. 13, the status information includes function information, device information, a time stamp, and the like.

  The function information includes information indicating the state of the function for each function of the device related to the state information. The information indicating the status of the function is, for example, information indicating the congestion status of processing related to the function (hereinafter referred to as “congestion information”), or information indicating the operating status of software that realizes the function in the device (hereinafter referred to as “congestion information”) "Operational information"). The congestion information is evaluated by, for example, the number of waiting. The number of waiting is the number of input data waiting for processing for the function (for example, the number of waiting for data in the queue). The operating state is expressed by “0” or “1”. “0” indicates a state in which normal processing is possible. “1” indicates a state in which an abnormality has occurred.

  The device information is the same as the device information in the capability information. The time stamp is information indicating the date and time when the state information is generated. That is, the time stamp is information indicating the date and time when the device is in the state indicated by the state information.

  If there is no mediation information in the target group, steps S160 and S170 need not be executed.

  The information acquisition unit 216 also acquires capability information and status information of the service providing device 20 and capability information of the external system 40 related to the external cooperation information of the target project. The capability information of the service providing device 20 is acquired from, for example, the auxiliary storage device 202 of the service providing device 20. The status information of the service providing device 20 may be generated by the information acquisition unit 216 confirming the status of the processing unit 218. The capability information of the external system 40 related to the external cooperation information of the target project is acquired from the external information storage unit 236. Alternatively, the capability information of the external system 40 may be acquired from the intermediary device 50 that mediates data upload to the external system 40. That is, in steps S160 and S170, the capability information and state information of the mediation device 50 and the capability information of the external system 40 with which the mediation device 50 cooperates may be acquired.

  Subsequently, the processing subject selection unit 217 applies the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 216 to the determination information related to the processing processing of the target project among the determination information stored in the determination information storage unit 235, thereby determining the target project. The execution subject of the processing process is selected (S180). That is, the determination information is prepared for each type of processing (by function).

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the determination information in the first embodiment. FIG. 14 shows determination information related to a certain type (for example, OCR) processing. The determination information includes information indicating the execution subject of the processing process for each congestion state of each device according to the combination of quality / speed of each device for each priority.

  The priority is a priority set for the target project. Quality / speed is the quality and speed related to the processing related to the determination information. Quality is expressed as “high”, “medium”, and “low”, and speed is expressed as “fast” and “slow”. The congestion information is a congestion state related to the processing related to the determination information, and is expressed as “non-congested” or “congested”. In the determination information, the execution subject is indicated for every combination of values that each of the priority, quality / speed, and congestion state can take. All combinations may be logically all combinations or practically all combinations. “Practically all combinations” refers to all combinations of values that each device can actually take. In FIG. 14, only some combinations are shown for convenience.

  For example, the priority is “speed”, and the quality / speed of the service providing apparatus 20, the intermediary apparatus 50, and the external system 40 related to the processing is “high / speed”, “high / speed”, “medium / speed”. In the case where the congestion state of the service providing device 20 and the mediation device 50 is “not crowded” or “not crowded”, this applies to the record A in FIG. Therefore, in this case, it is determined that the execution subject of the processing process is the service providing apparatus 20 (the service providing apparatus 20 is selected as the execution subject of the processing process).

  Further, the priority is “quality”, and the quality / speed of the service providing apparatus 20, the intermediary apparatus 50, and the external system 40 related to the processing is “high / fast”, “low / slow”, “low / slow”. When the congestion states of the service providing device 20 and the mediation device 50 are “congested” and “non-congested”, this applies to the record B in FIG. Accordingly, in this case, it is determined that the execution subject of the processing process is the mediation device 50 (the mediation device 50 is selected as the execution subject of the processing process).

  The priority is “speed”, and the quality / speed of the service providing device 20, the mediating device 50, and the external system 40 related to the processing is “high / speed”, “high / speed”, and “medium / speed”. When the congestion state of the service providing device 20 and the mediation device 50 is “congested” or “congested”, this applies to the record C in FIG. Therefore, in this case, the execution subject of the processing process is determined to be the external system 40 (the external system 40 is selected as the execution subject of the processing process).

  For example, when there is an apparatus that does not have the processing, all the values in the column of the apparatus are empty, and the apparatus is not set as an execution subject.

  Of the capability information related to each device, the quality and speed of the function related to the processing are applied to “quality / speed”. In addition, among the state information related to each device, the number of standby functions and the operating state of the function related to the processing are applied to the “congested state”. In the present embodiment, the quality information quality scale is different from the quality information quality scale, but when applying to the judgment information, the performance information quality is determined according to a predetermined conversion rule. What is necessary is just to convert into a scale. The waiting number and the operating state in the state information may also be converted into a measure of the congestion state in the determination information according to a predetermined conversion rule. Alternatively, the determination information may be set as a value that matches the scale of capability information and state information.

  In FIG. 14, the determination information is shown in a table format. However, the determination information is described in another format such as an XML (eXtensible Markup Language) format or a JSON (JavaScript (registered trademark) Object Notation) format. Also good. The determination information may be incorporated as logic of the processing subject selection unit 217.

  For example, when the service providing apparatus 20 is selected as the execution subject of the modification process, the modification processing unit 218 uses the data URI included in the job information among the job data stored in the job data storage unit 233. The processing related to the target project is executed on the job data (S190). For example, if the processing process related to the target project is an OCR process, the OCR process is executed on the job data.

  Subsequently, the distribution processing unit 219 transmits an upload request for data output as a result of the processing process to the mediation device 50 specified based on the mediation information of the target group (S200). The upload request includes, for example, the external cooperation information of the target project and information indicating the execution subject of the processing processing of the target project, which is the selection result in step S180. Data before processing may be included in the upload target. Subsequently, the mediation device 50 uploads data related to the upload request to the external system 40 indicated by the external cooperation information (S210). As a result, the data is stored in the external system 40.

  If the information indicating the execution subject of the processing of the target project indicates the mediation device 50, the mediation device 50 executes the processing. The intermediary device 50 uploads the data generated as the execution result of the processing process or the data and the data before the processing process to the external system 40.

  Further, if the information indicating the execution subject of the processing processing of the target project indicates the external system 40, the mediation device 50 uploads data related to the upload request together with the processing processing execution request (S210). The format of the processing execution request depends on the interface disclosed by the external system 40. When the external system 40 executes the machining process as the default process, a special execution request for the machining process may not be transmitted to the external system 40.

  When the target project does not include the mediation information, the distribution processing unit 219 uploads data to the external system 40 directly. This is because the distribution processing unit 219 knows the interface of the external system 40 in this case.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, an apparatus that executes processing of data based on the capability and state of each apparatus from among a plurality of apparatuses that process data uploaded from a device. Is selected. Therefore, it is possible to improve flexibility with respect to execution of processing on data uploaded from the device. As a result, for example, the processing load of the entire system can be leveled, and the execution time of each job can be expected to be shortened.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be described. Accordingly, points not particularly mentioned may be the same as those in the first embodiment.

  In the second embodiment, the device 10 is also a candidate for the execution subject of the processing process. Therefore, the processing procedure shown in FIG. 10 is changed as shown in FIG. 15, for example.

  FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram for explaining a first example of a processing procedure of job execution processing of the cloud scan service in the second embodiment. In FIG. 15, the same steps as those in FIG. 10 are denoted by the same step numbers, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  Subsequent to step S110, the device 10 transmits capability information of the device 10 related to the processing of the selected project (target project) to the service providing apparatus 20 (S111).

  In steps S112 to S114, the service providing apparatus 20 executes the same processing as in steps S160 to S180 in FIG. However, in step S114, information including the capability information received from the device 10 is applied to the determination information shown in FIG. 16, and the execution subject of the processing process is selected.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of determination information according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 16, a column of devices is further added. That is, the capability information received from the device 10 is applied to the column. In some cases, the device 10 is selected as the execution subject.

  In the present embodiment, since there is only one user who can use the device 10 at the same time, the status information regarding the device 10 is taken into consideration because it is unlikely that data waiting for processing in the device 10 will be generated. Not. However, the state information may be taken into account for the device 10 as well. In this case, in step S111, the device 10 may transmit state information in addition to capability information. In addition, a combination relating to the state of the device 10 may be further added to the determination information illustrated in FIG.

  Subsequently, the processing subject selection unit 217 of the service providing apparatus 20 returns information indicating the execution subject of the processing related to the target project to the device 10 (S115). When the information indicates the device 10, the device 10 performs a processing process on the scanned image read in step S120 (S121). Subsequently, steps S130 to S150 are executed. In step S130, the data generated as the execution result of the processing process, or the data and the scanned image are transmitted. In step S150, the device 10 transmits job information including the information received in step S115 (information indicating the execution subject of the processing process) to the service providing apparatus 20.

  When the service providing apparatus 20 receives such job information, the service providing apparatus 20 executes Step S200 without executing Steps S160 to S190. In other words, the job execution unit 215 determines that there is no need to execute the processing based on the job information, and does not execute step S190. The subsequent steps are the same as in FIG. In step S200, information indicating that the execution subject of the processing process is the device 10 is transmitted to the mediation device 50 together with the data to be uploaded. Based on the information, the mediation device 50 determines that there is no need to execute the processing process.

  Subsequently, in the second embodiment, a processing procedure in the case where the service providing apparatus 20 is selected as an execution subject of the processing process of the target project will be described.

  FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram for explaining a second example of the processing procedure of the job execution process of the cloud scan service according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 17, the same steps as those in FIG. 15 are denoted by the same step numbers and the description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 17, in step S <b> 114, the service providing apparatus 20 is selected as the execution subject of the processing process. Therefore, information indicating the service providing apparatus 20 as a processing execution subject is returned to the device 10 in step S115.

  Based on the information, the device 10 executes step S130 and subsequent steps without executing the processing (S121). In step S <b> 150, the device 10 transmits job information including the information received in step S <b> 115 (information indicating that the service providing apparatus 20 is the execution subject of the processing process) to the service providing apparatus 20.

  When such job information is received in the service providing apparatus 20, the processing unit 218 of the service providing apparatus 20 executes the processing of the target project with respect to the job data (S190). Subsequently, step S200 and subsequent steps are executed. In step S <b> 200, information indicating that the execution subject of the processing process is the service providing apparatus 20 is transmitted to the mediation apparatus 50 together with the upload target data. Based on the information, the mediation device 50 determines that there is no need to execute the processing process.

  Subsequently, in the second embodiment, a processing procedure in the case where the mediation device 50 is selected as an execution subject of the processing process of the target project will be described.

  FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram for explaining a third example of the processing procedure of the job execution processing of the cloud scan service according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 18, the same steps as those in FIG.

  In step S150 of FIG. 18, the job execution unit 215 of the service providing apparatus 20 receives job information including information indicating that the execution subject of the processing of the target project is the mediation apparatus 50. Based on the job information, the job execution unit 215 determines that the service providing apparatus 20 does not need to execute the processing.

  Subsequently, the distribution processing unit 219 transmits a job data upload request to the mediation device 50 together with information indicating that the execution subject of the processing of the target project is the mediation device 50 (S200). Based on the information, the mediation device 50 executes the processing on the job data (S201). Subsequently, the mediation device 50 uploads data generated as a result of the processing process, or the data and the data before the processing process, to the external system 40 (S210).

  Subsequently, in the second embodiment, a processing procedure when the external system 40 is selected as an execution subject of the processing processing of the target project will be described.

  FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram for explaining a fourth example of the processing procedure of the job execution processing of the cloud scan service in the second embodiment. In FIG. 19, the same steps as those in FIG. 18 are denoted by the same step numbers, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In step S150 of FIG. 18, the job execution unit 215 of the service providing apparatus 20 receives job information including information indicating that the execution subject of the processing processing of the target project is the external system 40. Based on the job information, the job execution unit 215 determines that the service providing apparatus 20 does not need to execute the processing.

  Subsequently, the distribution processing unit 219 transmits a job data upload request to the intermediary device 50 together with information indicating that the execution subject of the processing of the target project is the external system 40 (S200). Based on the information, the mediation device 50 determines that the mediation device 50 does not need to execute the processing. Therefore, the intermediary device 50 uploads a processing execution request to the external system 40 together with the job data (S210). Note that the format of the execution request for processing depends on the interface published by the external system 40 as described in the first embodiment. The external system 40 performs processing on the uploaded job data (S211).

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the device 10 can also be included in the candidates for the execution subject of the processing process. Therefore, it can be expected that the effect obtained by the first embodiment becomes more remarkable.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, an example has been described in which the information acquisition unit 216 acquires capability information, status information, and the like during job execution. However, the information may be periodically acquired in advance by, for example, polling. In this case, steps S160 and S170 in FIG. 10 and steps S112 and S113 in FIGS. 15, 17, 18, and 19 may not be executed.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the example in which the state information of the external system 40 is not taken into account has been described. The state of the external system 40 may be determined. The mediation device 50 or the information acquisition unit 216 may generate state information of the external system 40 based on the determination result.

  The data uploaded to the service providing apparatus 20 is not limited to the image data scanned by the image forming apparatus. For example, data stored in a mobile terminal, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a PC, a digital camera, or the like may be uploaded to the service providing apparatus 20. In addition, data generated based on information drawn on the electronic blackboard may be uploaded to the service providing apparatus 20.

Further, in the present embodiment, the processing process has been described as an example of a process using data. However, the present embodiment may be applied to, for example, file conversion, moving image generation, or various image processing. In each of the above embodiments, the data reception unit 214 and the job execution unit 215 are examples of a reception unit. The processing main body selection unit 217 is an example of a selection unit.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to such specific embodiment, In the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim, various deformation | transformation・ Change is possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information processing system 10 Apparatus 11 Controller 12 Scanner 13 Printer 14 Modem 15 Operation panel 16 Network interface 17 SD card slot 20 Service provision apparatus 30 Administrator terminal 40 External system 50 Mediation apparatus 80 SD card 111 CPU
112 RAM
113 ROM
114 HDD
115 NVRAM
121 Scan Control Unit 122 Communication Control Unit 200 Drive Device 201 Recording Medium 202 Auxiliary Storage Device 203 Memory Device 204 CPU
205 Interface Device 211 UI Unit 212 Authentication Unit 213 Profile Management Unit 214 Data Reception Unit 215 Job Execution Unit 216 Information Acquisition Unit 217 Processing Subject Selection Unit 218 Processing Processing Unit 219 Distribution Processing Unit 231 Profile Storage Unit 232 Profile Device Corresponding Storage Unit 233 Job Data storage unit 234 User information storage unit 235 Determination information storage unit 236 External information storage unit B bus

JP 2007-166595 A JP 2014-32659 A

Claims (8)

An information processing system including one or more information processing devices,
A receiving unit that receives data and a processing request related to the data from a device connected via a network;
Among the plurality of information processing apparatuses that execute the process according to the processing request, an information processing apparatus that executes the process that uses the data among the processes according to the processing request A selection unit that selects based on capability information and state information of each information processing device;
I have a,
The selection unit acquires, from each information processing device, information indicating an information processing device that executes a process using the data for each combination of a value that can be taken as the capability information and a value that can be taken as the state information. Applying the capability information and the state information acquired from each of the information processing devices, and selecting an information processing device that executes the processing,
An information processing system characterized by this. The selection unit indicates capability information of each information processing device regarding the processing using the data, status information of each information processing device, and priorities regarding the processing using the data included in the processing request. Selecting an information processing device to execute the process based on the information;
The information processing system according to claim 1 . The selection unit executes a process that uses the data for each combination of a value that can be taken as a priority for a process that uses the data, a value that can be taken as the capability information, and a value that can be taken as the status information. Information indicating an information processing device includes information indicating the priority items included in the processing request, the capability information acquired from the information processing devices, and the status information acquired from the information processing devices. And select an information processing device that executes the process.
The information processing system according to claim 2 . The receiving unit receives capability information of the device related to processing using the data,
The selection unit is configured to select a device or an information processing device that executes a process that uses the data among the processing according to the processing request from the device and the plurality of information processing devices. Select based on the capability information of the processing device and the status information of each information processing device,
The information processing system of any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it has the. The priority is the quality of processing using the data or the speed of processing using the data.
The information processing system according to claim 2 or 3, The capability information includes information indicating the quality of processing using the data or information indicating the speed of processing using the data.
Claims 1 to 5 information processing system according to any one claim, characterized in that. The status information of each information processing device includes information indicating a congestion status of processing using the data.
The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6 . An information processing system including one or more information processing devices is provided.
A receiving procedure for receiving data and a processing request relating to the data from a device connected via a network;
Among the plurality of information processing apparatuses that execute the process according to the processing request, an information processing apparatus that executes the process that uses the data among the processes according to the processing request A selection procedure to select based on capability information and status information of each information processing device;
The execution,
The selection procedure is acquired from each information processing device as information indicating an information processing device that executes processing using the data for each combination of a value that can be taken as the capability information and a value that can be taken as the state information. Applying the capability information and the state information acquired from each of the information processing devices, and selecting an information processing device that executes the processing,
An information processing method characterized by the above.

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