JP6511984B2 - Image forming apparatus, image forming system, image forming method, and image forming program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, image forming method and, relates to an image forming program.

  Various types of information are input to an output destination to which various documents are submitted according to a format which is a form of an output document defined for each output destination, and a business report etc. is submitted. For example, a user belonging to a store or the like prepares a document to be submitted to a management company as an output destination according to a format corresponding to the management company, and submits the document to the management company.

  Systematization of these business report processing has been carried out. For example, a character string or the like is extracted from image data obtained by scanning a document image, and applied to a format for each output destination.

  However, conventionally, it has been difficult for the user to newly add information other than the items defined in the predetermined format. That is, in the related art, it has been difficult to easily add and output additional information according to the output destination.

To solve the above problems and achieve the object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus having at least a scanner, an acquisition unit that acquires an input document in the scanner, the input document a first receiving unit which receives a submission destination input at the time of submitting the information as business report including, I form der of the first output document to be submitted to the submission destination, the items corresponding to the business report The identification unit for identifying the format to be included, the second reception unit for receiving the input of additional information that is the content of the report to be added to the business report according to the submission destination, and the extraction information extracted from the input document And an output unit for outputting output information including the second output document assigned to the item of the format and the additional information as the business report .

  According to the present invention, the additional information according to the output destination can be easily added and output.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an information processing system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the MFP according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing an example of the software configuration of the MFP. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a hardware configuration of the terminal device. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the operation unit according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of data stored in the storage unit. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the login screen. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of output information. FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing an example of the input screen. FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing an example of the input screen. FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing an example of the input screen. FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing an example of the input screen. FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing an example of the input screen. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the operation unit. FIG. 15 is a view showing an example of the data configuration of the authentication information. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the terminal device. FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram showing the procedure of the charging process. FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of the task report process. FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of task report processing. FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of the task report process.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, an image forming system, image forming method, and, illustrating the embodiment of an image forming program in detail.

First Embodiment
In this embodiment, the engaging Ru images forming apparatus of the present invention, MFP: a will be described as an example of application to (MFP Multifunction Peripheral). The multifunction peripheral is a device having at least two functions of a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a fax function.

In this embodiment, the engaging Ru images forming apparatus of the present invention will be described as an example of application to a MFP, application equipment engagement Ru images forming apparatus of the present invention, limited to It is not something to be done.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an information processing system 100 according to the present embodiment.

  The information processing system 100 includes an MFP 1 and a terminal device 2. The MFP 1 and the terminal device 2 are connected via a network 30 such as the Internet.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment. Although FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate the case where the number of MFPs 1 and the number of terminal devices 2 included in the information processing system 100 is one, the number of MFPs 1 and the number of terminal devices 2 is not limited thereto. Is optional.

  The MFP 1 includes a main body unit 10 and an operation unit 20.

  The main unit 10 can execute various functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a fax function. The operation unit 20 receives various inputs according to the user's operation and displays various screens. The main body unit 10 and the operation unit 20 are communicably connected to each other via a dedicated communication path 31. The communication path 31 may use, for example, the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard, but it may be an arbitrary standard regardless of whether it is wired or wireless.

  The main body unit 10 can perform an operation according to the input received by the operation unit 20. Further, the main unit 10 can communicate with an external device such as a client PC (personal computer) or the terminal device 2 via the network 30, and can also perform an operation according to an instruction received from the external device.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the main unit 10 will be described. The main unit 10 includes a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 14, a communication unit 15, a connection unit 16, and an engine unit 17, which are mutually connected via a system bus 18. It is done.

  The CPU 11 centrally controls the operation of the main body unit 10. The CPU 11 controls the entire operation of the main unit 10 by executing a program stored in the ROM 12 or the HDD 14 using the RAM 13 as a work area (work area) to control the copy function, the printer function, the scanner function, and the fax function. Implement various functions such as functions.

  The communication unit 15 communicates with an external device such as a client PC (personal computer). The connection unit 16 communicates with the operation unit 20 via the communication path 31.

  The engine unit 17 includes hardware resources for performing processing other than general-purpose information processing and communication for realizing the copy function, the printer function, the scanner function, and the fax function.

  The hardware resources included in the engine unit 17 are, for example, an image reading unit (scanner unit), an HDD, a plotter (image forming unit), a communication unit, various memories, and the like. These hardware resources define hardware resources to be used for each function.

  That is, the engine unit 17 is, for example, a plurality of hardware resources (for example, an image reading unit (scanner unit), an HDD, and the like) for realizing a scanner function for scanning and reading an image of a document; A plurality of hardware resources (for example, a plotter (image forming unit), an HDD, etc.) for realizing a copy function for printing on a plurality of hardware resources (for example, a communication unit, an image for realizing a fax function) And a reading unit, an HDD, etc.). Note that these HDDs may be HDDs 14.

  The engine unit 17 may further include a specific option such as a finisher for sorting printed recording media, or an ADF (automatic document feeder) for automatically feeding the recording media.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the operation unit 20 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 20 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, an HDD 24, a communication unit 25, a connection unit 26, an operation panel 27, and an external connection unit 29. They are mutually connected via a system bus 28.

  The CPU 21 centrally controls the operation of the operation unit 20. The CPU 21 controls the entire operation of the operation unit 20 by executing a program stored in the ROM 22 or the HDD 24 using the RAM 23 as a work area (work area) to display various images on the operation panel 27 (display unit 27A). Do.

  The communication unit 25 communicates with an external device such as the terminal device 2 via the network 30. The connection unit 26 communicates with the main unit 10 via the communication path 31. The external connection unit 29 communicates with the IC card reader 3. The IC card reader 3 is a device for reading such information from an IC card storing user identification information (hereinafter sometimes referred to as user ID) and a password.

  The operation panel 27 receives various inputs according to the user's operation and displays various images.

  In the present embodiment, the case where operation panel 27 has a configuration including display unit 27A and input unit 27B will be described. That is, although the case where the operation panel 27 is configured by a liquid crystal display (LCD) having a touch panel function is described in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the operation panel 27 may be configured of an organic EL display device equipped with a touch panel function. Furthermore, in addition to or in place of this, an input unit 27B such as a hardware key or a display unit 27A such as an LCD can be provided.

  Next, the software configuration of the MFP 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing an example of the software configuration of the MFP 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the main body unit 10 includes an application layer 10A, a service layer 10B, and an OS layer 10C. The entities of the application layer 10A, the service layer 10B, and the OS layer 10C are various software stored in the ROM 12, the HDD 14, or the like. Various functions are provided by the CPU 11 executing these software.

  The software of the application layer 10A is application software (in the following description, it may be simply referred to as "application") for operating hardware resources to provide predetermined functions. Examples of the application include a copy application for providing a printer function, a scanner application for providing a scanner function, a fax application for providing a fax function, and a printing application for providing a copy function.

  Software of the service layer 10B is interposed between the application layer 10A and the OS layer 10C, and is a software for providing an application with an API (application program interface) for utilizing the hardware resources of the main unit 10 It is. The API makes it possible to receive a processing request from the application layer 10A by a previously defined function or the like.

  More specifically, the software of the service layer 10B is software for providing a function of accepting an operation request for hardware resources and arbitrating the operation request. As the operation request received by the service layer 10B, a request such as reading by a scanner or printing by a plotter can be considered.

  The function of the API by the service layer 10B is provided not only to the application layer 10A of the main unit 10 but also to the application layer 21A of the operation unit 20. That is, the application layer 21A (application) of the operation unit 20 can also realize the function using the hardware resource of the main unit 10 through the API of the service layer 10B.

  Also, the service layer 10B determines whether the requested hardware resource is available (whether or not it is used by another request), and if available, the requested hardware resource is available. Tell the upper layer that there is a certain. In addition, the service layer 10B performs usage scheduling of hardware resources in response to a request from the upper layer, and executes request contents (for example, paper conveyance and image forming operation, memory reservation, file generation, and the like by a printer engine).

  The software of the OS layer 10C is basic software (operating system) that controls the main unit 10. The software of the service layer 10B converts the use request of the hardware resource from various applications into a command interpretable by the OS layer 10C and passes it to the OS layer 10C. Then, when the command is executed by the software of the OS layer 10C, the hardware resource performs an operation according to the request of the application.

  The operation unit 20 includes an application layer 21A, a service layer 21B, and an OS layer 21C. The hierarchical structure of the application layer 21A, the service layer 21B, and the OS layer 21C included in the operation unit 20 is the same as that on the main body unit 10 side. However, the functions provided by the application of the application layer 21A and the types of operation requests that can be received by the service layer 21B are different from those on the main body unit 10 side. The application of the application layer 21A may be software for operating a hardware resource included in the operation unit 20 to provide a predetermined function.

  In the present embodiment, the application of the application layer 21A is mainly a UI for performing operations and display relating to functions (a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a fax function) provided in the main unit 10 and a business report function described later. Software for realizing the function of the user interface) and the business report function.

  The task report function is a function to output output information including the second output document in which the extraction information extracted from the input document is assigned to the format of the output destination and additional information received from the user to the output destination. is there. In the present embodiment, the business report function reports, for example, a user belonging to a store, or the like, to store information such as sales, item information on items sold, customer information, etc. to an output destination such as a parent company or a management company. It is a function to be executed by the MFP 1 (the operation unit 20) at the same time. Details of the task report function will be described later.

  Also, the application of the application layer 21A includes a web application program that enables web browsing. The web application program issues an API that manages the function selected by the user.

  In the present embodiment, the software of the OS layer 10C of the main unit 10 and the software of the OS layer 21C of the operation unit 20 are different from each other in order to maintain the independence of the functions. That is, the main body unit 10 and the operation unit 20 operate independently of each other in different operating systems. For example, it is also possible to use Linux (registered trademark) as the software of the OS layer 10C on the main unit 10 side and use Android (registered trademark) as the software of the OS layer 21C on the operation unit 20 side.

  In MFP 1 of the present embodiment, since main body unit 10 and operation unit 20 operate with different operating systems, communication between main body unit 10 and operation unit 20 is not inter-process communication within a common device, It is performed as communication between different devices. The operation (command communication) of transmitting the input (instruction content from the user) received by the operation unit 20 to the main unit 10, the operation of notifying the operation unit 20 of an event by the main unit 10, and the like correspond to this. Here, when the operation unit 20 performs command communication to the main unit 10, the function of the main unit 10 can be used. Further, examples of the event notified from the main unit 10 to the operation unit 20 include an execution status of an operation in the main unit 10, contents set on the main unit 10 side, and the like.

  Further, in the present embodiment, power supply to the operation unit 20 is performed from the main unit 10 via the communication path 31. Therefore, power control of the operation unit 20 is performed separately from power control of the main unit 10. It can be done (independently).

  Next, the terminal device 2 will be described. The terminal device 2 is a portable terminal device. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a hardware configuration of the terminal device 2. The terminal device 2 includes a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, an HDD 34, a communication unit 35, an operation panel 36, and an external connection unit 37, which are mutually connected via a system bus 38.

  The CPU 31 centrally controls the operation of the terminal device 2. The CPU 31 controls the entire operation of the terminal device 2 by executing a program stored in the ROM 32 or the HDD 34 using the RAM 33 as a work area (work area) to display various images on the operation panel 36 (display unit 36A). Do.

  Communication unit 35 communicates with an external device such as MFP 1 via network 30. The external connection unit 37 communicates with the IC card reader 4. The IC card reader 4 is a device for reading such information from an IC card storing a user ID, a password and the like.

  The operation panel 36 receives various inputs according to the user's operation and displays various images.

  In the present embodiment, the case where operation panel 36 has a configuration including display unit 36A and input unit 36B will be described. That is, although the case where the operation panel 36 is configured by a liquid crystal display (LCD) having a touch panel function is described in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the operation panel 36 may be configured by an organic EL display device equipped with a touch panel function. Furthermore, in addition to or instead of this, an input unit 36B such as a hardware key or a display unit 36A such as an LCD can be provided.

  Next, the function of the operation unit 20 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the operation unit 20 according to the present embodiment.

  Operation unit 20 includes an information processing unit 40, an operation panel 27, and a storage unit 42. The information processing unit 40, the operation panel 27, and the storage unit 42 are connected so as to be able to transmit and receive signals.

  In the present embodiment, the information processing unit 40 realizes a function of a UI (user interface) and a task report function.

  The storage unit 42 corresponds to the HDD 24 and the RAM 23 shown in FIG. The storage unit 42 stores various data. In the present embodiment, the storage unit 42 stores various data required to execute the task report function. Specifically, the storage unit 42 stores format management information, authentication information, management information, additional position information, an input document, and the like.

  FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of the data configuration of data stored in the storage unit 42. As shown in FIG. FIG. 6A shows an example of the data configuration of the format management information 70. As shown in FIG.

  The format management information 70 is information for managing the format. The format management information 70 is, for example, a database or a table, and the data format is not limited. Each data stored in the format management information 70 is generated in advance and registered in the format management information 70 in advance. The data registered in the format management information 70 may be appropriately changed by the operation of the input unit 27B by the user.

  The format is a form of an output document (referred to as a first output document) to be output to the output destination. The output destination indicates a submission destination to which the user operating the operation unit 20 submits various information such as a task report. The output destination is, for example, a management company of a facility in which the store is located, a parent company of the store, or the like when the user who reports on the business submits information on the store.

  The first output document is a document that defines items included in the output document to be output to the output destination. The items are, for example, sales, customer information, item names to be sold, etc., and differ depending on the output destination. Also, the format of the first output document differs depending on the output destination. The format is in the form of a first output document. The format defines a form such as an item included in the first output document, a position of the item in the first output document, and a data format of data corresponding to the item.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that one format (ie, one type of first output document form) is associated with one output destination.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the format management information 70 is information in which an output destination ID, an output destination name, a format ID, a format, an output form, and an output destination address are associated with one another.

  The output destination ID is identification information of an output destination (a parent company, a management company, etc.) which is a business report destination of the store to which the user belongs. The output destination name is the name of the output destination identified by the output destination ID. The output destination name is, for example, the name of an output destination (a parent company, a management company, etc.) which is a business report destination of a store to which the user belongs. The format ID is identification information that identifies the format. The format is a format identified by a format ID, as described above. In the present embodiment, one format is stored in advance in association with one output destination ID.

  The output form indicates the output form of the output information to the output destination specified by the corresponding output destination ID. The output form is, for example, mail, fax, mail, and the like.

  The output destination address is address information indicating an output destination. In the "output destination address" column of the format management information 70, when the corresponding output form is "e-mail", the e-mail address of the output destination is registered in advance as the output destination address. Further, when the corresponding output form is “fax”, the fax number of the output destination is registered in advance as the output destination address. Further, when the corresponding output form is “postal”, the address of the output destination is registered in advance as the output destination address.

  FIG. 6B is a view showing an example of the data configuration of the authentication information 71. As shown in FIG. The authentication information 71 is information used for user authentication. In the present embodiment, the authentication information 71 is information in which a tenant ID, a tenant name, a user ID, a user name, a password, and attribute information are associated. The authentication information 71 may be a database or a table. Each data stored in the authentication information 71 is generated in advance and registered in the authentication information 71 in advance. The data registered in the authentication information 71 may be changed as appropriate by the operation of the input unit 27B by the user.

  The tenant ID is identification information of a store to which the user belongs. The tenant name is the name of a store identified by the tenant ID. The user ID is identification information for identifying the user, and the user name is the name of the user identified by the user ID. The password is a password used at the time of authentication. Attribute information is information on the attribute of the user identified by the corresponding user ID. The attribute information includes, for example, the department to which the user is identified by the corresponding user ID, the access right to data, and the like.

  The authentication information 71 may be any information that associates at least a user ID with a password, and may not include at least one of a tenant ID, a tenant name, a user name, and attribute information.

  FIG. 6C is a view showing an example of the data configuration of the management information 72. As shown in FIG. The management information 72 is various information used when executing the business processing function in the information processing unit 40. Each piece of information registered in the management information 72 is appropriately updated by execution of the task report function by the information processing unit 40.

  The management information 72 includes, for example, a tenant ID, a user ID, a report ID, an update date and time, a state, an output destination ID, an output destination name, an output form, additional information, and a change reason. . The management information 72 may be a database or a table, and the data format is not limited.

  The report ID is identification information that identifies each of the business report. The update date indicates the date when the content of the business report identified by the corresponding report ID is updated. The status is information indicating the current status of the business report identified by the corresponding report ID. The status is, for example, reported, scanned, etc.

  "Reported" indicates that output information (described in detail later) corresponding to the business report identified by the corresponding report ID has been reported. Scanned indicates that an input document (described in detail later) related to the business report identified by the corresponding report ID has been acquired. In addition, the kind of state is not limited to these.

  The change reason indicates the change reason when the content of the business report identified by the corresponding report ID is changed. The change reason is input by the operation instruction of the operation panel 27 by the user.

  The additional information is information additionally added by the user according to the output destination. In other words, the additional information is information not included in the format corresponding to the output destination. The additional information is information not included in the first output document to be output to the output destination. The additional information is, for example, information indicating an outline of information included in a second output document obtained by assigning extraction information extracted from an input document to a format, supplementary information, or the like. The supplementary information is, for example, information on discount of the item, information indicating free distribution of the service item, or information indicating a discount period.

  The additional information is input by an operation instruction of the operation panel 27 by the user.

  FIG. 6D shows an example of the data configuration of the additional position information 73. As shown in FIG. Each data stored in the additional position information 73 is generated in advance and registered in the additional position information 73 in advance. The data registered in the additional position information 73 may be appropriately changed by the operation of the input unit 27B by the user.

  The addition position information 73 is information indicating the addition position of the additional information in the output information. The output information is information to be output to the output destination. In the present embodiment, as an example, a case where the additional information addition position is previously determined for each output form will be described. As an additional position corresponding to the output mode "fax", for example, the margin portion of the second output document to be faxed can be mentioned. Further, as an additional position corresponding to the output form "mail", for example, a column of the text of the mail can be mentioned.

  The addition position of the additional information may be determined for each output destination. In this case, the additional position information 73 may be information in which the output ID and the additional position are associated with each other.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the information processing unit 40 executes the task report function in the present embodiment. The information processing unit 40 is a computer that functions by the CPU 21, the ROM 22, the RAM 23, and the like.

  The information processing unit 40 includes a display control unit 40A, an input reception unit 40B, an authentication unit 40C, an execution control unit 40D, an acquisition unit 40E, a first reception unit 40F, an identification unit 40G, and an extraction unit 40H. , A generation unit 40I, a second reception unit 40J, an addition unit 40K, and an output unit 40L.

  Display control unit 40A, input reception unit 40B, authentication unit 40C, execution control unit 40D, acquisition unit 40E, first reception unit 40F, identification unit 40G, extraction unit 40H, generation unit 40I, second reception unit 40J, addition For example, part or all of the unit 40K and the output unit 40L may be realized by causing a processing device such as a CPU to execute a program, that is, realized by software or realized by hardware such as an IC (Integrated Circuit). It may be realized by combining software and hardware.

  The display control unit 40A performs control to display various images and information on the display unit 27A. The display control unit 40A controls the display unit 27A by executing the above-described web application program.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the login screen 50 displayed on the display unit 27A. Immediately after startup of the MFP 1 or in a state where the user does not perform any operation, the display control unit 40A performs control to display the login screen 50 shown in FIG. 7 on the display unit 27A, for example. The login screen 50 may be configured to further include an input field for inputting the tenant ID of the store to which the user belongs.

  The user operates the input unit 27B while referring to the login screen 50 to input a user ID and a password.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the input receiving unit 40B receives an operation instruction of the input unit 27B from the user. For example, when the user ID and the password are input through the login screen 50, the input receiving unit 40B receives the user ID and the password.

  The authentication unit 40C performs an authentication process. The authentication process is a process of determining whether the user ID and the password accepted by the input accepting unit 40B are registered in the authentication information 71 of the storage unit 42 or not.

  The execution control unit 40D controls the execution of each function of the main body unit 10. For example, the execution control unit 40D controls the engine unit 17.

  The acquisition unit 40E acquires an input document. The input manuscript is written data in which various information is reported to the output destination such as the management company or the parent company. The input document is, for example, data obtained by scanning a sales slip, a document in which customer information is written, or the like. In the slip, for example, a product name, which is the name of the item, a price, a number, a user name, a delivery date of the item, a delivery date to a customer, a delivery date, etc. are described.

  The acquiring unit 40E may acquire an input document from the engine unit 17 of the main body unit 10, or may acquire an input document from the HDD 24, an external device, or the like. Specifically, the acquisition unit 40E reads a document by the scanner function of the engine unit 17, and acquires data of the read document as an input document. Further, the acquisition unit 40E acquires an input document by reading the input document stored in the storage unit 42. In addition, the acquisition unit 40E may acquire an input document from an external device or the like via the network 30.

  The acquisition unit 40E stores the acquired input document in the storage unit 42. In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which the acquiring unit 40E generates a new report ID each time an input document is newly acquired. Then, the acquisition unit 40E stores the acquired input document in the storage unit 42 in association with the generated report ID. Then, the acquisition unit 40E updates the management information 72. The acquiring unit 40E may store the input document in the storage unit 42 in association with the user ID used at the time of the authentication process immediately before the acquisition of the input document.

  The first accepting unit 40F accepts an output destination of the input document. The user operates the operation panel 27 to input the output destination of the input document. The first accepting unit 40F accepts an output destination from the operation panel 27 via the input accepting unit 40B.

  The identifying unit 40G identifies a format that is a form of a first output document to be output to the output destination, which corresponds to the output destination accepted by the first accepting unit 40F. Specifically, the specifying unit 40G reads the format corresponding to the output destination ID of the output destination received by the first receiving unit 40F from the format management information 70 (see FIG. 6A). Thereby, the specification unit 40G specifies the format corresponding to the received output destination.

  The extraction unit 40H extracts extraction information from the input document acquired by the acquisition unit 40E. The extraction information is a character string included in the input document, a predetermined image, or the like. In the present embodiment, the extraction information is data corresponding to each item defined in the format specified by the specifying unit 40G. The extraction unit 40H may read a character string or the like included in the input document by, for example, a known character recognition (OCR) technique and extract it as extraction information. A known method may be used as a method of extracting data (extraction information) corresponding to each item specified in the format from the input document by the extraction unit 40H.

  The generation unit 40I generates the second output document by assigning the extraction information extracted by the extraction unit 40H to the format identified by the identification unit 40G. Specifically, the generation unit 40I assigns the extraction information corresponding to each item extracted by the extraction unit 40H to each position of the corresponding item specified in the format specified by the specification unit 40G. By this allocation, the specification unit 40G generates a second output document in which the extraction information extracted by the extraction unit 40H is allocated to the format specified by the identification unit 40G. A known method may be used as a method of generating the second output document by the generation unit 40I.

  Here, in some cases, the user may want to further add additional information to the second output document in which the extraction information extracted from the input document is assigned to the format specified by the identification unit 40G.

  The additional information is, as described above, information not included in the format corresponding to the output destination. Further, as described above, the additional information may be, for example, information indicating an outline of the information included in the second output document, supplemental information (information on a discount of the item, information indicating a free distribution of the service item, a discount Information indicating a period).

  Conventionally, it has been difficult to easily add additional information to the generated second output document. However, in some cases, the user may wish to submit additional information to the output destination after giving appropriate information. For example, it may be necessary to additionally report information, such as supplementary information that occurs at any time, and price changes of items due to discount for a limited time, to the output destination. Further, the contents of the additional information desired to be added by the user are often different for each output destination, and it has been difficult for the conventional system to cope with the addition of such additional information.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the second receiving unit 40J receives the input of the additional information according to the output destination received by the first receiving unit 40F. The user inputs additional information by operating the input unit 27B while referring to the input screen displayed on the display unit 27A described later. The second receiving unit 40J receives, via the input receiving unit 40B, the additional information input by the user's operation instruction of the input unit 27B.

  The adding unit 40K adds the additional information accepted by the second accepting unit 40J to the second output document.

  First, the adding unit 40K reads an output form corresponding to the output destination ID received by the first receiving unit 40F from the format management information 70 (see FIG. 6A).

  Then, the adding unit 40K reads the adding position corresponding to the read output form from the adding position information 73 (see FIG. 6D). Then, the adding unit 40K adds the additional information received by the second receiving unit 40J to the read addition position. Therefore, for example, when the output form is “mail”, the adding unit 40K adds the additional information to the column of the mail text.

  The output unit 40L includes the second output document in which the extraction information extracted from the input document by the extraction unit 40H is assigned to the format specified by the specification unit 40G, and the additional information received by the second reception unit 40J. Output output information. In other words, the output unit 40L outputs output information including the second output document and the additional information added by the adding unit 40K.

  For example, the output unit 40L reads an output destination address corresponding to the output destination ID of the output destination accepted by the first accepting unit 40F from the format management information 70 (see FIG. 6A). Then, the output unit 40L outputs the output information to the read output destination address.

  Specifically, when the output destination address is a mail address, the output unit 40L sends the output information by mail with the mail address as a destination. When the output destination address is a fax number, the output unit 40L faxes the output information to the fax number as a destination.

  When the output destination address is the address of the mailing address, the output unit 40L controls the main unit 10 (specifically, the engine unit 17) to print the output information. In this case, the main unit 10 prints the output information on the recording medium. The user may post the printed recording medium of the output information by mail to the output destination.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of output information.

  As shown in FIG. 8, for example, it is assumed that the acquisition unit 40E acquires the input document 90. FIG. 8 shows an input document 90A and an input document 90B as the input document 90.

  It is assumed that the output destination accepted by the first accepting unit 40F is, for example, company A, and the format of the first output document corresponding to this output destination is the format 92 shown in FIG. Then, it is assumed that in the format 92, items and positions of each of the extraction information A1 and the extraction information B1 are defined.

  In this case, the extraction unit 40H extracts, for example, the extraction information A1 from the input document 90A. The extraction unit 40H also extracts, for example, extraction information B1 from the input document 90B. Then, the generation unit 40I generates the second output document 92A, for example, by assigning the extraction information A1 and the extraction information B1 extracted by the extraction unit 40H to the format 92 of the first output document.

  Then, the adding unit 40K reads an output form corresponding to the output destination ID of company A from the format management information 70, and reads an adding position corresponding to the read output form from the adding position information 73. Then, the adding unit 40K adds the additional information (for example, additional information 94) received by the second receiving unit 40J to the read addition position.

  Then, the output unit 40L outputs the output information 93 including the second output document 92A and the additional information 94. For example, when the output form corresponding to the output destination ID of company A is "mail", the output unit 40L reads the output destination address corresponding to the output destination ID of company A from the format management information 70, and the output destination address. The output information 93 is sent by e-mail.

  On the other hand, it is assumed that the output destination accepted by the first accepting unit 40F is, for example, company B, and the format of the first output document corresponding to this output destination is the format 96 shown in FIG. Then, it is assumed that the items and positions of the extraction information A2, the extraction information B2, and the extraction information B3 are predetermined in the format 96.

  In this case, the extraction unit 40H extracts, for example, extraction information A2 from the input document 90A. The extraction unit 40H also extracts, for example, extraction information B2 and extraction information B3 from the input document 90B. Then, the generation unit 40I generates the second output document 96A, for example, by assigning the extraction information A2, the extraction information B2, and the extraction information B3 extracted by the extraction unit 40H to the format 96 of the first output document. Do.

  Then, the adding unit 40K reads an output form corresponding to the output destination ID of company B from the format management information 70, and reads an adding position corresponding to the read output form from the adding position information 73. Then, the adding unit 40K adds the additional information (for example, additional information 98) received by the second receiving unit 40J to the read addition position.

  Then, the output unit 40L outputs the output information 97 including the second output document 96A and the additional information 98. For example, when the output form corresponding to the output destination ID of company B is "postal", the output unit 40L transmits the output information 97 to the engine unit 17 of the main unit 10 to make the output information 97 a recording medium. Print it.

  The input of the output destination by the user and the input of the additional information are performed via the input screen displayed on the display unit 27A. The display control unit 40A displays various input screens on the display unit 27A.

  9 to 13 are schematic views showing an example of the input screen.

  For example, it is assumed that the user ID and the password are input via the login screen 50 shown in FIG. 7, and the authentication result by the authentication unit 40C is authentication OK. Authentication OK means that the input user ID and password have already been registered in the authentication information 71.

  Then, the display control unit 40A displays, for example, the home screen 51 on the display unit 27A. FIG. 9A is a schematic view showing an example of the home screen 51. As shown in FIG.

  The display control unit 40A may display the home screen 51 on the display unit 27A after displaying another display screen without the login screen 50.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing an example of screen transition of another display screen until the home screen 51 is reached.

  For example, the display control unit 40A displays a tenant name selection screen 81 on the display unit 27A instead of the login screen 50 (see FIG. 10A). The tenant name selection screen 81 is a screen including a list of tenant names.

  When a tenant name is selected from the list of tenant names displayed on the tenant name selection screen 81 by an operation instruction of the input unit 27B by the user, the display control unit 40A manages the tenant ID of the selected tenant name as management information 72 Register on Then, the display control unit 40A displays the home screen 51 on the display unit 27A (see FIG. 10B). The display control unit 40A may display on the display unit 27A a home screen 51 including only the applications available in the store identified by the tenant ID selected on the tenant name selection screen 81.

  In this case, the cost required for the authentication process can be reduced. Further, in this case, it is possible to cope with the case where the user belonging to each store carries out the business report processing in another store, or the user belonging to the parent company of the output destination or the management company carries out the business report processing in each store It becomes.

  Further, for example, the display control unit 40A displays a tenant name selection screen 81 on the display unit 27A instead of the login screen 50 (see FIG. 10C).

  When a tenant name is selected from the list of tenant names displayed on the tenant name selection screen 81 by the operation instruction of the input unit 27B by the user, the display control unit 40A is identified by the tenant ID of the selected tenant name A list 82 of user names belonging to the store is displayed on the display unit 27A (see FIG. 10D).

  The storage unit 42 may store the tenant ID, the user name of the user belonging to the store identified by the tenant ID, and the user ID in advance in association with each other.

  Then, when the user selects his / her user name from the list 82, the display control unit 40A may display the home screen 51 on the display unit 27A (see FIG. 10E).

  This form is particularly effective when, for example, acquisition of an input document and input of additional information are performed at different timings. For example, when the user who has executed the instruction to acquire the input document once resumes the operation report operation, the operability of the user can be improved.

  Further, for example, the display control unit 40A may display a screen 83 prompting acquisition of a user ID from an IC card such as the terminal device 2 on the display unit 27A instead of the login screen 50 (FIG. 10F) reference). For example, the user sets an IC card (which may be the terminal device 2) storing the user ID and the password in the IC card reader 3. Then, the information processing unit 40 may display the home screen 51 on the display unit 27A after performing the authentication process using the user ID and the password read from the IC card (see FIG. 10 (G)).

  Returning to FIG. 9A, the description will be continued. The home screen 51 is a screen on which a list of functions installed in the main unit 10 and a task report function are displayed in a selectable manner. In the example shown in FIG. 9A, the home screen 51 is an icon indicating each function such as a copy function, a scanner function, a fax function, and a printer function installed in the main unit 10 (in FIG. 9, applications A to D Refer to) and an icon indicating the business report function. The user selects the function to be executed by designating the display area of the icon of the function to be executed.

  For example, in the home screen 51 of FIG. 9A, when an icon indicating “business report function” (see “business report” in FIG. 9A) is selected by the user's operation instruction of the input unit 27B, The information processing unit 40 activates an application for executing the task report function. Thus, the display control unit 40A displays the task report start screen 52 on the display unit 27A (see FIG. 9B).

  In the example shown in FIG. 9B, the work report activation screen 52 is a display area for selecting when performing a work report operation “displays work report” and a display area for instructing display of a work report list “ It includes a business report list and a display area "various settings" for instructing various settings.

  For example, when the display area “to report on business” is selected in the task report start screen 52 for selecting a business report operation by the operation instruction of the input unit 27B by the user, the display control unit 40A displays a menu The screen 53 is displayed on the display unit 27A (see FIG. 9C).

  In the example shown in FIG. 9C, the menu screen 53 has a display area "data input" for instructing acquisition of an input document, and a display area "selection of output destination" for instructing selection of an output destination. And a display area "additional information addition" operated when inputting the additional information, and a display area "output execution" for instructing the execution of the output.

  In the display area "data input" for instructing acquisition of an input document, an acquisition method of the input document is displayed in a selectable manner. In the example shown in FIG. 9C, the display area “data input” displays the display area “scan”, the display area “external acquisition”, and the display area “acquisition only, report will be performed later”. ing.

  The display area “scan” is a display area for reading a document by the scanner function of the engine unit 17 and instructing acquisition of data obtained by reading the document as an input document. When the user instructs the display area “scan” on the menu screen 53, the acquisition unit 40E acquires an input document from the engine unit 17 of the main body unit 10.

  The display area “external acquisition” is a display area for instructing acquisition of an input document stored in the storage unit 42 or an external device or the like from the storage unit 42 or the external device. When the user instructs the display area “external acquisition” on the menu screen 53, the acquisition unit 40E acquires an input document from the storage unit 42 or an external device.

  A display area for "acquiring only acquisition, later for reporting" performs acquisition of the input document but instructs not to continuously output the output information (executes when another instruction is input). It is an area. When the user instructs the display area “acquire only acquisition, later report” in the menu screen 53, the acquisition unit 40E acquires the input document and stores it in the storage unit 42.

  The acquiring unit 40E generates a new report ID each time an input document is newly acquired. Then, the acquisition unit 40E stores the acquired input document in the storage unit 42 in association with the generated report ID. In addition, the acquiring unit 40E registers the user ID received on the login screen 50, the tenant ID when the tenant ID is also acquired, and the generated report ID in the management information 72. Then, the acquisition unit 40E registers “scanned” in the “state” column corresponding to the report ID in the management information 72.

  Next, when the display area “select output destination” on the menu screen 53 is instructed by the user's operation instruction of the input unit 27B, the display control unit 40A displays the list of output destinations on the display unit 27A in a selectable manner. Do.

  For example, the display control unit 40A reads the output destination names registered in the format management information 70, and displays a list of the read output destination names on the display unit 27A.

  The user selects an output destination of the input document from the list of output destinations displayed on the display unit 27A. Then, the first reception unit 40F receives the selected output destination.

  Then, the first reception unit 40F associates the received output destination ID of the output destination, the output destination name, and the output form with the report ID generated by the acquisition unit 40E, and the management information 72 (FIG. C) Register.

  When the first reception unit 40F receives a plurality of output destinations, the first reception unit 40F generates a new report ID so that a different report ID is assigned to each output destination ID, and management is performed. The information 72 is registered. In this case, for example, the first reception unit 40F generates a report ID different from the report ID generated by the acquisition unit 40E, associates the generated report ID with the generated report ID, and outputs the output destination ID of the received output destination The destination name and the output form may be registered in the management information 72.

  In this case, the first accepting unit 40F further adds the report ID newly generated by the first accepting unit 40F to the input document stored in association with the report ID generated by the acquiring unit 40E. It may be stored in association with it. That is, when a plurality of output destinations are designated for the input document after acquiring the input document, the storage unit 42 stores the input document in association with the report ID generated for each output destination. It becomes a state. In other words, in this case, a plurality of report IDs are associated with one input document (or one acquired at one timing).

  The first accepting unit 40F may read the output destination name and the output form corresponding to the output destination ID from the format management information 70 and register the output destination name and the output form in the management information 72.

  Next, when the display area “Add additional information” on the menu screen 53 (see FIG. 9C) is instructed by the user's operation instruction of the input unit 27B, the display control unit 40A displays the additional information input screen. Display to section 27A.

  The additional information input screen is an input screen for receiving an input of additional information.

  FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing an example of the additional information input screen 54. As shown in FIG. The additional information input screen 54 includes, for example, an image 54A of the input document acquired by the acquisition unit 40E, an output destination 54B selected by the user, and an input field 54C for additional information.

  The image 54A of the input document is, for example, a preview image obtained by estimating the print result of the input document acquired by the acquisition unit 40E. For example, the display control unit 40A generates a preview image from the input document acquired by the acquisition unit 40E, sets it as an image 54A of the input document, and displays the image 54A in the additional information input screen 54.

  The additional information input screen 54 includes a preview image of the second output document in which the extraction information extracted from the input document is assigned to the format of the report destination instead of the image 54A of the input document acquired by the acquisition unit 40E. It may be

  The output destination 54B selected by the user is the output destination ID (see “A” and “B” in FIG. 11) of the output destination accepted by the first accepting unit 40F, and the output destination corresponding to the output destination ID. A name and an output form corresponding to the output destination ID are included. The display control unit 40A includes an output destination ID (see “A” and “B” in FIG. 11) of the output destination received by the first receiving unit 40F, an output destination name corresponding to the output destination ID, and the output destination ID. The output form corresponding to the output destination ID is read from the format management information 70. Then, the display control unit 40A displays the output destination ID, the output destination name, and the output form as the output destination 54B selected by the user, and displays the output destination ID in the additional information input screen 54.

  The additional information input column 54C is an area for receiving an input of additional information from the user. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the input field 54C for additional information includes an input field 54D and an input field 54E.

  The input field 54D is an area which can select an input item to be estimated in advance as additional information corresponding to the output destination received by the first receiving unit 40F. In the example shown in FIG. 11, as the input items, "discount information" 1 discount "," discount information "free" "," discount information "5 discount", "reason" sale "," reason "presentation" ", The reason" exhibits "," remarks "handkerchief" is shown. As described above, the display control unit 40A selectively displays an input item estimated in advance as additional information according to the output destination received by the first receiving unit 40F (an additional information input screen including the input field 54D) 54) is displayed on the display unit 27A.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the display control unit 40A selectively displays a combination of input items estimated in advance as additional information. Further, the display control unit 40A displays, in the input field 54D, a selection field 54F for selecting this combination in accordance with the output destination. Here, it is assumed that the first receiving unit 40F receives the output destination ID "A" and the output destination ID "B" as the output destination. In this case, the display control unit 40A displays a selection field 54F corresponding to each output destination ID on the display unit 27A.

  FIG. 11 shows a combination of three types, a combination of “discount information“ 1 discount ”” and “reason“ sale ”,“ discount information “free” ”,“ reason “presentation product”, And the combination of “Remarks“ Handkerchief ”” and the combination of “Discount information“ 5 discount ”” and “Reason“ Exhibit ”” are shown.

  The user inputs a check in the check box of the selection field 54F corresponding to any one of the three combinations as additional information corresponding to each of the output destination ID "A" and the output destination ID "B". It is possible to select a combination of items and input additional information according to each output destination.

  The input field 54E is an area where the user can input any additional information. In the present embodiment, the display control unit 40A further displays the selection field 54G. The selection column 54G is an area for selecting an output destination (the output destination ID "A" and the output destination ID "B" in the example shown in FIG. 11) to which the additional information input to the input column 54E is added.

  The user can select an output destination to be provided by inputting arbitrary given information in the input field 54E and inputting a check in the check box of the selection field 54G corresponding to the arbitrary output destination.

  When additional information is input by the user via the additional information input screen 54, the second receiving unit 40J receives the additional information. In the present embodiment, the additional information input screen 54 receives additional information and an output destination ID of an output destination to which the additional information is added from the operation panel 27 via the input receiving unit 40B.

  The second accepting unit 40J, in association with the report ID currently being processed by the information processing unit 40 and the accepted output destination ID, manages the received additional information corresponding to the output destination ID as management information 72 (see FIG. (Refer to FIG. 6C).

  When the additional information is registered in the management information 72, and the "end" button on the additional information input screen 54 is instructed by the operation instruction of the input unit 27B by the user, the display control unit 40A displays the menu screen 53 (FIG. 9C). ) Is displayed on the display unit 27A.

  In the screen of the menu screen 53, it is assumed that a display area "output execution" for instructing output execution is instructed. Then, the extraction unit 40H extracts the extraction information, the generation unit 40I generates a second output document, the addition unit 40K adds the additional information, and the output unit 40L outputs the output information to the selected output destination. Output.

  Then, after outputting the output information, the output unit 40L grasps the report ID corresponding to the output information that has been output, and “reported” in the corresponding “state” column in the management information 72 (see FIG. 6C). Register ".

  Further, when the display area "task report list" is selected by the user on the task report start screen 52 shown in FIG. 9B, the display control unit 40A displays a task report list screen on the display unit 27A. The business report list screen is a screen showing a list of the input business reports.

  FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing an example of the task report list screen 55. As shown in FIG. The display control unit 40A reads the information registered in the management information 72 (see FIG. 6C) and displays it on the task report list screen 55.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 12, the work report list screen 55 includes “check button”, “state”, “work day”, “output type”, “output destination”, “additional information”, and “ Including the reason for change.

  “Status”, “Work date”, “Output type”, “Output destination”, “Additional information”, and “Reason for change” are “Status”, “Update date”, “Output destination name” in the management information 72, It is the same as each of "additional information" and "reason for change".

  It is assumed that the user designates a “reference” button on the business report list screen 55 after selecting the display area of the “check button” corresponding to the desired business report. In this case, the display control unit 40A reads the information corresponding to the report ID of the selected task report from the management information 72, and displays it on the display unit 27A.

  Further, it is assumed that the user selects the display area of the “check button” corresponding to the desired business report, and then instructs the “edit / restart operation” button on the business report list screen 55. In this case, the display control unit 40A reads the information corresponding to the report ID of the selected task report from the management information 72, and edits the additional information and the output destination ID corresponding to the report ID managed in the management information 72. Display on the display unit 27A as possible.

  In addition, after the output information is output by the output unit 40L, when the “edit / restart operation” button is instructed and the additional information and the like are changed, the information processing unit 40 associates the output information before the change with the information. It is preferable to store, in the storage unit 42, information (for example, “refer to a modified version”) prompting reference to the output information after the change. Then, the information processing unit 40 updates the content corresponding to the report ID of the task report corresponding to the output information after the change in the management information 72 into the content after the change, and in the “state” column, after the change. Register “reported (changed version)” to indicate that Further, the information processing unit 40 registers the changed date and time in the corresponding “update date and time” column in the management information 72.

  When the operation report list screen 55 is displayed, as shown in FIG. 12, the display control unit 40A preferably displays the already-reported and pre-changed operation report in a display format different from that of the changed operation report. . For example, it is preferable to change the display form such as color, lightness and saturation.

  Further, when the display area of “refer to changed version” is selected by the user in the business report list screen 55, the display control unit 40A moves the cursor to the business report column corresponding to the selected display area. It may be controlled to

  Next, the flow of processing of the task report function performed by the information processing unit 40 will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the process flow of the task report function performed by the information processing unit 40.

  When a power switch (not shown) is operated to supply power to MFP 1, display control unit 40A of information processing unit 40 in operation unit 20 displays login screen 50 on operation panel 27 (display unit 27A). (Step S200).

  The user operates the input unit 27B while referring to the login screen 50 to input a user ID and a password.

  When the input accepting unit 40B accepts the user ID and the password, the authenticating unit 40C executes an authentication process (step S202). If the authentication result in step S202 is authentication NG (step S204: No), this routine ends. In addition, when the authentication result of step S202 is authentication NG (step S204: No), you may return to step S200.

  When the authentication result in step S204 is authentication OK (step S204: Yes), the process proceeds to step S206. In step S206, the display control unit 40A displays the home screen 51 (see FIG. 9A) on the display unit 27A (step S206).

  Next, the input reception unit 40B determines whether or not the icon indicating the “business report function” is selected on the home screen 51 by the operation instruction of the input unit 27B by the user (step S208). When an application (application A to application D) other than the “business report function” is selected (step S208: No), the information processing unit 40 has a function (fax function, etc.) corresponding to the engine unit 17 of the main unit 10. After executing the printer function, etc., this routine ends.

  When the "task reporting function" is selected (step S208: Yes), the information processing unit 40 activates an application for executing the task reporting function, and the process proceeds to step S210. In step S210, the display control unit 40A displays the task report start screen 52 (see FIG. 9B) on the display unit 27A (step S210).

  Next, the input receiving unit 40B determines whether a business report has been selected (step S212). The input receiving unit 40B makes a determination in step S212 by determining whether or not the display area “business report” in the business report activation screen 52 is selected.

  If it is determined that a task report has been selected (step S212: Yes), the process proceeds to step S214. In step S214, the display control unit 40A displays the menu screen 53 (see FIG. 9C) on the display unit 27A (step S214).

  Next, the input receiving unit 40B determines whether an input document reading instruction has been issued (step S216). The input receiving unit 40B determines whether or not the display area "data input" for instructing acquisition of the input document on the menu screen 53 is instructed, thereby performing the determination in step S216.

  If it is determined that the input document reading instruction has been issued (step S216: Yes), the process proceeds to step S218. In step S218, the execution control unit 40D causes the engine unit 17 of the main body unit 10 to execute the scan function (step S218). The acquisition unit 40E acquires an input document from the engine unit 17 by the process of step S218.

  Next, the acquiring unit 40E generates a new report ID, and stores the input document acquired in step S218 in association with the generated report ID (step S220). The acquiring unit 40E also updates the management information 72 (see FIG. 6C) (step S222). Specifically, the acquiring unit 40E registers the management information 72 by registering the user ID accepted in step S200, the tenant ID when acquiring the tenant ID, and the generated report ID in the management information 72. Update. The acquiring unit 40E also registers “scanned” in the “state” column corresponding to the report ID in the management information 72. Then, the process returns to step S210.

  On the other hand, when a negative determination is made in step S216, the process proceeds to step S224. In step S224, the input reception unit 40B determines whether or not the display area "select output destination" in the menu screen 53 (see FIG. 9C) is instructed (step S224).

  When an affirmative determination is made in step S224, the process proceeds to step S226. In step S226, the display control unit 40A displays an output destination selection screen on the display unit 27A (step S226). That is, in step S226, display control unit 40A displays the list of output destinations on display unit 27A in a selectable manner.

  The user selects an output destination of the input document from the list of output destinations displayed on the display unit 27A. Then, the first accepting unit 40F accepts the selected output destination (step S228). Then, the first reception unit 40F updates the management information 72 (see FIG. 6C) (step S230). In step S230, the first accepting unit 40F reads the output destination name and the output form corresponding to the accepted output destination ID of the output destination from the format management information 70, and uses the report ID generated by the acquiring unit 40E in step S218. It matches and registers in the management information 72 (refer FIG.6 (C)). The management information 72 is updated by this registration process. Then, the process returns to step S210.

  As described above, when the first reception unit 40F receives a plurality of output destinations in step S228, the first reception unit 40F adds a new report ID so that a different report ID is assigned to each output destination ID. An appropriate report ID may be generated and registered in the management information 72.

  On the other hand, when a negative determination is made in step S224 (step S224: No), the process proceeds to step S232. In step S232, the input reception unit 40B determines whether the display area "additional information addition" on the menu screen 53 is instructed by the user (step S232).

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S232 (step S232: Yes), the process proceeds to step S234. In step S234, the display control unit 40A displays the additional information input screen 54 (see FIG. 11) on the display unit 27A (step S234).

  When the additional information is input through the additional information input screen 54 by the operation instruction of the input unit 27B by the user, the second receiving unit 40J receives the additional information (step 236).

  In the present embodiment, the additional information input screen 54 receives additional information and an output destination ID of an output destination to which the additional information is added from the operation panel 27 via the input receiving unit 40B.

  Then, the second accepting unit 40J updates the management information 72 (see FIG. 6C) (step S238). In step S238, the second accepting unit 40J associates the report ID generated in steps S218 and S230 with the output destination ID accepted in step S236, and receives the additional information received corresponding to the output destination ID. Are registered in the management information 72 (see FIG. 6C). By this registration process, the second accepting unit 40J updates the management information 72. Then, the process returns to step S210.

  On the other hand, when a negative determination is made in step S232 (step S232: No), the process proceeds to step S240. In step S240, the input reception unit 40B determines whether a display area "output execution" for instructing output execution is instructed on the screen of the menu screen 53 (step 240). When a negative determination is made in step S240 (step S240: No), the process returns to step S210.

  If an affirmative decision is made in step S240 (step S240: YES), the process proceeds to step S242. In step S242, the identifying unit 40G identifies the format (step 242). In step S242, the identifying unit 40G reads, from the format management information 70, an output destination ID corresponding to the report ID for which output execution has been instructed. Then, the specifying unit 40G reads the format corresponding to the read output destination ID from the format management information 70 (see FIG. 6A). Thereby, the specification unit 40G specifies the format corresponding to the received output destination.

  In step S240, the input receiving unit 40B receives an output instruction including the report ID of the output target. Then, the first receiving unit 40F may receive the output destination by reading the output ID corresponding to the output target report ID from the management information 72. In this case, the specifying unit 40G may specify a format in the form of a first output document to be output to the output destination corresponding to the output destination received by the first receiving unit 40F. Specifically, the specifying unit 40G reads the format corresponding to the output destination ID of the output destination received by the first receiving unit 40F from the format management information 70 (see FIG. 6A). Thus, the specification unit 40G may specify the format corresponding to the received output destination.

  Next, the extraction unit 40H extracts extraction information from the input document corresponding to the output target report ID (step S244). Next, the generation unit 40I generates the second output document by assigning the extraction information extracted by the extraction unit 40H in step S244 to the format identified by the identification unit 40G in step S242 (step S246).

  Next, the adding unit 40K reads additional information corresponding to the report ID to be output from the management information 72 (see FIG. 6C), and reads an output form corresponding to the report ID from the management information 72. Then, the adding unit 40K reads the adding position corresponding to the read output form from the adding position information 73 (see FIG. 6D).

  Then, the adding unit 40K adds the read additional information to the read addition position (step S248). Next, the output unit 40L outputs output information including the second output document generated in step S246 and the additional information added in step S248 in a corresponding output form (step S250).

  Next, the output unit 40L updates the management information 72 (step S252). In step S252, the output unit 40L grasps the report ID corresponding to the output information that has been output, and registers “reported” in the corresponding “state” column in the management information 72 (see FIG. 6C). Through this registration process, the output unit 40L updates the management information 72. Then, this routine ends. In addition, after the process of step S252. You may return to said step S206 or step S210.

  On the other hand, when a negative determination is made in step S212 (step S212: No), the process proceeds to step S254.

  In step S254, it is determined whether the display area "business report list" in the business report start screen 52 is selected by the user (step S254). If an affirmative determination is made in step S254 (Yes in step S254), the process proceeds to step S256.

  In step S256, the display control unit 40A displays the task report list screen 55 (see FIG. 12) on the display unit 27A (step S256).

  The input receiving unit 40B determines whether an editing instruction has been issued (step S258). For example, the input reception unit 40B performs the determination in step S258 by determining whether the “edit / operation resume” button on the task report list screen 55 is instructed.

  When a negative determination is made in step S258 (step S258: No), the process returns to step S210. If an affirmative determination is made in step S258 (step S258: Yes), the display control unit 40A displays a screen for editing the business report on the display unit 27A, and accepts change of each information by the operation of the input unit 27B of the user. Then, in step S260, the management information 72 is updated according to the changed content (step S260). Then, the process returns to step S210.

  The display control unit 40A displays the task report list screen 55 on the display unit 27A according to the management information 72. Then, as described above, as shown in FIG. 12, the display control unit 40A preferably displays the reported business report before change and in a display format different from the business report after change. Therefore, the user can easily confirm the current status of each business report and whether or not it has been changed by checking the business report list screen 55 (see FIG. 12). . The display control unit 40A may further display the difference before and after the change.

  On the other hand, when a negative determination is made in step S254 (step S254: No), the process proceeds to step S262. In step S 262, it is determined whether or not the “end” button has been designated on the work report activation screen 52. When an affirmative determination is made in step S262 (step S262: Yes), this routine is ended. When a negative determination is made in step S262 (step S262: No), the process returns to step S210.

  As described above, the information processing unit 40 in the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment includes the acquiring unit 40E, the first accepting unit 40F, the identifying unit 40G, the second accepting unit 40J, and the output unit 40L. Equipped with The acquisition unit 40E acquires an input document. The first accepting unit 40F accepts an output destination of the input document. The identifying unit 40G identifies a format that is a form of the first output document to be output to the output destination. The second accepting unit 40J accepts input of additional information according to the output destination. The output unit 40L outputs output information including a second output document in which extraction information extracted from an input document is assigned to a specified format, and additional information.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, output information including the second output document and the additional information input by the user accepted by the second accepting unit 40J is output.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, additional information according to the output destination can be easily added and output.

  Further, the information processing unit 40 in the MFP 1 of the present embodiment includes a display control unit 40A. The display control unit 40A displays an input screen (additional information input screen 54) for receiving the input of the additional information on the display unit 27A. The second accepting unit 40J preferably accepts the additional information via the input screen (the additional information input screen 54).

  Thus, the user can more easily add additional information according to the output destination.

  In addition, it is preferable that the display control unit 40A display on the display unit 27A an input screen (additional information input screen 54) which can selectably display an input item estimated in advance as additional information according to the received output destination.

  Therefore, the user can more easily add additional information according to the output destination.

Second Embodiment
In the above embodiment, the case where the information processing apparatus according to the present invention is applied to the MFP 1 (specifically, the information processing unit 40 of the operation unit 20) has been described as an example. In the present embodiment, a case where part of the functions of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention is applied to the terminal device 2 will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an information processing system 100A according to the present embodiment. The information processing system 100A includes an MFP 1A and a terminal device 2. The MFP 1A and the terminal device 2 are connected via the network 30 such as the Internet.

  The configuration of the MFP 1A is the same as that of the MFP 1 except that the operation unit 20A is provided instead of the operation unit 20 (see FIG. 2). Moreover, since the hardware constitutions of the terminal device 2 were demonstrated using FIG. 4, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the operation unit 20A.

  The operation unit 20A includes an information processing unit 41, an operation panel 27, and a storage unit 43. The operation panel 27 and the storage unit 43 are connected to the information processing unit 41 so as to transmit and receive signals.

  The storage unit 43 stores format management information 70, authentication information 74, management information 72, additional position information 73, and an input document. That is, the storage unit 43 is the same as the first embodiment except that the authentication information 74 is stored instead of the authentication information 71 in the storage unit 42 of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 15 is a view showing an example of the data configuration of the authentication information 74. As shown in FIG. The authentication information 74 is information used for user authentication. The authentication information 74 is information in which a tenant ID, a tenant name, a user ID, a user name, a password, attribute information, the number of owned servers, and a terminal device ID are associated. The authentication information 74 may be a DB or a table. The tenant ID, the tenant name, the user ID, the user name, the password, and the attribute information are the same as the authentication information 71 described in the first embodiment.

  Each data stored in the authentication information 74 is generated in advance and registered in the authentication information 74 in advance. The data registered in the authentication information 74 may be appropriately changed by the operation of the input unit 27B or the like by the user. In addition, the information processing unit 41 may update the authentication information 74 when receiving a registration request for a new user who uses the task report function.

  The owned number indicates the number of terminal devices 2 owned by the user specified by the corresponding user ID. The terminal device ID indicates the identification number of each of the terminal devices 2 owned by the user specified by the corresponding user ID.

  Therefore, when there are a plurality of owned devices, a plurality of terminal device IDs are registered in advance in the corresponding terminal device ID column.

  Returning to FIG. 14, the information processing unit 41 extracts the display control unit 40A, the input receiving unit 40B, the authentication unit 40C, the execution control unit 40D, the acquisition unit 40E, the transmission / reception unit 41A, the identification unit 40G, and A section 40H, a generation section 40I, an addition section 40K, an output section 40L, and a charge processing section 41B.

  Display control unit 40A, input reception unit 40B, authentication unit 40C, execution control unit 40D, acquisition unit 40E, transmission / reception unit 41A, identification unit 40G, extraction unit 40H, generation unit 40I, addition unit 40K, output unit 40L, and charging process For example, part or all of the unit 41B may be realized by causing a processing device such as a CPU to execute a program, that is, realized by software, or realized by hardware such as an IC, or software and hardware You may implement | achieve using wear together.

  The display control unit 40A, the input reception unit 40B, the authentication unit 40C, the execution control unit 40D, the acquisition unit 40E, the specification unit 40G, the extraction unit 40H, the generation unit 40I, the addition unit 40K, and the output unit 40L are the first embodiment. It is the same as the form.

  The transmission and reception unit 41A transmits and receives various types of information to and from the terminal device 2. The charging processing unit 41B executes charging processing. The charging process is a process of charging for each user identified by the user ID according to the number of terminal devices 2. For example, as the number of owned terminal devices 2 registered in the authentication information 74 is larger, a higher amount of money is charged to the user specified by the corresponding user ID. For example, when downloading (or downloading) a program for executing a task reporting function in the terminal device 2 from the MFP 1, the charging processing unit 41B is identified by the user ID corresponding to the terminal device ID of the terminal device 2. The billing information (billing fee etc.) according to the number of owned user's terminal devices 2 is calculated and billed to the user.

  For example, the billing processing unit 41B emails the calculated billing fee to the email address or the like of the user. Note that the charging processing unit 41B may charge the user for the charging information when charging consumables (recording medium, toner, etc.) of the MFP 1A. Further, the charge processing unit 41B may calculate the charge information as a rate increase rate with respect to the charge amount of the consumable item, and may charge the user.

  Note that the charging processing unit 41B may perform charging processing for each store to which each user belongs, instead of charging processing for charging each user.

  Further, charging conditions for charging according to the number of owned terminal devices 2 may be set in advance, and the charging processing unit 41B may perform charging processing according to the charging conditions. For example, charging conditions such as “charging for the second device or later” may be set in advance. In this case, for example, the charge processing unit 41B does not charge when the number of units is one, and for the second and subsequent units, charging may be performed for a larger amount as the number of units is increased.

  Further, the charging condition may be a known charging condition such as a flat-rate system or a pay-as-you-go system.

  Next, the functional configuration of the terminal device 2 will be described. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the terminal device 2.

  The terminal device 2 includes an information processing unit 60, an operation panel 36, and a storage unit 61. The operation panel 36 and the storage unit 61 are connected to the information processing unit 60 so as to be able to transmit and receive signals. The storage unit 61 stores various data. The storage unit 61 is, for example, the HDD 34 (see FIG. 4). The information processing unit 60 includes the CPU 31, the ROM 32, and the RAM 33 (see FIG. 4), and controls the entire terminal device 2.

  In the present embodiment, the information processing unit 60 includes a display control unit 60A, an input receiving unit 60B, a transmitting / receiving unit 60C, a first receiving unit 60E, and a second receiving unit 60G.

  Part or all of the display control unit 60A, the input receiving unit 60B, the transmitting / receiving unit 60C, the first receiving unit 60E, and the second receiving unit 60G, for example, causing a processing device such as a CPU to execute a program, , And may be realized by hardware such as an IC, or may be realized by using both software and hardware.

  Display control unit 60A, input reception unit 60B, acquisition unit 60D, first reception unit 60E, identification unit 60F, and second reception unit 60G display an image on operation panel 36 instead of operation panel 27 or the operation panel The display control unit 40A, the input reception unit 40B, the acquisition unit 40E, and the first reception of the first embodiment except that the input from the user 36 is received and the storage unit 61 is accessed instead of the storage unit 42. This is the same as the unit 40F, the identifying unit 40G, and the second accepting unit 40J.

  The transmission and reception unit 60C transmits and receives various information to and from the operation unit 20A. Specifically, transmission / reception unit 60C transmits the output destination received by first reception unit 60E to MFP 1A. In addition, the transmitting and receiving unit 60C transmits the additional information received by the second receiving unit 60G to the MFP 1A.

  Next, the procedure of the charging process performed by the information processing system 100A will be described. FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram showing the procedure of the charging process performed by the information processing system 100A.

  In the state before the sequence execution in FIG. 17, it is assumed that the terminal device 2 is not installed with a program for executing the task report function.

  First, the user operates the operation panel 27 of the MFP 1A to input a user ID and a password. Then, the input receiving unit 40B of the MFP 1A receives the user ID and the password (SEQ500). Then, the authentication unit 40C performs an authentication process (SEQ 502). Here, it is assumed that the authentication is OK.

  Next, the input reception unit 40B of the MFP 1A receives the registration information from the operation panel 27 (SEQS 504). The registration information includes, for example, the tenant ID and the tenant name of the store to which the user belongs. For example, the display control unit 40A displays an input column of a tenant ID and a tenant name on the operation panel 27. Then, when the tenant ID and the tenant name are input by the operation instruction of the operation panel 27 by the user, the input receiving unit 40B receives the registration information.

  Then, the input accepting unit 40B associates the user ID and password accepted in SEQ 500 with the registration information accepted in SEQ 504 and registers them in the authentication information 74 (see FIG. 15) (SEQ 506).

  Next, the display control unit 40A displays, on the operation panel 27, an instruction button for instructing execution of association of the terminal device 2 using the task reporting function (SEQ 508). When the instruction button is instructed by the operation of the operation panel 27 by the user, the number of terminal device IDs corresponding to the user ID accepted in SEQ 500 in the authentication information 74 is “1” or more in the charge processing unit 41B. It is determined whether or not (SEQ 510). When the number of terminal device IDs is “1” or more, the number of terminal device IDs corresponding to the user ID (that is, the number of owned devices) is plural due to the registration of a new terminal device ID by the process of SEQ 520 described later. Indicates that it will be a platform.

  If the number of terminal device IDs corresponding to the user ID accepted in SEQ 500 in the authentication information 74 is “0” (SEQ 510: No), the process proceeds to SEQ 516 described later.

  On the other hand, when the number of terminal device IDs corresponding to the user ID accepted in SEQ 500 in the authentication information 74 is “1” or more (SEQ 510: Yes), the display control unit 40A causes the new terminal device 2 to be registered. Since the number of owned terminal devices 2 is more than one, the charge confirmation is displayed, which shows confirmation of whether the terminal 2 is to be charged but it is good (SEQ 512).

  When information indicating that the user may be charged may be input by an operation instruction of operation panel 27 by the user (SEQ 514: Yes), display control unit 40A operates a screen prompting input of a terminal ID to be newly registered. Display on panel 27 (SEQ 516). On the other hand, when a negative determination is made in SEQ 514 (SEQ 514: No), this sequence ends.

  The user inputs the terminal ID of the unregistered terminal device 2 to the MFP 1A through the operation panel 27. Then, the input receiving unit 40B of the MFP 1A receives the terminal ID (SEQ518). Then, the input accepting unit 40B associates the terminal ID with the user ID accepted in SEQ 500 and registers it in the authentication information 74 (see FIG. 15), and counts up the corresponding “held number” (SEQ 520). The user may bring the terminal device 2 into contact with the card reader connected to the MFP 1A. In this case, the MFP 1A receives the terminal ID of the terminal device 2 from the card reader.

  Next, the MFP 1A notifies the terminal device 2 of the terminal ID accepted in SEQ 518 that the task report function can be downloaded (SEQ 522). The input receiving unit 60B of the information processing unit 60 in the terminal device 2 receives, from the operation panel 36, an installation instruction of a program for executing a task report function (SEQ 524). For example, the information processing unit 60 displays an instruction image for instructing execution of the installation of the program on the display unit 36A. Then, when the instruction image is instructed by the operation instruction of the input unit 36B by the user, the input accepting unit 60B accepts the installation instruction.

  Then, the transmission / reception unit 41A of the information processing unit 41 in the terminal device 2 transmits, to the MFP 1A, a download request for the user information, the terminal ID, and the program for executing the task report function on the terminal device 2 (SEQ526).

  The MFP 1A reads, from the management information 72, the task report corresponding to the user ID included in the download request received from the terminal device 2 in SEQ 526. Then, the read task report and a program for executing the task report function on the terminal device 2 are transmitted to the terminal device 2 (SEQ 528).

  When the MFP 1A transmits the program to the terminal device 2 and the terminal device 2 executes the program, the MFP 1A may appropriately transmit data used for the execution to the terminal device 2.

  Further, when the MFP 1A receives the download request in SEQ 526, the MFP 1A transmits confirmation information to the terminal device 2 of the administrator who manages the user identified by the user ID corresponding to the user ID included in the download request. It is also good. Then, when the MFP 1A receives, from the terminal device 2 of the administrator, permission information for permitting download, the MFP 1A may perform the process of SEQ 528.

  When the MFP 1A receives the download request in SEQ 526, the MFP 1A may execute an examination process to determine whether the user identified by the user ID included in the download request is permitted to download. Then, the MFP 1A may perform the process of SEQ 528 when it is determined that the download is permitted by the examination process.

  Then, the charging processing unit 41B of the terminal device 2 executes charging processing using the user ID of the user who transmitted the user information of SEQ 526 and the authentication information 74 (see FIG. 15) (SEQ 530). And this sequence is ended. When the number of terminal devices 2 owned by the user is one, the charging process may not be performed. Then, when the second and subsequent units are owned, the charging process may be executed according to the owned number.

  The charging process of SEQ 530 may be executed when the terminal ID is accepted in SEQ 518 after the positive determination in SEQ 510 (SEQ 510: Yes), and the timing of the charging process is not limited.

  As described above, the MFP 1A may perform the charging process according to the number of the terminal devices 2 owned by the user who performs the business report. When the user performs operation report operation by operating the operation unit 20A provided in the MFP 1A, the charging process can be omitted in the MFP 1A.

  Next, the flow of the task report process executed by the information processing system 100A according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of the task report process executed by the information processing system 100A.

  First, the information processing unit 41 of the operation unit 20A in the MFP 1A executes an application activation process (SEQ300). The application execution process corresponds to the process of steps S200 to S204 shown in FIG.

  Next, the information processing unit 41 of the operation unit 20A in the MFP 1A executes an input document storage process (SEQ302). The input document storage processing corresponds to the processing in step S216: Yes to step S222 in FIG. That is, in the MFP 1A, the input document is acquired and stored in the storage unit 43.

  Next, the display control unit 60A of the information processing unit 60 in the terminal device 2 displays the login screen 50 on the operation panel 36 (SEQ 304). When the user ID and the password are input by the operation instruction of the input unit 36B by the user, the transmitting and receiving unit 60C transmits an authentication request including the input user ID and the password to the MFP 1A (SEQ306).

  When or after the login screen 50 is displayed, the display control unit 60A may selectably display a list of MFPs 1A for which authentication requests are to be made. Then, transmission / reception unit 60C may transmit an authentication request to MFP 1A selected by the user's operation instruction.

  Since the number of MFPs 1A included in the information processing system 100A is not one, the MFPs 1A to be subjected to the authentication request may be properly used depending on the type of business report and the like. Therefore, it is preferable that, among the MFPs 1A included in the information processing system 100A, the MFP 1A that makes an authentication request can be selected by the user.

  In the information processing unit 41 of the operation unit 20A in the MFP 1A, the authentication unit 40C performs an authentication process using the user ID and the password received from the terminal device 2 (SEQ308). In addition, in SEQ308, description will be continued on the assumption that the authentication is OK.

  Next, the transmission / reception unit 41A searches the management information 72 for a task report corresponding to the user ID received in SEQ306 (SEQ310), and transmits it to the terminal device 2 (SEQ312). The transmitting / receiving unit 41 </ b> A may appropriately transmit corresponding information to the terminal device 2 in response to an acquisition request from the terminal device 2. Note that various types of data used when at least a part of the task report process is executed on the terminal device 2 side may be acquired from the server device or the like via the network 30 instead of the MFP 1A. In this case, the terminal device 2 may obtain various data from the server device.

  Next, the information processing unit 60 in the terminal device 2 executes task report processing (SEQ 314). The task report process of SEQ 314 corresponds to steps S210 to S262 in FIG. Note that the processing of step S216: Yes to step S222 of acquiring and storing the input document is not performed in SEQ 314 because the process is performed on the MFP 1A side. Further, in the output process (steps S242 to S248), information necessary for the process is transmitted from the terminal device 2 to the MFP 1A, and executed on the MFP 1A side.

  That is, the transmission / reception unit 60C of the information processing unit 60 in the terminal device 2 transmits an output request to the MFP 1A (SEQ 316). The output request is, for example, the management information 72 updated according to the operation instruction of the operation panel 36 of the user in the terminal device 2, the terminal ID of the terminal device 2, the user ID of the user operating the terminal device 2, and the output target And the output destination accepted by the first accepting unit 60E, and the additional information accepted by the second accepting unit 60G.

  The transmission / reception unit 41A in the information processing unit 41 of the MFP 1A receives the output request from the terminal device 2. Then, using the received output request, the output unit 40L outputs the output information in the same manner as the first embodiment (SEQ 318). That is, in SEQ 318, the MFP 1A executes the processing of Step S240: Yes to Step S252 of FIG.

  Then, the transmission and reception unit 41A transmits the output result to the terminal device 2 (SEQ320), and ends the present sequence.

  As described above, the terminal device 2 may receive the input of the additional information and the input of the output destination. Further, as described above, the MFP 1A acquires the input document in advance, and the terminal device 2 receives the input of the additional information and the input of the output destination, thereby shortening the time for the user to occupy and operate the MFP 1A. be able to. Further, the MFP 1A can obtain an input document in advance, and the user can operate the terminal device 2 at another timing to input additional information and an output destination. Therefore, the user can perform the input operation at a desired timing when the hand is free, and the work can be made more efficient.

  The timing to add the additional information to the second output document may be set in advance, and the additional information may be added at the set timing.

  In this case, the information processing system 100A may execute the sequence shown in FIG.

  First, the information processing unit 41 of the operation unit 20A in the MFP 1A executes an application activation process (SEQ400). Next, the information processing unit 41 of the operation unit 20A in the MFP 1A executes an input document storage process (SEQ 401). SEQ400 and SEQ401 are the same as each of SEQ300 and SEQ302 above.

  Next, the input receiving unit 40B in the terminal device 2 receives a setting input from the user (SEQ 402). In SEQ402, the input receiving unit 40B receives an input of setting information from the input unit 27B. The setting information includes additional information and timing for adding the additional information. The timing to add the additional information is, for example, a period (start date and end date) to add the additional information, a month to add (for example, the end of each month, or the 15th every month).

  The input of additional information may be performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. That is, in the terminal device 2, the process of step S232 in FIG. 13: Yes to step S236 may be executed.

  Then, the transmission / reception unit 60C in the information processing unit 60 of the terminal device 2 transmits the setting information to the MFP 1A (SEQ403).

  The transmission / reception unit 41A of the operation unit 20A in the MFP 1A having acquired the setting information stores the acquired setting information in the storage unit 43 (SEQ 404).

  Next, the display control unit 60A of the information processing unit 60 in the terminal device 2 displays the login screen 50 on the operation panel 36 (SEQ 405). Then, the transmitting and receiving unit 60C transmits an authentication request including the input user ID and password to the MFP 1A (SEQ406). In the information processing unit 41 of the operation unit 20A in the MFP 1A, the authentication unit 40C performs an authentication process using the user ID and the password received from the terminal device 2 (SEQ408). Next, the transmission / reception unit 41A searches the management information 72 for a task report corresponding to the user ID received in SEQ 406 (SEQ 410), and transmits the same to the terminal device 2 (SEQ 412).

  Each of SEQ405, SEQ406, SEQ408, and SEQ412 is the same as each of SEQ304, SEQ306, and SEQ308, and SEQ310 described above.

  Next, the information processing unit 60 in the terminal device 2 executes task report processing (SEQ 414). The task report process of SEQ 414 corresponds to steps S210 to S262 in FIG. In the output process (steps S242 to S248), information necessary for the process is transmitted from the terminal device 2 to the MFP 1A and executed on the MFP 1A side.

  That is, the transmission / reception unit 60C of the information processing unit 60 in the terminal device 2 transmits an output request to the MFP 1A (SEQ 416). In this case, the output request includes, for example, the management information 72 updated according to the user's operation instruction on the operation panel 36 of the terminal device 2, the terminal ID of the terminal device 2, and the user ID of the user who operates the terminal device 2. , The report ID of the business report to be output, and the output destination accepted by the first accepting unit 60E.

  The transmission / reception unit 41A in the information processing unit 41 of the MFP 1A receives the output request from the terminal device 2. Then, the output unit 40L outputs the output information using the received output request in the same manner as the first embodiment (SEQ 418). That is, in SEQ 418, the MFP 1A executes the processing of Step S240: Yes to Step S252 of FIG.

  However, when the adding unit 40 K executes the process of adding additional information in step S 248, the current date and time match the timing of adding the additional information included in the setting information stored in the storage unit 43 in SEQ 404. The additional information included in the setting information may be added to

  Then, the transmission and reception unit 41A transmits the output result to the terminal device 2 (SEQ 420), and ends the present sequence.

  As described above, the timing at which the additional information is added to the second output document may be set in advance, and the additional information may be added at the set timing. In this case, addition of additional information can be further facilitated.

  That is, in this case, the user belonging to the store transmits the setting information to MFP 1A in advance using terminal device 2, whereby the input operation of the additional information at the time of execution of the task report process can be omitted. The user may change (edit) the additional information by operating the operation panel 36 when executing the task report process. The change may be performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  Here, after the input document acquired by the acquisition unit 40E of the information processing unit 41 in the operation unit 20A of the MFP 1A is stored in the storage unit 43, a predetermined period of time or more may elapse without output instruction by the user.

  Therefore, when a predetermined time has elapsed after the acquisition unit 40E acquires the input document and stores the input document in the storage unit 43, warning information may be transmitted to the user. Specifically, the warning information may be transmitted to the terminal device 2 corresponding to the user ID of the user who performed the operation at the time of acquiring the input document. The warning information includes, for example, an acquisition date and time of the input document and an elapsed time from the acquisition date and time.

  In this case, in the information processing system 100A, for example, the sequence illustrated in FIG. 20 may be executed.

  First, the information processing unit 41 of the operation unit 20A in the MFP 1A executes an application activation process (SEQ600). Next, the information processing unit 41 of the operation unit 20A in the MFP 1A executes an input document storage process (SEQ601). SEQ600 and SEQ601 are the same as SEQ300 and SEQ302 above.

  Next, the acquisition unit 40E determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the input document is acquired in SEQ601 and stored in the storage unit 43 (SEQ602). The predetermined time may be stored in advance in the storage unit 43. Further, the predetermined time may be changeable by an operation instruction of the operation panel 27 by the user.

  The acquiring unit 40E repeats the negative determination (SEQ602: No) until an affirmative determination (SEQ602: Yes) is made in SEQ602. When a negative determination is made in SEQ602 (SEQ602: No), the information processing unit 41 in the MFP 1A may end the process.

  If a positive determination is made in SEQ602 (SEQ602: Yes), the transmission / reception unit 41A reads the user ID corresponding to the input document for which the predetermined time has elapsed, and reads the terminal device ID corresponding to the read user ID from the authentication information 74. Then, the transmission and reception unit 41A outputs warning information to the read terminal device ID (SEQ603).

  In the terminal device 2 that has received the warning information, the display control unit 60A displays the warning information on the display unit 36A. The information processing unit 60 of the terminal device 2 may vibrate the terminal device 2 when receiving the warning information, or may output a warning sound from the microphone. Further, the transmission and reception unit 41A may transmit the warning information to the terminal device 2 by e-mail transmission. The process of the terminal device 2 when the warning information is received may be set in advance by an operation instruction of the operation panel 27 in the terminal device 2.

  Then, in the information processing system 100A, SEQ604 to SEQ620 may be executed in the same manner as the aforementioned SEQ304 to SEQ320.

  As described above, when the input document is stored in the storage unit 43, the warning information may be output when a predetermined period of time or more elapses without a user's output instruction being made.

  Programs for executing the various processes executed by the operation unit 20, the operation unit 20A, and the terminal device 2 in the above embodiment are provided by being incorporated in a ROM or the like in advance.

  The programs for executing the various processes executed by the operation unit 20, the operation unit 20A, and the terminal device 2 in the above-described embodiment are files installable or executable in these devices. It may be configured to be recorded and provided in a computer readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, and a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

  Further, a program for executing the various processes to be executed by the operation unit 20, the operation unit 20A, and the terminal device 2 in the above embodiment is stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet, via the network. It may be configured to be provided by downloading at. In addition, even if a program for executing the various processes executed by the operation unit 20, the operation unit 20A, and the terminal device 2 in the above embodiment is provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. Good.

  A program for executing the various processes executed by the operation unit 20, the operation unit 20A, and the terminal device 2 in the above-described embodiment has a module configuration including the above-described units. As the actual hardware, when the CPU reads and executes each program from a storage medium such as a ROM, the above-described units are loaded onto the main storage device and generated on the main storage device.

  Although the embodiment has been described above, the above embodiment is presented as an example, and it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in other various forms, and various omissions, replacements and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments are included in the scope and the gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

1, 1A MFP
2 terminal device 10 main body unit 20, 20A operation unit 27A display unit 40 information processing unit 40A display control unit 40E acquisition unit 40F first reception unit 40G identification unit 40L output unit 41B charge processing unit 60 information processing unit 60A display control unit 60C Transmission / reception unit 60E first reception unit 60G second reception unit 100, 100A information processing system

JP 2004-265137 A

Claims (15)

An image forming apparatus having at least a scanner;
An acquisition unit for acquiring an input document by the scanner ;
A first reception unit that receives an input of a submission destination when the information including the input document is submitted as a business report ;
I said I first output document forms der to submit to submit the destination, a specifying unit for specifying a format that includes the items corresponding to the business report,
A second receiving unit that receives an input of additional information that is a content of a report to be added to the business report according to the submission destination;
An output unit that outputs, as the task report, output information including a second output document in which extraction information extracted from the input document is assigned to the item of the specified format , and the additional information;
An image forming apparatus comprising: A display control unit configured to display an input screen for receiving an input of the additional information on a display unit;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second receiving unit receives the additional information via the input screen. The display control unit
Displaying on the display unit the input screen which selectably shows an input item estimated in advance as the additional information according to the received submission destination;
An image forming apparatus according to claim 2. The display control unit
Displaying on the display unit an operation screen on which an execution operation of scanning the input document, an input operation of the submission destination, an input operation of the additional information, and an output operation to the submission destination can be performed;
An image forming apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3. The display control unit
Display a list screen of the submitted and unsubmitted job reports on the display unit,
The unsubmitted work report included in the list screen is displayed on the display unit so as to be editable via the display unit.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4. The display control unit
The operation report of different contents is displayed on the display unit for each of the plurality of submission destinations,
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5. The display control unit
Displaying on the display unit a screen prompting the user to log in from the terminal device;
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5. The item includes at least one of customer information and an item name to be sold.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The second reception unit is
Accept input of the additional information from the user's terminal device;
An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8. A first CPU that controls the scanner;
An operation unit having a second CPU that executes an application for executing a task report;
Equipped with
The first CPU is
The scanner reads the input document according to an operation instruction received through an operation screen displayed by execution of the application.
The second CPU accepts the input of the submission destination and the additional information by execution of the application,
The first CPU outputs the task report as the output information including the second output document and the additional information.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9. The operation unit is
Directly connected to be communicable with the user's terminal,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 10. And an image forming apparatus, an image forming system and a terminal device connected to the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus is
An image forming apparatus having at least a scanner;
An acquisition unit for acquiring an input document by the scanner ;
A first reception unit that receives an input of a submission destination when the information including the input document is submitted as a business report ;
I said I first output document forms der to submit to submit the destination, a specifying unit for specifying a format that includes the items corresponding to the business report,
A second receiving unit that receives an input of additional information that is a content of a report to be added to the business report according to the submission destination;
An output unit that outputs, as the task report, output information including a second output document in which extraction information extracted from the input document is assigned to the item of the specified format , and the additional information;
Equipped with
The terminal device is
A first reception unit that receives the submission destination of the input document;
A second accepting unit that accepts an input of the additional information according to the submission destination;
A transmitting / receiving unit for transmitting the received submission destination and the received additional information to the image forming apparatus;
An image forming system comprising: The image forming apparatus includes a charging section that charges according to the number of the terminal device, an image forming system according to claim 12. Acquiring an input document by a scanner ;
And the step of accepting the submission destination of the input at the time of submitting the information including the input document as a business report,
What forms der of the first output document to be submitted to the submission destination, identifying a format that includes the items corresponding to the business report,
Accepting an input of additional information which is the content of a report to be added to the business report according to the submission destination;
Outputting, as the task report, output information including a second output document in which extraction information extracted from the input document is assigned to the item of the specified format , and the additional information;
An image forming method including: Acquiring an input document by a scanner ;
And the step of accepting the submission destination of the input at the time of submitting the information including the input document as a business report,
What forms der of the first output document to be submitted to the submission destination, identifying a format that includes the items corresponding to the business report,
Accepting an input of additional information which is the content of a report to be added to the business report according to the submission destination;
Outputting, as the task report, output information including a second output document in which extraction information extracted from the input document is assigned to the item of the specified format , and the additional information;
An image forming program for making a computer execute.

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