JP6536308B2 - INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program.

  In recent years, various external services have come to be provided by cloud computing and the like. For example, an external service is known that stores electronic data designated by a user in an external storage.

  Further, for example, there is known a technology for storing image data acquired by scanning an original with an image forming apparatus in an external storage (see, for example, Patent Document 1). As described above, there is conventionally known a technology in which an image forming apparatus and an external service cooperate to perform processing.

  However, in the above-described prior art, in order to perform processing in cooperation with an external service, it is necessary to develop an application installed in the image forming apparatus. In addition, when an external service comes to provide a unique function (a function not provided by another external service), it is necessary to develop a module, plug-in, etc. for using the specific function. There is. Therefore, the number of man-hours required for development such as addition or correction of an application installed in the image forming apparatus may be increased.

  One embodiment of the present invention is made in view of the above-mentioned point, and aims at supporting development of an application for performing processing in cooperation with an external service.

  In order to achieve the above object, an embodiment of the present invention is an information processing system including one or more information processing apparatuses, which is a component that executes a series of processes using electronic data, each series of processes. Application identification information for identifying the application, information on the series of processes, and screen information of a screen for specifying the electronic data used for the series of processes, in association with each other and stored. A first request that includes the application identification information from one of the first storage unit, the second storage unit that stores information related to the component, and one or more devices connected to the information processing system , The screen stored in the first storage unit in association with the application identification information included in the first request Information about the electronic data specified by the user via the screen displayed on the one device based on the transmission means for transmitting the information to the one device of the request source and the screen information transmitted by the transmission means When a second request including the request is received from the one device, a series of processes based on the information regarding the series of processes stored in the first storage unit in association with the application identification information is the second process. Processing execution means for executing using electronic data specified by the information related to the electronic data included in the request, the processing execution means generated based on the information related to the series of processing and the information related to the component Components are combined to execute the series of processes using the electronic data.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, development of an application for performing processing in cooperation with an external service can be supported.

It is a figure showing an example system configuration of an information processing system concerning a first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware configuration of an example of the service provision system which concerns on 1st embodiment, and a PC terminal. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an example of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is a figure showing the processing block of an example of the information processing system concerning a first embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of common I / F and intrinsic | native I / F. It is a figure which shows an example of data definition. It is a figure which shows an example of layout information. It is a figure showing an example of processing contents. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the whole process of the scan delivery service which concerns on 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the application screen for utilizing a scan delivery service. It is a figure which shows the processing block of an example of the logic processing part which concerns on 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the component information table which concerns on 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a type conversion table. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the flow execution process which concerns on 1st embodiment. It is a sequence diagram showing an example of addition, update, and deletion processing of the component concerning a first embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a component edit screen, a component addition screen, and a component update screen. It is a figure which shows the processing block of an example of the logic processing part which concerns on 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the component information table which concerns on 2nd embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the flow execution process which concerns on 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the processing block of an example of the logic processing part which concerns on 3rd embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the component information table which concerns on 3rd embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the flow execution process which concerns on 3rd embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment
<System configuration>
First, the system configuration of the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of an example of the information processing system according to the first embodiment.

  An information processing system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a service providing environment E1, a user environment E2, and an external storage system 40, and is communicably connected via a wide area network N1 such as the Internet.

  The service providing environment E1 is a system environment that provides an external service such as a cloud service via the network N1. In the present embodiment, a cloud service is adopted and described as a specific example of the external service, but the present embodiment can be applied to a service provided by an application service provider (ASP) or a service provided via a network, such as a web service. A form may be applied.

  The service providing environment E1 has a service providing system 10 realized by one or more information processing apparatuses. The service providing system 10 provides a predetermined service via the network N1. For example, the service providing system 10 performs an OCR (Optical Character Reader) process on an electronic file generated by scanning a document in the image forming apparatus 20 of the user environment E2, and stores the file in the external storage system 40 (scan distribution Provide services). The service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment provides such a scan delivery service.

  However, the service provided by the service providing system 10 is not limited to this. The service providing system 10 may provide, for example, a service (cloud print service) for printing an electronic file stored in the external storage system 40 with the image forming apparatus 20 of the user environment E2.

  Also, the service providing system 10 may provide, for example, a service of projecting an electronic file stored in the external storage system 40 with a projector of the user environment E2. Furthermore, the service providing system 10 performs an OCR process on an electronic file generated by scanning a document in the image forming apparatus 20, and translates it into a predetermined language (for example, translates it from English into Japanese), and stores the external storage Services stored in the system 40 may be provided. As described above, the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment provides various services realized by a series of processes in cooperation with the external storage system 40.

  Note that all or part of the service providing system 10 may be installed in the user environment E2. That is, all or a part of the information processing apparatus constituting the service providing system 10 may be included in the user environment E2.

  The user environment E2 is, for example, a system environment in a company or the like who is a user who uses the image forming apparatus 20. The user environment E2 includes one or more image forming apparatuses 20 and one or more PC terminals 30, and is connected via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

  The image forming apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment is a multifunction peripheral such as an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) having a scan function. The image forming apparatus 20 may have a print function, a copy function, a fax (FAX) communication function, and the like in addition to the scan function.

  The PC terminal 30 according to the present embodiment is an information processing apparatus used for developing a program for the service providing system 10 to provide various services. The user can use the PC terminal 30 to add a program, a module or the like that executes predetermined processing to the service providing system 10 or the like.

  The external storage system 40 is a computer system that provides a cloud service called storage service (or online storage) via the network N1.

  The storage service is a service that lends the storage area of the storage of the external storage system 40. In this embodiment, in the scan distribution service, the OCR processed electronic file is stored (uploaded) in the storage area lent by the external storage system 40.

Hereinafter, the plurality of external storage systems 40 will be described using subscripts such as “external storage system 40 ₁ ”, “external storage system 40 ₂ ”, etc. Further, "Storage Service A" the name of the service provided by the external storage system 40 _1, the names of the services provided by the external storage system 40 _2, "Storage Service B", and the like.

  The external storage system 40 may be a system realized by a plurality of information processing devices. The configuration of the information processing system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and may be another configuration. For example, the user environment E2 may include various devices such as a projector and an electronic blackboard in addition to or in place of the image forming apparatus 20.

<Hardware configuration>
«Service provision system, PC terminal»
The hardware configuration of the service providing system 10 and the PC terminal 30 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of an example of the service providing system and the PC terminal according to the first embodiment. Since the service providing system 10 and the PC terminal 30 have the same hardware configuration, the hardware configuration of the service providing system 10 will be mainly described hereinafter.

  The service providing system 10 includes an input device 11, a display device 12, an external I / F 13, and a random access memory (RAM) 14. The service providing system 10 further includes a read only memory (ROM) 15, a central processing unit (CPU) 16, a communication I / F 17, and a hard disk drive (HDD) 18. Each of these pieces of hardware is connected by a bus B.

  The input device 11 includes a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and the like, and is used by the user to input each operation signal. The display device 12 includes a display and the like, and displays the processing result by the service providing system 10. The input device 11 and the display device 12 may be connected to the bus B when necessary and used.

  The communication I / F 17 is an interface that connects the service providing system 10 to the network N1. Thus, the service providing system 10 can perform data communication via the communication I / F 17.

  The HDD 18 is a non-volatile storage device storing programs and data. The programs and data to be stored include an operating system (OS) which is basic software for controlling the entire service providing system 10, application software for providing various functions on the OS, and the like.

  The service providing system 10 may use a drive device (for example, solid state drive: SSD) using a flash memory, instead of or in addition to the HDD 18. Further, the HDD 18 manages stored programs and data by a predetermined file system and / or DB.

  The external I / F 13 is an interface with an external device. The external device is, for example, a recording medium 13a. Thereby, the service providing system 10 can read and / or write the recording medium 13 a via the external I / F 13. The recording medium 13a includes a flexible disk, a CD, a DVD, an SD memory card, a USB memory, and the like.

  The ROM 15 is a non-volatile semiconductor memory that can hold programs and data even after the power is turned off. The ROM 15 stores programs and data such as a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System), an OS setting, and a network setting which are executed when the service providing system 10 is started. The RAM 14 is a volatile semiconductor memory that temporarily holds programs and data.

  The CPU 16 is an arithmetic device that implements control and functions of the entire service providing system 10 by reading programs and data from the ROM 15, the HDD 18 or the like onto the RAM 14 and executing processing.

  The service providing system 10 and the PC terminal 30 according to the present embodiment can realize various processes to be described later by having the above-described hardware configuration.

<< image forming device >>
The hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 20 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an example of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  The image forming apparatus 20 includes a controller 21, an operation panel 22, an external I / F 23, a communication I / F 24, a printer 25, and a scanner 26. The controller 21 further includes a CPU 211, a RAM 212, a ROM 213, an NVRAM 214, and an HDD 215.

  The ROM 213 stores various programs and data. The RAM 212 temporarily holds programs and data. The NVRAM 214 stores, for example, setting information and the like. The HDD 215 also stores various programs and data.

  The CPU 211 reads programs, data, setting information, and the like from the ROM 213, the NVRAM 214, the HDD 215, and the like onto the RAM 212 and executes processing to realize control and functions of the entire image forming apparatus 20.

  The operation panel 22 includes an input unit that receives an input from a user, and a display unit that performs display. The external I / F 23 is an interface with an external device. The external device is, for example, a recording medium 23a. Thereby, the image forming apparatus 20 can read and / or write the recording medium 23 a via the external I / F 23. The recording medium 23a includes an IC card, a flexible disk, a CD, a DVD, an SD memory card, a USB memory, and the like.

  The communication I / F 24 is an interface that connects the image forming apparatus 20 to the network N1. Thus, the image forming apparatus 20 can perform data communication via the communication I / F 24. The printer 25 is a printing device for printing print data. The scanner 26 is a reading device for reading an original and generating an image file (electronic file).

  The image forming apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment can realize various processes to be described later by having the above-described hardware configuration.

<Software configuration>
Next, processing blocks of the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing processing blocks of an example of the information processing system according to the first embodiment.

  The image forming apparatus 20 illustrated in FIG. 4 has a browser 210 executed by, for example, the CPU 211 or the like. The user of the image forming apparatus 20 can use the service provided by the service providing system 10 via the browser 210. As described above, in the image forming apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment, the browser 210 may be installed (installed), and it is not necessary to install a dedicated application for using the service.

  The PC terminal 30 shown in FIG. 4 has a browser 310 executed by, for example, the CPU 16 or the like. The user of the PC terminal 30 can add a program, a module or the like (that is, a “component” to be described later) that executes predetermined processing to the service providing system 10 via the browser 310. Thereby, in the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment, services realized by the components added from the PC terminal 30 can be added.

  Here, the component is a module or the like for executing one process included in a series of processes for realizing the service provided by the service providing system 10.

  The service providing system 10 illustrated in FIG. 4 includes a service processing unit 110, a document service unit 150, and a storage service cooperation unit 160. These units are realized by processing that one or more programs installed in the service providing system 10 cause the CPU 16 to execute.

  Further, the service providing system 10 includes an application information storage unit 190. The application information storage unit 190 can be realized by the HDD 18. The application information storage unit 190 may be realized by a storage device connected with the service providing system 10 via the network N1.

  The service processing unit 110 executes processing relating to various services in response to a request from the browser 210 of the image forming apparatus 20. The service processing unit 110 includes an application management unit 120, a logic processing unit 130, and a data I / F unit 140.

  The application management unit 120 manages application information 1000 stored in the application information storage unit 190. In response to a request from the browser 210 of the image forming apparatus 20, the application management unit 120 sends back an application screen based on the screen definition included in the application information 1000. As a result, on the operation panel 22 of the image forming apparatus 20, the browser 210 displays an application screen for using the service provided by the service providing system 10.

  Here, the application information 1000 includes a screen definition for causing the image forming apparatus 20 to display an application screen, and processing contents for realizing a service used from the application screen. The application information 1000 may include a plurality of screen definitions and a plurality of processing contents.

  Further, in response to a request from the logic processing unit 130, the application management unit 120 sends back processing content included in the application information 1000. The processing content describes the content of a series of processing (a series of processing is also referred to as “processing flow”) for realizing the service provided by the service providing system 10.

  The logic processing unit 130 acquires processing content via the application management unit 120 in response to a request from the browser 210 of the image forming apparatus 20. Then, the logic processing unit 130 executes a series of processing based on the acquired processing content.

  That is, the logic processing unit 130 requests the file processing unit 170 of the document service unit 150 and / or the storage service cooperation unit 160 to execute a process according to the process content, whereby a series of processes based on the process content is performed. Execute the process Thus, the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment can provide various services to the image forming apparatus 20. The detailed processing blocks of the logic processing unit 130 will be described later.

  The data I / F unit 140 responds to a request from the browser 210 of the image forming apparatus 20 to the data processing unit 180 of the storage service cooperation unit 160 for a predetermined request (for example, a folder list acquisition request). Do.

  The document service unit 150 is a group of programs (modules) for realizing the service provided by the service providing system 10. The document service unit 150 includes an OCR process 151 for performing an OCR process on the electronic file. The document service unit 150 may include, for example, various programs such as a translation processing program for translating a document file (electronic file) described in a predetermined language into another predetermined language.

  The storage service cooperation unit 160 requests the external storage system 40 to execute various types of processing in response to requests from the logic processing unit 130 and the data I / F unit 140.

Here, the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment has a storage service cooperation unit 160 for each external storage system 40. That is, the service providing system 10 includes a storage service for requesting storage service A linkage unit 160 1 for requesting execution of processing to the external storage system 40 _1, the execution of processing to the external storage system 40 ₂ with B linkage unit 160 _2. Thus, the service providing system 10 has a storage service cooperation unit 160 corresponding to each external storage system 40 for each external storage system 40 that performs processing in cooperation with the service providing system 10.

In the following, when the plurality of storage service cooperation units 160 are distinguished from one another, they are described as “storage service A cooperation unit 160 ₁ ”, “storage service B cooperation unit 160 ₂ ” or the like.

  As described above, the storage service cooperation unit 160 includes the file processing unit 170 that receives the request from the logic processing unit 130 and the data processing unit 180 that receives the request from the data I / F unit 140.

  The file processing unit 170 is a common I / F 171 in which an API (Application Programming Interface) for performing an operation (for example, acquisition, storage, editing, etc.) on an electronic file stored in the external storage system 40 is defined. / F 172 is provided.

  The common I / F 171 is an API that can be commonly used among a plurality of external storage systems 40, and examples include the API shown in FIG. 5A. In other words, the common I / F 171 of the file processing unit 170 is an API group for using functions (for example, acquisition and storage of files, etc.) related to file operations that all external storage systems 40 can use.

  On the other hand, the unique I / F 172 is an API that can be used in a specific external storage system 40, and examples include the API shown in FIG. 5 (b). In other words, the unique I / F 172 of the file processing unit 170 is an API group for using a function related to file operation (for example, editing of a file, etc.) that can be used in a specific external storage system 40.

  Therefore, the common I / F 171 is similarly defined for all the storage service linkage units 160. On the other hand, the unique I / F 172 is individually defined with respect to the storage service cooperation unit 160 corresponding to the specific external storage system 40 in which the API defined by the unique I / F 172 can be used.

  Also, the data processing unit 180 is a common I / I that defines an API for acquiring metadata (eg, file list, folder list, etc.) such as bibliographic information of electronic files stored in the external storage system 40. It has F181 and a unique I / F 182.

  The common I / F 181 is an API that can be commonly used among a plurality of external storage systems 40, and examples thereof include the API shown in FIG. 5C. In other words, the common I / F 181 of the data processing unit 180 is an API group for using a function such as metadata acquisition that can be used by all the external storage systems 40.

  On the other hand, the unique I / F 182 is an API that can be used in a specific external storage system 40, and examples include the API shown in FIG. 5 (d). In other words, the unique I / F 182 of the data processing unit 180 is an API group for using a function (for example, acquisition of an image file list and the like) that can be used in a specific external storage system 40 such as metadata acquisition.

  Therefore, the common I / F 181 is similarly defined for all the storage service linkage units 160. On the other hand, the unique I / F 182 is individually defined with respect to the storage service cooperation unit 160 corresponding to the specific external storage system 40 in which the API defined in the unique I / F 182 can be used.

  As described above, the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment has the storage service cooperation unit 160 corresponding to each external storage system 40 for each external storage system 40 that performs processing in cooperation. Therefore, in the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment, when adding the external storage system 40 to be a cooperation destination, the storage service cooperation unit 160 corresponding to the external storage system 40 is added to the service providing system 10 You should do the same.

  Therefore, the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment can localize the influence associated with the addition of the external storage system 40 as the cooperation destination. In other words, without affecting other processing blocks (such as the service processing unit 110 and the document service unit 150) (that is, there is no need to modify other processing blocks, etc.), It is possible to add and so on.

  Thereby, in the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the number of man-hours required for development such as addition of the external storage system 40 of the cooperation destination. The addition of the storage service cooperation unit 160 can be performed using a software development kit (SDK).

  Further, in the storage service cooperation unit 160, the common I / F 171 and the unique I / F 172 are realized by different modules or the like. Furthermore, the API defined by common I / F 171 and unique I / F 172 can be used by specifying "storage service name" (external service name) (that is, "storage service name" (external service name) ) Is a variable part).

  Therefore, when adding the external storage system 40 of the cooperation destination, the common I / F 171 defined in the other storage service cooperation unit 160 can be reused. In other words, when adding the external storage system 40 of the cooperation destination, it is sufficient to develop only the unique I / F 172 of the external storage system 40 to be added. Thereby, in the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to further reduce the number of man-hours required for development such as addition of the external storage system 40 of the cooperation destination. The same applies to the common I / F 181 and the unique I / F 182 of the data processing unit 180.

  The application information storage unit 190 stores application information 1000 for providing various services. The application information 1000 includes a screen definition for causing the image forming apparatus 20 to display an application screen, and processing content in which the contents of a series of processing for realizing a service used from the application screen are described. Further, an application ID for uniquely identifying the application information 1000 is assigned to the application information 1000. Hereinafter, the application ID of the application information 1000 for providing the scan distribution service in cooperation with the storage service A will be “app001”.

  Here, the data definition included in the screen definition of the application information 1000 for providing the scan distribution service in cooperation with the storage service A will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of data definition.

  In the data definition 1100 shown in FIG. 6, information for configuring an input field (input box) and a selection field (selection box) of an application screen displayed on the operation panel 22 etc. by the browser 210 of the image forming apparatus 20 is described. It is done.

  Specifically, the data definition unit 1101 included in the data definition 1100 shown in FIG. 6 describes information for configuring an input field for inputting the file name of the electronic file generated by the scan. . Further, in the data definition unit 1102 included in the data definition shown in FIG. 6, information for configuring a selection field for selecting a storage destination folder in the storage service A is described.

  In "data_source" of the data definition unit 1102, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of acquisition destination of each selection element (here, folder name and folder ID of storage destination candidate) in the selection column is described.

  Next, layout information included in the screen definition of the application information 1000 for providing the scan distribution service in cooperation with the storage service A will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of layout information.

  The layout information 1200 shown in FIG. 7 is a display position or display name of a character (display name of an input column, etc.), an input column, a selection column, etc. on the application screen displayed on the operation panel 22 by the browser 210 of the image forming apparatus 20. Information such as is described.

  Specifically, in the layout definition unit 1201 included in the layout information 1200 shown in FIG. 7, information on the display position and display name of "" data_id ": 1" (that is, the data definition unit 1101) in the data definition 1100 is stored. It has been described. As a result, in the application screen, an input field whose display name is "file name" is displayed at the first position. Further, in the layout definition unit 1202 included in the layout information 1200, information on the display position and display name of "" data_id ": 2" (that is, the data definition unit 1102) in the data definition 1100 is described. As a result, on the application screen, a selection field whose display name is "Select storage folder" is displayed at the second position.

  Next, processing contents of the application information 1000 for providing a scan distribution service in cooperation with the storage service A will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of processing content.

  The process content 1300 shown in FIG. 8 describes the contents of a series of processes for realizing the scan distribution service in cooperation with the storage service A.

  Specifically, the flow ID “flow 001”, which is identification information for uniquely identifying the process content 1300, is described in the flow ID definition unit 1301 included in the process content 1300 shown in FIG. Further, in the process definition unit 1302 and the process definition unit 1303 illustrated in FIG. 8, contents of a series of processes for realizing the scan distribution service in cooperation with the storage service A are defined.

  That is, in the process definition unit 1302, the content of the process for performing the OCR process on the electronic file generated by scanning is described. The processing definition unit 1303 describes the contents of processing for distributing the electronic file after the OCR processing to the storage service A. As described above, in the process content included in the application information 1000, the content of one or more processes constituting a series of processes in cooperation with the external storage system 40 is described.

  As described above, in the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment, the screen definition for displaying the application screen on the image forming apparatus 20 and the contents of a series of processing (processing flow) for realizing the service are described. The application information 1000 includes the process content. Then, the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment provides the image forming apparatus 20 with various services using the application information 1000. Therefore, when adding a service provided by the service providing system 10, the application information 1000 may be added to the application information storage unit 190.

  Further, in order to add the application information 1000 to the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment, the screen definition and the processing content may be described, and therefore, the development can be easily performed. Therefore, in the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the number of development steps accompanying the addition / change of the service, and easily perform the addition / change or the like of the service by, for example, a third vendor.

<Details of processing>
Next, details of processing of the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

«Overall processing of scan delivery service»
An overall process when the user of the image forming apparatus 20 uses the scan distribution service according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the entire process of the scan distribution service according to the first embodiment.

  First, the user of the image forming apparatus 20 uses the browser 210 to perform an operation for acquiring a list of services provided by the service providing system 10. Then, the image forming apparatus 20 transmits a service list acquisition request to the service processing unit 110 of the service providing system 10 (step S901). When the application management unit 120 of the service processing unit 110 receives the acquisition request, the application management unit 120 transmits a list of services provided by the service providing system 10 to the image forming apparatus 20. As a result, the browser 210 displays a list of services provided by the service providing system 10 on the operation panel 22 of the image forming apparatus 20.

  In the list of services, for example, the service name of the service provided by the service providing system 10, the application ID of the application information 1000 for providing the service, and the flow of the processing content for realizing the service. ID is included.

  The user selects a service that he / she desires to use from a list of services displayed on the operation panel 22 of the image forming apparatus 20. Then, the browser 210 transmits the application ID of the application information 1000 corresponding to the service selected by the user and the flow ID of the processing content to the application management unit 120 (step S902).

  Here, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the use of the “scan delivery service in cooperation with storage service A” is selected by the user. Therefore, the browser 210 transmits the application ID “app001” and the flow ID “flow001” to the application management unit 120.

  Then, the application management unit 120 generates an application screen in the HTML (HyperText Markup Language) format based on the screen definition included in the application information 1000 of the application ID “app001” received from the browser 210, and sends the generated application screen to the browser 210.

  When the browser 210 of the image forming apparatus 20 receives the application screen from the application management unit 120, the browser 210 requests the data I / F unit 140 to acquire display information (step S903).

  Here, the display information is, for example, each selection element of the selection field of the application screen. That is, in the present embodiment, the browser 210 requests the data I / F unit 140 to acquire a list of folders of the storage service A that is the delivery destination (storage destination) of the scan delivery service.

  The request for acquiring the information for display is the URL “http://sample.xxx.co.jp/service-a/data/ defined in“ “data_source” ”described in the data definition unit 1102 of FIG. This can be done by sending an HTTP request to "folders".

  In the URL, the "http://sample.xxx.co.jp" portion is the host name of the service providing system 10, and the "/ service-a / data / folders" portion is the storage service linkage unit 160. It becomes specification of API (that is, API shown in FIG. 5).

Next, when the data I / F unit 140 receives an acquisition request for display information from the browser 210, the data I / F unit 140 transmits the request to the data processing unit 180 of the corresponding storage service cooperation unit 160 (step S904). That is, the data I / F unit 140, based on contained in the above URL "service-a" (storage service name), the request is transmitted to the data processing unit 180 ₁ of the Storage Service A linkage unit 160 _1.

  When the data processing unit 180 receives the acquisition request for display information from the data I / F unit 140, the data processing unit 180 transmits a processing request based on the URL included in the acquisition request to the external storage system 40 (step S905). That is, based on the URL included in the acquisition request received from the data I / F unit 140, the data processing unit 180 uses the API defined in the common I / F 181 or the unique I / F 182 to execute the corresponding external storage. Request the system 40 for processing.

More specifically, based on the "/ service-a / data / folders" within the above URL, the data processing unit 180 _1, using the API defined in the common I / F 181 _1, the external storage system 40 Request ₁ to obtain folder list. Then, the browser 210 of the image forming apparatus 20 via the storage service A linkage unit 160 ₁ acquires the folder list. The folder list is information such as a folder name and a folder ID of the storage service A which is a candidate for a storage destination of the electronic file in the scan distribution service according to the present embodiment.

  Next, based on the application screen received from the application management unit 120 and the folder list received from the external storage system 40, the browser 210 displays, for example, an application screen 2000 as shown in FIG. It is displayed (step S906).

  Here, the application screen 2000 for using the scan distribution service shown in FIG. 10A includes a file name input field 2001, a storage destination folder selection field 2002, and a scan execution button 2003. Among these, the file name input field 2001 and the save destination folder selection field 2002 are described in HTML source code 2101 and 2102, respectively, as shown in FIG. 10 (b). Such HTML source code 2101 and 2102 are generated by the application management unit 120 based on the data definition units 1101 and 1102 shown in FIG. 6 and the layout definition units 1201 and 1202 shown in FIG.

  However, the setting value of “option” designated in the HTML source code 2102 is set by the browser 210 based on the folder list acquired from the external storage system 40. Thus, the application screen 2000 is generated by setting the information of the folder list acquired from the external storage system 40 to the HTML generated by the application management unit 120 based on the screen definition included in the application information 1000. Ru.

  Next, the user inputs a desired file name in the file name input field 2001 on the application screen 2000 of FIG. 10A, and selects the desired storage destination folder from the save destination folder selection field 2002. Then, the document is set on the scanner 26 of the image forming apparatus 20, and the scan execution button 2003 is pressed. Then, the browser 210 of the image forming apparatus 20 receives these operations (step S 907).

  Here, it is assumed that the user inputs the file name “test” in the file name input field 2001, selects “Folder B” from the storage destination folder selection field 2002, and presses the scan execution button 2003. Then, the document is read by the scanner 26 of the image forming apparatus 20, and an electronic file having the file name "test" is generated (step S908).

  Subsequently, the browser 210 of the image forming apparatus 20 transmits a processing execution request for the scan distribution service to the logic processing unit 130 (step S909). Here, in the execution request, the application ID “app001”, the flow ID “flow001” of the processing content 1300 included in the application information 1000 of the application ID, the generated electronic file, and the selected storage destination folder The folder ID "folder_id_b" of "Folder B" is included.

  When the logic processing unit 130 receives the process execution request from the browser 210, the logic process unit 130 executes a flow execution process of executing a series of processes based on the process contents corresponding to the application ID and the flow ID included in the process execution request (step S910). . Thus, a scan distribution service in cooperation with the storage service A is realized. The details of the flow execution process will be described later.

  Then, the logic processing unit 130 transmits the processing result of the flow execution processing to the browser 210 of the image forming apparatus 20 (step S911). Thus, the scan distribution service according to the present embodiment is completed.

<< flow execution processing >>
Next, the details of the flow execution process of step S 910 in FIG. 9 will be described. The flow execution process is mainly performed by the logic processing unit 130. Therefore, before describing details of the flow execution process, a detailed processing block of the logic processing unit 130 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a processing block of an example of the logic processing unit according to the first embodiment.

  The logic processing unit 130 includes a flow execution unit 131, a component management unit 132, a component group 133, a type conversion management unit 134, and a type conversion group 135. Also, the logic processing unit 130 uses the component information table 3000 and the type conversion table 4000.

  When the flow execution unit 131 receives a process execution request from the browser 210 of the image forming apparatus 20, the flow execution unit 131 acquires the process content from the application information 1000 via the application management unit 120. Then, the flow execution unit 131 requests acquisition of a component that executes one process included in the series of processes according to the contents of the series of processes described in the acquired process content. The flow execution unit 131 also requests the acquired component to execute a process.

  The component management unit 132 generates a component in response to the component acquisition request from the flow execution unit 131. The generation of the component means, for example, expanding the component defined by the class on the memory (for example, the RAM 14).

  The component management unit 132 includes a component determination unit 1321, an existing component generation unit 1322, an additional component generation unit 1323, and a component registration unit 1324.

  The component determination unit 1321 refers to the component information table 3000 according to the component acquisition request from the flow execution unit 131, and determines whether the component related to the acquisition request is an existing component or an additional component.

  Here, the existing component refers to a component that is incorporated in the service providing system 10 in advance. On the other hand, the additional component means a component registered in the component information table 3000 by the user via the PC terminal 30. In other words, the additional component is a component developed by the user and added to the service providing system 10.

  Thus, in the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment, components developed by the user can be added. Therefore, the user can describe a series of processes implemented using the additional component as process content, and can develop the application information 1000 providing various services.

  If the component determination unit 1321 determines that the component related to the component acquisition request is an existing component, the existing component generation unit 1322 generates an existing component related to the acquisition request.

  When the component determination unit 1321 determines that the component related to the component acquisition request is an additional component, the additional component generation unit 1323 generates an additional component related to the acquisition request.

  The component registration unit 1324 registers the additional component in the component information table 3000 in response to a request from the browser 310 of the PC terminal 30. Further, in response to a request from the browser 310 of the PC terminal 30, the component registration unit 1324 updates or deletes additional components registered in the component information table 3000.

  Here, the component information table 3000 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of component information according to the first embodiment.

  The component information table 3000 illustrated in FIG. 12 manages information (component information) on components for each component. Component information has component names, versions, parameters, and files as data items.

  The component name is information on the component. The version is the version of the component. Each component is uniquely identified by component name and version.

  The parameters are input parameters for the component. For example, the parameter of the component for distributing the electronic file to the external storage system 40 (distribution component to be described later) is a folder ID or the like of the storage destination folder in the external storage system 40.

  In the file, an electronic file for generating a component (hereinafter, this electronic file is referred to as “generated file”) is stored, for example, in a data format such as JAR (Java Archive). Therefore, in the present embodiment, the data item "file" of the component information of the additional component stores the generated file of the additional component. On the other hand, the generated file is not stored in the data item "file" of the component information of the existing component.

  More specifically, in the component information table 3000 shown in FIG. 12, the generated file is not stored in the data item "file" of the component information of the component name "ocrA" and the version "v1". On the other hand, a component generated file is stored in the data item “file” of the component information of the component name “ocrB” and the version “v2”.

  Therefore, in the component information table 3000 shown in FIG. 12, the component information of the component name “ocrA” and version “v1” is component information of the existing component. On the other hand, the component information of the component name “ocrB” and version “v2” is component information of the additional component.

  The component group 133 is a collection of existing components and additional components. The component group 133 includes an OCRA component 1331 corresponding to component information of component name “ocrA” and version “v1”. The component group 133 also includes an OCRB component 1332 corresponding to component information of component name “ocrB” and version “v2”.

  Similarly, the component group 133 includes a delivery A component 1333 corresponding to component information of component name “uploadA” and version “v1”. Also, the component group 133 includes a distribution B component 1334 corresponding to component information of component name “upload B” and version “v1”.

  Thus, the component group 133 is a collection of components corresponding to component information managed in the component information table 3000.

  Furthermore, each component included in the component group 133 has a component common I / F 1330. The component common I / F 1330 is an API defined in common to each component, and includes an API for generating a component and an API for requesting a component to execute processing.

  In this manner, each component may have the component common I / F 1330 to localize the effects associated with the addition of components and the like. In other words, components can be added without affecting the flow execution unit 131, the component management unit 132, other components, and the like. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of man-hours required for development such as addition of components.

  The type conversion management unit 134 manages type conversion of data types. Here, each component has a predetermined data type that can be handled by itself. Therefore, the type conversion management unit 134 generates type conversion according to the request with reference to the type conversion table 4000 in response to a request from the component.

  Here, the type conversion table 4000 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a type conversion table.

  The type conversion table 4000 shown in FIG. 13 manages information related to type conversion (type conversion information). Type conversion information includes, as data items, a data type before conversion, a data type after conversion, and type conversion to be generated. Thus, for example, when the component receives a request to convert the data type of “InputStream” to the data type of “LocalFilePath”, the type conversion management unit 134 generates a first type conversion 1351 described later.

  Then, the type conversion management unit 134 requests the generated type conversion to execute type conversion processing. Here, type conversion is a module or the like for executing type conversion processing of data type, and is defined by, for example, a class or function.

  Note that generation of type conversion means that, for example, type conversion defined by a class is expanded on a memory (for example, the RAM 14). Further, as data types, for example, data type “InputStream” indicating stream data, “Local File Path” indicating a path (address) of an electronic file stored in a storage device or the like, “File” indicating an entity of the electronic file, etc. Can be mentioned.

  The type conversion group 135 is a set of type conversions. The type conversion group 135 includes a first type conversion 1351 that converts the data type “InputStream” into “LocalFilePath”. The type conversion group 135 includes, in addition to the first type conversion 1351, for example, a second type conversion that converts “Local File Path” into “File”.

  Furthermore, each of these type conversions has a type conversion common I / F 1350. The type conversion common I / F 1350 is an API defined in common for each type conversion, and includes an API for generating type conversion and an API for requesting execution of processing for type conversion. Be In this way, by making each type conversion have a type conversion common I / F 1350, it is possible to localize the effects accompanying the addition of type conversion and the like. In other words, components can be added without affecting the type conversion management unit 134. This can reduce the number of man-hours required for development such as addition of type conversion.

  Subsequently, the details of the flow execution process of step S 910 in FIG. 9 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow execution process according to the first embodiment.

  First, when the flow execution unit 131 receives a process execution request for a scan distribution service from the browser 210, the flow execution unit 131 requests the application management unit 120 to acquire the process content (step S1401). Here, the acquisition request for the process content includes the application ID “app001” and the flow ID “flow001”.

  Then, the flow execution unit 131 acquires, from the application management unit 120, the processing content of the flow ID “flow001” included in the application information 1000 corresponding to the application ID “app001”. That is, the flow execution unit 131 acquires the processing content 1300 shown in FIG.

  The flow execution unit 131 requests the component management unit 132 to acquire a component according to the acquired processing content 1300 (step S1402). More specifically, the flow execution unit 131 acquires components with the component name “ocrB” and version “v2” based on the description in the process definition unit 1302 of the process content 1300 shown in FIG. To request.

  When the component management unit 132 receives the component acquisition request, the component determination unit 1321 determines whether the component related to the acquisition request is an existing component or an additional component (step S1403). That is, the component determination unit 1321 refers to the component information table 3000, and determines whether or not the generated file of the component is stored in the data item “file” of the component information of the component name “ocrB” and version “v2”. Do.

  The component determination unit 1321 determines that the component related to the acquisition request is an additional component when the generated file of the component is stored in the data item “file” of the component information. On the other hand, when the generated file of the component is not stored in the data item “file” of the component information, the component determination unit 1321 determines that the component related to the acquisition request is the existing component.

  In this embodiment, in the component information table 3000, the component information of the component name “ocrB” and the version “v2” stores the generated file of the component in the data item “file”. Therefore, the component determination unit 1321 determines that the component related to the acquisition request is an additional component.

  If the component determination unit 1321 determines that the component related to the acquisition request is an additional component, the component determination unit 1321 transmits the acquisition request to the additional component generation unit 1323 (step S1404).

  Next, when the additional component generation unit 1323 receives the acquisition request, the additional component generation unit 1323 acquires a component generation file from the component information table 3000 based on the component name “ocrB” and the version “v2” (step S1405). That is, the additional component generation unit 1323 acquires the generated file stored in the data item “file” of the component information of the component name “ocrB” and the version “v2”.

  Subsequently, the additional component generation unit 1323 generates an additional component based on the acquired generated file (step S1406). That is, the additional component generation unit 1323 generates the OCRB component 1332 based on the generation file acquired from the component information of the component name “ocrB” and version “v2”. The generation of the OCRB component 1332 can be performed, for example, using an API for generating a component defined in the component common I / F 1330 by executing a generation file in the JAR format.

  Then, when the OCRB component 1332 is generated, the additional component generation unit 1323 returns the OCRB component 1332 to the flow execution unit 131. For example, the additional component generation unit 1323 may return the address on the memory (for example, the RAM 14) where the OCRB component 1332 is expanded to the flow execution unit 131.

  Next, the flow execution unit 131 designates the data and requests the generated OCRB component 1332 to execute the process (step S1407). The data specified here is an electronic file passed from the browser 210 as the data type “InputStream”.

  That is, the flow execution unit 131 transfers the electronic file passed as the data type “InputStream” from the browser 210 as “data” (without being aware of the data type) to the OCRB component 1332 to request execution of the process. . In FIG. 14, an electronic file or the like passed without being aware of the data type is simply referred to as “data”.

  Next, when the OCRB component 1332 receives an execution request for processing for which data is designated, the OCRB component 1332 requests type conversion management unit 134 for data type conversion (step S1408). Here, the type conversion request includes data and designation of “LocalFilePath” indicating a data type that the OCRB component 1332 can handle.

  When receiving the type conversion request, the type conversion management unit 134 checks whether the data type of the data included in the type conversion request matches the designated data type (step S1409). Here, since the data type of the data included in the received type conversion request is “InputStream”, and the designated data type is “LocalFilePath”, it is determined that they do not match.

  Then, the type conversion management unit 134 refers to the type conversion table 4000 and specifies type conversion for converting “InputStream” to “LocalFilePath” (here, the first type conversion 1351 is specified). , And generates the identified type conversion (step S1410).

  Next, the type conversion management unit 134 requests the generated first type conversion 1351 to execute the type conversion process by designating data (step S1411). Then, the first type conversion 1351 converts the data type of the designated data from “InputStream” to “LocalFilePath” (step S1412), and sends the converted data to the type conversion management unit 134. Then, the type conversion management unit 134 sends the data after type conversion back to the OCRB component 1332 (step S1413).

  Upon receiving the data after type conversion, the OCRB component 1332 executes processing (step S1414). That is, the OCR processing is performed on the electronic file indicated by the data of the data type “LocalFilePath” (that is, the path or the address). More specifically, the OCRB component 1332 requests processing to the OCR processing 151 of the document service unit 150, and the OCR processing 151 executes processing on the electronic file.

  Then, when the execution of the process is completed, the OCRB component 1332 sends data back to the flow execution unit 131. The data to be returned here is a path or an address indicating the electronic file after the OCR processing (that is, the data type of the data to be returned is “Local File Path”).

  Next, the flow execution unit 131 requests the component management unit 132 to acquire a component according to the acquired processing content 1300 (step S1415). More specifically, based on the description of the process definition unit 1303 following the process definition unit 1302 of the process content 1300 shown in FIG. The component management unit 132 is requested to acquire.

  When the component management unit 132 receives the component acquisition request, the component determination unit 1321 determines whether the component related to the acquisition request is an existing component or an additional component (step S1416). That is, the component determination unit 1321 refers to the component information table 3000 and determines whether or not the generated file of the component is stored in the data item “file” of the component information of the component name “uploadA” and version “v1”. Do.

  The component determination unit 1321 determines that the component related to the acquisition request is an additional component when the generated file of the component is stored in the data item “file” of the component information. On the other hand, when the generated file of the component is not stored in the data item “file” of the component information, the component determination unit 1321 determines that the component related to the acquisition request is the existing component.

  In the present embodiment, in the component information table 3000, the component information of the component name “uploadA” and version “v1” does not store the generated file of the component in the data item “file”. Therefore, the component determination unit 1321 determines that the component related to the acquisition request is an existing component.

  If the component determination unit 1321 determines that the component related to the acquisition request is an existing component, the component determination unit 1321 transmits the acquisition request to the existing component generation unit 1322 (step S1417).

  Next, upon receiving the component acquisition request, the existing component generation unit 1322 generates an existing component related to the acquisition request (step S1418). That is, the existing component generation unit 1322 generates the distribution A component 1333 based on the component name “uploadA” and the version “v1”. The distribution A component 1333 can be generated using an API for generating a component defined in the component common I / F 1330.

  Then, when the distribution A component 1333 is generated, the existing component generation unit 1322 returns the distribution A component 1333 to the flow execution unit 131. For example, the existing component generation unit 1322 may return the address on the memory (for example, the RAM 14) in which the distribution A component 1333 is expanded to the flow execution unit 131.

  Next, the flow execution unit 131 designates data, and requests the generated distribution A component 1333 to execute processing (step S1419). The data specified here is an electronic file after the OCR processing, which is returned from the OCRB component 1332 as a data type of “Local File Path”.

  Next, when the distribution A component 1333 receives an execution request for processing for which data is designated, the distribution A component 1333 requests type conversion management unit 134 for data type conversion (step S1420). Here, the type conversion request includes data and designation of “LocalFilePath” indicating a data type that can be handled by the distribution A component 1333.

  When receiving the type conversion request, the type conversion management unit 134 checks whether the data type of the data included in the type conversion request matches the designated data type (step S 1421). Here, since the data type of the data included in the received type conversion request is “Local File Path” and the designated data type is also “Local File Path”, it is determined that they match.

  Then, the type conversion management unit 134 transmits the data included in the type conversion request as it is to the distribution A component 1333 (step S1422). As described above, when the data types of the two coincide with each other in the data type check (processing of step S1421), the type conversion management unit 134 does not generate the type conversion.

  When the distribution A component 1333 receives the data from the type conversion management unit 134, the distribution A component 1333 executes a process (step S1423).

That is, the distribution A component 1333, the file processing unit 170 ₁ of the Storage Service A linkage unit 160 _1, using the API of the file storage that is defined as a common I / F171 _1, requesting delivery execution data . More particularly, the distribution A component 1333, the file processing unit 170 ₁ of the Storage Service A linkage unit 160 _1, using a "service-a / process / folder" as an API shown in FIG. 5 (a) Request delivery of data. As a result, an electronic file with the file name “test” (an electronic file obtained by performing an OCR process on an electronic file generated by scanning) is stored in the folder “Folder B” of the storage service A.

  Then, when the execution of the processing is completed, the distribution A component 1333 sends data back to the flow execution unit 131. The data returned here is, for example, a processing result indicating that the distribution of the electronic file to the storage service A has been normally performed. As a result, in the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment, the execution of a series of processes linked with the storage service A based on the process content 1300 is completed.

  As described above, in the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment, it is determined whether the component that executes one process included in the series of processes for realizing the service is either an existing component or an additional component. . Then, in the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment, the existing component or the additional component is generated according to the determination result.

  As described above, in the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment, various components developed or distributed in, for example, a JAR format can be used. Therefore, for example, a developer or the like of the application information 1000 can describe, as processing content, the content of a series of processing configured by processing executed by various components including additional components. Therefore, in the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide various services realized by a series of processes including the process executed by the additional component.

<< Adding, Updating, and Deleting Components >>
Next, processing when adding an additional component to the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment or when adding an additional component will be described with reference to FIG. 15 when deleting an additional component. FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the process of adding, updating and deleting components according to the first embodiment.

  First, a user such as a component developer performs a display operation of the component editing screen using the browser 310 of the PC terminal 30. Then, the browser 310 receives the display operation and causes the display device 12 to display, for example, a component editing screen 5000 shown in FIG. 16A (step S1501).

  The component editing screen 5000 shown in FIG. 16A is a screen for performing addition (registration), update, and deletion of an additional component. The component editing screen 5000 includes an add button 5010 for registering a new component in the component information table 3000, an update button 5020 for updating the registered additional component, and a delete button 5030 for deleting.

  When the add button 5010 is selected by the user on the component editing screen 5000, the browser 310 receives the operation and displays, for example, a component adding screen 5100 shown in FIG. 16B (step S1502).

  The component addition screen 5100 shown in FIG. 16B is a screen for adding (registering) a component, and includes a component name field 5110, a file field 5120, a reference button 5130, and a registration button 5140.

  The user inputs the component name of the additional component to be registered in the component name column 5110, designates the generated file of the additional component in the file column 5120, and presses the registration button 5140 to perform the registration operation of the additional component. Then, the browser 310 receives the registration operation (step S1503). Note that the user may designate a generated file in the file column 5120 by pressing the reference button 5130 to display a list of storage destinations of generated files and selecting a desired generated file from the list. .

  When the browser 310 receives the registration operation of the additional component, the browser 310 requests the component management unit 132 to register the component (step S1504). The component registration request includes the component name designated in the component name column 5110 and the generated file designated in the file column 5120.

  When the component management unit 132 receives the component registration request, the component registration unit 1324 creates component information based on the component name and the generated file included in the registration request. Then, the component registration unit 1324 registers the created component information in the component information table 3000 (step S1504). Thus, the additional component is registered in the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment.

  When the component name identical to the component name included in the registration request does not exist in the component information table 3000, the component registration unit 1324 sets “v1” in the data item “version” to create component information. On the other hand, when the component name identical to the component name included in the registration request exists in the component information table 3000, the component registration unit 1324 assigns the latest version to the data item “version” to create component information.

  Also, the component registration unit 1324 acquires information on input parameters of the additional component from the generated file included in the registration request, sets information on the input parameters in the data item “parameter”, and creates component information. . If the component registration unit 1324 can not acquire the information on the input parameter from the generated file, for example, because the data format is different, the PC terminal 30 displays a screen for allowing the user to specify the information on the input parameter. You may

  In the component editing screen 5000, when the user selects the update button 5020 in which the component name and the version of the additional component desired to be updated are associated, the browser 310 receives the operation. Then, the browser 310 displays, for example, a component update screen 5200 shown in FIG. 16C (step S1506).

  The component update screen 5200 shown in FIG. 16C is a screen for updating an additional component, and includes a file field 5210, a reference button 5220, and an update button 5230.

  The user designates the generated file in the file column 5210 and presses the update button 5230 to perform an update operation of the added component. Then, the browser 310 receives the update operation (step S1507). Note that even if the user presses the reference button 5220 to display a list of storage destinations of generated files, and then selects a desired generated file from the list, even if the generated file is specified in the file column 5210. good.

  When the browser 310 receives the update operation of the additional component, the browser 310 requests the component management unit 132 to update the component (step S1508). The component update request includes the component name and version associated with the update button 5020 selected by the user, and the generated file specified in the file field 5210.

  When the component management unit 132 receives the component update request, the component registration unit 1324 updates component information registered in the component information table 3000 (step S1509). That is, the component registration unit 1324 overwrites and updates the data item “file” of the component information corresponding to the component name and the version included in the registration request with the generated file included in the registration request. Thereby, the additional component registered in the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment is updated.

  The service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment prevents the update from being performed when the series of processes based on the process content included in the application information 1000 can not be normally executed due to the update of the additional component. It is good. Alternatively, in this case, the component information after update may be registered in the component information table 3000 while leaving the component information before update.

  Further, when the series of processes using the additional component to be updated is being executed, the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment can update the additional component to be updated after the execution of the series of processes is completed. Just do it.

  When the user selects the delete button 5030 associated with the component name and version of the additional component desired to be deleted in the component editing screen 5000, the browser 310 receives the operation (step S1510).

  When the browser 310 receives the deletion operation of the added component, the browser 310 requests the component management unit 132 to delete the component (step S1511). The component deletion request includes the component name and the version associated with the deletion button 5030 selected by the user.

  When the component management unit 132 receives the component deletion request, the component registration unit 1324 deletes the component information registered in the component information table 3000 (step S1512). That is, the component registration unit 1324 deletes component information corresponding to the component name and version included in the deletion request from the component information table 3000. Thereby, the additional component registered in the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment is deleted.

  As described above, in the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment, the additional component can be registered from the PC terminal 30 or the like. Therefore, a user such as a developer of the application information 1000 can register, in the service providing system 10, an additional component used by the application information 1000 developed by the user. Therefore, in the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment, various services can be provided.

  Further, in the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment, the registered additional component can be updated or deleted from the PC terminal 30 or the like. Therefore, a user such as a developer of the application information 1000 can update, for example, an additional component used by the application information 1000, and can flexibly develop the application information 1000.

  Furthermore, in the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment, additional components can be used by registering a generated file to be developed or distributed in, for example, a JAR format. Thus, in the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment, registration, update, and deletion of additional components can be performed without affecting existing components. That is, in the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to dynamically register, update, and delete additional components without having to stop the service providing system 10 or the like.

Second Embodiment
Next, an information processing system 1 according to a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, in the flow execution process, it is determined whether the component to be executed is an existing component or an additional component in a method different from the first embodiment. In the following, the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment are used for the portions having substantially the same functions as the first embodiment and the portions in which the same processing is performed, and the description thereof will be omitted.

<Software configuration>
Processing blocks of the logic processing unit 130 of the service providing system 10 included in the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a processing block of an example of the logic processing unit according to the second embodiment.

  The component management unit 132 of the logic processing unit 130 according to the present embodiment includes a component determination unit 1321A. Also, the logic processing unit 130 according to the present embodiment uses the component information table 3000A.

  The component determination unit 1321A refers to the component information table 3000A in response to the component acquisition request, and determines whether the component related to the acquisition request is an existing component or an additional component.

  Here, the component information table 3000A will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a component information table according to the second embodiment.

  The component information table 3000A shown in FIG. 18 further has component sections as data items. The component classification is a classification indicating whether the component information is component information of an existing component or component information of an additional component. Therefore, the component determination unit 1321A according to the present embodiment can determine whether the component related to the component acquisition request is an existing component or an additional component by referring to the component classification of the component information.

<Details of processing>
Next, details of processing of the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

<< flow execution processing >>
Hereinafter, the flow execution process according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram showing an example of flow execution processing according to the second embodiment. In addition, the description is abbreviate | omitted about the location which performs the process similar to the flow execution process which concerns on 1st embodiment.

  When the component management unit 132 receives the component acquisition request, the component determination unit 1321A determines whether the component related to the acquisition request is an existing component or an additional component (step S1901). That is, the component determination unit 1321A refers to the component information table 3000A and determines whether the data item "component classification" of component information of the component name "ocrB" and version "v2" is "existing" or "addition". To determine

  When the data item “component classification” of the component information is “addition”, the component determination unit 1321A determines that the component related to the acquisition request is an additional component. On the other hand, when the data item “component classification” of the component information is “existing”, the component determination unit 1321A determines that the component related to the acquisition request is the existing component.

  In the present embodiment, in the component information table 3000A, in the component information of the component name “ocrB” and the version “v2”, the data item “component classification” is “addition”. Therefore, the component determination unit 1321A determines that the component related to the acquisition request is an additional component.

  When the component management unit 132 receives the component acquisition request, the component determination unit 1321A determines whether the component related to the acquisition request is an existing component or an additional component (step S1902). That is, the component determination unit 1321A refers to the component information table 3000A and determines whether the component item “component classification” of the component information of the component name “uploadA” and version “v1” is “existing” or “addition”. To determine

  In the present embodiment, in the component information table 3000A, in the component information of the component name “uploadA” and version “v1”, the data item “component classification” is “existing”. Therefore, the component determination unit 1321A determines that the component related to the acquisition request is an existing component.

  As described above, the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment determines whether the component related to the acquisition request is the existing component or the additional component by referring to the data item “component classification” of the component information. . Thereby, in the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to more easily determine whether the component is an existing component or an additional component.

Third Embodiment
Next, an information processing system 1 according to the third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, in the flow execution process, an existing component is also generated based on the generated file. In the following, the same reference numerals as those in the second embodiment are used for the portions having substantially the same functions as those in the second embodiment and the portions in which the same processing is performed, and the description thereof will be omitted.

<Software configuration>
Processing blocks of the logic processing unit 130 of the service providing system 10 included in the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a processing block of an example of the logic processing unit according to the third embodiment.

  The component management unit 132 of the logic processing unit 130 according to the present embodiment includes an existing component generation unit 1322A. Also, the logic processing unit 130 according to the present embodiment uses the component information table 3000B.

  When the component determination unit 1321A determines that the component related to the component acquisition request is the existing component, the existing component generation unit 1322A generates the existing component related to the acquisition request. At this time, the existing component generation unit 1322A acquires the generated file of the existing component from the component information table 3000B, and generates the existing component based on the acquired generated file.

  Here, the component information table 3000B will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a component information table according to the third embodiment.

  In the component information table 3000B shown in FIG. 21, the generated file is stored in the data item "file" of the component information of the existing component. Thus, the component information table 3000B according to the present embodiment also manages the generated file of the existing component.

<Details of processing>
Next, details of processing of the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

<< flow execution processing >>
Hereinafter, the flow execution process according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 22 is a sequence diagram showing an example of flow execution processing according to the third embodiment. In addition, the description is abbreviate | omitted about the location which performs the process similar to the flow execution process which concerns on 2nd embodiment.

  When the existing component generation unit 1322A receives the component acquisition request, the existing component generation unit 1322A acquires a component generation file from the component information table 3000B based on the component name "uploadA" and the version "v1" (step S2201). That is, the existing component generation unit 1322A acquires the generated file stored in the data item “file” of the component information of the component name “uploadA” and version “v1”.

  Next, the existing component generation unit 1322A generates an existing component based on the acquired generated file (step S2202). That is, the existing component generation unit 1322A generates the distribution A component 1333 based on the generation file acquired from the component information of the component name “uploadA” and version “v1”. The distribution A component 1333 can be generated, for example, using an API for generating a component defined in the component common I / F 1330 by executing a generation file in the JAR format.

  Then, when the distribution A component 1333 is generated, the existing component generation unit 1322A returns the distribution A component 1333 to the flow execution unit 131. For example, the existing component generation unit 1322A may return, to the flow execution unit 131, the address on the memory (for example, the RAM 14) in which the distribution A component 1333 is expanded.

  As described above, in the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment, the existing component is generated based on the generation file stored in the component information table 3000B. Thereby, in the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment, the existing component and the additional component can be managed in the same manner.

  The present invention is not limited to the above specifically disclosed embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible without departing from the scope of the claims.

Reference Signs List 1 information processing system 10 service providing system 20 image forming apparatus 30 PC terminal 40 external storage system 110 service processing unit 120 application management unit 130 logic processing unit 131 flow execution unit 132 component management unit 133 component group 134 type conversion management unit 135 type conversion Group 140 Data I / F unit 150 Document service unit 151 OCR processing 160 Storage service cooperation unit 170 File processing unit 180 Data processing unit 190 Application information storage unit 1000 Application information 1321 Component discrimination unit 1322 Existing component generation unit 1323 Additional component generation unit 1324 Component registration unit 3000 Component information table 4000 type conversion table

JP, 2014-032659, A

Claims (10)

An information processing system including one or more information processing apparatuses, wherein
For each application that executes a series of processes using electronic data by combining components that execute the series of processes, application identification information for identifying the application, information on the series of processes, and the series of processes A first storage unit that associates and stores screen information of a screen for specifying the electronic data used for
Second storage means for storing information regarding the component;
When a first request including the application identification information is received from one of the one or more devices connected to the information processing system, the first request is associated with the application identification information included in the first request. Transmission means for transmitting the screen information stored in the one storage means to the one device of the request source;
When a second request including information related to electronic data designated by the user is received from the one device via the screen displayed on the one device based on the screen information transmitted by the transmission unit, the application A series of processes based on the information on the series of processes stored in the first storage means in association with identification information using electronic data specified by the information on the electronic data included in the second request Processing execution means for
The components include a first component registered by a user and a second component incorporated in advance in the information processing system.
The process execution means is
It has determination means for determining whether to generate the first component or the second component based on the information on the series of processes and the information on the components for each process of the series of processes. ,
An information processing system , which combines the first component or the second component generated according to the determination result by the determination means, and executes the series of processes using the electronic data . The judging means
The information on the component, if it contains the generated file to produce the component determines that generates the first component, the information processing system according to claim 1. The process execution means is
First generation means for generating the first component;
Second generation means for generating the second component;
When it is determined that the first component is generated by the determination unit, the first component is generated by the first generation unit;
Wherein when it is determined to generate the second component by discriminating means, for generating a second component by the second generation means, the information processing system according to claim 2. The information processing system according to claim 3 , wherein the first generation unit generates the first component based on the generation file included in the information on the component. The process execution means is
When a third request including a generation file specified by the user via a screen displayed on the device is received, the information regarding the component including the generation file included in the third request is stored in the second storage unit The information processing system according to claim 4 , further comprising: registration means for storing the first component stored by the generation file and storing the first component. The process execution means is
For electronic data, it has one or more type conversion means for converting the data type of the electronic data into a predetermined data type,
After the data type of the electronic data is converted into a data type that can be processed by the component by the type conversion means, the series of processes using the electronic data is executed by executing the process of the component. The information processing system according to any one of Items 1 to 5 . The component includes a component that performs processing related to an external service,
The component that executes the process related to the external service is
The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , further comprising at least a component that executes a process of uploading electronic data to an external service. An information processing apparatus,
For each application that executes a series of processes using electronic data by combining components that execute the series of processes, application identification information for identifying the application, information on the series of processes, and the series of processes A first storage unit that associates and stores screen information of a screen for specifying the electronic data used for
Second storage means for storing information regarding the component;
When a first request including the application identification information is received from one of the one or more devices connected to the information processing apparatus, the first request is associated with the application identification information included in the first request and the first request is received. Transmission means for transmitting the screen information stored in the one storage means to the one device of the request source;
When a second request including information related to electronic data designated by the user is received from the one device via the screen displayed on the one device based on the screen information transmitted by the transmission unit, the application A series of processes based on the information on the series of processes stored in the first storage means in association with identification information using electronic data specified by the information on the electronic data included in the second request Processing execution means for
The components include a first component registered by a user and a second component incorporated in advance in the information processing apparatus.
The process execution means is
It has determination means for determining whether to generate the first component or the second component based on the information on the series of processes and the information on the components for each process of the series of processes. ,
An information processing apparatus that executes the series of processes using the electronic data by combining a first component or a second component generated according to the determination result by the determination unit. An information processing system that includes one or more information processing apparatuses, and is an application that identifies the application for each application that executes a series of processes using electronic data by combining components that execute the series of processes. First storage means for associating and storing identification information, information on the series of processes, and screen information of a screen for specifying the electronic data used in the series of processes, and storing information on the components In an information processing method used in an information processing system having two storage means,
When a first request including the application identification information is received from one of the one or more devices connected to the information processing system, the first request is associated with the application identification information included in the first request. A transmission procedure for transmitting the screen information stored in the first storage unit to the one device of the request source;
When a second request including information related to electronic data specified by the user is received from the one device via the screen displayed on the one device based on the screen information transmitted by the transmission procedure, the application A series of processes based on the information on the series of processes stored in the first storage means in association with identification information using electronic data specified by the information on the electronic data included in the second request Process execution procedure to execute
The components include a first component registered by a user and a second component incorporated in advance in the information processing system.
The process execution procedure is
Each process of the series of processes includes a determination procedure of determining whether to generate the first component or the second component based on the information on the series of processes and the information on the components,
An information processing method , comprising combining the first component or the second component generated according to the determination result in the determination procedure, and executing the series of processes using the electronic data . For each application that executes a series of processes using electronic data by combining components that execute the series of processes, application identification information for identifying the application, information on the series of processes, and the series of processes An information processing apparatus comprising: first storage means for storing screen information of a screen for specifying the electronic data to be used in association with each other; and second storage means for storing information on the component.
When a first request including the application identification information is received from one of the one or more devices connected to the information processing apparatus, the first request is associated with the application identification information included in the first request and the first request is received. A transmission procedure for transmitting the screen information stored in the first storage unit to the one device of the request source;
When a second request including information related to electronic data specified by the user is received from the one device via the screen displayed on the one device based on the screen information transmitted by the transmission procedure, the application A series of processes based on the information on the series of processes stored in the first storage means in association with identification information using electronic data specified by the information on the electronic data included in the second request Process execution procedure to be executed
The components include a first component registered by a user and a second component incorporated in advance in the information processing apparatus.
The process execution procedure is
Each process of the series of processes includes a determination procedure of determining whether to generate the first component or the second component based on the information on the series of processes and the information on the components,
A program for executing the series of processes using the electronic data by combining a first component or a second component generated according to the determination result in the determination procedure .

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