JP7192306B2 - Information processing device, image processing device, information processing system and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device, an image processing device, an information processing system, and a program.

Patent Literature 1 describes a server operation/management technique that supports a Web system constructed based on a service-oriented architecture and implements a deadline scheduling function required for a business system. Estimate the web service resources required for the business web system to process a given job, set a policy to instruct that the given job should be completed by a given date and time, and based on the set policy to operate the business web system. By measuring in advance the resources required to execute the Web service for each department, position, or task, and securing in advance the resources required to carry out the specified policy, processing can be facilitated. Even if you concentrate, you will process the work within the determined time.

JP-A-2006-99162

Even if the resource of a service server such as a Web service is estimated, it is difficult for the user to grasp the actual load status of the service server, that is, the degree of congestion and the operational status of multiplexing. Even if a date and time (deadline) is specified, a situation may arise in which the business cannot be processed by the deadline.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a technique capable of setting a processing deadline based on the load status of an information processing apparatus such as a server.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided: a receiving means for receiving a processing instruction and a deadline from an image processing apparatus; a calculating means for calculating an expected end date and time of the processing; If it is before the deadline, notify the image processing device that the processing has been accepted, and if the calculated expected end date and time is later than the deadline, notify the image processing device of the necessity of adjusting the deadline. and a notification means for notifying the calculated expected end date and time, and a registration means for registering the calculated expected end date and time and the deadline as a schedule, wherein the registration means is configured to provide an estimate for each of a plurality of processes. An end date and time and respective deadlines are registered, and when one of the plurality of processes is canceled, an expected end of the process that should be processed in the shortest time among the processes registered after the canceled process. An information processing apparatus that adjusts and re-registers a date and time while maintaining deadlines for other processes .

The invention according to claim 2 is the information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the calculating means calculates the shortest date and time as the expected end date and time.

The invention according to claim 3 is the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the receiving means further receives the adjusted deadline from the image processing apparatus.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when there is a grace period between the expected end date and time and the deadline, the registration means adjusts the expected end date and time while maintaining the deadline and re-registers the expected end date and time. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1 .

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus, and an information processing apparatus connected to the image processing apparatus via a communication means, wherein the image processing apparatus transmits a processing instruction and a deadline to the information. transmitting means for transmitting to a processing device; receiving means for receiving notification from the information processing device indicating that the process has been accepted or the necessity of adjusting the deadline and the calculated expected end date; and the deadline retransmitting means for retransmitting the cancellation of the process or the adjusted deadline to the information processing apparatus when receiving the notification of the necessity of adjustment of and the calculated expected end date and time; The information processing apparatus comprises receiving means for receiving a processing instruction and a deadline from the image processing apparatus, calculating means for calculating the expected end date and time of the processing, and the calculated expected end date and time before the deadline. If so, notify the image processing device that the processing has been accepted, and if the calculated expected end date and time is later than the deadline, notify the image processing device of the necessity of adjusting the deadline and the calculation. notification means for notifying the estimated end date and time calculated; registration means for registering the calculated estimated end date and time, the deadline or the adjusted deadline as a schedule, and according to the schedule registered in the registration means and processing means for executing the processes, wherein the registration means registers the expected end dates and deadlines of each of the plurality of processes, and when any of the plurality of processes is canceled, the cancellation is performed. This information processing system adjusts and re-registers the expected end date and time of a process that should be processed at the shortest time out of processes that were registered later than a process that has been registered while maintaining deadlines for other processes .

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a computer comprises: receiving means for receiving a processing instruction and a deadline from an image processing apparatus; calculating means for calculating an expected end date and time of the processing; If it is before the deadline, the image processing device is notified that the processing has been accepted, and if the calculated expected end date and time is after the deadline, the image processing device is adjusted to the deadline. and a registration means for registering the calculated expected end date and time and the deadline as a schedule, wherein the registration means functions as a schedule for each of a plurality of processes. When one of the plurality of processes is canceled, the shortest process to be processed among the processes registered after the canceled process is registered. This is a program that adjusts and re-registers the expected end date and time while maintaining deadlines for other processes .

According to the inventions of Claims 1, 2, 3, 5 , and 6, the processing deadline can be set based on the load status of the information processing apparatus. Further, the processes are executed according to the registered schedule, and when any one of a plurality of processes is canceled, the shortest process to be processed can be rescheduled.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, rescheduling can be performed while maintaining the deadline.

1 is a system configuration diagram of an embodiment; FIG. 4 is a processing flowchart (part 1) of the embodiment; 2 is a processing flowchart (part 2) of the embodiment; 3 is a processing flowchart (part 3) of the embodiment; 4 is an example (part 1) of a screen of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment; 7 is an example screen (2) of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment; 3 is a screen example (part 3) of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment; 4 is an example screen (4) of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment; FIG. 10 is a screen example (No. 5) of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment; FIG. It is a screen example of the terminal of the embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram (part 1) of rescheduling according to the embodiment; FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram (part 2) of rescheduling according to the embodiment; FIG. 11 is another rescheduling explanatory diagram (Part 1) of the embodiment; FIG. 11 is another rescheduling explanatory diagram (part 2) of the embodiment; It is an example of a screen of the image processing apparatus of a modification.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the system configuration of this embodiment. The system includes a terminal 10, an image processing device 12, and a server 14, which are connected via a communication network 16 so as to be able to transmit and receive data. Although only the server 14 is shown as a server in the drawing, other servers may be connected to the communication network 16 as well.

A terminal 10 is a terminal operated by a user who uses this system, and includes an operation unit, a display unit, and a notification reception unit 101 . Notification receiving unit 101 receives notifications from server 14 via communication network 16 . The notification is notification of the end date and time of processing in the server 14 . Upon receiving the notification from the server 14, the notification receiving unit 101 displays the notification on the display unit to notify the user.

The terminal 10 may be configured by a PC (personal computer), tablet, smartphone, or the like.

The image processing device 12 is a device operated by a user who uses this system, and executes a series of processing flows for images in cooperation with the server 14 and other servers as necessary in response to a request from the user. The image processing apparatus 12 includes a processing instruction transmission section 121, an end date/time instruction/correction section 122, a notification reception section 123, and a user information management section 124, in addition to an operation section, a display section, and an execution section that executes various functions.

The processing instruction transmission unit 121 instructs the server 14 to execute processing according to an operation from the user. For example, the processing instruction transmission unit 121 instructs translation processing and format conversion processing for electronic data obtained by scanning an original document with the image processing device 12 .

The end date/time designation/correction unit 122 transmits the end date/time of the process desired by the user to the server 14 as a deadline. Further, when the server 14 responds that the deadline needs to be adjusted, the end date/time designation/correction unit 122 transmits the adjusted deadline corrected by the user to the server 14 . Here, the "deadline" is the final date and time of completion of the processing desired by the user, and is the date and time at which the processing must be completed in the server 14 .

The notification receiving unit 123 receives notifications from the server 14 . The notification from the server 14 is a notification to the effect that a processing instruction has been received, or to the effect that the deadline needs to be adjusted. When the notification receiving unit 123 receives the notification that the deadline needs to be adjusted, the end date/time designation/correction unit 122 retransmits the adjusted deadline corrected by the user to the server 14 .

The user information management unit 124 manages authentication information such as user IDs and passwords, contact information, addresses of terminals 10 carried by users, and the like.

The image processing device 12 may be configured as a multifunction device that performs multiple functions such as scanning, faxing, copying, printing, and sending and receiving e-mail.

The server 14 is a service server that functions as an information processing device and executes jobs in response to requests from the image processing device 12 . The server 14 includes an instruction receiving unit 141 , a required time calculating unit 142 , an end date/time notifying unit 143 , and a schedule managing unit 144 in addition to a processing unit that executes jobs.

The instruction receiving unit 141 receives a processing instruction, processing target data, and a deadline from the image processing apparatus 12 . The data to be processed is data to be processed by the image processing device 12 and to be processed by the server 14 , for example, digitized data obtained by scanning processing by the image processing device 12 . The data to be processed includes attributes of the data to be processed, such as the amount of data.

The required time calculation unit 142 calculates the time required to execute the processing instruction received by the instruction reception unit 141 . The required time is calculated from the amount of data to be processed and the capacity and load of the processor that executes the process.

The end date and time notification unit 143 calculates the expected end date and time of the process using the required time for the process calculated by the required time calculation unit 142, and combines the calculated expected end date and time with the deadline specified by the image processing apparatus 12. It compares and notifies the image processing device 12 according to the comparison result. That is, if the calculated expected end date and time is before the deadline, the deadline is notified as the expected end date and time because the process can be processed within the deadline. Specifically, it notifies, for example, that the processing has been accepted until the deadline. On the other hand, if the calculated expected end date and time is after the deadline, the calculated expected end date and time is notified because the process cannot be processed within the deadline. Specifically, it notifies that "the process cannot be completed by the deadline. The process can be completed by the expected end date and time."

The schedule management unit 144 registers and manages a schedule for executing processing in a schedule table using processing instructions and deadlines from the image processing apparatus 12, or adjusted deadlines, and calculated expected end dates and times. do. For example, when processing 1 and processing 2 are instructed, the processing start date and time, processing end date and time (expected end date and time), and deadline of processing 1 are registered in the table, and the processing start date and time and processing end date and time of processing 2 are registered in the table. (Expected end date and time), and register the deadline in the table. The processing unit of the server 14 sequentially executes processing according to the schedule registered by the schedule management unit 144 .

The server 14 has a configuration as a server computer, and specifically includes one or more processors, ROMs, RAMs, storage devices such as HDDs (hard disk drives) and SDDs (solid state drives), input/output interfaces, communication interfaces, and the like. Prepare. The input/output interface implements the instruction receiving unit 141 . The processor of the server 14 reads out and executes a processing program stored in a program memory such as a ROM or HDD to implement a required time calculation unit 142, an end date/time notification unit 143, and a schedule management unit 144, and It implements a processing unit that executes the specified processing. The contents of processing in the processing section are determined by the server 14. For example, if the server 14 is a translation server, the processing section executes translation processing according to a processing program. The results of processing by the processor are stored in the storage of server 14 . The storage device of the server 14 also stores a table for registering schedules. Furthermore, the user information managed by the user information management unit 124 of the image processing apparatus 12 is obtained and stored. User information is, for example, the address of the terminal 10 . The address is referred to when notifying the terminal 10 from the server 14 .

Note that the image processing apparatus 12 has a configuration as a known multifunction machine, and specifically includes one or more processors, ROM, RAM, storage devices such as HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and SDD (Solid State Drive), input It has an output interface, a communication interface, and the like. An input/output interface such as an operation unit and a display unit implements a processing instruction transmission unit 121 , an end date/time instruction/correction unit 122 and a notification reception unit 123 . The processor reads out and executes a processing program stored in a program memory such as a ROM or HDD, thereby realizing the user information management unit 124 and a processing unit that executes processing. The storage device of the image processing device 12 stores user information. Also, the storage unit of the image processing device 12 stores information of the server 14 . The information of the server 14 is the address of the server 14, service contents, and the like. The processor refers to the information of the server 14 to identify the server 14 according to the user's operation, and transmits a processing instruction. Server 14 may be stored in storage as a default server.

2 and 3 show processing flowcharts of the present embodiment. This processing is performed by the image processing device 12 and the server 14, and is a flow in which the image processing device 12 scans a document into electronic data, transmits the electronic data to the server 14, and the server 14 processes the data.

First, in FIG. 2, the user operates the image processing apparatus 12 to input an instruction regarding processing, and also inputs a deadline as the end date and time of the processing (S101). The deadline is basically a date and time, but it may be tomorrow morning, two days later, this weekend, or the like. Furthermore, it may be "shortest".

When the image processing apparatus 12 receives an instruction and deadline regarding processing, it scans the input document and generates electronic data. After generating the electronic data, the image processing apparatus 12 transmits the electronic data, attributes of the input document (monochrome/color information, data size information, format), and deadline to the server 14 (S102).

When the server 14 receives the electronic data from the image processing device 12, the attributes of the input document (black and white/color information, data size information, format), and the deadline, the server 14 determines the processing requirements based on this information and the load status. The time and expected end date and time are calculated (S201).

Once the expected end date and time have been calculated, it is next determined whether or not there is an instruction for "shortest" (S202). If there is an instruction of "shortest" (YES in S202), the expected end date and time calculated in S201 is the "shortest" anyway, so processing is accepted and registered in the schedule at the expected end date and time calculated in S201 (S203). Then, it responds to the image processing device 12 that the process has been accepted (S204). At this time, it may be possible to notify the expected completion date and time calculated in S201 together with responding that the request was received at the "shortest time". Alternatively, instead of responding to the image processing device 12, the terminal 10 may be notified if the user specifies.

If NO in S202, that is, if there is no "shortest" instruction, then it is determined whether or not the expected end date and time calculated in S201 is within the deadline (S205). If the expected end date and time is within the deadline (YES at S205), the processing is accepted at the instructed deadline and registered in the schedule (S206). Then, it responds to the image processing apparatus 12 that the process has been accepted within the deadline (S204).

If NO in S205, that is, if the expected end date and time calculated in S201 is not within the deadline, the deadline is tentatively accepted and registered in the schedule (S207), and the image processing apparatus 12 is processed within the deadline. It responds that adjustment is necessary because it will not end, and the expected end date and time calculated in S201 as the current shortest end time (S208). Also in this case, instead of responding to the image processing device 12, the terminal 10 may be notified if the user specifies.

Next, in FIG. 3, the image processing apparatus 12 that has received the response from the server 14 displays a screen for receiving input from the user on the display unit, and receives consent, change, and correction (S103). Then, the accepted consent, change, or correction is transmitted to the server 14 (S104). If the response from the server 14 is the shortest acceptable response, the user typically enters consent. Even if the response from the server 14 is a deadline acceptance response, the user will normally enter consent. On the other hand, if the response from the server 14 is a response to the effect that adjustment is required and the shortest completion time, the user normally changes or modifies the processing instruction or deadline and inputs it. For example, inputting cancellation of processing, changing processing to another server while maintaining the deadline, changing (delaying) the deadline while maintaining processing to the server 14, and the like. When the terminal 10 is notified from the image processing device 12 , the terminal 10 displays a change screen, accepts consent, changes, and corrections, and transmits them to the server 14 .

When receiving the instruction from the image processing apparatus 12, the server 14 determines whether or not the instruction means no change (S209). In the case of "agree", there is no change (YES in S209), so the provisional acceptance in S207 of FIG. (S211). It should be noted that the processing of S210 is not necessary if the request has already been formally accepted in S203 or S206.

On the other hand, if the instruction from the image processing apparatus 12 is "change" or "correction", it means that there is a change (NO in S209), and then it is determined whether or not the deadline is to be corrected (S212). If it is a correction of the deadline (YES in S212), the provisional acceptance of S207 in FIG. 2 is discarded (S213), acceptance by the indicated deadline is registered in the schedule (S214). Then, it responds to the image processing apparatus 12 to the effect that it has been accepted (S211). If the deadline is not corrected (S212), for example, if the instruction is to cancel the process or change the process to another server, the provisional acceptance of S207 in FIG. 2 is similarly discarded (S215). A response to that effect is sent to the image processing device 12 (S216).

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the server 14 when executing processing.

The server 14 executes the processing instructed by the image processing device 12 according to the schedule (S217). Then, the processing completion date and time are sequentially calculated at a constant control cycle, and it is determined whether or not the calculated processing completion date and time are within the deadline registered as the schedule (S218). The processing completion date and time calculated in S218 basically match the expected end date and time calculated in S201 of FIG. For example, the load status on the server 14 side may increase, and the processing completion date and time may be later than the expected end date and time. As a result of the determination, if the processing completion date and time are within the deadline, there is no problem, so no particular notification is made.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the processing completion date and time will exceed the deadline registered in the schedule due to changes in the load status (NO in S218), then it is determined whether or not the shortest time is designated (S219). ). If the "shortest" instruction has been received from the image processing device 12 (YES in S219), the terminal 10 is promptly notified of the completion of the processing upon completion of the processing (S220). If the shortest date and time is not specified (NO in S219), the terminal 10 is notified of the processing completion date and time when it is determined that the processing completion date and time exceeds the deadline, not when the processing is completed (S221). ). In S<b>220 and S<b>221 , the terminal 10 may be notified via the image processing device 12 .

The processing of this embodiment will be specifically described.
A user operates the image processing device 12 to perform the following as a series of processing flows:
Scan processing of the original document by the image processing device 12→translation processing by the server 14 using the document→storage of the translated document in the storage device of the server 14→transmission of the translated document to the image processing device 12→translation of the translated document It is assumed that the image processing device 12 executes printing.

The user operates the operation unit of the image processing apparatus 12 to set the original document in an ADF (automatic document feeder) or the like, and inputs the final output document name, translation language, processing end date and time, etc. to execute processing. instruct.

5A shows an example of an input screen displayed on the display unit 12a of the image processing device 12. FIG. as an input field
Output document name:
Translation language:
Processing end date and time:
is displayed and the user fills in these input fields. for example,
Output document name: Report Translation language: English Processing end date: 2018/8/31 15:00
etc. The processing end date and time in this input field corresponds to the deadline. By operating the start button, the image processing apparatus 12 and the server 14 are instructed to execute. Note that the server 14 may be a preset default server, or may be selected by the user from a plurality of servers existing on the communication network 16 .

When the execution of processing is instructed, the image processing apparatus 12 executes scanning processing of the set original document to generate digitized data, and stores the digitized data and the parameters (color information, data size information, format), information input by the user (output document name, translation language, processing end date and time), and a processing request are transmitted to the server 14 .

When receiving these pieces of information, the server 14 uses the parameters used for scanning to calculate the time required for processing and the expected end date and time based on this. Depending on the processing start time and required time in the server 14, the following two patterns are possible for the relationship between the calculated expected end date and time and the designated deadline.
(1) Since the calculated expected end date and time is 14:40, which is before the designated deadline, the processing on the server 14 side is registered in the schedule, and the completion of processing by 15:00 is accepted. Respond to the image processing device 12 .
(2) Since the calculated expected end date and time is 15:30, which is after the designated deadline, the processing on the server 14 side is provisionally registered in the schedule, and the processing cannot be completed by 15:00. And it responds to the image processing device 12 that the processing can be completed by 15:30.

FIG. 5B shows an example of a response displayed on the display unit 12a of the image processing device 12 in pattern (1). A message "Processing completed by 15:00 on August 31, 2018 has been accepted" is displayed, and operation buttons "OK", "Change", and "Cancel" are displayed.
It should be noted that when a process is accepted, a receipt number for specifying the process may be assigned and sent back to the image processing apparatus 12 . For example, "Processing completed by 15:00 on August 31, 2018. Receipt number 0123". If the user agrees with the response from the server 14 , the user operates the “OK” button to instruct the server 14 .

The server 14 executes processing according to the registered processing schedule, and translates the digitized data into English. According to the schedule, the processing is scheduled to end at 14:40, but even if the processing is not completed by 14:40, the image processing apparatus 12 or the terminal 10 is notified if the deadline of 15:00 is not exceeded. do not. On the other hand, if it is determined that the processing will not be completed even after 14:40 and that the processing will not be completed before 15:00, which is the deadline, the image processing device 12 or the terminal 10 is notified to that effect. . Once the translation is complete, the original document and the translated document are stored in storage. Then, the original document and the translation document are read out from the storage device and transmitted to the image processing device 12 . The transmission to the image processing device 12 may be automatically executed by the server 14 according to a schedule, or may be transmitted in response to a request from the image processing device 12 . Upon receiving the original document and the translated document, the image processing apparatus 12 edits them into a layout desired by the user as necessary, and prints them out.

FIG. 5C shows an example of a response displayed on the display unit 12a of the image processing device 12 in pattern (2). The message "The process cannot be completed by 15:00 on August 31, 2018. The process can be completed by 15:30." Is displayed. The user instructs the server 14 by operating any button. When the user operates the "OK" button, the server 14 officially registers a provisional schedule that ends processing at 15:30. When the user operates the "change" button, the image processing apparatus 12 again displays the screen of FIG. 5A on the display unit 12a to prompt the user to change the processing end date and time. The server 14 accepts the changed processing end date and time re-input by the user, discards the provisionally registered schedule, and registers the schedule with the newly accepted changed end date and time.

Then, the server 14 executes the process according to the registered schedule of the process, and translates the digitized data into English. According to the schedule, the processing is scheduled to end at 15:30, but if the processing is not completed even after 15:30, the image processing apparatus 12 or the terminal 10 is notified to that effect. Once the translation is complete, the original document and the translated document are stored in storage. Then, the original document and the translation document are read out from the storage device and transmitted to the image processing device 12 . The transmission to the image processing device 12 may be automatically executed by the server 14 according to a schedule, or may be transmitted in response to a request from the image processing device 12 . Upon receiving the original document and the translated document, the image processing apparatus 12 edits them into a layout desired by the user as necessary, and prints them out.

When the user operates the "cancel" button, the server 14 discards the provisionally registered schedule. In this case, no translation processing is performed by the server 14 .

FIG. 5D shows another example of the input screen displayed on the display section 12a of the image processing device 12. As shown in FIG. as an input field
Output document name:
Translation language:
Processing end date and time:
is displayed, along with a check box for instructing the shortest processing. The user fills in these input fields and checks checkboxes as required. for example,
Output document name: Report Translation language: English Processing end date and time: 2018/8/31 15:00
For example, there is a check for "process in the shortest possible time".

In this case, even if the calculated expected end date and time exceeds the specified deadline, the server 14 registers the schedule with the calculated expected end date and time and responds to the image processing apparatus 12 .

FIG. 5E shows an example of a response displayed on the display unit 12a of the image processing device 12 in this case. The message "The process cannot be completed by 15:00 on August 31, 2018. The process can be completed by 15:30 at the earliest." A button appears. The user instructs the server 14 by operating any button. When the user operates the "OK" button, the server 14 executes the process according to the schedule to end the process at 15:30. When the user operates the "change" button, the image processing apparatus 12 again displays the screen of FIG. 5A on the display unit 12a to prompt the user to change the processing end date and time. The server 14 accepts the changed processing end date and time re-input by the user, discards the schedule, and registers the schedule with the newly accepted changed end date and time.

The server 14 executes processing according to the registered processing schedule, and translates the digitized data into English. According to the schedule, the processing is scheduled to end at 15:30. Alternatively, the terminal 10 is notified. However, when it is determined that the processing will not be completed even after 15:30, the image processing apparatus 12 or the terminal may be notified to that effect. Once the translation is complete, the original document and the translated document are stored in storage. Then, the original document and the translation document are read out from the storage device and transmitted to the image processing device 12 . Upon receiving the original document and the translated document, the image processing apparatus 12 edits them into a layout desired by the user as necessary, and prints them out.

FIG. 5F shows an example notification displayed on the terminal 10 when the server 14 notifies the terminal 10 when the process is complete. Details of processing, document name, and document storage location are notified. for example,
"Translation process completed. Document name: Report Storage location: xyz"
etc. With this message
"Please access from the image processing device 12 and output."
A message will also be sent. Even if the user is located at a distance from the image processing apparatus 12, the user can visually recognize the terminal 10 carried by the user to know that the processing has been completed and where to access from the image processing apparatus 12. I can grasp it.

In this embodiment, the schedule management unit 144 of the server 14 calculates the required processing time according to the amount of data to be processed, the processing capacity of the processor, and the load status, and calculates the processing start date and time, the expected end date and time, and The designated deadline is managed by registering it in the schedule table, but if there is a certain leeway (or grace period) between the expected end date and time and the deadline, this grace period is added as necessary may be rescheduled and re-registered within.

6A and 6B show an example of rescheduling in the schedule management unit 144. FIG. Assuming that user A instructs process 1 and user B instructs process 2, the process start date and time, the process end date and time (estimated end date and time), and the deadline of process 1 are registered in the schedule table, and the process 2 is performed. A processing start date and time, a processing end date and time (expected end date and time), and a deadline are registered in the schedule table. It is assumed that the schedule management unit 144 needs to execute another process prior to process 1 for some reason. If other processes cannot be processed preferentially in this state, the schedule management unit 144 compares the processing end date and time of process 1 with the deadline, and if there is a certain grace period, determines the processing start time and date of process 1. Delay the processing end date and time by a certain amount of time.

FIG. 6B shows the schedule for process 1 after delay. The processing start date and time and the processing end date and time of the processing 1 are delayed within the grace period of the processing 1. Note that processing 1 has already been registered and has responded to the image processing apparatus 12 that it has been received, so the processing is delayed within a range in which the deadline can be maintained. Also, even if process 1 is rescheduled, the deadline is maintained, so there is no need to notify the image processing apparatus 12 or the terminal 10 of the rescheduling. good too.

In addition, the schedule management unit 144 of the server 14 calculates the required time for the instructed process according to the amount of data to be processed, the processing capacity of the processor, and the load status, and calculates the processing start date and time, the expected end date and time, and The designated deadline is managed by registering it in the schedule table, but if any process is canceled after being registered, it is rescheduled and re-registered so that the process with the shortest instruction is executed ahead of schedule. may

7A and 7B show another example of rescheduling in the schedule management unit 144. FIG. Assume that user A instructs process 1, user B instructs process 2, user C instructs process 3, and user D instructs process 4. FIG. It is assumed that processing 1, processing 2, processing 3, and processing 4 are instructed in that order, processing 1 to processing 3 are not instructed at the shortest time, and processing 4 is instructed at the shortest time.

As shown in FIG. 7A, after the processing start date and time, the processing end date and time, and the deadline for processing 1 to processing 4 are registered, it is assumed that processing 2 is canceled before execution by an instruction from user B. In this case, the schedule management unit 144 cancels the registration of the process 2, focuses on the process 4 that was instructed to be the shortest, and reschedules the process 4 that was instructed to be the shortest instead of the process 3 that follows the process 2. .

FIG. 7B shows a case where the process 2 is canceled and the process start date and time, the process end date and time, and the deadline of the process 4 are rescheduled and registered instead of the process 2 . If the processing start date and time and the processing end date and time of the processing 3 are delayed as a result of executing the processing 4 instead of the processing 2, it is confirmed that the processing end date and time after the delay of the processing 3 is before the deadline. . When the server 14 reschedules the processing 4 and the processing end date and time is brought forward, the server 14 notifies the terminal 10 of the user D to that effect. Regarding process 3, even if rescheduling is performed, the deadline is maintained, so there is no need to notify the terminal 10 of user C that rescheduling has been performed. good.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible. Modifications will be described below.

<Modification>
In the embodiment, the user inputs the processing deadline into the input field displayed on the display unit 12a of the image processing device 12 and transmits the processing deadline to the server 14. Shortest” may be entered as a deadline.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 12a of the image processing device 12 in this case. As in FIG. 5D, the output document name, translation language, processing end date and time, and a check box for "process as soon as possible" are displayed as input fields. check the checkbox of "process as soon as possible".

At this time, the server 14 treats the deadline as the shortest date and time. Specifically, in the process of FIG. 2, the required time is calculated using the data amount of the process (S201), and since there is a shortest instruction (YES in S202), the process is started with the end date and time based on the calculated required time. Accept (S203), and respond to the image processing device 12 (S204).

In this modification, it can be said that at least one of a specific date and time (timing) and "shortest" can be designated as the deadline.

10 terminal, 12 image processing device, 14 server, 16 communication network.

Claims (6)

receiving means for receiving processing instructions and deadlines from the image processing apparatus;
Calculation means for calculating the expected end date and time of the processing;
If the calculated expected end date and time is before the deadline, the image processing apparatus is notified that the processing has been accepted, and if the calculated expected end date and time is after the deadline, the image is displayed. notification means for notifying the processing device of the necessity of adjusting the deadline and the calculated expected end date;
registration means for registering the calculated expected end date and time and the deadline as a schedule;
with
The registration means registers the expected end date and time of each of the plurality of processes and the respective deadlines, and if any of the plurality of processes is canceled, the registered process is registered temporally later than the canceled process. Adjust and re-register the expected end date and time of the process that should be processed in the shortest time while maintaining the deadline of other processes.
Information processing equipment. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said calculation means calculates the shortest date and time as said expected end date and time. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said receiving means further receives the adjusted deadline from said image processing apparatus. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said registration means adjusts and re-registers said expected end date and time while maintaining said deadline when there is a grace period between said expected end date and time and said deadline. . an image processing device;
an information processing device connected to the image processing device via communication means;
wherein the image processing device comprises
a transmitting means for transmitting a processing instruction and a deadline to the information processing apparatus;
Receiving means for receiving from the information processing apparatus a notification indicating that the process has been accepted, or a notification of the necessity of adjusting the deadline and the calculated expected end date and time;
retransmitting means for retransmitting the cancellation of the process or the adjusted deadline to the information processing apparatus when receiving notification of the necessity of adjusting the deadline and the calculated expected end date and time;
wherein the information processing device comprises
receiving means for receiving processing instructions and deadlines from the image processing apparatus;
calculation means for calculating the expected end date and time of the processing;
If the calculated expected end date and time is before the deadline, the image processing apparatus is notified that the processing has been accepted, and if the calculated expected end date and time is after the deadline, the image is displayed. notification means for notifying the processing device of the necessity of adjusting the deadline and the calculated expected end date;
registration means for registering the calculated expected end date and time and the deadline or the adjusted deadline as a schedule;
processing means for executing the processing according to the schedule registered in the registration means;
with
The registration means registers the expected end date and time of each of the plurality of processes and the respective deadlines, and if any of the plurality of processes is canceled, the registered process is registered temporally later than the canceled process. An information processing system that adjusts and re-registers the expected end date and time of a process that should be processed in the shortest time while maintaining deadlines for other processes . the computer,
receiving means for receiving processing instructions and deadlines from the image processing apparatus;
Calculation means for calculating the expected end date and time of the processing;
If the calculated expected end date and time is before the deadline, the image processing apparatus is notified that the processing has been accepted, and if the calculated expected end date and time is after the deadline, the image is displayed. notification means for notifying the processing device of the necessity of adjusting the deadline and the calculated expected end date ;
registration means for registering the calculated expected end date and time and the deadline as a schedule
function as
The registration means registers the expected end date and time of each of the plurality of processes and the respective deadlines, and if any of the plurality of processes is canceled, the registered process is registered temporally later than the canceled process. A program that adjusts and re-registers the expected end date and time of a process that should be processed in the shortest time while maintaining the deadlines of other processes .

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