KR101312440B1 - Workflow System And Method Of Control Thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention includes a host computer connected between an image forming apparatus having no workflow function and a workflow server. The workflow server creates a workform of the image forming apparatus using the performance information of the image forming apparatus stored in the host computer. The user requests the execution of the workform registered in the workflow server using the host computer, and the image forming apparatus works according to the workform selected by the user. The result of the work in the image forming apparatus is transmitted to the workflow server via the host computer, and the remaining work not performed in the image forming apparatus is performed in the workflow server.

Workflow, host computer, all-in-one, workform, server

Description

Workflow System And Method Of Control Thereof}

1 is a block diagram for connecting a general multifunction device having no workflow function and a workflow server using a host computer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a detailed configuration diagram of a workflow system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a view for explaining an operation for registering a general multifunction apparatus without a workflow function to a host computer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a view for explaining an operation of registering a workform of a general MFP having no workflow function in the workflow server according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining an operation of executing a workform of a general MFP having no workflow function according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a block diagram of connecting a general multifunction apparatus having no workflow function and a workflow server using a host computer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a detailed block diagram of a workflow system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an operation for registering a general MFP having no workflow function to a host computer according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a view for explaining an operation of registering a workform of a general MFP having no workflow function in the workflow server according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a view for explaining an operation of executing a workform of a general MFP having no workflow function according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Description of the Related Art [0002]

100N: General MFP

200: workflow server

300: client

400: host computer

The present invention relates to a workflow system and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a workflow system and a control method capable of performing a workflow with a multifunction device having no workflow function.

In general, a multifunction device is a device that performs complex functions such as scanning, faxing, and copying. As a function of transmitting document data in recent years has been added, the multifunction device needs to be processed in conjunction with the peripheral device or in connection with peripheral devices. Increasingly, there are a growing number of cases where workflows are introduced into multifunction devices in order to efficiently perform the task.

Workflow MFPs have a workflow function for communicating with a workflow server to process a workform.

The workflow of the multifunction device described above includes a function of faxing scanned document data, a function of sending scanned document data by e-mail, a function of storing scanned document data in a folder, and an OCR optical character reader function. And file transfer protocol for document data.

However, the conventional multifunction device must have a workflow function at the time of product shipment in order to perform the workflow, and must also have a network function.

Therefore, if the all-in-one is connected only to the host computer and does not have a function to connect to the workflow server on the network or does not have a workflow function at the factory, there is a problem that the workflow function cannot be performed. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a workflow system and a control method thereof, which enable a workflow in an image forming apparatus having no workflow function and a network function.

The present invention provides an image forming apparatus that does not have a workflow function; A server storing a workform of the image forming apparatus; And a host computer connected to the image forming apparatus and the server, wherein the host computer delivers the workform of the server to the image forming apparatus or delivers the workform work result of the image forming apparatus to the server. Make it possible.

The host computer has a workflow device program for performing a workflow in the image forming apparatus.

The workflow device program may include a device connection unit for providing a connection program and a user interface for connecting the image forming apparatus and the server; A performance storage unit for storing information regarding the capability of the image forming apparatus; A workform execution unit providing an execution program and a user interface for executing the workform of the image forming apparatus; A workflow server communication unit which provides a communication program for communicating with the server; A user manager to provide a user management program and a user interface for generating and managing information about a user; And a database storing information about the connected device and user information.

The host computer converts the registered workform of the image forming apparatus provided from the server to be recognized by the image forming apparatus.

And a client connected to the server for generating and registering a workform of the image forming apparatus.

A control method of a workflow system having an image forming apparatus, a server, and a host computer connected to the image forming apparatus and a server, the method comprising: registering the image forming apparatus with the host computer; ; Creating a workform of the image forming apparatus and registering the workform with a fraud server; And transferring the workform selected by the user among the workforms registered in the server to the image forming apparatus via the host computer to execute the workform.

The registration step of the image forming apparatus is performed by the user using the device addition wizard of the host computer.

The registering step of the image forming apparatus stores the performance information and detailed information of the image forming apparatus added by the device adding wizard in the host computer.

The performance information includes the resolution of the image forming apparatus and the type of the image file, and the detailed information includes the IP address of the image forming apparatus.

The registering of the workform may include receiving performance information of the image forming apparatus from the host computer; Selecting a parameter for defining a workform according to the received performance information of the image forming apparatus; And creating a workform using the selected parameter and adding the created workform to a list.

The executing of the workform may include converting setting information of the selected workform to be recognized by the image forming apparatus; And performing a workform operation in the image forming apparatus according to the conversion.

The executing of the workform further includes performing the work of the remaining workform, which is not performed by the image forming apparatus, on the server.

Hereinafter, a workflow system and a control method thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a workflow system according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a detailed configuration diagram showing the workflow system of FIG. 1 in detail.

As shown in FIG. 1, the workflow system according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a general multifunction apparatus 100 having no workflow function, a multifunction apparatus 10 having a workflow function, a host computer 400, Workflow server 200, client 300 is included.

Here, since the operation between the workflow multifunction apparatus 10 having a workflow function and the workflow server 200 is similar to the existing one, a brief description thereof will be provided.

The workflow multifunction apparatus 10 accesses the workflow server 200 and requests execution of the workform stored in the storage unit 220, and the workflow server 200 operates the workflow server program 210 in response thereto. To run the workflow.

On the other hand, the general multifunction apparatus 100 that does not have a workflow function does not perform the workflow function alone. Therefore, the general multifunction peripheral 100 may be connected to the workflow server 200 with the host computer 400 therebetween to perform a workflow function.

To this end, the host computer 400 includes a driver storage unit 401 for storing a driver of the multifunction apparatus and a workflow device program 410 for allowing the general multifunction apparatus 100 to perform a workflow function.

The workflow device program 410 is a device connection unit 411 which provides a connection program and a user interface for connecting the all-in-one with the workflow server, and the capabilities of the all-in-one such as the scan resolution for each model of the multifunction device and the type of image file. A performance storage unit 412 for storing information about, and a work form execution unit 413 that provides an execution program and a user interface for executing the work form of the multifunction apparatus.

In addition, the workflow device program 410 provides a workflow server communication unit 414 that provides a communication program for communicating with the workflow server 200, a user manager program and a user interface for generating and managing information about a user. The user management unit 415, and a database 416 for storing information about the connected device, such as a multifunction device and user information.

As such, the host computer 400 has a workflow device program 410 and connects each other to enable communication between the general-purpose MFP 100 and the workflow server 200, and when the workflow is created and the workflow is executed, the workflow server In response to the request of the necessary information is provided, and delivers the work results of the multifunction device to the workflow server 200.

An operation for registering a general MFP with a host computer will be described with reference to FIG. Here, registering a general MFP in a host computer means adding a non-registered general MFP as a new device.

When a user connects to and logs in to the host computer 400 and selects a device add menu from the main menu provided by the host computer 400, the device connection unit 411 provides a device add wizard. On the screen provided by the Add Device Wizard, the multifunction device to be added is selected by a user whether the device is a local device or a network device.

The device connection unit 411 then provides the selected target device. One device to be added among the target devices is selected by the user. Next, the host computer 400 requests confirmation of the model name of the selected device, and when the user confirms the device model name, the host computer 400 guides a new installation of the driver of the device selected by the user to the host computer 400. The driver of the newly installed device is stored in the driver storage unit 401. The driver installation is not mandatory here, and the driver of the device selected by the user can be installed only when the host computer does not have it.

Subsequently, the device connection unit 411 obtains performance information of the device model to be added from the performance storage unit 412, and if there is no performance information, the device connection unit 411 requests the user to provide the performance information. When the performance information is secured, the device connection unit 411 stores the performance information and detailed information of the device model to be added to the database 416. The detailed information here includes connection information on a network such as an IP address of the device. Finally, the device connection unit 411 opens the device status window, provides the added device, displays it on the screen, and then ends the device adding wizard.

When the general MFP is registered in the host computer, an operation of adding a workform, which is information indicating a work flow of the general MFP, to the workflow server 200 is required. As shown in FIG. 4, The process of creating a workform using the client 300 is required. At this time, the client 300 communicates with the workflow server 200 using the server communication unit 310.

Referring to FIG. 4, the client 300 accesses and logs in the workflow server 200, and the workflow server 200 provides a main menu. The client 300 selects a device add menu from the main menu, and in response, the workflow server 200 calls a multifunction apparatus having a workflow function through broadcasting. If there is a call of the workflow server 200, the host computer 400 transmits the device information registered in the database 416 to the workflow server 200 through the workflow server communication unit 414. The workflow server 200 transmits the received registration device information to the client 300. The client 300 selects a general MFP that does not have a workflow function, which is a newly added device, from among device information displayed on the screen.

When the device is selected by the client 300, the workflow server 200 causes the selected device to be stored in the storage unit 220. In addition, the client 300 selects a workform creation menu and selects a device to create a workform from among registered devices. The workflow server 200 requests the host computer 400 for performance information of the selected device. The workflow server communication unit 414 of the host computer 400 transmits the performance information of the device registered in the database 416 to the workflow server 200.

The workflow server 200 sets scan resolution, image file type, etc. as a parameter for defining a workform to be created using the performance information of the provided device, and provides the set parameter to the client 300. . The client 300 creates a workform by selecting a desired parameter from among the provided parameters and selecting a transformation operation, a transmission destination, and the like. The workflow server 200 stores the workform generated by the client 300 in the storage 220. The storage unit 220 adds the workform of the multifunction device made by the client to the workform list of the corresponding device.

In this way, the general multifunction device can be registered in the host computer, the workform for the general multifunction device is created, and registered in the workflow server.

Hereinafter, a process of executing a workflow task between the workflow server 200 and the general multifunction apparatus 100 by the user using the host computer 400 will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

After the preparation for scanning a document in the general purpose multifunction peripheral 100, the user connects to and logs in to the host computer 400. The host computer 400 then provides a main menu at the request of the user.

When the device status menu is selected in the main menu by the user, the host computer 400 provides a device status window screen. A general multifunction apparatus without a workflow function, which is a device for performing a workform, is selected by a user, and according to the selection, the host computer 400 requests the workflow server 200 for a workform list of the selected device. In response to the request, the workflow server 200 provides the workform list information of the corresponding device stored in the storage 220. The workflow server communication unit 414 of the host computer 400 receives the workform execution screen and the workform list information, and the workform execution unit 413 activates the workform execution screen.

When the user selects a desired workform from the workform list and inputs an execution command of the workform, the workform execution unit 413 of the host computer 400 issues a command for requesting execution of the workform. Transfer to the workflow server 200 through the (414). In response to the request, the workflow server 200 provides the workform stored in the storage 220 to the host computer 400. The workflow server communication unit 414 of the host computer 400 transmits the provided workform to the device connection unit 411, and the device connection unit 411 is a command that can recognize the workform in the general multifunction apparatus 100. After converting, the command is provided to the selected general purpose multifunction apparatus 100 using the corresponding driver of the driver storage unit 401. The general multifunction apparatus 100 performs a predetermined task according to the input command, and provides the host computer 400 with a workform and a work result indicating whether the task is performed.

The host computer 400 transmits the workform and the work result indicating whether the work is performed to the workflow server 200. At this time, in the workform that displays whether the work is performed, the processed and unprocessed jobs in the general MFP are checked. Unprocessed work here refers to work that is beyond the capabilities of ordinary MFPs. Next, the workflow server 200 performs the remaining work that the multifunction apparatus cannot process based on the work result and the setting state of the work form.

Hereinafter, a workflow system and a control method of a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 10.

As shown in Fig. 6, the second embodiment according to the present invention is configured such that the host computer and the client can directly communicate with each other, unlike the first embodiment as described above. Accordingly, a process of registering a general MFP to a host computer using a client and executing a workform of the general MFP may be performed. In this way, even when using the client, the host computer communicates with the workflow server to perform the workflow function in the general MFP, and delivers the workform to the general MFP, or delivers the workform work result of the general MFP to the workflow server. The method of enabling is the same.

As shown in Fig. 6, the workflow system according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a multifunction apparatus 100A having no workflow function, a multifunction apparatus 10A having a workflow function, a host computer 400A, and It includes a workflow server 200A and a client 300A.

As shown in FIG. 7, the host computer 400A includes a driver storage unit 401A for storing a driver of the multifunction apparatus, and a workflow device program 410A for allowing the general multifunction apparatus 100A to perform a workflow function. Equipped.

The workflow device program 410A is a device connection unit 411A which provides a connection program and a user interface for connecting the multifunction device and the workflow server, a scan resolution for each model of the multifunction device, the type of image file, and the like. A performance storage unit 412A for storing information, and a workform execution unit 413A for providing an execution program and a user interface for executing the workform of the multifunction apparatus.

In addition, the workflow device program 410A provides a workflow server communication unit 414A that provides a communication program for communicating with the workflow server 200A, and a user management program and a user interface for generating and managing information about a user. A user management unit 415A, and a database 416A that stores information about the connected device such as a multifunction device and user information.

The workflow device program 410A also includes a client communication unit 417A that provides a client communication program for communicating with the client 300A.

The client 300A includes a server communication unit 310A for communicating with the workflow server 200A and a host computer communication unit 320A for communicating with the host computer 200A.

An operation for registering a general purpose multifunction device with a host computer will be described with reference to FIG. Here, registering a general MFP in a host computer by using a client means adding a non-registered general MFP as a new device.

When connecting to the host computer 400A through the host computer communication unit 320A of the client 300A and logging in, and selecting the add device menu from the main menu provided by the host computer 400A, the device connection unit 411A adds a device. Provide the wizard to the client 300A. The client 300A selects whether the multifunction device to be added is a local device or a network device on the screen provided by the device adding wizard.

Then, the device connection unit 411A provides the selected target device, and the client 300A selects one device to add from the target device. Next, the host computer 400A requests confirmation of the model name of the selected device.

When the client 300A checks the device model name, the client guides the driver to newly install the driver of the selected device in the host computer 400A. The driver of the newly installed device is stored in the driver storage unit 401A. The driver installation is not mandatory here, and the driver of the device selected by the user can be installed only when the host computer does not have it.

Subsequently, the device connection unit 411A obtains performance information of the device model to be added from the performance storage unit 412A, and if there is no performance information, requests the client 300A to provide the performance information. When the performance information is secured, the device connection unit 411A stores the performance information and detailed information of the device model to be added to the database 416A. The detailed information here includes connection information on a network such as an IP address of the device. Finally, the device connection unit 411A opens the device status window, provides the added device, displays it on the screen of the client 300A, and then ends the device adding wizard.

When a general MFP is registered with a host computer using a client, an operation of adding a workform, which is information indicating a work flow of the general MFP, to the workflow server 200A is required. To this end, as shown in FIG. 9, a process of creating a workform using the client 300A is required. At this time, the client 300A communicates with the workflow server 200A using the server communication unit 310A.

Referring to FIG. 9, the client 300A accesses and logs in to the workflow server 200A, and the workflow server 200A provides a main menu. The client 300A selects a device add menu from the main menu, and in response, the workflow server 200A calls the multifunction apparatus having the workflow function through broadcasting. If there is a call of the workflow server 200A, the host computer 400A transmits the device information registered in the database 416A to the workflow server 200A through the workflow server communication unit 414A. The workflow server 200A delivers the received registered device information to the client 300A. The client 300A selects a general MFP that does not have a workflow function, which is a newly added device, from the device information displayed on the screen.

When the device is selected by the client 300A, the workflow server 200A stores the selected device in the storage 220A. In addition, the client 300A selects a workform creation menu and selects a device to create a workform from among registered devices. The workflow server 200A requests the host computer 400A for performance information of the selected device. The workflow server communication unit 414A of the host computer 400A transmits the performance information of the device registered in the database 416A to the workflow server 200A.

The workflow server 200A sets a scan resolution, an image file type, etc. as a parameter for defining a workform to be created using the performance information of the provided device, and provides the set parameter to the client 300A. . The client 300A selects a desired parameter from the provided parameters, and also selects whether or not to perform a transform, a destination, and the like to create a workform. The workflow server 200A stores the workform created by the client 300A in the storage 220A. The storage unit 220A adds the workform of the multifunction device made by the client to the workform list of the corresponding device.

Hereinafter, a process of executing a workflow task between the workflow server 200A and the general purpose multifunction apparatus 100A using the host computer 400A by the client 300A will be described with reference to FIG. 10.

After preparing to scan a document in the general multifunction apparatus 100A, the client 300A connects to the workflow server 200A, logs in, and requests a menu, and the host computer 400A provides a main menu. When the client 300A selects the device status menu from the main menu, the host computer 400A provides a device status window screen. The client 300A selects a general MFP that does not have a workflow function which is a device to perform a workform, and according to the selection, the host computer 400A requests the workflow server 200A for a workform list of the selected device. . In response to the request, the workflow server 200A provides the workform list information of the corresponding device stored in the storage 220A. The workflow server communication unit 414A of the host computer 400A transfers the workform execution screen and the workform list information to the client 300A, and the workform execution unit 413A of the host computer 400A executes the workform execution screen. Activate.

Then, the client 300A selects a desired workform from the workform list and inputs an execution command of the workform.

Accordingly, the workform execution unit 413A of the host computer 400A transmits a command for requesting execution of the workform to the workflow server 200A through the workflow server communication unit 414A. According to this request, the workflow server 200A provides the workform stored in the storage 220A. The workflow server communication unit 414A of the host computer 400A transfers the provided workform to the device connection unit 411A, and the device connection unit 411A is a command that can recognize the workform in the general multifunction apparatus 100A. After converting, the command is provided to the selected general multifunction apparatus 100A using the corresponding driver of the driver storage unit 401A. The general multifunction apparatus 100A performs a predetermined task according to an input command, and provides the host computer 400A with a workform and a work result indicating whether the task is performed.

The host computer 400A transmits the workform and the work result indicating whether the work is performed to the workflow server 200A. Next, the workflow server 200A performs the remaining work that the MFP cannot process based on the work result and the setting state of the work form.

As described above, according to the present invention, an image forming apparatus that does not have a workflow function when a product is shipped or does not have a network function for connecting to a workflow server may perform a workflow using a host computer having a workflow device program.

Claims (12)

An image forming apparatus having no work form for performing a workflow function; A server storing a workform of the image forming apparatus; A host computer connected to the image forming apparatus and the server, The host computer transfers at least one of the workforms to the image forming apparatus so that the image forming apparatus receives the work form and then performs a workflow function, and outputs the workform work result of the image forming apparatus to the server. To enable the workflow in the image forming apparatus, And the work form is information for representing a workflow of the image forming apparatus. The method of claim 1, And the host computer has a workflow device program for performing the workflow in the image forming apparatus. 3. The method of claim 2, The workflow device program may include a device connection unit for providing a connection program and a user interface for connecting the image forming apparatus and the server; A performance storage unit for storing information regarding the capability of the image forming apparatus; A workform execution unit providing an execution program and a user interface for executing the workform of the image forming apparatus; A workflow server communication unit which provides a communication program for communicating with the server; A user management unit providing a user management program and a user interface for generating and managing information about a user; And a database storing information about the connected device and user information. The method of claim 1, And the host computer converts the workform provided from the server to be recognized by the image forming apparatus. The method of claim 1, And a client connected to the server for generating and registering a workform of the image forming apparatus. A control method of a workflow system having an image forming apparatus, a server, and a host computer connected to the image forming apparatus and the server, wherein the image forming apparatus does not have a work form for performing a workflow function, Registering the image forming apparatus with the host computer; Generating a workform, which is information for representing a workflow of the image forming apparatus, and registering the workform with the server; And And transmitting the workform selected by the user among the workforms registered in the server to the image forming apparatus via the host computer, so that the image forming apparatus receives the workform and executes the workflow. Control method of flow system. The method according to claim 6, And registering the image forming apparatus is performed by a user by using a device adding wizard of the host computer. The method of claim 7, wherein The registering step of the image forming apparatus stores the performance information and detailed information of the image forming apparatus added by the device adding wizard in the host computer. 9. The method of claim 8, And the performance information includes a resolution of the image forming apparatus and a type of an image file, and the detailed information includes an IP address of the image forming apparatus. The method according to claim 6, The registration step of the workform, Receiving performance information of the image forming apparatus from the host computer; Selecting a parameter for defining a workform according to the received performance information of the image forming apparatus; And creating a workform using the selected parameters, and adding the created workform to a list. The method according to claim 6, The executing of the workform may include converting setting information of the selected workform to be recognized by the image forming apparatus; And performing a workform job in the image forming apparatus according to the conversion. The method according to claim 6, The step of executing the workform further comprises the step of performing the work of the remaining workform is not performed in the image forming apparatus in the server.

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