WO2020179837A1 - Cooperation processing apparatus and method - Google Patents

Cooperation processing apparatus and method Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2020179837A1
WO2020179837A1 PCT/JP2020/009237 JP2020009237W WO2020179837A1 WO 2020179837 A1 WO2020179837 A1 WO 2020179837A1 JP 2020009237 W JP2020009237 W JP 2020009237W WO 2020179837 A1 WO2020179837 A1 WO 2020179837A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
instruction
result
search
processing
document
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/JP2020/009237
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Takuya Mizuhara
Original Assignee
Ricoh Company, Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from JP2020013834A external-priority patent/JP2020144854A/en
Application filed by Ricoh Company, Ltd. filed Critical Ricoh Company, Ltd.
Publication of WO2020179837A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020179837A1/en

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1278—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to adopt a particular infrastructure
    • G06F3/1285—Remote printer device, e.g. being remote from client or server
    • G06F3/1288—Remote printer device, e.g. being remote from client or server in client-server-printer device configuration
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1202—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to achieve a particular effect
    • G06F3/1203—Improving or facilitating administration, e.g. print management
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1223—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to use a particular technique
    • G06F3/1275—Print workflow management, e.g. defining or changing a workflow, cross publishing
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
    • G06Q10/06—Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
    • G06Q10/063—Operations research, analysis or management
    • G06Q10/0633—Workflow analysis

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a cooperation processing apparatus and a method.
  • an instruction document generation server generates an instruction document from information related to a service cooperation instructed by a client terminal, and a cooperation processing server calls service processing apparatuses in order according to the instruction document to execute cooperation processing (See paragraph 0041 of PTL 1).
  • an embodiment of the present invention provides a cooperation processing apparatus for causing a plurality of processing apparatuses to execute a plurality of processes in a cooperating manner, the cooperation processing apparatus including an instruction result management unit configured to store data indicative of a plurality of instruction results, at least one instruction result of the plurality of instruction results including an instruction document specifying at least one process of the plurality of processes and a sequence in which the plurality of processes are executed, a cooperation process name including a first identifier for identifying the at least one process of the plurality of processes specified in the instruction document, and an instruction evaluation indicative of an evaluation of the instruction document, an instruction result search unit configured to search for an instruction result satisfying a search condition related to the data from the plurality of instruction results stored in the instruction result management unit to yield a search result including the instruction result satisfying the search condition, an output unit configured to display the search result including the instruction result satisfying the search condition, and an instruction document generation unit configured to generate a new instruction document from the search result displayed on the output unit.
  • an instruction result management unit configured to store data indicative
  • an instruction in cooperation processing is facilitated.
  • FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating a cooperation processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a server apparatus, a user terminal, and a processing apparatus (i.e., a PC) included in the cooperation processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating a processing apparatus (i.e., an MFP) included in the cooperation processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the cooperation processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is an example of instruction result data according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is an example of an instruction result search screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is an example of instruction result data according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 is an example of an instruction document generation screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 8 is an example of a cooperation processing result confirmation screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a series of processing items related to cooperation according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating a cooperation processing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the cooperation processing apparatus 1 may include a server apparatus 11, a user terminal 12, and a plurality of processing apparatuses (at least two or more processing apparatuses) 13.
  • the server apparatus 11, the user terminal 12, and the plurality of processing apparatuses 13 are communicably connected via a predetermined network 14.
  • the server apparatus 11 performs processing to allow the plurality of processing apparatuses 13 to execute a plurality of processes in a cooperating manner.
  • the server apparatus 11 includes one or more computers.
  • the user terminal 12 is a terminal used by a user.
  • the user terminal 12 transmits data entered by the user to the server apparatus 11.
  • the user terminal 12 receives screen data and the like from the server apparatus 11 and displays the screen data on display means such as a display.
  • server apparatus 11 and the user terminal 12 are described as separate computers, but the server apparatus 11 and the user terminal 12 may be implemented as a single computer.
  • the plurality of processing apparatuses 13 execute a plurality of processes in a cooperating manner.
  • the processing apparatus 13 is, for example, an image forming apparatus such as an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral), a PC (Personal Computer), or the like.
  • the processing apparatus 13 is not limited to an image forming apparatus or a PC as long as it is an apparatus having a communication function.
  • the processing apparatus 13 is, for example, a PJ (projector), an IWB (interactive whiteboard) which is an electronic white board with interactive communication function, an output apparatus such as digital signage, an HUD (Head-Up Display) apparatus, an industrial machinery, an imaging apparatus, a sound recording apparatus, medical equipment, a networked home appliance, a vehicle (more specifically, a connected car), a notebook personal computer (PC), a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a game machine, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a digital camera, a wearable PC, a desktop PC, and the like.
  • PJ projector
  • IWB interactive whiteboard
  • FIG. 1 describes the server apparatus 11 and the processing apparatus 13 as separate computers, at least one processing apparatus of the plurality of processing apparatuses may have some or all of the functions of the server apparatus 11.
  • the apparatus group described in FIG. 1 is merely an example of one of a plurality of computing environments for implementing the embodiment disclosed herein.
  • the server apparatus 11 may include a plurality of computing devices constituting a server cluster.
  • the plurality of computing devices are configured to communicate with each other via a suitable communication link including a network, a shared memory, and the like to perform the processing disclosed herein.
  • FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating a server apparatus 11, a user terminal 12, and a processing apparatus (PC) 13 included in a cooperation processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • PC processing apparatus
  • each of the server apparatus 11, the user terminal 12, and the processing apparatus (PC) 13 is constituted by computers.
  • each of the server apparatus 11, the user terminal 12, and the processing apparatus (PC) 13 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, an HD (Hard Disk) 204, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 205, a display 206, an external device connection interface (I/F) 208, a network interface 209, a data bus 210, a keyboard 211, a pointing device 212, a DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable) drive 214, and a medium interface 216.
  • a CPU Central Processing Unit
  • ROM Read Only Memory
  • RAM Random Access Memory
  • HD Hard Disk
  • HDD Hard Disk Drive
  • the CPU 201 controls the operation of the entirety of each of the server apparatus 11, the user terminal 12, and the processing apparatus (PC) 13.
  • the ROM 202 stores a program, such as an IPL, used for driving the CPU 201.
  • the RAM 203 is used as a work area for the CPU 201.
  • the HD 204 stores various data such as programs.
  • the HDD controller 205 controls reading or writing of various data from or to the HD 204 according to the control of the CPU 201.
  • the display 206 displays various kinds of information such as a cursor, menus, windows, characters, or images.
  • the external device connection interface 208 is an interface for connecting various external devices. In this case, examples of external devices include a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, a printer, or the like.
  • the network interface 209 is an interface for performing data communication using the communication network 14.
  • the bus line 210 is an address bus, a data bus, and the like for electrically connecting the constituent elements such as the CPU 201 illustrated in FIG. 2.
  • the keyboard 211 is a type of input means having a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, and the like.
  • the pointing device 212 is a type of input means for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, and the like.
  • the DVD-RW drive 214 controls reading or writing of various data from or to a DVD-RW 213 as an example of a removable recording medium. It should be noted that the removable recording medium is not limited to the DVD-RW, and may be a DVD-R or the like.
  • the medium interface 216 controls reading or writing (storing) of data from or to a recording medium 215 such as a flash memory.
  • FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating the processing apparatus (MFP) 13 included in the cooperation processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • the MFP includes a controller 310, a short range communication circuit 320, an engine control unit 330, an operation panel 340, and a network interface 350.
  • the controller 310 includes a CPU 301 which is the main part of the computer, a system memory (MEM-P) 302, a north bridge (NB) 303, a south bridge (SB) 304, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 306, a local memory (MEM-C) 307 which is a storage unit, an HDD controller 308, and an HD 309 which is a storage unit.
  • the controller 310 is configured such that the north bridge (NB) 303 and the ASIC 306 are connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 321.
  • AGP Accelerated Graphics Port
  • the CPU 301 is a control unit that controls the entirety of the MFP.
  • the north bridge (NB) 303 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 301 with the system memory (MEM-P) 302, the south bridge (SB) 304, and the AGP bus 321.
  • the north bridge (NB) 303 includes a memory controller for controlling reading and writing of the system memory (MEM-P) 302, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) master, and an AGP target.
  • the system memory (MEM-P) 302 includes a ROM 302a and a RAM 302b.
  • the ROM 302a is a memory for storing programs and data implementing the functions of the controller 310.
  • the RAM 302b is used as a memory to which programs and data are extracted and as a rendering memory during memory printing.
  • the programs stored in the RAM 302b may be provided in a form of an installable or executable file recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a CD-R, or a DVD.
  • the south bridge (SB) 304 is a bridge for connecting the north bridge (NB) 303 to PCI devices and peripheral devices.
  • the ASIC 306 is an integrated circuit (IC) for image processing that has hardware elements for image processing, and serves as a bridge that connects the AGP bus 321, a PCI bus 322, the HDD controller 308, and the local memory (MEM-C) 307.
  • the ASIC 306 includes the PCI master, the AGP target, an arbiter (ARB) that forms the core of the ASIC 306, a memory controller that controls the MEM-C 307, and a plurality of DMACs (Direct Memory Access Controllers) that rotate image data using hardware logic and the like, and also includes a PCI unit that performs data transfer between a scanner unit 331 and a printer unit 332 via the PCI bus 322.
  • the ASIC 306 may be connected to a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface or an IEEE 1394 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) interface.
  • the local memory (MEM-C) 307 is a memory used as an image buffer for copying and as a code buffer.
  • the HD 309 is a storage for storing image data, storing font data used for printing, and storing forms.
  • the HDD controller 308 controls reading or writing of data from or to the HD 309 according to the control of the CPU 301.
  • the AGP bus 321 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card that has been proposed to speed up graphics processing. The AGP bus 321 can accelerate the graphics accelerator card by directly accessing the MEM-P 302 at a high throughput.
  • the short range communication circuit 320 includes a short range communication antenna 320a.
  • the short range communication circuit 320 is a communication circuit such as NFC (Near Field Communication) and Bluetooth (registered trademark).
  • the engine control unit 330 includes a scanner unit 331 and a printer unit 332.
  • the operation panel 340 includes a panel display unit 340a and an operation panel 340b.
  • the panel display unit 340a is, for example, a touch panel and the like for displaying current setting values, a selection screen, and the like, and receiving an input from a user.
  • the operation panel 340b includes, for example, numeric keys for receiving setting values of conditions for image forming such as a setting condition of a density, a start key for receiving a copy start instruction, and the like.
  • the controller 310 controls the entirety of the MFP and controls, for example, rendering, communication, input from the operation panel 340, and the like.
  • the scanner unit 331 or the printer unit 332 includes image processing portions for error diffusion, gamma conversion, and the like.
  • the MFP can sequentially switch and select a document box function, a copy function, a printer function, and a facsimile function.
  • the document box mode is set when the document box function is selected
  • the copy mode is set when the copy function is selected
  • the printer mode is set when the printer function is selected
  • the facsimile mode is set when the facsimile mode is selected.
  • the network interface 350 is an interface for performing data communication using the communication network 14.
  • the short range communication circuit 320 and the network interface 350 are electrically connected to the ASIC 306 via the PCI bus 322.
  • FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the cooperation processing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • the cooperation processing apparatus 1 includes an instruction result management unit 401, an instruction result search unit 402, an instruction document generation unit 403, an instruction document management unit 404, an input unit 405, an output unit 406, a cooperation processing management unit 407, a first processing unit 408, a second processing unit 409, an acquisition processing unit 410, and a storing processing unit 411.
  • the cooperation processing apparatus 1 can function as the instruction result management unit 401, the instruction result search unit 402, the instruction document generation unit 403, the instruction document management unit 404, the input unit 405, the output unit 406, the cooperation processing management unit 407, the first processing unit 408, the second processing unit 409, the acquisition processing unit 410, and the storing processing unit 411, each of which will be hereinafter explained.
  • the server apparatus 11 of FIG. 1 may be configured to include the instruction result management unit 401, the instruction result search unit 402, the instruction document generation unit 403, the instruction document management unit 404, and the cooperation processing management unit 407; and the user terminal 12 may be configured to include the input unit 405 and the output unit 406; and the plurality of processing apparatuses 13 may be configured to include the first processing unit 408, the second processing unit 409, the acquisition processing unit 410, and the storing processing unit 411.
  • the first processing unit 408 and the second processing unit 409 are illustrated, but the number of processing apparatuses is not limited thereto.
  • the instruction document is data indicative of a content of each of a plurality of processes, which the plurality of processing apparatuses 13 execute in a cooperating manner, and a sequence in which the plurality of processes are executed as a series of processing items.
  • processing items executed by one of the processing apparatuses include "processing for detecting and blurring a face”, “processing for detecting a license plate from an image”, “processing for blurring a particular portion of an image”, “processing for reducing noise in an entire image”, and the like, but the processing items are not limited thereto.
  • the instruction result management unit 401 For each execution of an instruction document, the instruction result management unit 401 stores an instruction result including a data item "execution number”, a data item “execution date and time”, a data item “instruction document name”, a data item “instruction document”, a data item “cooperation process name”, and a data item "instruction evaluation” in association with each other.
  • the instruction result will be explained in detail with reference to FIG. 5.
  • FIG. 5 is an example of instruction result data according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the instruction result data includes the data item "execution number”, the data item “execution date and time”, the data item “instruction document name”, the data item “instruction document”, the data item "cooperation process name”, and the data item "instruction evaluation”.
  • execution number indicates a number uniquely assigned every time an instruction document is executed.
  • the data item "execution date and time” stores a date and time when the cooperation processing management unit 407 executes the instruction document.
  • the data item "instruction document name” stores a name of an instruction document which the cooperation processing management unit 407 executes.
  • the data item "instruction document name” may store other names as appropriate.
  • the data item "instruction document name” may store a name that allows a user to understand an instruction content at a glance, such as, e.g., "processing for detecting and blurring a face” and the like, or may store a name that does not allow a user to understand what kind of instruction content the instruction result data has from the instruction document name, such as e.g., "TEST" and the like.
  • the data item "instruction document” stores an instruction document which the cooperation processing management unit 407 executes.
  • the instruction document may be a file in an xml format (i.e., actual data of the instruction document), or may be information (path) indicative of a location where the instruction document is stored.
  • the data item "cooperation process name” enumerates and stores, in an order of execution, identifiers (for example, character strings such as process names) of processing items included in a series of processing items executed when the cooperation processing management unit 407 executes the instruction document.
  • the cooperation process name having an execution number "0001" indicates an execution of a series of processing items including acquiring an image from an image storage location designated by a parameter (image acquisition processing), detecting a face from the acquired image (face detection processing), blurring the detected portion (blurring processing), and storing the processed image at the image storage location designated by the parameter (image storing processing).
  • the data item "instruction evaluation” stores an evaluation indicative of whether a result of execution of an instruction document by the cooperation processing management unit 407 is an instruction content intended by the user or not.
  • the instruction evaluation may be stored by allowing a user to check an image (hereinafter referred to as a result image) obtained as a result of execution of a series of processing items in an instruction document and to designate an evaluation value from 0.0 to 1.0. More specifically, the result image may be managed in association with "execution number".
  • the instruction result search unit 402 searches a target instruction result satisfying a search condition from instruction results stored by the instruction result management unit 401, on the basis of the search condition. More specifically, the instruction result search unit 402 displays an instruction result search screen 600 as illustrated in FIG. 6 on the output unit 406 (provided in, for example, the user terminal 12).
  • the instruction result search unit 402 acquires the search condition designated by the user from the input unit 405 (provided in, for example, the user terminal 12) via the cooperation processing management unit 407.
  • the instruction result search unit 402 extracts a target instruction result satisfying the search condition from instruction results stored in the instruction result management unit 401.
  • the instruction result search unit 402 outputs the extracted instruction result to the output unit 406 (provided in, for example, the user terminal 12) via the cooperation processing management unit 407.
  • the instruction result search screen 600 will be explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 6.
  • FIG. 6 is an example of the instruction result search screen 600 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the instruction result search screen 600 includes a search condition input field 601 and a search result field 602.
  • a search condition for example, an identifier (a character string such as a process name) or a conditional expression
  • a search condition for example, an identifier (a character string such as a process name) or a conditional expression
  • an instruction result corresponding to the search condition is displayed in the search result field 602.
  • FIG. 6 from among instruction results having execution numbers "0001" to "0004" in FIG. 5, instruction results having execution numbers "0001" and "0004" including a character string "blur” and satisfying a condition that "instruction evaluation > 0.5" are displayed as a search result.
  • the user can select any one instruction result of the instruction results displayed in the search result field 602 of FIG. 6 (i.e., either the instruction result having the execution number "0001" or the instruction result having the execution number "0004") to generate a new instruction document by duplicating the selected instruction result (details of which will be described later).
  • the instruction document generation unit 403 generates a new instruction document from an instruction document associated with the instruction result. More specifically, the instruction document generation unit 403 displays an instruction document generation screen 700 as in FIG. 7 on the output unit 406 (provided in, for example, the user terminal 12).
  • the instruction document generation unit 403 can save, as a new instruction document, cooperation processing edited by the user on the instruction document generation screen 700 of FIG. 7 (for example, cooperation processing to which processing has been added or in which a parameter has been changed).
  • the instruction document generation unit 403 can also cause the cooperation processing management unit 407 to execute the cooperation processing.
  • the instruction document generation unit 403 can cancel generation of a new instruction document.
  • the instruction document generation screen 700 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 7.
  • FIG. 7 is an example of an instruction document generation screen 700 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the instruction document generation screen 700 includes a process name field 701, a cooperation processing generation field 702, a parameter designating field 703, and a cooperation processing operation field 704.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates an instruction document generation screen displayed when a user has selected the instruction result having the execution number "0001" from among the instruction results displayed in the search result field 602 of FIG. 6.
  • cooperation process names of the instruction result are displayed (more specifically, processing items included in the series of processing items and the relationship between the processing items are displayed).
  • FIG. 7 illustrates a relationship between processing items of the cooperation process names in the execution number "0001" of FIG. 5. More specifically, FIG. 7 indicates that the processing items "Acquire Image”, “Detect Face”, “Blur”, and "Store Image” are executed in this order.
  • the names of selectable processing items are displayed as a list, and a user can add any given processing item to the cooperation processing generation field 702 (for example, by drag and drop operation).
  • a user may be allowed to delete any given processing item from the cooperation processing generation field 702, and may be allowed to change the sequence in which the processing items are executed.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates an example in which a user is configuring a parameter for the processing item "Blur" displayed in the cooperation processing generation field 702, and the user may be allowed to input any numerical value such as "Blur Level” displayed in the parameter designating field 703, or the user may be allowed to make a selection from parameters defined in advance such as "Algorithm".
  • the cooperation processing operation field 704 includes an "Execute” button, a "Save” button, and a "Cancel” button.
  • the "Save” button By selecting the "Save” button, the cooperation processing generated in the cooperation processing generation field 702 can be saved as a new instruction document.
  • the "Cancel” button By selecting the “Cancel” button, the generation of the instruction document can be canceled and terminated.
  • the “Execute” button the cooperation processing generated in the cooperation processing generation field 702 can be saved as a new instruction document, and the cooperation processing displayed in the cooperation processing generation field 702 can be executed.
  • the instruction document management unit 404 holds the instruction document generated by the instruction document generation unit 403.
  • the input unit 405 receives an input from a user (for example, inputs related to a generation of an instruction document, an instruction for executing a series of processing items, a designation of a condition for searching an instruction result, a designation of an instruction evaluation, and the like), and provides the data entered by the user to the cooperation processing management unit 407.
  • a user for example, inputs related to a generation of an instruction document, an instruction for executing a series of processing items, a designation of a condition for searching an instruction result, a designation of an instruction evaluation, and the like
  • the output unit 406 displays, on display means such as a display, data output from the cooperation processing management unit 407 (for example, an obtained instruction result and a result obtained by executing a series of processing items).
  • the cooperation processing management unit 407 manages execution of the series of processing items based on the instruction document. More specifically, in response to an instruction given by a user with the input unit 405 or in response to completion of saving of the instruction document to the instruction document management unit 404, the cooperation processing management unit 407 causes the plurality of processing apparatuses (i.e., the first processing unit 408, the second processing unit 409, the acquisition processing unit 410, and the storing processing unit 411) to execute the series of processing items. Also, the cooperation processing management unit 407 transmits an execution result of the series of processing items (i.e., a cooperation processing result confirmation screen 800) to the output unit 406.
  • a cooperation processing result confirmation screen 800 will be explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 8.
  • FIG. 8 is an example of the cooperation processing result confirmation screen 800 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the cooperation processing result confirmation screen 800 includes a cooperation processing confirmation field 801, a processing result field 802, and an instruction evaluation field 803.
  • FIG. 8 illustrates a screen displayed when the cooperation processing of FIG. 7 is executed.
  • a result image showing a result of execution of the cooperation processing displayed in the cooperation processing confirmation field 801 is displayed.
  • the instruction evaluation field 803 includes an instruction evaluation input field, a "Save” button, and a "Cancel” button.
  • an evaluation indicative of whether a result of execution of the cooperation processing is an instruction content intended by the user or not can be input.
  • the user may check the result image displayed in the processing result field 802 and may input an evaluation value from 0.0 to 1.0.
  • the "Save” button the instruction evaluation entered in the instruction evaluation input field, the instruction document, and the cooperation process name are stored, as a single instruction result, to the instruction result management unit 401.
  • the instruction evaluation, the instruction document, and the cooperation process name are not saved as a new instruction result in the instruction result management unit 401, and this processing for confirmation of the cooperation processing result is terminated.
  • the first processing unit 408 executes first processing based on the instruction document.
  • the second processing unit 409 executes second processing based on the instruction document.
  • the acquisition processing unit 410 acquires data from a predetermined location based on the instruction document.
  • the storing processing unit 411 stores data to the predetermined location based on the instruction document.
  • FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a series of processing items related to cooperation according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • step 901 the input unit 405 receives an input of a search condition from a user, and transmits data of the search condition entered by the user to the cooperation processing management unit 407.
  • step 902 the cooperation processing management unit 407 transmits the search condition of S901 to the instruction result search unit 402.
  • step 903 the instruction result search unit 402 extracts a target instruction result satisfying the search condition of S902 from instruction results stored in the instruction result management unit 401. Then, the instruction result search unit 402 transmits the extracted instruction result to the cooperation processing management unit 407.
  • step 904 the cooperation processing management unit 407 transmits an instruction result list acquired in S903 to the output unit 406. The user selects one instruction result of the instruction results in the instruction result list.
  • step 905 the instruction document generation unit 403 generates a new instruction document based on the instruction document associated with the instruction result selected in S904. Then, the instruction document generation unit 403 transmits the generated instruction document to the instruction document management unit 404.
  • step 906 the instruction document management unit 404 holds the new instruction document transmitted in S905, and transmits the new instruction document to the cooperation processing management unit 407.
  • step 907 the cooperation processing management unit 407 instructs the processing units (i.e., the first processing unit 408, the second processing unit 409, the acquisition processing unit 410, and the storing processing unit 411) to perform processing based on the instruction document acquired in S906.
  • the processing units i.e., the first processing unit 408, the second processing unit 409, the acquisition processing unit 410, and the storing processing unit 4111
  • step 908 the cooperation processing management unit 407 transmits a result of execution of the series of processing items in S907 to the output unit 406.
  • step 909 the input unit 405 receives an input of an instruction evaluation from a user with regard to the result of S908, and transmits data of the instruction evaluation entered by the user to the cooperation processing management unit 407.
  • step 910 the cooperation processing management unit 407 transmits, as a single instruction result, the instruction evaluation of S909, the instruction document, and the cooperation process name to the instruction result management unit 401.
  • an execution result of a plurality of processes which a plurality of processing apparatuses execute in a cooperating manner can be saved and effectively utilized.
  • the user can obtain a desired result by generating an instruction document, even if, with respect to requirements for generating the instruction document, the user does not know which of selectable processing items are to be executed and in which sequence and does not know how a parameter accompanying a processing item is to be configured to obtain a desired result.
  • processing circuit in this specification is considered to include a processor programmed to execute the functions by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, and devices designed to execute the functions described above, such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and conventional circuit modules.
  • ASIC Application Specific Integrated Circuit
  • DSP Digital Signal Processor
  • FPGA Field Programmable Gate Array

Abstract

A cooperation processing apparatus (1) causes processing apparatuses (13) to execute processes in a cooperating manner, and the cooperation processing apparatus includes an instruction result management unit (401) configured to store data indicative of a plurality of instruction results, at least one instruction result of the plurality of instruction results including an instruction document specifying the processes and a sequence of execution of the processes, a cooperation process name for identifying at least one of the processes specified in the instruction document, and an instruction evaluation indicative of an evaluation of the instruction document, an instruction result search unit (402) configured to search for an instruction result satisfying a search condition from the instruction results to yield a search result, an output unit (406) configured to display the search result, and an instruction document generation unit (403) configured to generate a new instruction document from the search result.

Description

COOPERATION PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD
The present invention relates to a cooperation processing apparatus and a method.
Conventionally, it is known that a plurality of processing apparatuses (for example, a copying machine and a personal computer) execute a plurality of processes in a cooperating manner. For example, in PTL 1, an instruction document generation server generates an instruction document from information related to a service cooperation instructed by a client terminal, and a cooperation processing server calls service processing apparatuses in order according to the instruction document to execute cooperation processing (See paragraph 0041 of PTL 1).
However, in PTL 1, in order to generate such an instruction document, a user defines a job flow from available service processing apparatuses and a pattern of cooperation between services, and edits parameters to configure services and relationships between the services such as logic in detail (see paragraphs 0060-0062 of PTL 1).
Accordingly, it is an object of an embodiment of the present invention to facilitate an instruction in cooperation processing.
In order to solve the above problems, an embodiment of the present invention provides a cooperation processing apparatus for causing a plurality of processing apparatuses to execute a plurality of processes in a cooperating manner, the cooperation processing apparatus including an instruction result management unit configured to store data indicative of a plurality of instruction results, at least one instruction result of the plurality of instruction results including an instruction document specifying at least one process of the plurality of processes and a sequence in which the plurality of processes are executed, a cooperation process name including a first identifier for identifying the at least one process of the plurality of processes specified in the instruction document, and an instruction evaluation indicative of an evaluation of the instruction document, an instruction result search unit configured to search for an instruction result satisfying a search condition related to the data from the plurality of instruction results stored in the instruction result management unit to yield a search result including the instruction result satisfying the search condition, an output unit configured to display the search result including the instruction result satisfying the search condition, and an instruction document generation unit configured to generate a new instruction document from the search result displayed on the output unit.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, an instruction in cooperation processing is facilitated.
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating a cooperation processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a server apparatus, a user terminal, and a processing apparatus (i.e., a PC) included in the cooperation processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating a processing apparatus (i.e., an MFP) included in the cooperation processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the cooperation processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an example of instruction result data according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an example of an instruction result search screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an example of an instruction document generation screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is an example of a cooperation processing result confirmation screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a series of processing items related to cooperation according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Mode for Carrying out the Invention
Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and the drawings, constituent elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are denoted with the same reference numerals, and redundant description thereabout is omitted.
<Overall configuration>
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating a cooperation processing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. For example, the cooperation processing apparatus 1 may include a server apparatus 11, a user terminal 12, and a plurality of processing apparatuses (at least two or more processing apparatuses) 13. The server apparatus 11, the user terminal 12, and the plurality of processing apparatuses 13 are communicably connected via a predetermined network 14.
The server apparatus 11 performs processing to allow the plurality of processing apparatuses 13 to execute a plurality of processes in a cooperating manner. The server apparatus 11 includes one or more computers.
The user terminal 12 is a terminal used by a user. The user terminal 12 transmits data entered by the user to the server apparatus 11. In addition, the user terminal 12 receives screen data and the like from the server apparatus 11 and displays the screen data on display means such as a display.
In FIG. 1, the server apparatus 11 and the user terminal 12 are described as separate computers, but the server apparatus 11 and the user terminal 12 may be implemented as a single computer.
The plurality of processing apparatuses 13 execute a plurality of processes in a cooperating manner. The processing apparatus 13 is, for example, an image forming apparatus such as an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral), a PC (Personal Computer), or the like.
The processing apparatus 13 is not limited to an image forming apparatus or a PC as long as it is an apparatus having a communication function. The processing apparatus 13 is, for example, a PJ (projector), an IWB (interactive whiteboard) which is an electronic white board with interactive communication function, an output apparatus such as digital signage, an HUD (Head-Up Display) apparatus, an industrial machinery, an imaging apparatus, a sound recording apparatus, medical equipment, a networked home appliance, a vehicle (more specifically, a connected car), a notebook personal computer (PC), a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a game machine, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a digital camera, a wearable PC, a desktop PC, and the like.
Although FIG. 1 describes the server apparatus 11 and the processing apparatus 13 as separate computers, at least one processing apparatus of the plurality of processing apparatuses may have some or all of the functions of the server apparatus 11.
The apparatus group described in FIG. 1 is merely an example of one of a plurality of computing environments for implementing the embodiment disclosed herein. In another embodiment, the server apparatus 11 may include a plurality of computing devices constituting a server cluster. In this case, the plurality of computing devices are configured to communicate with each other via a suitable communication link including a network, a shared memory, and the like to perform the processing disclosed herein.
<Hardware Configuration>
FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating a server apparatus 11, a user terminal 12, and a processing apparatus (PC) 13 included in a cooperation processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the server apparatus 11, the user terminal 12, and the processing apparatus (PC) 13 are constituted by computers. As illustrated in FIG. 2, each of the server apparatus 11, the user terminal 12, and the processing apparatus (PC) 13 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, an HD (Hard Disk) 204, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 205, a display 206, an external device connection interface (I/F) 208, a network interface 209, a data bus 210, a keyboard 211, a pointing device 212, a DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable) drive 214, and a medium interface 216.
Among these, the CPU 201 controls the operation of the entirety of each of the server apparatus 11, the user terminal 12, and the processing apparatus (PC) 13. The ROM 202 stores a program, such as an IPL, used for driving the CPU 201. The RAM 203 is used as a work area for the CPU 201. The HD 204 stores various data such as programs. The HDD controller 205 controls reading or writing of various data from or to the HD 204 according to the control of the CPU 201. The display 206 displays various kinds of information such as a cursor, menus, windows, characters, or images. The external device connection interface 208 is an interface for connecting various external devices. In this case, examples of external devices include a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, a printer, or the like. The network interface 209 is an interface for performing data communication using the communication network 14. The bus line 210 is an address bus, a data bus, and the like for electrically connecting the constituent elements such as the CPU 201 illustrated in FIG. 2.
The keyboard 211 is a type of input means having a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, and the like. The pointing device 212 is a type of input means for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, and the like. The DVD-RW drive 214 controls reading or writing of various data from or to a DVD-RW 213 as an example of a removable recording medium. It should be noted that the removable recording medium is not limited to the DVD-RW, and may be a DVD-R or the like. The medium interface 216 controls reading or writing (storing) of data from or to a recording medium 215 such as a flash memory.
FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating the processing apparatus (MFP) 13 included in the cooperation processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the MFP includes a controller 310, a short range communication circuit 320, an engine control unit 330, an operation panel 340, and a network interface 350.
The controller 310 includes a CPU 301 which is the main part of the computer, a system memory (MEM-P) 302, a north bridge (NB) 303, a south bridge (SB) 304, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 306, a local memory (MEM-C) 307 which is a storage unit, an HDD controller 308, and an HD 309 which is a storage unit. The controller 310 is configured such that the north bridge (NB) 303 and the ASIC 306 are connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 321.
The CPU 301 is a control unit that controls the entirety of the MFP. The north bridge (NB) 303 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 301 with the system memory (MEM-P) 302, the south bridge (SB) 304, and the AGP bus 321. The north bridge (NB) 303 includes a memory controller for controlling reading and writing of the system memory (MEM-P) 302, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) master, and an AGP target.
The system memory (MEM-P) 302 includes a ROM 302a and a RAM 302b. The ROM 302a is a memory for storing programs and data implementing the functions of the controller 310. The RAM 302b is used as a memory to which programs and data are extracted and as a rendering memory during memory printing. The programs stored in the RAM 302b may be provided in a form of an installable or executable file recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a CD-R, or a DVD.
The south bridge (SB) 304 is a bridge for connecting the north bridge (NB) 303 to PCI devices and peripheral devices. The ASIC 306 is an integrated circuit (IC) for image processing that has hardware elements for image processing, and serves as a bridge that connects the AGP bus 321, a PCI bus 322, the HDD controller 308, and the local memory (MEM-C) 307. The ASIC 306 includes the PCI master, the AGP target, an arbiter (ARB) that forms the core of the ASIC 306, a memory controller that controls the MEM-C 307, and a plurality of DMACs (Direct Memory Access Controllers) that rotate image data using hardware logic and the like, and also includes a PCI unit that performs data transfer between a scanner unit 331 and a printer unit 332 via the PCI bus 322. The ASIC 306 may be connected to a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface or an IEEE 1394 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) interface.
The local memory (MEM-C) 307 is a memory used as an image buffer for copying and as a code buffer. The HD 309 is a storage for storing image data, storing font data used for printing, and storing forms. The HDD controller 308 controls reading or writing of data from or to the HD 309 according to the control of the CPU 301. The AGP bus 321 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card that has been proposed to speed up graphics processing. The AGP bus 321 can accelerate the graphics accelerator card by directly accessing the MEM-P 302 at a high throughput.
The short range communication circuit 320 includes a short range communication antenna 320a. The short range communication circuit 320 is a communication circuit such as NFC (Near Field Communication) and Bluetooth (registered trademark).
Further, the engine control unit 330 includes a scanner unit 331 and a printer unit 332. The operation panel 340 includes a panel display unit 340a and an operation panel 340b. The panel display unit 340a is, for example, a touch panel and the like for displaying current setting values, a selection screen, and the like, and receiving an input from a user. The operation panel 340b includes, for example, numeric keys for receiving setting values of conditions for image forming such as a setting condition of a density, a start key for receiving a copy start instruction, and the like. The controller 310 controls the entirety of the MFP and controls, for example, rendering, communication, input from the operation panel 340, and the like. The scanner unit 331 or the printer unit 332 includes image processing portions for error diffusion, gamma conversion, and the like.
In response to an operation of an application switching key of the operation panel 340, the MFP can sequentially switch and select a document box function, a copy function, a printer function, and a facsimile function. The document box mode is set when the document box function is selected, the copy mode is set when the copy function is selected, the printer mode is set when the printer function is selected, and the facsimile mode is set when the facsimile mode is selected.
The network interface 350 is an interface for performing data communication using the communication network 14. The short range communication circuit 320 and the network interface 350 are electrically connected to the ASIC 306 via the PCI bus 322.
<Functional block>
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the cooperation processing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The cooperation processing apparatus 1 includes an instruction result management unit 401, an instruction result search unit 402, an instruction document generation unit 403, an instruction document management unit 404, an input unit 405, an output unit 406, a cooperation processing management unit 407, a first processing unit 408, a second processing unit 409, an acquisition processing unit 410, and a storing processing unit 411. By executing programs, the cooperation processing apparatus 1 can function as the instruction result management unit 401, the instruction result search unit 402, the instruction document generation unit 403, the instruction document management unit 404, the input unit 405, the output unit 406, the cooperation processing management unit 407, the first processing unit 408, the second processing unit 409, the acquisition processing unit 410, and the storing processing unit 411, each of which will be hereinafter explained.
For example, the server apparatus 11 of FIG. 1 may be configured to include the instruction result management unit 401, the instruction result search unit 402, the instruction document generation unit 403, the instruction document management unit 404, and the cooperation processing management unit 407; and the user terminal 12 may be configured to include the input unit 405 and the output unit 406; and the plurality of processing apparatuses 13 may be configured to include the first processing unit 408, the second processing unit 409, the acquisition processing unit 410, and the storing processing unit 411. In FIG. 4, the first processing unit 408 and the second processing unit 409 are illustrated, but the number of processing apparatuses is not limited thereto.
First, an instruction document will be explained. In the present specification, the instruction document is data indicative of a content of each of a plurality of processes, which the plurality of processing apparatuses 13 execute in a cooperating manner, and a sequence in which the plurality of processes are executed as a series of processing items. Examples of processing items executed by one of the processing apparatuses include "processing for detecting and blurring a face", "processing for detecting a license plate from an image", "processing for blurring a particular portion of an image", "processing for reducing noise in an entire image", and the like, but the processing items are not limited thereto.
For each execution of an instruction document, the instruction result management unit 401 stores an instruction result including a data item "execution number", a data item "execution date and time", a data item "instruction document name", a data item "instruction document", a data item "cooperation process name", and a data item "instruction evaluation" in association with each other. Hereinafter, the instruction result will be explained in detail with reference to FIG. 5.
FIG. 5 is an example of instruction result data according to an embodiment of the present invention. As described above, the instruction result data includes the data item "execution number", the data item "execution date and time", the data item "instruction document name", the data item "instruction document", the data item "cooperation process name", and the data item "instruction evaluation".
The data item "execution number" indicates a number uniquely assigned every time an instruction document is executed.
The data item "execution date and time" stores a date and time when the cooperation processing management unit 407 executes the instruction document.
The data item "instruction document name" stores a name of an instruction document which the cooperation processing management unit 407 executes. Alternatively, the data item "instruction document name" may store other names as appropriate. For example, the data item "instruction document name" may store a name that allows a user to understand an instruction content at a glance, such as, e.g., "processing for detecting and blurring a face" and the like, or may store a name that does not allow a user to understand what kind of instruction content the instruction result data has from the instruction document name, such as e.g., "TEST" and the like.
The data item "instruction document" stores an instruction document which the cooperation processing management unit 407 executes. For example, the instruction document may be a file in an xml format (i.e., actual data of the instruction document), or may be information (path) indicative of a location where the instruction document is stored.
The data item "cooperation process name" enumerates and stores, in an order of execution, identifiers (for example, character strings such as process names) of processing items included in a series of processing items executed when the cooperation processing management unit 407 executes the instruction document. For example, in FIG. 5, the cooperation process name having an execution number "0001" indicates an execution of a series of processing items including acquiring an image from an image storage location designated by a parameter (image acquisition processing), detecting a face from the acquired image (face detection processing), blurring the detected portion (blurring processing), and storing the processed image at the image storage location designated by the parameter (image storing processing).
The data item "instruction evaluation" stores an evaluation indicative of whether a result of execution of an instruction document by the cooperation processing management unit 407 is an instruction content intended by the user or not. For example, the instruction evaluation may be stored by allowing a user to check an image (hereinafter referred to as a result image) obtained as a result of execution of a series of processing items in an instruction document and to designate an evaluation value from 0.0 to 1.0. More specifically, the result image may be managed in association with "execution number".
Back to FIG. 4, the instruction result search unit 402 searches a target instruction result satisfying a search condition from instruction results stored by the instruction result management unit 401, on the basis of the search condition. More specifically, the instruction result search unit 402 displays an instruction result search screen 600 as illustrated in FIG. 6 on the output unit 406 (provided in, for example, the user terminal 12). The instruction result search unit 402 acquires the search condition designated by the user from the input unit 405 (provided in, for example, the user terminal 12) via the cooperation processing management unit 407. The instruction result search unit 402 extracts a target instruction result satisfying the search condition from instruction results stored in the instruction result management unit 401. The instruction result search unit 402 outputs the extracted instruction result to the output unit 406 (provided in, for example, the user terminal 12) via the cooperation processing management unit 407. Hereinafter, the instruction result search screen 600 will be explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 6.
FIG. 6 is an example of the instruction result search screen 600 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the instruction result search screen 600 includes a search condition input field 601 and a search result field 602.
When a search condition (for example, an identifier (a character string such as a process name) or a conditional expression) is entered into the search condition input field 601, an instruction result corresponding to the search condition is displayed in the search result field 602. For example, in FIG. 6, from among instruction results having execution numbers "0001" to "0004" in FIG. 5, instruction results having execution numbers "0001" and "0004" including a character string "blur" and satisfying a condition that "instruction evaluation > 0.5" are displayed as a search result.
The user can select any one instruction result of the instruction results displayed in the search result field 602 of FIG. 6 (i.e., either the instruction result having the execution number "0001" or the instruction result having the execution number "0004") to generate a new instruction document by duplicating the selected instruction result (details of which will be described later).
In this way, even if a user does not know the entire cooperation processing, the user can search an instruction result and generate a new instruction document, as long as the user knows at least a process name sought for. Therefore, the convenience of the instruction document generation can be improved. Also, since instruction results with low instruction evaluations can be excluded from the search result, the convenience of search can be improved.
Back to FIG. 4, the instruction document generation unit 403 generates a new instruction document from an instruction document associated with the instruction result. More specifically, the instruction document generation unit 403 displays an instruction document generation screen 700 as in FIG. 7 on the output unit 406 (provided in, for example, the user terminal 12). The instruction document generation unit 403 can save, as a new instruction document, cooperation processing edited by the user on the instruction document generation screen 700 of FIG. 7 (for example, cooperation processing to which processing has been added or in which a parameter has been changed). In addition to saving the new instruction document, the instruction document generation unit 403 can also cause the cooperation processing management unit 407 to execute the cooperation processing. Alternatively, the instruction document generation unit 403 can cancel generation of a new instruction document. Hereinafter, the instruction document generation screen 700 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 7.
FIG. 7 is an example of an instruction document generation screen 700 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the instruction document generation screen 700 includes a process name field 701, a cooperation processing generation field 702, a parameter designating field 703, and a cooperation processing operation field 704. It should be noted that FIG. 7 illustrates an instruction document generation screen displayed when a user has selected the instruction result having the execution number "0001" from among the instruction results displayed in the search result field 602 of FIG. 6.
In the cooperation processing generation field 702, cooperation process names of the instruction result are displayed (more specifically, processing items included in the series of processing items and the relationship between the processing items are displayed). For example, FIG. 7 illustrates a relationship between processing items of the cooperation process names in the execution number "0001" of FIG. 5. More specifically, FIG. 7 indicates that the processing items "Acquire Image", "Detect Face", "Blur", and "Store Image" are executed in this order.
In the process name field 701, the names of selectable processing items are displayed as a list, and a user can add any given processing item to the cooperation processing generation field 702 (for example, by drag and drop operation). In addition, a user may be allowed to delete any given processing item from the cooperation processing generation field 702, and may be allowed to change the sequence in which the processing items are executed.
In the parameter designating field 703, a parameter related to a processing item selected in the cooperation processing generation field 702 is displayed, and a user can change the parameter. For example, FIG. 7 illustrates an example in which a user is configuring a parameter for the processing item "Blur" displayed in the cooperation processing generation field 702, and the user may be allowed to input any numerical value such as "Blur Level" displayed in the parameter designating field 703, or the user may be allowed to make a selection from parameters defined in advance such as "Algorithm".
The cooperation processing operation field 704 includes an "Execute" button, a "Save" button, and a "Cancel" button. By selecting the "Save" button, the cooperation processing generated in the cooperation processing generation field 702 can be saved as a new instruction document. By selecting the "Cancel" button, the generation of the instruction document can be canceled and terminated. By selecting the “Execute” button, the cooperation processing generated in the cooperation processing generation field 702 can be saved as a new instruction document, and the cooperation processing displayed in the cooperation processing generation field 702 can be executed.
Back to FIG. 4, the instruction document management unit 404 holds the instruction document generated by the instruction document generation unit 403.
The input unit 405 receives an input from a user (for example, inputs related to a generation of an instruction document, an instruction for executing a series of processing items, a designation of a condition for searching an instruction result, a designation of an instruction evaluation, and the like), and provides the data entered by the user to the cooperation processing management unit 407.
The output unit 406 displays, on display means such as a display, data output from the cooperation processing management unit 407 (for example, an obtained instruction result and a result obtained by executing a series of processing items).
The cooperation processing management unit 407 manages execution of the series of processing items based on the instruction document. More specifically, in response to an instruction given by a user with the input unit 405 or in response to completion of saving of the instruction document to the instruction document management unit 404, the cooperation processing management unit 407 causes the plurality of processing apparatuses (i.e., the first processing unit 408, the second processing unit 409, the acquisition processing unit 410, and the storing processing unit 411) to execute the series of processing items. Also, the cooperation processing management unit 407 transmits an execution result of the series of processing items (i.e., a cooperation processing result confirmation screen 800) to the output unit 406. Hereinafter, the cooperation processing result confirmation screen 800 will be explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 8.
FIG. 8 is an example of the cooperation processing result confirmation screen 800 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the cooperation processing result confirmation screen 800 includes a cooperation processing confirmation field 801, a processing result field 802, and an instruction evaluation field 803.
In the cooperation processing confirmation field 801, the executed series of processing items are displayed together with the relationship between the processing items. FIG. 8 illustrates a screen displayed when the cooperation processing of FIG. 7 is executed.
In the processing result field 802, a result image showing a result of execution of the cooperation processing displayed in the cooperation processing confirmation field 801 is displayed.
The instruction evaluation field 803 includes an instruction evaluation input field, a "Save" button, and a "Cancel" button. In the instruction evaluation input field, an evaluation indicative of whether a result of execution of the cooperation processing is an instruction content intended by the user or not can be input. For example, the user may check the result image displayed in the processing result field 802 and may input an evaluation value from 0.0 to 1.0. When a user selects the "Save" button, the instruction evaluation entered in the instruction evaluation input field, the instruction document, and the cooperation process name are stored, as a single instruction result, to the instruction result management unit 401. When the user selects the "Cancel" button, the instruction evaluation, the instruction document, and the cooperation process name are not saved as a new instruction result in the instruction result management unit 401, and this processing for confirmation of the cooperation processing result is terminated.
Back to FIG. 4, the first processing unit 408 executes first processing based on the instruction document.
The second processing unit 409 executes second processing based on the instruction document.
The acquisition processing unit 410 acquires data from a predetermined location based on the instruction document.
The storing processing unit 411 stores data to the predetermined location based on the instruction document.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a series of processing items related to cooperation according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In step 901 (S901), the input unit 405 receives an input of a search condition from a user, and transmits data of the search condition entered by the user to the cooperation processing management unit 407.
In step 902 (S902), the cooperation processing management unit 407 transmits the search condition of S901 to the instruction result search unit 402.
In step 903 (S903), the instruction result search unit 402 extracts a target instruction result satisfying the search condition of S902 from instruction results stored in the instruction result management unit 401. Then, the instruction result search unit 402 transmits the extracted instruction result to the cooperation processing management unit 407.
In step 904 (S904), the cooperation processing management unit 407 transmits an instruction result list acquired in S903 to the output unit 406. The user selects one instruction result of the instruction results in the instruction result list.
In step 905 (S905), the instruction document generation unit 403 generates a new instruction document based on the instruction document associated with the instruction result selected in S904. Then, the instruction document generation unit 403 transmits the generated instruction document to the instruction document management unit 404.
In step 906 (S906), the instruction document management unit 404 holds the new instruction document transmitted in S905, and transmits the new instruction document to the cooperation processing management unit 407.
In step 907 (S907), the cooperation processing management unit 407 instructs the processing units (i.e., the first processing unit 408, the second processing unit 409, the acquisition processing unit 410, and the storing processing unit 411) to perform processing based on the instruction document acquired in S906.
In step 908 (S908), the cooperation processing management unit 407 transmits a result of execution of the series of processing items in S907 to the output unit 406.
In step 909 (S909), the input unit 405 receives an input of an instruction evaluation from a user with regard to the result of S908, and transmits data of the instruction evaluation entered by the user to the cooperation processing management unit 407.
In step 910 (S910), the cooperation processing management unit 407 transmits, as a single instruction result, the instruction evaluation of S909, the instruction document, and the cooperation process name to the instruction result management unit 401.
In this manner, according to the present invention, an execution result of a plurality of processes which a plurality of processing apparatuses execute in a cooperating manner can be saved and effectively utilized. The user can obtain a desired result by generating an instruction document, even if, with respect to requirements for generating the instruction document, the user does not know which of selectable processing items are to be executed and in which sequence and does not know how a parameter accompanying a processing item is to be configured to obtain a desired result.
The functions of the embodiment described above can be implemented by one or a plurality of processing circuits. Here, the “processing circuit” in this specification is considered to include a processor programmed to execute the functions by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, and devices designed to execute the functions described above, such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and conventional circuit modules.
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the configuration described above, and a person skilled in the art would be able to combine the configuration described above with other elements. The configuration described above can be changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and can be appropriately determined according to the form of application.
1 cooperation processing apparatus
11 server apparatus
12 user terminal
13 processing apparatus
14 network
401 instruction result management unit
402 instruction result search unit
403 instruction document generation unit
404 instruction document management unit
405 input unit
406 output unit
407 cooperation processing management unit
408 first processing unit
409 second processing unit
410 acquisition processing unit
411 storing processing unit
600 instruction result search screen
601 search condition input field
602 search result field
700 instruction document generation screen
701 process name field
702 cooperation processing generation field
703 parameter designating field
704 cooperation processing operation field
800 cooperation processing result confirmation screen
801 cooperation processing confirmation field
802 processing result field
803 instruction evaluation field
[PTL 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-288052
The present application is based on and claims the benefits of the priority of Japanese Priority Application No. 2019-038824 filed on March 4, 2019, and the priority of Japanese Priority Application No. 2020-013834 filed on January 30, 2020. The entire contents of the foregoing applications are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims (5)

  1. A cooperation processing apparatus for causing a plurality of processing apparatuses to execute a plurality of processes in a cooperating manner, the cooperation processing apparatus comprising:
    an instruction result management unit configured to store data indicative of a plurality of instruction results, at least one instruction result of the plurality of instruction results including an instruction document specifying at least one process of the plurality of processes and a sequence in which the plurality of processes are executed, a cooperation process name including a first identifier for identifying the at least one process of the plurality of processes specified in the instruction document, and an instruction evaluation indicative of an evaluation of the instruction document;
    an instruction result search unit configured to search for an instruction result satisfying a search condition related to the data from the plurality of instruction results stored in the instruction result management unit to yield a search result including the instruction result satisfying the search condition;
    an output unit configured to display the search result including the instruction result satisfying the search condition; and
    an instruction document generation unit configured to generate a new instruction document from the search result displayed on the output unit.



  2. The cooperation processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the search condition is a second identifier for identifying a process sought for by a user, and
    the instruction result search unit determines whether the second identifier is included in the cooperation process name of the at least one instruction result of the plurality of instruction results stored in the instruction result management unit.



  3. The cooperation processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the instruction evaluation is a numerical value, and
    the instruction result search unit determines whether the instruction evaluation of the at least one instruction result of the plurality of instruction results stored in the instruction result management unit satisfies the search condition.



  4. The cooperation processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the instruction document generation unit generates the new instruction document by editing the instruction document associated with the instruction result in the search result.



  5. A method comprising:
    searching, from data indicative of a plurality of instruction results, for an instruction result satisfying a search condition related to the data, at least one instruction result of the plurality of instruction results including, in association with each other, an instruction document specifying at least one of a plurality of processes, which a plurality of processing apparatuses execute in a cooperating manner, and a sequence in which the plurality of processes are executed, a cooperation process name including a first identifier for identifying the at least one process of the plurality of processes specified in the instruction document, and an instruction evaluation indicative of an evaluation of the instruction document, and yielding a search result including the instruction result satisfying the search condition;
    displaying the search result including the instruction result satisfying the search condition; and
    generating a new instruction document from the search result displayed.
PCT/JP2020/009237 2019-03-04 2020-03-04 Cooperation processing apparatus and method WO2020179837A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2019-038824 2019-03-04
JP2019038824 2019-03-04
JP2020-013834 2020-01-30
JP2020013834A JP2020144854A (en) 2019-03-04 2020-01-30 Cooperative processing apparatus, method, and program

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2020179837A1 true WO2020179837A1 (en) 2020-09-10

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