JP4832164B2 - Image processing apparatus, application execution method, and application execution program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an application execution method, and an application execution program.

  In recent years, image forming apparatuses such as printers, copiers, scanners, facsimiles, or multifunction peripherals that realize these functions in a single housing have severe restrictions on memory and the like. Each function is realized by application control.

  For example, the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes a function that is commonly used by each application as a platform, and the application can be implemented using the API of the platform. According to such an image forming apparatus, since a function that is commonly used is provided as a platform, it is possible to avoid the duplication of a function for each application and to improve the development efficiency of the entire application.

  In general, however, for platforms with commonly used APIs, application development efficiency can be improved more than expected if the granularity of the functions or interfaces provided by the platform is not properly designed. There may not be.

  For example, if the granularity is too small, many API calls are required even though the application provides a simple service, and the source code becomes complicated.

  On the other hand, if the granularity is too large, if you want to implement an application that provides a service that changes some of the functions provided by a certain interface, you must modify the platform, and the development man-hours It can lead to an increase. In particular, when the dependence of each module in the platform is strong, not only a new function is added to the platform but also a modification of an existing part may be required, and the situation becomes more complicated.

In addition, if you want to implement an application that changes a part of the service provided by an existing application (for example, image input processing), you can call an existing application for other parts. Absent. Therefore, a new application must be implemented by rewriting the source code.
Japanese Patent No. 3679349

  In view of the above background, the present applicant considers that each application executed in the image forming apparatus is configured by a combination of data input processing, data processing processing, and data output processing, We are considering the construction of a new framework based on this. For example, a copy application that executes copying can be considered to be configured by image data input processing by a scanner, processing processing such as aggregation, output processing by a plotter, and the like. Further, a printer application that processes a print request from a client PC is considered to be configured by print data input processing (reception processing) via a network, processing processing such as print data rendering, output processing by a plotter, and the like. be able to. If application components are classified in this way, and functions can be added or deleted in units of such components (hereinafter referred to as “processing parts”), functions can be added or deleted in units of applications. Compared to the case, the development efficiency can be improved, and a flexible service can be provided to the user.

  In other words, regarding the improvement of development efficiency, the scanner application and the copy application can use a processing component that executes output processing by the plotter in common. Further, the scanner application and the FAX application can commonly use processing components for executing image data input processing by the scanner. In terms of the flexibility of service to the user, there are many variations depending on the user's discretion by allowing the user to select processing components for executing input processing, processing processing, and output processing when using the image forming apparatus. Can provide services.

  However, an interface that allows the user to select processing components one by one when using the image forming apparatus is flexible, but input is required to execute one complete application (for example, a copy application). There is a possibility that the number of steps increases and the operability deteriorates.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides an image processing apparatus, an application execution method, and an application execution program that can provide appropriate operability in realizing an application by combining processing components. For the purpose of provision.

  Therefore, in order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention executes image information input processing, processing processing, or output processing, and saves a combination of a processing component that realizes an application related to the image information by a combination thereof and the processing component. A list of combinations to be displayed on the display device so that the executable combinations can be identified based on the determination by the analysis means. Display control means for displaying, each processing component notifies the analysis means of information indicating availability of the processing component, the analysis means based on the notification from the processing component It is characterized by determining whether the combination can be executed.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the analysis unit determines that the combination including the unusable processing component is not executable.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the display control means displays availability of use in units of processing parts.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the analysis means performs execution control of the combination selected in the list.

  Further, according to the present invention, the processing component notifies program identification information for dynamically calling a program for executing a function of the processing component together with information indicating whether the use is possible, and the analysis means A program for executing a function of the processing component is called based on the program identification information related to the processing component constituting the selected combination.

  In such an image processing apparatus, it is possible to provide appropriate operability when an application is realized by a combination of processing components.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus, an application execution method, and an application execution program that can provide appropriate operability when an application is realized by a combination of processing components.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an image processing system 1 includes one or more image forming apparatuses (hereinafter collectively referred to as “image forming apparatus 10”) such as image forming apparatuses 10a and 10b, a management server 20, a client PC 30a, and the like. One or more client PCs (hereinafter, collectively referred to as “client PC 30”) and the like, such as 30b, are constituent elements. Each component is connected by a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

  The image forming apparatus 10 is an image forming apparatus such as a copier, a printer, or a multifunction peripheral, and is an example of an image processing apparatus or an apparatus including the image processing apparatus. The image forming apparatus 10 can add or delete applications developed in Java (registered trademark) language or C language after the shipment. An application in the present embodiment refers to software that provides a service in a single unit (until a request is input and a final output is obtained) that the image forming apparatus 10 provides to a user. In this sense, strictly speaking, the image forming apparatus 10 can be added or deleted in functional units constituting an application. The present inventor considers that the application of the image forming apparatus includes data input processing, processing processing, output processing, and the like. If application components are classified in this way, and functions can be added or deleted in units of such components (hereinafter referred to as “processing parts”), functions can be added or deleted in units of applications. Compared to the case, development efficiency can be improved, and a flexible service can be provided to the user. In the present embodiment, a processing component that executes input processing is particularly referred to as an input component. In addition, a processing component that executes processing is particularly referred to as a processed component. A processing component that executes output processing is particularly called an output component.

  The management server 20 is a general-purpose computer on which functions for integrated management of one or more image forming apparatuses 10 are implemented. The client PC 30 is a general-purpose computer for providing operation means (user interface) for the image forming apparatus 10 or the management server 20.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the image processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, for the sake of convenience, only the components necessary for the description of the present embodiment are shown. 2, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an operation panel 11, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 12, a plotter 13, an image information processing device 14, a scanner 15, and the like as hardware. As functions configured by software, a communication unit 101, an operation panel control unit 102, a flow registration unit 103, a flow analysis processing unit 104, a flow storage unit 105, an HDD control unit 106, a plotter control unit 107, an image information processing device The control unit 108 and the scanner control unit 109 are configured.

  The communication unit 101 controls communication via a network. The operation panel control unit 102 performs input / output control of information via the operation panel 11. The flow registration unit 103 controls processing for causing a user to register a job flow. Here, the job flow refers to information for controlling the flow of processing in an application, and is composed of information indicating a combination of processing components and their execution order. That is, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can previously register a combination of processing components as a job flow, and the user of the image forming apparatus 10 can select a job flow when using the job flow. You can receive service. The flow storage unit 105 records and manages the job flow registered by the flow registration unit 103 in the HDD 12 in a predetermined format. The flow analysis processing unit 104 performs execution control of a job flow instructed to be executed by the user. The flow analysis processing unit 104 also provides a list of processing components that can be used in the image forming apparatus 10, which is necessary when the flow registration unit 103 registers a job flow.

  The HDD control unit 106, the plotter control unit 107, the image information processing device control unit 108, the scanner control unit 109, and the like correspond to processing components. The HDD control unit 106 is a processing component that performs data registration (output) to the HDD 12 and data reading (input) from the HDD 12. The plotter control unit 107 is a processing component that causes the plotter 13 to output image data. The image information processing device control unit 108 is a processing component that causes the image information processing device 14 to perform image conversion (processing). A scanner control unit 109 is a processing component for causing the scanner 15 to read a document and inputting image data. That is, in the present embodiment, the job flow is configured by a combination of functions provided by the HDD control unit 106, the plotter control unit 107, the image information processing apparatus control unit 108, the scanner control unit 109, and the like. As described above, the image forming apparatus 10 can be added or deleted in units of processing components. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately develop and install processing components other than those shown in the drawing according to the operation.

  On the other hand, the management server 20 includes a communication unit 201 and a flow registration unit 202 as functions configured by software. These realize the same functions as the communication unit 101 or the flow registration unit 103 in the image forming apparatus 10.

  Further, the client PC 30 includes a communication unit 301 and a remote UI 302 as functions configured by software. The communication unit 301 controls communication via a network. The remote UI 302 provides a user interface for operating the image forming apparatus 10 or the management server 20 via the network. The remote UI 302 corresponds to a general-purpose web browser in the present embodiment. However, the remote UI 302 may be configured by a dedicated application.

  Hereinafter, the processing procedure of the image processing system 1 will be described. First, a processing procedure executed when registering a job flow will be described. 3 and 4 are sequence diagrams for explaining the processing procedure of job flow registration processing for one image forming apparatus.

  In the client PC 30, when the user instructs the remote UI 302 to display a job flow generation screen of a specific image forming apparatus 10 (for example, the image forming apparatus 10 a), the remote UI 302 instructs the communication unit 301 to acquire the job flow generation screen. A request is made (S101). Here, the job flow generation screen is a screen for generating and registering a job flow by combining processing components. Also, the display instruction of the job flow generation screen by the user is input on, for example, a home page provided by the image forming apparatus 10, and at that time, the image forming apparatus 10 to which the job flow is registered is selected. Here, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus 10a is selected. The communication unit 301 requests the communication unit 101 of the image forming apparatus 10a to transmit a job flow generation screen (S102).

  In response to a request from the client PC 30, the communication unit 101 calls the flow registration unit 103 and requests generation of a job flow generation screen (S103). The flow registration unit 103 requests the flow analysis processing unit 104 for a list of processing components that can be used in the image forming apparatus 10a as information necessary for generating the job flow generation screen (S104). That is, in each image forming apparatus 10, a list of processing components (processing component list) that can be used in the image forming apparatus 10 is stored in the HDD 12, for example. Therefore, the flow analysis processing unit 104 acquires a stored processing component list and returns it to the flow registration unit 103 (S105). The processing component list is updated according to the addition or deletion (installation or uninstallation) of the processing component. The flow registration unit 103 generates HTML data for displaying the job flow generation screen using the processing component list (S106), and outputs the HTML data including the processing component list as display contents to the communication unit 101 ( S107).

  The HTML data is transmitted to the client PC 30 by the communication unit 101 and received by the communication unit 301 of the client PC 30 (S108). When the communication unit 301 outputs the received HTML data to the remote UI 302 (S109), the remote UI 302 displays a job flow generation screen on the display device of the client PC 30 based on the HTML data (S110).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a job flow generation screen. 5A shows an initial state (a state immediately after display) of the job flow generation screen 510, and FIG. 5B shows a state where a job flow is generated (or defined) by the user.

  The job flow generation screen 510 mainly includes a job flow generation area 501 and a processing component list area 502. The processing component list area 502 is an area in which a list of processing component icons or buttons that can be used in the image forming apparatus 10a is displayed. The job flow generation area 501 is an area for generating one job flow using the processing component icon (processing component icon) displayed in the processing component list area 502. As shown in FIG. 5B, the job flow is generated by connecting the processing component icons in the processing component list area 502 in the order of execution of the processing by drag and drop. For example, a job flow for executing copying includes a processing component for executing scanner input (scanner input component), a processing component for executing image conversion (image conversion component), and a processing component for executing plotter output. It is defined by connecting (plotter output component) etc. In addition, when a processing component icon arranged in the job flow generation area 501 is double-clicked, a screen for setting an execution condition for the processing component icon is displayed, and the execution condition (for example, scanner input) of the processing component is displayed on the screen. For parts, resolution, paper size, etc. can be set. In this embodiment, since the remote UI 302 is a Web browser, strictly speaking, when the display screen transitions, communication with the Web server (in this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10a) is performed. For convenience, the occurrence of the communication will be omitted.

  In one job flow, a plurality of input parts, processed parts, and output parts can be used. For example, when a scanned image and an image stored in the HDD 12 of the image forming apparatus 10 are combined, printed, and transmitted by FAX, at least two input components and two output components are selected. Is done.

  When the job flow generation is completed on the job flow generation screen 510 and the OK button 503 is clicked, the remote UI 302 displays a screen for inputting a job flow name (job flow name). When a job flow name is input on this screen, the remote UI 302 outputs a job flow registration request to the communication unit 301 (FIG. 4: S121). The job flow registration request includes information set on the job flow generation screen 510 and the like, that is, a job flow name, identification information of processing components constituting the job flow, execution order of processing components, and execution conditions of each processing component. And the like (hereinafter referred to as “job flow information”). The job flow registration request is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10a by the communication unit 301 and received by the communication unit 101 of the image forming apparatus 10a (S122).

  In response to the job flow registration request, the communication unit 101 calls the flow registration unit 103 to instruct job flow registration (S123). The flow registration unit 103 requests the flow storage unit 105 to save the job flow information (S124). The flow storage unit 105 stores the job flow information in the HDD 12 in a predetermined format via the HDD control unit 106 (S125, S126), and notifies the flow registration unit 103 that the storage of the job flow information is completed. (S127).

  FIG. 6 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an example of a storage format of job flow information. The job flow information 1040 shown in FIG. 6 includes, for each job flow, a job flow name, a flow creator, a flow registration date, and the like (see Table 1041), processing components constituting the job flow, and execution information (execution order and Execution condition) (see Table 1042) and the like. In the drawing, “copy + FAX flow” indicates that the processing component is composed of a scanner (input component), a plotter (output component), a fax (output component), and the like. In other words, “copy + FAX flow” is a job flow that realizes an application in which an image read by a scanner is output by a plotter and is transmitted by FAX. Note that the job flow name may not be input by the user, but may be automatically created based on, for example, functions of processing components constituting the job flow.

  The job flow registration completion notification is transmitted to the client PC 30 via the job flow registration unit 103 and the communication unit 101 (S128, S129), and is notified to the remote UI 302 via the communication unit 301 of the client PC 30 (S130). The remote UI 302 displays that the job flow registration has been completed (S131). Here, the contents of the registered job flow may be displayed for confirmation by the user.

  Next, an example in which a job flow is registered at once for a plurality of image forming apparatuses 10 will be described. 7 and 8 are sequence diagrams for explaining the processing procedure of job flow batch registration processing for a plurality of image forming apparatuses. 7 and 8, in order to distinguish the constituent elements of the image forming apparatuses 10a and 10b, “a” is used for the constituent elements of the image forming apparatus 10a, and “b” is used for the constituent elements of the image forming apparatus 10b. Is added after the reference number.

  In the client PC 30, when the user instructs the remote UI 302 to display a job flow generation screen for a plurality of image forming apparatuses 10 (here, the image forming apparatuses 10a and 10b) (that is, image formation as a job flow registration destination). When the devices 10a and 10b are selected), the remote UI 302 requests the communication unit 301 to acquire the job flow generation screen (S151). The acquisition request for the job flow generation screen indicates that the image forming apparatuses 10a and 10b are registered. The communication unit 301 requests the communication unit 101a of the image forming apparatus 10a to transmit a job flow generation screen (S152). In response to the request from the client PC 30, the communication unit 101a calls the flow registration unit 103 and requests the job forming screens for the image forming apparatuses 10a and 10b (S153). The fact that the job flow registration destination is the image forming apparatuses 10a and 10b is transmitted to the flow registration unit 103a in response to a job flow generation screen generation request.

  The flow registration unit 103a collects a list of processing components of all the image forming apparatuses 10 included in the registration destination based on a job flow generation screen generation request. First, a list of processing components that can be used in the image forming apparatus 10a is acquired from the flow analysis processing unit 104a (S154, S155). Subsequently, the flow registration unit 103a requests the communication unit 101a to obtain a list of processing components that can be used in the image forming apparatus 10b (S156). The communication unit 101a requests the image forming apparatus 10b for a list of processing components (S157). In response to the request, the communication unit 101b of the image forming apparatus 10b acquires a processing component list in the image forming apparatus 10b from the flow analysis unit 104b (S158, S159), and returns the processing component list (S160).

  Upon receiving the processing component list of the image forming apparatus 10b, the communication unit 101a of the image forming apparatus 10a outputs it to the flow registration unit 103a (S161). The flow registration unit 103a obtains a logical sum of the processing component list of the image forming apparatus 10a and the processing component list of the image forming apparatus 10b, and displays a job flow generation screen using the processing component list obtained by the logical sum. HTML data is generated (S162), and the HTML data including the processing component list as display contents is output to the communication unit 101a (S163). Thereafter, steps S163 to S166 are the same as steps S107 to S110 in FIG. Accordingly, the list of processing components on the job flow generation screen 510 displayed in step S166 is displayed by a logical sum of the processing component lists of the two image forming apparatuses 10. The operation method of the job flow generation screen 510 is as described with reference to FIG. Therefore, the user selects a processing component to be used from the processing component list by logical sum and generates a job flow.

  When the job flow generation on the job flow generation screen 510 is completed, the OK button 503 is clicked, and the job flow name is input, the remote UI 302 sends a job flow batch registration request to the image via the communication unit 301. The data is transmitted to the forming apparatus 10a (FIG. 8: S171). In FIG. 8, the job flow batch registration request includes identification information (host name, IP address, etc.) of the image forming apparatus 10 to which the job flow is registered in addition to the job flow information. Therefore, here, identification information of the image forming apparatuses 10a and 10b is included. In FIG. 8, the communication unit 301 is not displayed, but this is for convenience.

  In response to the job flow batch registration request, the communication unit 101a of the image forming apparatus 10a calls the flow registration unit 103a and instructs batch registration of job flows (S172). The flow registration unit 103a requests the flow storage unit 105a to save the job flow information (S173). The flow storage unit 105a stores the job flow information in the HDD 12 in a predetermined format via the HDD control unit 106a (S174, S175), and notifies the flow registration unit 103a that the storage of the job flow information is completed. (S176). Subsequently, the flow registration unit 103a requests the communication unit 101a to register the job flow in the image forming apparatus 10b based on the fact that the registration destination includes the image forming apparatus 10b in the job flow batch registration request. (S177).

  The communication unit 101a requests the image forming apparatus 10b to register a job flow (S178). The job flow registration request is received by the communication unit 101b of the image forming apparatus 10b, and the job flow information is registered in the image forming apparatus 10b in the same procedure as steps S123 to S128 in FIG. 4 (S179 to S184). Note that the same job flow information as that of the image forming apparatus 10a is registered in the image forming apparatus 10b. The communication unit 101b notifies the communication unit 101a of the image forming apparatus 10a that registration of job flow information has been completed in the image forming apparatus 10b (S185). The notification is transmitted to the flow registration unit 102a (S186). When the flow registration unit 102a confirms that the registration of the job flow to all the image forming apparatuses 10 included in the registration destination is completed in the job flow batch registration request, the communication unit 101a sends a job flow registration completion notification. Is transmitted to the client PC 30 via S (S187, S189). The remote UI 302 of the client PC 30 displays that the job flow registration has been completed (S190).

  As described above, job flows can be registered in a plurality of image forming apparatuses 10 by a single operation on the job flow generation screen 510. Therefore, the work efficiency can be improved as compared with the case where job flows are individually registered. 7 and 8, the image forming apparatus 10a plays a role as a window for the client PC 30, but the window may be performed by the management server 20. That is, the management server 20 receives a request for batch registration of job flows from the client PC 30, and requests registration of job flow information from each image forming apparatus 10 specified as the registration destination. In this case, the communication unit 201 and the flow registration unit 202 in the management server 20 execute the same processing as the communication unit 101a and the flow registration unit 103a in FIG. However, since the job flow is not registered in the management server 20 itself, the job flow registration process for the management server 20 is not executed.

  3 to 8 show an example in which the job flow registration operation is performed via the remote UI 302. However, even if the job flow registration operation is performed via the operation panel 11 of the image forming apparatus 10, FIGS. Good. In this case, the operation panel 11 functions as a display device, and a job flow generation screen is displayed.

  Next, a processing procedure when executing a registered job flow will be described. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram for explaining a first processing procedure of job flow execution processing.

  When the image forming apparatus 10 is powered on, each processing component notifies the flow analysis processing unit 104 that it can be used. For example, the scanner control unit 109 checks the state of the scanner 15, and if there is no abnormality, notifies the flow analysis processing unit 104 that the scanner control unit 109 (input function from the scanner 15) can be used (S201). . The plotter control unit 107 checks the state of the plotter 13 and notifies the flow analysis processing unit 104 that the plotter control unit 107 (output function to the plotter 13) can be used if there is no abnormality (S202). The image information processing device control unit 108 checks the state of the image information processing device 14 and determines that the image information processing device control unit 108 (image information processing function) can be used if there is no abnormality. (S203). The HDD control unit 106 checks the status of the HDD 12, and if there is no abnormality, notifies the flow analysis processing unit 104 that the HDD control unit 16 (input / output function for the HDD 12) is available (S204). When another processing component is installed, a notification that the other processing component can be used is also sent from the other processing component.

  The flow storage unit 105 reads job flow information stored in the HDD 12 in response to power-on, and outputs the job flow information to the operation panel control unit 102 (S205). The operation panel control unit 102 causes the operation panel 11 to display a list screen (job flow list screen) of job flows (job flow names) registered in the image forming apparatus 10 based on the job flow information. (S206). However, the job flow list screen may be displayed on a display device of an external device such as a PC connected to the image forming apparatus 10 via a network.

  When the user selects a desired job flow from the job flow list screen displayed on the operation panel 11, the operation panel control unit 102 notifies the identification information (for example, job flow name) of the selected job flow. Thus, the flow analysis processing unit 104 is instructed to execute the job flow (hereinafter referred to as “current job flow”) (S208). Here, a job flow in which image data is input by the scanner 13, the image data is aggregated, the aggregated image data is output to the plotter 13 and stored in the HDD 12 is selected as the current job flow. Shall.

  The flow analysis processing unit 104 acquires job flow information of the current job flow based on the job flow name notified from the operation panel control unit 102, and dynamically controls subsequent processing based on the job flow information and the like. . First, the flow analysis processing unit 104 determines processing components constituting the current job flow, and instructs each processing component to execute processing. Specifically, in FIG. 9, a scanner control unit 109 as a scanner input component, an image information processing device control unit 108 as an aggregate processing component, a plotter control unit 107 as a plotter output component, and an HDD output component Are executed in parallel to the HDD control unit 106 (S209 to S212).

  The reason why execution instructions are issued in parallel to the respective processing components is that, in the present embodiment, synchronization between the respective processing components is taken by pipes connecting the respective processing components. Here, the pipe is a concept that abstractly represents a means for transmitting data between the processing components, and the entity is realized by various memories. The flow analysis unit 104 designates an input side pipe and an output side pipe when instructing each processing component to execute processing. Each processing component waits for data to be input to the input side pipe, and when data is input to the input side pipe, executes processing on the data, and outputs the result to the output side pipe as a processing result. Output data. Here, the pipe on the output side of the processing component that executes the previous process matches the pipe on the input side that executes the next process. Therefore, when a certain processing component outputs data as a processing result to the output side pipe, the next processing component detects input of data to the input side pipe for the processing component and starts processing. That is why. However, a processing component that functions as an input component accepts data input from a device (such as the scanner 15 or a network) corresponding to the processing component, not an input from a pipe. Further, the processing component that functions as an output component outputs data to a device (such as the HDD 12 or the plotter 13) corresponding to the processing component instead of outputting to the pipe. In implementing the present invention, it is not always necessary to synchronize with a pipe, and the flow analysis unit 104 may control the synchronization of processing between processing components. In this case, the flow analysis unit 104 may perform control such that a processing execution instruction is issued to the next processing component in response to the end of the processing of a certain processing component.

  In response to an execution instruction from the flow analysis processing unit 104, first, the scanner control unit 109, which is an input component (scanner input component), executes reading of image data from the scanner 15 (S213). The scanner control unit 109 outputs the read image data to a pipe (hereinafter referred to as “pipe A”) between the image information processing apparatus control unit 108 (S214), and the flow analysis process indicates the completion of the process. The unit 104 is notified (S215).

  When the image information processing apparatus control unit 108 detects the input of image data to the pipe A, the image information processing apparatus control unit 108 executes a processing process (here, an aggregation process) on the image data (S216). When the processing is completed, the image information processing apparatus control unit 108 performs a pipe between the plotter control unit 107 (hereinafter referred to as “pipe B”) and a pipe between the HDD control unit 106 (hereinafter referred to as “pipe C”). The processing data is output (S217, S218), and the completion of the process is notified to the flow analysis processing unit 104 (S219).

  Subsequently, the plotter control unit 107 and the HDD control unit 106 execute processes in parallel. When the plotter control unit 107 detects input of machining data to the pipe B, the plotter control unit 107 outputs (prints) the machining data to the plotter 13 (S220). Further, when the HDD control unit 106 detects the input of the processing data to the pipe C, the HDD control unit 106 outputs (saves) the processing data to the HDD 12 (S221). When each process is completed, the plotter control unit 107 and the HDD control unit 106 notify the flow analysis processing unit 104 of the completion (S219).

  When the flow analysis processing unit 104 receives processing completion notifications from all the processing components that have instructed processing execution, the flow analysis processing unit 104 notifies the operation panel control unit 102 of completion of the job flow (S224). In response to the notification, the operation panel control unit 102 causes the operation panel 11 to display a message for notifying completion of processing, for example.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 10 in the present embodiment, it is possible to execute processing according to a job flow registered in advance.

  By the way, the image forming apparatus 10 can be installed or uninstalled in units of processing components. Therefore, there may be a case where a processing component that exists when a job flow is registered does not exist when the job flow is executed. This is because the processing component may be uninstalled after registration of the job flow. Further, in the job flow registration process as described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, a job flow is generated based on a list of processing components collected from a plurality of image forming apparatuses 10, and the same generated as described above. The job flow is registered in each image forming apparatus 10. Accordingly, when the processing components installed in the respective image forming apparatuses 10 are different, there is a possibility that a job flow using the processing components that are not installed is registered in the image forming apparatus 10. In addition, there may be a processing component that cannot be used even though it has been installed due to a device abnormality or the like.

  Therefore, job flow execution processing considering the occurrence of such a situation (a situation where a job flow including an unusable processing component is registered) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram for explaining a second processing procedure of job flow execution processing.

  Steps S301 to S304 are the same as steps S201 to S204 in FIG. 9, and a description thereof will be omitted here.

  In step S305, the flow storage unit 105 reads job flow information stored in the HDD 12 in response to power-on, and outputs the job flow information to the flow analysis processing unit 104 (S305). The flow analysis processing unit 104 determines whether or not each registered job flow can be executed based on the job flow information and the like (S306). FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a method for determining whether or not a job flow can be executed. 11A shows a case where it is determined that the job flow can be executed, and FIG. 11B shows a case where it is determined that the job flow cannot be executed.

  In (A) or (B), the table 1042a and the table 1042b correspond to the table 1042 in FIG. In other words, the table 1042a and the table 1042b are information constituting a part of the job flow information, and are information indicating processing components constituting the job flow and their execution order. Further, the processing component information 1050 is information generated by the flow analysis processing unit 104 based on the notification of availability from each processing component, and the processing component is mounted for each processing component for which the availability notification has been received. An association with the program name of the current program is defined. Here, the program name is an identification name required for dynamically calling the program, and may be address information indicating the storage location of the program, for example. The program name is notified to the flow analysis processing unit 104 from each processing component at the time of availability notification. By dynamically creating the processing component information 1050, the flow analysis processing unit 104 does not know the installed processing component in advance, but the function (processing) Component) and know which program can execute which function at the time of execution.

  The flow analysis processing unit 104 determines whether each job flow can be executed using these pieces of information. For example, in the case of (A), the processing components constituting the job flow are a scanner input component and a plotter output component. Therefore, the flow analysis processing unit 104 searches the processing component information 1050 for an entry of a scanner input component and a plotter output component. In FIG. 11, since both processing component entries exist in the processing component information 1050, the flow analysis processing unit 104 determines that the job flow can be executed.

  On the other hand, in the case of (B), the processing components constituting the job flow are a scanner input component and a mail transmission component. However, the processing component information 1050 does not include an entry for a mail transmission component. In this case, since at least a part of processing (email transmission) cannot be executed, the job flow analysis processing unit 104 determines that the job flow cannot be executed.

  When the determination of whether or not each job flow can be executed is completed, the flow analysis processing unit 104 notifies the operation panel control unit 102 of the job flow information together with whether or not each job flow can be executed (S307 and S308).

  The operation panel control unit 102 displays a job flow list screen on the operation panel 11 based on information notified from the flow analysis processing unit 104. (S309). FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a job flow list screen.

  As shown in FIG. 12, on the job flow list screen 111, executable job flows and non-executable job flows are displayed separately. Therefore, the user can easily identify the job flow that can be executed and the job flow that cannot be executed.

  On the job flow list screen 111, each job flow is displayed by a selectable button. When any job flow is selected and the detail button 1113 is pressed, the operation panel control unit 102 causes the operation panel 11 to display a detail screen (job flow detail screen) of the selected job flow. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the job flow detail screen.

  In FIG. 13, (A) shows a job flow detail screen 112 of executable job flows. On the job flow detail screen 112, the processing flow of the job flow is displayed in units of processing components. In (A), the flow of processing of the job flow described in FIGS. 9 and 10 is displayed. In other words, it is displayed that scanner input is performed, aggregation processing is performed, and then plotter output and HDD accumulation are executed in parallel.

  On the other hand, (B) shows a job flow detail screen 112 of an unexecutable job flow. Even when it cannot be executed, the flow of processing of the job flow is displayed in units of processing components. However, the processing component that caused the inexecutability is displayed so that it can be identified (eg, grayed out). In (B), the mail transmission is displayed grayed out. Therefore, the user can easily confirm the reason why the job flow cannot be executed.

  Note that only executable job flows may be displayed on the job flow list screen 111 of FIG.

  When an executable job flow is selected on the job flow list screen 111 and the execution button 1112 is pressed, the operation panel control unit 102 notifies the identification information (for example, job flow name) of the selected job flow. As a result, the flow analysis processing unit 104 is instructed to execute the job flow (S310). Since step S311 and subsequent steps are the same as step S209 and subsequent steps in FIG. 9, description thereof is omitted here. In steps S311 to S314, the flow analysis processing unit 104 dynamically calls a program corresponding to each processing component based on the processing component information 1050 shown in FIG. This also applies to FIG. The program corresponding to the processing component is dynamically called at the time of execution, so that it is possible to flexibly cope with the function expansion by adding the processing component.

  Next, a processing procedure of another variation of the job flow will be described. First, a processing procedure of a job flow (hereinafter referred to as “job flow A”) as shown in FIG. 14 will be described. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a detailed screen of the job flow A.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the job flow A is such that image data is input from the scanner, the image data is subjected to aggregation processing, the processing data is output to a plotter, and then stored in the HDD 12. That is, the job flow A is different from the job flow described in FIG. 10 in that plotter output and HDD accumulation are sequentially executed in series.

  FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram for explaining a processing procedure of execution processing of job flow A. In FIG. 15, the same steps (S301 to S310) as those in FIG.

  When the execution instruction of the current job flow (job flow A) is received from the operation panel control unit 102, the flow analysis processing unit 104 outputs a process execution instruction to each processing component constituting the job flow A in parallel. (S411-S413). However, the HDD controller 106 is not instructed to execute at this timing. That is, when the current job flow includes a plurality of output components and the output components are executed in series, the flow analysis processing unit 104 executes only the first processing component in the output component at this timing. Output instructions. Accordingly, here, an execution instruction is output to the scanner control unit 109, the image information processing device control unit 108, and the plotter control unit 107.

  In response to the execution instruction from the flow analysis processing unit 104, first, the scanner control unit 109, which is an input component (scanner input component), executes reading of image data from the scanner 15 (S414). The scanner control unit 109 outputs the read image data to the pipe A between the image information processing apparatus control unit 108 (S415) and notifies the flow analysis processing unit 104 of the completion of the processing (S416).

  When the image information processing apparatus control unit 108 detects the input of image data to the pipe A, the image information processing apparatus control unit 108 executes a processing process (here, an aggregation process) on the image data (S417). When the processing is completed, the image information processing apparatus control unit 108 outputs the processing data to the pipe B between the plotter control unit 107 and the pipe C between the HDD control unit 106 (S418, S419). The flow analysis processing unit 104 is notified of the completion of processing (S420).

  When the plotter control unit 107 detects the input of machining data to the pipe B, the plotter control unit 107 outputs (prints) the machining data to the plotter 13 (S421), and notifies the flow analysis processing unit 104 of the completion of the processing (S422). . On the other hand, even if machining data is input to the pipe C, the HDD control unit 106 does not start processing. This is because the execution instruction is not input from the flow analysis processing unit 104 to the HDD control unit 106, and the HDD control unit 106 is not waiting for input of machining data to the pipe C.

  In response to the completion notification from the plotter control unit 107, the flow analysis processing unit 104 issues an execution instruction to the HDD control unit 106, which is the second processing component, as an output component (S423). The HDD control unit 106 detects the input of machining data to the pipe C according to the execution instruction, and outputs (saves) the machining data to the HDD 12 (S424). When the output to the HDD 12 is completed, the HDD control unit 106 notifies the flow analysis processing unit 104 of the completion of the processing (S425).

  When the flow analysis processing unit 104 receives processing completion notifications from all the processing components that have instructed processing execution, the flow analysis processing unit 104 notifies the operation panel control unit 102 of completion of the job flow (S426). In response to the notification, the operation panel control unit 102 causes the operation panel 11 to display a message for notifying completion of processing, for example.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can also control the execution of a job flow in which output components are sequentially executed in series. Therefore, various settings can be made for the job flow, and convenience can be improved.

  Next, a processing procedure of a job flow (hereinafter referred to as “job flow B”) as shown in FIG. 16 will be described. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a detailed screen of the job flow B. In the job flow detail screen 112 of FIG. 16, the triangle sign means waiting for input from the user (for example, pressing of the start button). Therefore, the job flow B inputs image data from the scanner, performs aggregate processing on the image data, waits for input from the user, and then parallelizes the processed data plotter output processing and HDD storage processing. It is something to execute. That is, the job flow B is different from the job flow described with reference to FIG. 10 in that it waits for an input (for example, pressing of a start button) by the user after processing the image data.

  FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram for explaining a processing procedure of job flow B execution processing. In FIG. 17, the same steps (S301 to S310) as those in FIG. 10 are denoted by the same step numbers, and the description thereof is omitted.

  When the execution instruction of the current job flow (job flow B) is received from the operation panel control unit 102, the flow analysis processing unit 104 outputs a process execution instruction to each processing component constituting the job flow B in parallel. (S511, S512). However, execution instructions are not given to the plotter control unit 107 and the HDD control unit 106 at this timing. That is, when the current job flow includes a user input waiting, the flow analysis processing unit 104 does not issue an execution instruction at this timing for a processing component executed after the waiting. Accordingly, here, an execution instruction is output to the scanner control unit 109 and the image information processing apparatus control unit 108.

  In response to an execution instruction from the flow analysis processing unit 104, first, the scanner control unit 109, which is an input component (scanner input component), executes reading of image data from the scanner 15 (S513). The scanner control unit 109 outputs the read image data to the pipe A between the image information processing apparatus control unit 108 (S514) and notifies the flow analysis processing unit 104 of the completion of the processing (S515).

  When the image information processing apparatus control unit 108 detects the input of the image data to the pipe A, the image information processing apparatus control unit 108 executes a processing process (here, an aggregation process) on the image data (S516). When the processing is completed, the image information processing device control unit 108 notifies the flow analysis processing unit 104 of the completion of the processing (S517), and between the pipe B between the plotter control unit 107 and the HDD control unit 106. The machining data is output to the pipe C (S518, S519). Even if processing data is input to pipe B or pipe C, since the execution instruction is not input from the flow analysis processing unit 104, the plotter control unit 107 and the HDD control unit 106 do not start processing.

  When the completion notification is received from the image information processing apparatus control unit 106, the flow analysis processing unit 104 requests input from the user to the operation panel control unit 102, and waits for input from the user (S520). For example, the operation panel control unit 102 displays a message such as “Do you want to continue the process?” And prompts the user to input. When the user instructs the continuation of the process such as pressing the start button, the operation panel control unit 102 instructs the flow analysis processing unit 104 to continue the job flow (S521).

  In response to the job flow continuation instruction, the flow analysis processing unit 104 issues an execution instruction to a processing component to be executed after waiting for user input. Here, execution instructions are issued in parallel to the plotter control unit 107 and the HDD control unit 106 (S522, S523). Steps S524 and after (plotter output processing and HDD storage processing) are the same as those after step S322 in FIG.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can also control the execution of a job flow that waits for a user input. Therefore, the execution timing of the processing component can be changed according to the user's discretion, and convenience can be improved.

  In the job flow B of FIG. 17, the user input has been described in a simplified manner. However, for example, actual user input waiting is the job flow illustrated in FIG. 18 (hereinafter referred to as “job flow C”). Conceivable in case. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a detailed screen of the job flow C.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the job flow C combines the image data read by the scanner and the data transferred from the PC, and causes the operation unit (operation panel 11) to display a preview of the combined data. When a desired output result is obtained, the user instructs to continue the process. In response to the instruction, plotter output processing and HDD storage processing are executed. When a desired output result cannot be obtained, the user changes the image processing conditions. In this case, image composition processing is performed again, and preview display is executed.

  Next, a processing procedure of a job flow (hereinafter referred to as “job flow D”) as shown in FIG. 19 will be described. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a detailed screen of the job flow D. In the job flow detail screen 112 of FIG. 19, the yen symbol means waiting for the time indicated in the circle. Therefore, the job flow D inputs image data from the scanner, performs aggregate processing on the image data, waits for 30 seconds, and then executes the processing data plotter output processing and HDD accumulation processing in parallel. It is something like that. That is, the job flow D is different from the job flow described with reference to FIG. 10 in that it waits for a predetermined time after image data processing.

  FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram for explaining the processing procedure of the execution processing of job flow D. 20, the same steps (S301 to S310) as those in FIG. 10 are denoted by the same step numbers, and the description thereof is omitted.

  When the execution instruction of the current job flow (job flow D) is received from the operation panel control unit 102, the flow analysis processing unit 104 outputs a processing execution instruction to each processing component constituting the job flow D in parallel. (S611, S612). However, execution instructions are not given to the plotter control unit 107 and the HDD control unit 106 at this timing. That is, when the current job flow includes a waiting time, the flow analysis processing unit 104 does not issue an execution instruction at this timing for a processing component executed after the waiting. Accordingly, here, an execution instruction is output to the scanner control unit 109 and the image information processing apparatus control unit 108.

  In response to an execution instruction from the flow analysis processing unit 104, first, the scanner control unit 109, which is an input component (scanner input component), executes reading of image data from the scanner 15 (S613). The scanner control unit 109 outputs the read image data to the pipe A between the image information processing apparatus control unit 108 (S614) and notifies the flow analysis processing unit 104 of the completion of the processing (S615).

  When the image information processing apparatus control unit 108 detects the input of the image data to the pipe A, the image information processing apparatus control unit 108 executes a process of the image data (here, an aggregation process) (S616). When the processing is completed, the image information processing device control unit 108 notifies the flow analysis processing unit 104 of the completion of the processing (S617), and between the pipe B between the plotter control unit 107 and the HDD control unit 106. The machining data is output to the pipe C (S618, S619). Even if processing data is input to pipe B or pipe C, since the execution instruction is not input from the flow analysis processing unit 104, the plotter control unit 107 and the HDD control unit 106 do not start processing.

  Upon receiving the completion notification from the image information processing apparatus control unit 106, the flow analysis processing unit 104 starts counting the timer for the standby time (S620). When the timer count ends (that is, when the elapse of the standby time is detected), the flow analysis processing unit 104 issues an execution instruction to the processing component to be executed after the standby. Here, execution instructions are issued in parallel to the plotter control unit 107 and the HDD control unit 106 (S622, S623). Since step S624 and subsequent steps (plotter output processing and HDD storage processing) are the same as those after step S322 in FIG. 10, description thereof is omitted here.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can also control the execution of a job flow that includes a standby time on the way. Therefore, the execution timing of the processing component can be adjusted by designating the standby time, and convenience can be improved. Note that the standby time may be set between the input component and the processed component, or between the output components when the output components are executed in series. Further, the execution timing may be adjusted by specifying the time (for example, specifying the FAX transmission time, etc.) instead of the standby time.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, it is possible to previously register a control information indicating a combination of processing components and an execution order thereof with a name added as a job flow. Further, it is possible to dynamically control processing according to the registered job flow. Therefore, the user can execute the application realized by the job flow only by calling (or simply selecting) the name of the job flow.

  Further, since the image forming apparatus 10 has a configuration capable of dynamic process control, the image forming apparatus 10 can flexibly cope with the addition or deletion of a processing component, and the addition of a processing component or a new processing component. Function expansion can be easily performed by combination or the like, that is, while relatively little modification of the source code with respect to the existing part is suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, the flow storage unit 105 is an example of a storage unit. The flow analysis processing unit 104 is an example of an analysis unit. The operation panel control unit 102 is an example of a display control unit.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to the specific embodiment which concerns, In the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim, various deformation | transformation * It can be changed.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the image processing system in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the function structural example of the image processing system in embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram for explaining a processing procedure of job flow registration processing for one image forming apparatus. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram for explaining a processing procedure of job flow registration processing for one image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a job flow production | generation screen. It is a figure which shows notionally the example of the preservation | save format of job flow information. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram for explaining a processing procedure of job flow registration processing for a plurality of image forming apparatuses. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram for explaining a processing procedure of job flow batch registration processing for a plurality of image forming apparatuses. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the 1st process sequence of the execution process of a job flow. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the 2nd process sequence of the execution process of a job flow. It is a figure for demonstrating the judgment method of the feasibility of execution of a job flow. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a job flow list screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a job flow detailed screen. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a detailed screen of job flow A. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram for explaining a processing procedure of execution processing of job flow A. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a detailed screen of job flow B. FIG. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram for explaining a processing procedure of job flow B execution processing. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a detailed screen of a job flow C. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a detailed screen of job flow D. FIG. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram for explaining a processing procedure of job flow D execution processing.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image processing system 10, 10a, 10b Image forming apparatus 11 Operation panel 12 HDD (Hard Disk Drive)
13 Plotter 14 Image Information Processing Device 15 Scanner 20 Management Servers 30, 30a, 30b Client PC
40 network 101 communication unit 102 operation panel control unit (an example of display control means)
103 flow registration unit 104 flow analysis processing unit (an example of analysis means)
105 Flow storage (an example of storage means)
106 HDD control unit 107 Plotter control unit 108 Image information processing device control unit 109 Scanner control unit 111 Job flow list screen 112 Job flow detailed screen 201 Communication unit 202 Flow registration unit 301 Communication unit 302 Remote UI

Claims (13)

Input processing that is processing that constitutes one application relating to image information, processing processing that reads and processes the input processing results that have accumulated the results of the input processing, or output that reads and outputs processing results that have accumulated the results of the processing processing A processing component that executes each process;
Job flow generation means for generating a job flow that is information indicating the combination of the processing components and the execution order;
Storage means for storing the job flow;
Analyzing means for determining whether or not to execute the stored job flow;
Display control means for displaying a list of executable job flows on a display device based on the determination by the analysis means;
Each of the processing components notifies the analysis means of information indicating that the processing component can be used,
The analysis unit refers to the information notified from the processing component when executing the job flow for the job flow stored in the storage unit, and determines whether the job flow can be executed. An image processing apparatus.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the analysis unit determines that the job flow including the unusable processing component is not executable.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays availability of the processing component unit.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the analysis unit performs execution control of the job flow selected in the list. The processing component notifies program identification information for dynamically calling a program that executes the function of the processing component together with information indicating that the use is possible,
5. The analysis means calls a program for executing a function of the processing component based on the program identification information related to the processing component constituting the job flow selected in the list. Image processing apparatus.   The job flow generation means uses the processing component constituting the other image processing apparatus connected to the image processing apparatus as a component of a job flow. The image processing apparatus according to item. Input processing that is processing that constitutes one application relating to image information, processing processing that reads and processes the input processing results that have accumulated the results of the input processing, or output that reads and outputs processing results that have accumulated the results of the processing processing A job flow generation procedure for generating a job flow which is information indicating a combination and an execution order of processing components for executing the processes;
A storage procedure for storing the job flow;
During execution of the job flow, notified from each of the processing components, whether by referring to the information indicating that it is possible to use for the process components, execution of the job flow that is stored by the storage procedure An analysis procedure for determining
A display control procedure for displaying a list of executable job flows on a display device based on the determination in the analysis procedure.   The application execution method according to claim 7, wherein the analysis procedure determines that the job flow including the processing component that cannot be used is not executable.   9. The application execution method according to claim 7, wherein the display control procedure displays whether or not the processing component can be used.   The application execution method according to claim 7, further comprising an execution control procedure for performing execution control of the job flow selected in the list. The processing component notifies program identification information for dynamically calling a program that executes the function of the processing component together with information indicating that the use is possible,
11. The execution control procedure calls a program for executing a function of a processing component based on the program identification information related to the processing component constituting the job flow selected in the list. The application execution method described.   The job flow generation procedure uses the processing component constituting another image processing apparatus connected to the image processing apparatus as a component of a job flow. The application execution method described in the section.   An application execution program for causing a computer to execute the application execution method according to any one of claims 7 to 12.

Images