U.S. patent application number 10/661503 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-14 for service processing system and service processing method.
This patent application is currently assigned to FUJI XEROX CO., LTD. Invention is credited to Enomoto, Akihiro, Hikawa, Yuji, Kirihara, Kazuko, Ozawa, Hidekazu, Tajima, Yukio.
Application Number | 20040205758 10/661503 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33127229 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040205758 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hikawa, Yuji ; et
al. |
October 14, 2004 |
Service processing system and service processing method
Abstract
In a case where a service for performing specified processings
of document data as one job is processed in a cooperative manner on
a network, a service processing state is exhibited in a proper
notice form in each job unit and in each processing unit in the
job, so that the processing state can be property recognized from
the viewpoint of accounting, security and privacy.
Inventors: |
Hikawa, Yuji; (Ebina-shi,
JP) ; Tajima, Yukio; (Ebina-shi, JP) ;
Kirihara, Kazuko; (Ebina-shi, JP) ; Enomoto,
Akihiro; (Ebina-shi, JP) ; Ozawa, Hidekazu;
(Ebina-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OLIFF & BERRIDGE, PLC
P.O. BOX 19928
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22320
US
|
Assignee: |
FUJI XEROX CO., LTD
MINATO-KU
JP
|
Family ID: |
33127229 |
Appl. No.: |
10/661503 |
Filed: |
September 15, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
718/102 ;
709/205 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 10/10 20130101;
H04N 1/0035 20130101; G06F 3/0486 20130101; H04N 1/00957 20130101;
G06F 3/04817 20130101; H04N 1/00503 20130101; G06F 3/04845
20130101; H04L 67/02 20130101; G06F 3/0484 20130101; H04N 1/00477
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
718/102 ;
709/205 |
International
Class: |
G06F 015/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 24, 2003 |
JP |
2003-081453 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A service processing system in which a service for performing
specified multiple processings of document data is processed in a
cooperative manner on a network, the system comprising: an
indication data creation part that creates, for each job as a unit
of the associated processings, indication data to indicate a
processing procedure of the job, and notice condition data to
indicate a notice event and a notice form thereof at each
processing stage in the job; a management control part that manages
progress of each of the processings in the job on the basis of
contents recited in the indication data created by the indication
data creation part; and a notice part that sends a notice during
the progress of each of the processings in the job on the basis of
contents recited in the notice condition data.
2. The service processing system according to claim 1, further
comprising a notice farm change part that can change a notice form
so that it differs from the contents recited in the notice
condition data in a case where a specific user performs progress
different from progress indicated by the indication data.
3. A service processing method in which a service for performing
specified multiple processings of document data is processed in a
cooperative manner on a network, the method comprising the steps
of: creating, for each job as a unit of the associated processings,
indication data to indicate a processing procedure of the job, and
notice condition data to indicate a notice event and a notice form
thereof at each processing stage in the job; managing progress of
each of the processings in the job on the basis of contents recited
in the created indication data; and sending a notice during the
progress of each of the processings in the job on the basis of
contents recited in the notice condition data.
4. The service processing method according to claim 3, further
comprising: changing a notice form so that it differs from the
contents recited in the notice condition data in a case where a
specific user performs progress different from progress indicated
by the indication data.
5. A job management device for managing progress of each of
processings in a service processing system in which a service for
performing specified multiple processings of document data is
processed in a cooperative manner on a network, the device
comprising: an indication data creation part that creates, for each
job as a unit of the associated processings, indication data to
indicate a processing procedure of the job, and notice condition
data to indicate a notice event and a notice form thereof at each
processing stage in the job; a management control part that manages
progress of each of the processings in the job on the basis of
contents recited in the indication data created by the indication
data creation part; and a notice part that sends a notice during
the progress of each of the processings in the job on the basis of
contents recited in the notice condition data.
6. A job management device for managing progress of each of
processings in a service processing system in which a service for
performing specified multiple processings of document data is
processed in a cooperative manner on a network, the device
comprising: an indication data reception part that receives, for
each job as a unit of the associated processings, indication data
to indicate a processing procedure of the job, and notice condition
data to indicate a notice event and a notice form thereof at each
processing stage in the job; a management control part that manages
progress of each of the processings in the job on the basis of
contents recited in the indication data received by the indication
data reception part; and a notice part that sends a notice during
the progress of each of the processings in the job on the basis of
contents recited in the notice condition data.
7. A service processing device for processing a service in a
service processing system in which the service for performing
specified multiple processings of document data is processed in a
cooperative manner on a network, the device comprising: an
indication data reception part that receives, for each job as a
unit of the associated processings, indication data to indicate a
processing procedure of the job, and notice condition data to
indicate a notice event and a notice form thereof at each
processing stage in the job; a management control part that manages
progress of each of the processings in the job on the basis of
contents recited in the indication data received by the indication
data reception part; and a notice part that sends a notice during
the progress of each of the processings in the job on the basis of
contents recited in the notice condition data.
8. The job management device according to claim 6, wherein the
notice part gives notice of execution completion when the
processing of the job is completed.
9. The job management device according to claim 6, wherein the
notice part sends a notice in a case where progress different from
progress of the job recited in the indication data occurs.
10. The job management device according to claim 6, wherein the
notice part sends a notice in a case where an access to a file for
a secret document occurs.
11. The job management device according to claim 6, wherein the
notice part sends a notice in a case where login to a specified
server occurs.
12. The job management device according to claim 6, wherein the
notice part sends a notice in a case where a pay server or service
is about to be executed.
13. The service processing device according to claim 7, wherein the
notice part gives notice of execution completion when the
processing of the job is completed.
14. The service processing device according to claim 7, wherein the
notice part sends a notice in a case where progress different from
progress of the job recited in the indication data occurs.
15. The service processing device according to claim 7, wherein the
notice part sends a notice in a case where an access to a file for
a secret document occurs.
16. The service processing device according to claim 7, wherein the
notice part sends a notice in a case where login to a specified
server occurs.
17. The service processing device according to claim 7, wherein the
notice part sends a notice in a case where a pay server or service
is about to be executed.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a service processing system
in which a service for performing specified multiple processings of
document data is processed in a cooperative manner on a network,
and a service processing method.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] A network system is proposed in which a scanner, a facsimile
machine (hereinafter referred to as a FAX), a copying machine, a
composite machine in which these are combined, a personal computer,
a mail server and the like are mutually connected to each other
through a network, so that paper documents and electronic
information are shared.
[0005] The network system as stated above is configured such that
for example, a document file is captured from an input system such
as a scanner for reading a manuscript or a paperless FAX, and is
processed by a processing system of image manipulation, character
recognition or the like, and then, the document file is delivered
to the outside through an output system such as a printer or a mail
server.
[0006] Here, in general, the capture of the document file, the
manipulation processing of the captured data, and the delivery
after the manipulation processing are independently carried
out.
[0007] Thus, in the case where the capture operation of the
document file, the manipulation processing operation of the
captured data, and the delivery operation after the manipulation
processing are continuously performed, an operator must make a
specified setting for each of the operations.
[0008] For example, the operator uses a client terminal for
collectively managing the above processing devices to open, on a
display part, instruction windows relating to the capture of the
document file, the manipulation processing of the captured data,
and the delivery processing after the manipulation processing, and
must perform specified input operations, and therefore, the
operation efficiency has been very poor.
[0009] In order to solve this, a work flow system is conventionally
introduced in which a series of processings from input to output
are linked on a network and are carried out in previously defined
order.
[0010] In the work flow system, consideration is given to a work
flow generally used in an office, such as approval and circulation,
and the system is developed by computerizing an existing
paper-based transaction system as it is (see patent document 1,
patent document 2, and patent document 3).
[0011] [Patent Document 1]
[0012] JP-A-2002-99686
[0013] [Patent Document 2]
[0014] JP-A-2001-325389
[0015] [Patent Document 3]
[0016] JP-A-2001-195295
[0017] However, although the conventional work flow system is a
very effective system from the viewpoint of operation efficiency,
it has not been perfect from the viewpoint of accounting and
security.
[0018] That is, in the case where the processing along the work
flow is carried out, since it is impossible to confirm by a client
terminal that the processing by plural processing devices has been
carried out, it has been difficult to grasp the progress of a job
set as the work flow.
[0019] Thus, it is conceivable that a setting is made in such a
fixed way that each f the processing devices reports the progress
thereof when the processing of the processing device is carried
out. However, for example, in the case where a document or the like
handled by the processing device is a document or the like
permitted to be read out only in the work flow, a report is also
made under the situation in which it is not permitted, and this can
be a problem from the viewpoint of security or privacy.
[0020] Besides, although it is also conceivable to relegate the
output of the report of the processing situation set for the
respective processing devices, this also becomes a problem from the
viewpoint of security or privacy.
[0021] Further, with respect to the processing carried out by a
system administrator (Key Operator), a CE (Customer Engineer) or
the like, since there is also information which is desired not to
be known to a general user (Casual User), the setting in the fixed
way causes trouble.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0022] The present invention has been made in view of the above
circumstance and provides a service processing system and a service
processing method, in which in a case where a service for
performing specified multiple processings of document data as one
job is processed in a cooperative manner on a network, a service
processing state is exhibited in a proper notice form in each job
unit and in each processing unit in the job, so that the processing
state can be properly recognized from the viewpoint of accounting,
security and privacy.
[0023] According to an aspect of the invention, a service
processing system in which a service for performing specified
multiple processings of document data is processed in a cooperative
manner on a network, the system includes: an indication data
creation part for creating, for each job as a unit of the
associated processings, indication data to indicate a processing
procedure of the job, and notice condition data to indicate a
notice event and a notice form thereof at each processing stage in
the job; a management control part for managing progress of each of
the processings in the job on the basis of contents recited in the
indication data created by the indication data creation part; and a
notice part for sending a notice during the progress of each of the
processings in the job on the basis of contents recited in the
notice condition data.
[0024] Besides, according to another aspect of the invention, a
service processing method in which a service for performing
specified multiple processings of document data is processed in a
cooperative manner on a network, the method includes the steps of:
creating, for each job as a unit of the associated processings,
indication data to indicate a processing procedure of the job, and
notice condition data to indicate a notice event and a notice form
thereof at each processing stage in the job; managing progress of
each of the processings in the job on the basis of contents recited
in the created indication data; and sending a notice during the
progress of each of the processings in the job on the basis of
contents recited in the notice condition data.
[0025] Besides, according to another aspect of the invention, a job
management device for managing progress of each of processings in a
service processing system in which a service for performing
specified multiple processings of document data is processed in a
cooperative manner on a network, the device includes: an indication
data creation part for creating, for each job as a unit of the
associated processings, indication data to indicate a processing
procedure of the job, and notice condition data to indicate a
notice event and a notice form thereof at each processing stage in
the job; a management control part for managing progress of each of
the processings in the job on the basis of contents recited in the
indication data created by the indication data creation part; and a
notice part for sending a notice during the progress of each of the
processings in the job on the basis of contents recited in the
notice condition data.
[0026] Besides, according to another aspect by the invention, a job
management device for managing progress of each of processings in a
service processing system in which a service for performing
specified multiple processings of document data is processed in a
cooperative manner on a network, the device includes: an indication
data reception part for receiving, for each job as a unit of the
associated processings, indication data to indicate a processing
procedure of the job, and notice condition data to indicate a
notice event and a notice form thereof at each processing stage in
the job; a management control part for managing progress of each of
the processings in the job on the basis of contents recited in the
indication data received by the indication data reception part; and
a notice part for sending a notice during the progress of each of
the processings in the job on the basis of contents recited in the
notice condition data.
[0027] Besides, according to another aspect of the invention, a
service processing device for processing a service in a service
processing system in which the service for performing specified
multiple processings of document data is processed in a cooperative
manner on a network, the device includes: an indication data
reception part for receiving, for each job as a unit of the
associated processings, indication data to indicate a processing
procedure of the job, and notice condition data to indicate a
notice event and a notice form thereof at each processing stage in
the job; a management control part for managing progress of each of
the processings in the job on the basis of contents recited in the
indication data received by the indication data reception par; and
a notice part for sending a notice during the progress of each of
the processings in the job on the basis of contents recited in the
notice condition data.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be
described in detail based on the following figure, wherein:
[0029] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the outline of a document
processing system according to a first embodiment of the
invention;
[0030] FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the mutual relation
of service processing devices configuring the document processing
system according to the first embodiment of the invention;
[0031] FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a structure of I/F
information according to the first embodiment of the invention;
[0032] FIG. 4 is a front view of a script creation screen as a GUI
screen for defining a job flow according to the first embodiment of
the invention;
[0033] FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a script formed in an XML
format according to the first embodiment of the invention;
[0034] FIG. 6 is a front view of a script creation screen
displaying a notice processing condition setting screen according
to the first embodiment of the invention;
[0035] FIG. 7 is a front view of a script creation screen when a
service of setting a notice processing condition according to the
fist embodiment of the invention is selected;
[0036] FIG. 8 is a front view of a script creation screen after the
notice processing condition according to the first embodiment of
the invention is set;
[0037] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a
client terminal and a script creation server at the time of script
creation according to the first embodiment of the invention;
[0038] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing of the client
terminal, a script management server and a cooperative processing
server according to the first embodiment of the invention;
[0039] FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing an example of a
service cooperative processing selection screen 110 displaying a
script list according to the first embodiment of the invention;
[0040] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a notice processing selection
control routine interrupting at the time of notice event occurrence
according to the first embodiment of the invention; and
[0041] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the mutual relation of
service processing devices configuring a document processing system
according to a second embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0042] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention
will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIRST EMBODIMENT
[0043] (System Configuration)
[0044] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a
document processing system 1 according to a first embodiment of the
invention.
[0045] The document processing system 1 is such that various
services and applications are connected through a network 5. Here,
the service is a function usable on a document in accordance with a
request from the outside. The service is equivalent to, for
example, copy, print, scan, facsimile transmission and reception,
mail delivery, storing into repository and readout from repository,
OCR (Optical Character Recognition) processing, noise removal
processing, and the like, and is not particularly limited.
[0046] The document processing system 1 specifically includes a
client terminal 10 provided with a user interface and for linking
plural services with each other to indicate a desired processing of
a user, a service retrieval server 20 for retrieving a desired
service of the user, a script creation server 30 for creating a
script from information relating to the service cooperation
indicated by the client terminal 10, a script management server 40
for managing the script, and a cooperative processing server 50 for
executing a cooperative processing of the respective services in
accordance with the script.
[0047] Further, the document processing system 1 includes an image
processing device 61 for performing an image processing such as a
noise removal processing of an image document, an image rotation
processing, an OCR processing, and binding of images, a document
management server 62 for managing documents, a document delivery
server 63 for delivering documents, a first service processing
device 64 for performing a first service processing, and a second
service processing device 65 for performing a second service
processing.
[0048] Incidentally, in this embodiment, although the document
processing system 1 has the configuration in which the plural
servers for performing specific service processings are connected
through the network 5, as long as the plural services are connected
through the network 5, the configuration is not particularly
limited.
[0049] Here, the script is data containing, in a case where a
series of processings are decomposed into plural functional
processings, information expressing a relation among the respective
functions, interface (I/F information for invoking the respective
functions, and information for configuring a graphical user
interface (GUI) relating to the series of processings.
[0050] FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the mutual relation
of the respective service processing devices configuring the
document processing system 1. Each of the service processing
devices stores I/F information expressing the contents of the
service provided by itself.
[0051] FIG. 3 is a view showing the structure of the I/F
information. The I/F information is constituted by <Service
Class>, <Service Name>, <Service Icon>, <Service
Location Information>, <Input>, <Output>,
<Parameter Restriction Rules>, <Service Location>,
<Method Name>, <Invocation Scheme>, <Implicit
Elements> and <Notice Information>.
[0052] The <Service Class> is a class of the service provided
by the service processing device. Incidentally, what is previously
defined is used as the <Service Class> and is equivalent to,
for example, scan, print, repository, flow and the like. The
<Service Name> is a name of the service provided by the
service processing device. The <Service Icon> is position
information of an icon displayed on the GUI of the client terminal
10.
[0053] The <Service Location Information> is a URL which the
script creation server 30 uses for acquiring the I/F information.
The <Input> is an input to the service. The <Output> is
an output from the service. The <Parameter Restriction Rules>
are restriction rules applied to the <Input> and the
<Output>. The <Service Location> is position
information when th service is actually used. The <Method
Name> is a provision method of a service processing.
[0054] The <Invocation Scheme> is a scheme for invoking and
starting the service processing. Incidentally, as the
<Invocation Scheme>, for example, SOAP (Simple Object Access
Protocol) as the protocol of message exchange, SMTP (Simple Mail
Transfer Protocol), or the like can be used. The <Implicit
Elements> are not data which are explicitly delivered as the
output to a later stage processing, however, they are data which
can be consulted at the later stage processing.
[0055] The <Notice Information> is information concerning the
progress state of a processing in each service, and for example, a
notice form as described below is recited.
[0056] (1) In the respective servers (the service retrieval server
20, the script creation server 30, the script management server 40,
etc.), in the case where an access occurs, contact with an
administrator of the server is made.
[0057] (2) In the respective services (copy, print, scan, facsimile
transmission/reception, etc.), in the case where a paper jam at the
time of manuscript feed, a copy paper jam, or the like occurs at
the time of point when the processing is completed, the processing
is suspended.
[0058] The client terminal 10 has the function of a graphical user
interface (GUI) for performing a screen display and for performing
a specific operation in order to instruct the creation of a script
or to select a script to be invoked.
[0059] The service retrieval server 20 retrieves a service
corresponding to a retrieval condition from plural services
connected to the network 5. The service retrieval server 20
previously stores part of the I/F information (hereinafter referred
to as "partial I/F information") (see FIG. 3) of various service
processing devices, such as the image processing device 61, the
document management server 62, the document delivery server 63, the
first service processing device 64, and the service processing
device 65. Here, the partial I/F information is the information of
<Service Class>, <Service Name>, <Service Location
Information>, <Input>, and <Output> in the elements
of the I/F information.
[0060] When the retrieval condition is transmitted from the script
creation server 30 or the cooperative processing server 50, the
service retrieval server 20 uses the partial I/F information of the
respective service processing devices to retrieve the service. For
example, when a service similar to a specific service is retrieved,
the service retrieval server 20 may retrieve services which are
coincident to each other in the <Service Class>, or may
retrieve services which are coincident to each other in the
<Input> and <Output>, or may retrieve services which
are coincident to each other in all of these.
[0061] At the time of creation of the script, the script creation
server 30 acquires the I/F information from the respective service
processing devices, and creates the script for linking the services
provided by the respective service processing devices with each
other. The script creation server 30 specifically executes the
following processing to create the script.
[0062] The script creation server 30 requests specific service
processing devices dispersed on the network 5 to transmit the I/F
information relating to the respective services on the basis of the
<Service Location Information>. Incidentally, in the case
where the specific service processing device does not exist, the
script creation server 30 instructs the service retrieval server 20
to retrieve another service processing device performing the same
service as the specific service processing device. Then, the script
creation server 30 has only to acquire the <Service Location
Information> of the another service processing device from the
service retrieval server 20.
[0063] The script creation server 30 manages the retrieval result
from the service retrieval server 20 and the I/F information
received from the respective service processing devices. The script
creation server 30 creates an HTML file which becomes a GUI screen
for defining a job flow on the basis of the I/F information
acquired from the respective service processing devices. When
receiving a browse request for services from the client terminal
10, the script creation server 30 transmits the HTML file which
becomes the GUI screen to the client terminal 10.
[0064] FIG. 4 is a view showing a script creation screen 100 as the
GUI screen for defining the job flow. The script creation screen
100 is constituted by a service window 101, a flow window 102, a
logic window 103, and a property window 104.
[0065] The service window 101 displays various usable service
processing devices. The logic window 103 displays the job flow
showing cooperation patterns among the services. The property
window 104 displays detailed setting parameters of respective icons
displayed on the service window 101 and the logic window 103.
[0066] The user can define the job flow on the flow window 102 by
dragging and dropping icons of the service window 101 and icons of
the logic window 103 to the flow window 102. The user further edits
the contents displayed on the property window 104 and can set
services and logics in detail.
[0067] Here, as shown in FIG. 6, a notice condition menu 200B is
set on a tool menu 200A of a pull-down menu 200 of the script
creation screen 100.
[0068] The notice condition menu 200B is a menu which functions
when any one of the icons in the service window 101, which was
dragged and dropped on the flow window 102, is selected (reverse
display) (FIG. 7 shows, as an example, a state in which a FAX icon
is selected).
[0069] That is, when the notice condition menu 200B is selected in
the state where some icon is selected, a notice setting screen 202
as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed.
[0070] Two check boxes of "set" and "not set" are provided on the
notice setting screen 202, and it is possible to select whether or
not a notice condition is especially set for the selected icon
(service).
[0071] In the case where "not set" is selected (the check box 204
is checked), notice recognized by the I/F information is
executed.
[0072] In the case where "set" is selected (the check box 206 is
checked), a condition item setting screen 208 in the notice setting
screen 202 becomes effective, notice information of the selected
icon is displayed, and the notice information is successively
selected, so that a special notice condition as a script is
inputted (set) to a notice condition setting screen 210.
[0073] For example, in the case where the selected icon is FAX, as
the notice information, "Transmission report is outputted at the
time of transmission completion", "Notice is sent when unreadable
document data exists", and the like are displayed as a list. As one
of them, "Transmission report is outputted at the time of
transmission completion" is selected, and as the notice condition
added to the indication data, "Mail transmission is made to client
terminal at the time of transmission completion (report output is
not made)" can be set. Incidentally, with respect to such setting,
the notice condition may be set in a job unit (that is, common to
plural services), not for each service (FAX, etc.).
[0074] Besides, as a matter of course, since the setting is made in
an interactive manner with the user in the above, the notice
condition is set in the document form, however, similarly to the
flow window 102 (GUI), it is internally processed in a program
language.
[0075] As described above, when the notice condition different from
the notice information (I/F information) previously set in the
respective services is set, as shown in FIG. 8, a mark ("#" mark
with a circle in FIG. 8) 212 indicating that a special notice
condition is set is attached to the pertinent icon in the flow
window 102, so that it can be judged whether or not the special
notice condition is set.
[0076] The client terminal 10 transmits the job flow information
defined by the operation of the user to the script creation server
30 in accordance with a CGI (Common Gateway Interface) format.
[0077] The script creation server 30 creates the script defining
the contents of the processing requested to the respective
services, input parameters, the way (job flow) of cooperation of
the respective services, and information for specifying a document
as a processing object, such as a document name and storage
location information, on the basis of the job flow information
relating to the indication of the service cooperation from the user
and the I/F information of the respective services. The script is
constituted by files of an XML format.
[0078] FIG. 5 is a view showing the script composed in the XML
format. Since the cooperative processing itself of the plural
services is also regarded as one service, the script has the
structure in which <Flow> is added to the I/F information
shown in FIG. 3.
[0079] The <Flow> is an element for describing the
cooperation between services and includes <Invoke>, control
structure and logic operation, elements such as <if> for
sending a notice, and information for specifying a document as a
processing object.
[0080] The <Invoke> expresses a specific method of a service
processing device, and executes invocation of a service. The
element of the <Invoke> includes <Map> expressing the
position information of a parameter, and <Method> of an
invocation method name. The <if>, <and>, <eq> and
<gt> expressing the control structure, the logic operation
and the like carry out condition branching at the time of the
cooperative processing and the adjustment of parameters delivered
between the services.
[0081] The script describes all information relating to the control
of the cooperative processing of the services in the element of the
<flow>. By this, the cooperative processing itself expressed
by the script is also regarded as one service. Incidentally, the
script is not limited to the structure shown in FIG. 5, and it is
sufficient if the respective services can be linked with each
other.
[0082] The script creation server 30 transmits the script of the
XML format as stated above to the script management server 40.
Besides, in the case where the execution of the service cooperative
processing is instructed by the user, the script creation server 30
may directly transmit the script to the cooperative processing
server 50.
[0083] The script management server 40 holds the script transmitted
from the script creation server 30, and transmits the script to the
cooperative processing server 50 in accordance with the request
from the client terminal 10.
[0084] The cooperative processing server 50 is a server for
interpreting and executing the specified script. When the script is
transmitted the cooperative processing server 50 interprets the
script, sequentially invokes the respective service processing
devices, such as the image processing device 61, the document
management server 62, and the document delivery server 63 in
accordance with the order and the use method described in the
script, and executes the cooperative processing. Besides, the
cooperative processing server 50 stores the state of the
cooperative processing under execution and the information of the
result of the completed cooperative processing, and notifies the
state of the cooperative processing and the result in accordance
with a request from the outside.
[0085] The cooperative processing server 50 interprets the script,
and when making a request to the respective service processing
devices, the cooperative processing server creates individual
indication information having the contents of the processing
request, input parameters and information for specifying the
document as the processing object. Incidentally, the cooperative
processing server 50 may describe the relation to a processing
before or after a processing performed by the respective service
processing devices, or the processing request may be made in an
information exchange form intrinsic to each service processing
device, not the form of the script.
[0086] The image processing device 61 is a computer in which a
software program for performing an image processing function is
installed. The image processing device 61 performs the processing
of the document on the basis of the contents of the service
processing request contained in the processing request from the
cooperative processing server 50, the input parameters, and the
information of the processing object document. Besides, the image
processing device 61 notifies the service retrieval server 20 of
the partial I/F information at the time of invocation. Further, in
accordance with the request from the script creation server 30, the
image processing device 61 transmits the I/F information expressing
the use method of the image processing service. The I/F information
is used when the script is created.
[0087] The document management server 62 has a document storage
function. The document management server 62 carries out the
storage, retrieval and readout of the document, the change of
attribute relating to the document, and various processings on the
basis of the information contained in the request from the
cooperative processing server 50. Besides, the document management
server 62 notifies the service retrieval server 20 of the partial
I/F information at the time of invocation. Further, the document
management server 62 transmits the I/F information expressing the
use method of the document management service in accordance with
the request from the script creation server 30.
[0088] The document delivery server 63 has functions to store the
acquired document into the indicated document management server, to
perform mail transmission or FAX transmission to an indicated
transmission destination, and to perform a print output processing
to an indicated printer. In accordance with the request from the
cooperative processing server 50, the document delivery server 63
performs the delivery processing of the document on the basis of
the document indicated by the client terminal 10 and the
information of the delivery destination. Besides, the document
delivery server 63 notifies the service retrieval server 20 of the
partial I/F information at the time of invocation. Further, the
document delivery server 63 transmits the I/F information
expressing the use method of the document delivery service in
accordance with the request from the script creation server 30.
[0089] The first service processing device 64 is a device for
performing a specific service processing relating to the document
in accordance with the instruction from the outside. Here, the
first service processing device 64 carries out the service
processing to be executed by itself on the basis of information
such as the contents of the processing request from the cooperative
processing server 50, the input parameters, and the information for
specifying the document as the processing object. Besides, the
first service processing device 64 notifies the service retrieval
server 20 of the partial I/F information at the time of invocation.
Further, the first service processing device 64 transmits the I/F
information expressing the use method of the service processing in
accordance with the request from the script creation server 30.
Incidentally, the second service processing device 65 operates
similarly to the first service processing device 64 except for the
contents of the service processing.
[0090] In the document processing system 1 configured as described
above, when application programs for executing specific services
are installed in the respective service processing devices such as
the image processing device 61, the document management server 62,
and the document delivery server 63, they operate as follows.
[0091] The service processing devices, such as the image processing
device 61, the document management server 62, and the document
delivery server 63, notify the service retrieval server 20 of the
partial I/F information containing the information expressing the
respective service summaries and addresses at the invocation
processing.
[0092] The service retrieval server 20 stores the partial I/F
information transmitted from the respective service processing
devices such as the image processing device 61, the document
management server 62 and the document delivery server 63. By this,
when a specific service retrieval request is issued from, for
example the script creation server 30 or the cooperative processing
server 50, the service retrieval server 20 can perform retrieval by
using the partial I/F information.
[0093] (Creation of Script)
[0094] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the
client terminal 10 and the script creation server 30 at the time of
creating the script.
[0095] The client terminal 10 accesses a URL (Uniform Resource
Locator) of an HTML file created for the user interface screen
provided by the script creation server 30 through an installed
browser in accordance with the operation of the user (step
250).
[0096] The script creation server 30 transmits the HTML file of the
user interface screen to the client terminal 10 in accordance with
the browse request from the client terminal 10 (step 252).
[0097] The client terminal 10 displays the user interface screen on
the basis of the HTML file transmitted from the script creation
server 30 (step 254). At this time, the user can define a desired
service cooperation job flow by using the user interface screen
displayed on the client terminal 10.
[0098] The client terminal 10 judges whether or not the job flow is
defined through the user interface screen, and stands by until the
job flow is defined (step 256).
[0099] When it is judged that the job flow is defined, at next step
258, it is judged whether or not a notice condition definition
exists.
[0100] That is, in the case where the notice condition defined in
the job flow, which is different from notice conditions previously
set for the individual services, is specified, the procedure
proceeds to step 260, and it is added as an additional element of
the definition of the job flow so that this specified notice
condition becomes effective in the pertinent service.
[0101] Incidentally, the setting of the notice condition is
performed in the following procedure.
[0102] First, a service is selected from the job flow defined on
the completed flow window 102 in order to set the notice condition.
For example, in the case where FAX is selected a pointer is placed
on the FAX icon and selection is made by a specific operation (for
example, one click of a mouse). The selected FAX icon is
highlighted (see FIG. 7).
[0103] In the above selection state, the notice processing
condition menu 200B is selected from the tool menu 200A of the
pull-down menu 200.
[0104] When the notice processing condition menu 200B is selected,
the notice setting screen 202 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed.
[0105] On the notice setting screen 202, when "set" is selected
(the check box 206 is checked), the condition item setting screen
208 in the notice setting screen 202 becomes effective, the notice
condition of the selected icon is displayed, and notice conditions
are successively selected, so that a special notice condition as a
script is inputted (set) to the notice condition setting screen
210.
[0106] When the above setting is completed and the notice setting
screen 202 is closed, as shown in FIG. 8, the "#" mark 212
indicating that the special notice condition is set is attached to
the icon in the flow window 102, so that it is possible to visually
judge whether or not the special notice condition is set.
[0107] When judging that the job flow is created, the client
terminal 10 transmits the job flow information relating to the
service cooperation defined by the user to the script creation
server 30.
[0108] The script creation server 30 creates the script defining
the contents of the processing to be requested to the respective
services, input parameters, the way of cooperation of the
respective services, and information for specifying a document as a
processing object, such as a document name and storage location
information, on the basis of the information relating to the job
flow transmitted from the client terminal 10 and the I/F
information acquired from the respective service processing devices
(step 262). The script creation server 30 transmits the script of
the XML format to the script management server 40.
[0109] The script management server 40 stores the script created by
the script creation server 30. The script management server 40
stores plural scripts created by the script creation server 30, and
reads out a selected script when a selection instruction of a
script is issued from the client terminal 10.
[0110] (Invocation and Execution of Cooperative Processing)
[0111] The user selects a desired script among the plural scripts
stored in the script management server 40, and can invoke the
cooperative processing. Specifically, this is as follows:
[0112] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing of the client
terminal 10, the script management server 40 and the cooperative
processing server 50.
[0113] The client terminal 10 accesses the script management server
40 and acquires the script list managed by the script management
server 40 (step 270).
[0114] FIG. 11 is a view showing an example of a service
cooperation processing selection screen 110 expressing the script
list. The service cooperation processing selection screen 110 has
buttons 111 to 116 for selecting scripts for the respective
scripts. The user can select the script by clicking a desired
button from the service cooperation precessing selection screen
110.
[0115] The client terminal 10 selects the script expressing the
specific service cooperation processing from the service
cooperation processing selection screen 110 on the basis of the
operation instruction of the user, and instructs the invocation of
the script.
[0116] The script management server 40 transmits the script
indicated by the client terminal 10 to the cooperative processing
server 50 (step 272). As a result, the cooperative processing
server 50 starts the execution of the cooperative processing.
[0117] The cooperative processing server 50 interprets the script
transmitted from the script management server 40, and requests the
image processing device 61 as the first processing described in the
script to execute the first service processing (step 274).
Specifically, the cooperative processing server 50 extracts the
location of the service processing device to which the processing
request is made, the input parameter and output parameter form
necessary for the processing request, the method name for the
processing request, the invocation scheme, and the information for
specifying the processing object document on the basis of the
information described in the script, and creates individual
indication information. The cooperative processing server 50
transmits the individual indication information to the image
processing device 61 as the first processing request
destination.
[0118] The image processing device 61 copies the processing object
document and acquires the document on the basis of the location
information of the storage destination of the processing object
document described in the transmitted script. The image processing
device 61 interprets the contents of the service processing request
with respect to the acquired document image, performs the image
processing such as noise removal or OCR processing, and performs a
processing to bind it to the extracted text document. The image
processing device 61 again stores into the original storage
destination the document in which the image document obtained by
the image processing and the text document are bound. When the
processing as stated above is completed, the image processing
device 61 transmits the processing result, such as the status
information (completion) of the processing, the output parameters,
and the document storage destination information after the
processing, to the cooperative processing server 50.
[0119] When receiving the processing result from the image
processing device 61, the cooperative processing server 50 manages
the result of the first processing request as a log. Then, the
cooperative processing server 50 specifies a second processing
request destination on the basis of the script, and requests the
document management server 62 to perform a second service
processing (step 276). Similarly to the first service processing
request, the cooperative processing server 50 transmits individual
indication information (information of storing a document as
information relating to the processing request, information of a
storage destination of the document, and information to specify the
processing object document) to the document management server
62.
[0120] On the basis of the contents of the request of the
cooperative processing server 50, the document management server 62
performs, on the basis of the storage destination information
described in the request content, a storage processing of the
document processed and stored in the former processing (first
service processing). When the processing as stated above is
completed, the document management server 62 transmits the
processing result, such as the status information (completion) of
the processing, the output parameter, and document storage
destination information after the processing, to the cooperative
processing server 50.
[0121] When receiving the processing result of the second service
processing (document storage processing), the cooperative
processing server 50 manages the result of the second processing
request as a log. The cooperative processing server 50 specifies a
third processing request destination on the basis of the script,
and requests the document delivery server 63 to carry out a third
service processing (step 278). Similarly to the second service
processing request, the cooperative processing server 50 transmits
individual indication information (information of storing a
document as information relating to the processing request,
information of a storage destination of the document, and
information to specify the processing object document) to the
document delivery server 63.
[0122] On the basis of the contents of the request of the
cooperative processing server 50, with respect to the document
processed and stored in the former processing (second service
processing), the document delivery server 63 reads out the document
file on the basis of the information (storage destination
information) to specify the document, and performs the processing
described in the contents of the request. Here, the document
delivery server 63 mails only a text document to a mail address
specified as a delivery destination in the document in which the
text document and the image document are bound, and faxes only the
image document to a FAX number. When the processing is completed,
the document delivery server 63 transmits the processing result,
such as the status information (completion) of the processing, the
output parameter, and document storage destination information
after the processing, to the cooperative processing server 50.
[0123] In this processing, for example, in the FAX transmission
processing, in the case where the opposite party was engaged on the
phone, and even if a retry was performed a predetermined number of
times, the connection with the opposite party could not be
established, the document delivery server 63 transmits the status
information "mail transmission; completed, FAX transmission:
non-transmission" to the cooperative processing server 50.
[0124] The cooperative processing server 50 receives the processing
result from the third service processing, and when judging that a
next processing is not described in the script, the cooperative
processing server 50 notifies the client terminal 10 that all
processings are completed, and ends the cooperative processing
(step 280).
[0125] Incidentally, in this embodiment, although the service
retrieval server 20 acquires part (partial I/F information) of the
I/F information from the respective service processing devices, all
of the I/F information may be acquired.
[0126] Here, in this embodiment, although there is no problem in
the case where the cooperative processing as stated above is
properly carried out, in the case where a notice event occurs in
some service, a measure to the notice event is simultaneously
managed.
[0127] That is, the cooperative processing server 50 recognizes
notice information in the respective services as a piece of
information in the partial I/F information shown in FIG. 5.
[0128] On the other hand, there is a case where a definition of a
notice condition different from notice conditions previously set
for the respective services is added to the script data.
[0129] Then, when the notice event occurs in some service, it is
judged whether or not the definition of the notice condition of the
service exists in the script data, and a proper notice processing
is carried out.
[0130] Hereinafter, a notice processing selection control
interrupting at the time of a notice event occurrence will be
described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 12.
[0131] At step 300, a notice event occurrence origin service is
judged, and when the judgment is completed, the procedure proceeds
to step 302, and the notice condition previously set for the notice
event is read out from the partial I/F information of the notice
event occurrence origin service and is made a first notice
processing.
[0132] At next step 304, it is judged whether or not the definition
of the notice condition corresponding to the notice event exists in
the script data, and in the case of negative judgment, that is, in
the case where it does not exist in the script data, the procedure
proceeds to step 306, and an instruction to carry out the first
notice processing is issued.
[0133] On the other band, at the step 304, in the case of
affirmative judgment, that is, in the case where the definition of
the notice condition exists in the script data, the procedure
proceeds to step 308, this defined notice processing is read out
and is made a second notice processing, and it proceeds to step
310.
[0134] At the step 310, an instruction to carry out the second
notice processing is issued, and this routine is ended.
[0135] Incidentally, in the above first embodiment, although the
notice at the time of processing completion of the respective
services has been mainly described as the notice event, other
various conditions can be set as the notice condition. Examples of
the notice condition will be described below.
[0136] (1) Notice Condition Common in Job Units
[0137] When the processing of each service is completed, a notice
is made to the client terminal.
[0138] (2) Execution of a Processing Different from Indication
Data
[0139] When a processing is being performed in accordance with the
indication data, and when the pertinent service operates, a notice
is made to the client terminal.
[0140] (3) Processing Different from Indication Data by a Specific
User
[0141] Since a processing carried out by a system administrator
(Key Operator), a CE (Customer Engineer) or the like includes
information which is desired not to be known to a general user
(Casual User), any notice is not made.
[0142] (4) Login to a Specific Server, and Access to a Secret
Document File
[0143] In the case where login to a specific server occurs, or
there occurs an access to a secret document file stored in a server
or a HDD of each service, a notice is made to the CE.
[0144] (5) Access to a Pay Server or Execution of Service
[0145] In the case where there is a charge for use, a notice is
made to a client terminal before the use.
[0146] Besides, as a specific method of notice, any method may be
used as long as a user can clearly recognize, for example, a
message transmission, a mail transmission, a FAX transmission, a
log record, a report output (print), a display to a user interface
or the like is used, or two or more of them may be combined and
executed.
[0147] As described above, in the first embodiment, when a notice
event occurs, in the case where a notice condition concerning the
notice event is defined in the indication data, a notice is made on
the basis of the notice condition defined in the indication data,
to which a higher priority is given than to the previously set
notice condition, and therefore, in the case where accounting is
necessary over all jobs, or in the case where importance is
attached to security or privacy, a notice most suitable for the job
can be selected.
SECOND EMBODIMENT
[0148] Next, a second embodiment of the invention will be
described. Incidentally, the same parts as those of the first
embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the
detailed description will be omitted.
[0149] FIG. 13 is a block diagram for explaining the mutual
relation among respective service processing devices configuring a
document processing system 10A according to the second embodiment.
The document processing system 10A according to the second
embodiment can carry out the cooperative processing of plural
services without using the cooperative processing server 50 shown
in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0150] Incidentally, although the document processing system 10A
includes the service processing devices (except for the cooperative
processing server 50) shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 13 shows only the
service processing devices relating to the cooperative
processing.
[0151] (Invocation and Execution of Cooperative Processing)
[0152] A user selects a desired script among plural scripts stored
in a script management server 40 and can invoke the cooperative
processing. Specifically, this is as follows.
[0153] A client terminal 10 selects a script expressing a desired
service cooperation processing from a service cooperation
processing selection screen in accordance with the operation of the
user, and instructs the invocation of the script. The script
management server 40 transmits the script indicated by the client
terminal 10 to an image processing device 61.
[0154] The image processing device 61 acquires a document as a
processing object on the basis of storage destination location
information of the processing object document described in the
transmitted script. The image processing device 61 interprets the
contents of a service processing request with respect to the
acquired document image, performs the image processing such as
noise removal and OCR processing, and performs a processing to bind
it to the extracted text document. After the specific image
processing is ended, the image processing device 61 deletes the
service processing request described in the script. Then, the image
processing device 61 transmits the document in which the image
document obtained by the image processing and the text document are
bound, and the script including the processing result such as the
status information (completion) of the processing, the output
parameter, and document storage destination information after the
processing, to a document management server 62 for providing a next
service processing.
[0155] The document management server 62 temporarily stores the
document transmitted from the image processing device 61 into a
storage destination described in the script. Then, the document
management server 62 deletes the service processing request
described in the script, and transmits the document and the script
to a document delivery server 63 for performing a next service
processing.
[0156] On the basis of the script, the document delivery server 63
mails only the text document to a mail address specified as a
delivery destination in the document in which the text document and
the image document are bound, and faxes only the image document to
a specified FAX number. Then, when judging that a next processing
is not described in the script, the document delivery server 63
notifies the client terminal 10 that all processings are completed,
and ends the cooperative processing.
[0157] Also in the second embodiment, the addition of a notice to
the script data as described in the first embodiment is performed,
so that a notice processing most suitable for the job can be
carried out in the respective services.
[0158] Incidentally, in the first and the second embodiments, in
the case where the notice condition is defined in the indication
data, the notice is always carried out on the basis of the notice
condition defined in this indication data, however, in the case
where some condition is satisfied, a higher priority is given to a
notice mode set for the respective services than to the notice data
recited in the script, and the notice mode may be applied.
[0159] As described above, according to the invention, in the case
where a service for performing specified multiple processings of
document data as one job is processed in a cooperative manner on a
network, a service processing state is exhibited in a proper notice
form in each job unit and each processing unit in the job, and
therefore, it is possible to obtain an excellent effect that the
processing state can be properly recognized from the viewpoint of
accounting, security, and privacy.
[0160] The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No.
2003-081453 filed on Mar. 24, 2003 including specification, claims,
drawings and abstract is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
* * * * *