Image forming system, image forming method, storage medium, and computer program product

Abstract

The invention discloses an image forming system, an image forming method, a storage medium, and a computer program product. The system includes: a workflow construction unit configured to construct a workflow, which performs actions as separate processes in a predetermined order, by using a system cooperating with a workflow platform, the workflow including printing actions as processes related to printing; a workflow execution unit configured to execute the workflow; and a print data transmission unit configured to transmit print data indicating a print material to be printed by the print action to an image forming apparatus in a case where the print action is executed by the workflow execution unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming system, an image forming method, a storage medium and a computer program product. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, the use of chat applications and cloud services, etc. has increased. For example, there is a workflow platform that enables users to build workflows by combining various internal services or various external online services on a chat service. Such a workflow is data for performing actions as separate processes in a predetermined order, and enables tasks to be automated. Additionally, in such a workflow platform, there is a situation where a third party (e.g., users and developers, etc.) can add functions provided by external online services to the workflow. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2020-42436 discloses a technology that provides a user interface for process settings and parameter settings for processing, which enables users to easily make settings when generating a workflow.

[0003] However, in a technique like the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2020-42436, even if a user wishes to include printing in the above-mentioned task, the user is forced to operate a printer or the like independently of the execution of the workflow. Summary of the invention

[0004] The system of the present invention includes: a workflow construction unit, which is configured to construct a workflow by using a system that cooperates with a workflow platform, the workflow executing actions as separate processes in a predetermined order, the workflow including a printing action as a process related to printing; a workflow execution unit, which is configured to execute the workflow; and a print data transmission unit, which is configured to transmit print data indicating a print material to be printed by the print action to an image forming device when the print action is executed by the workflow execution unit.

[0005] Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a system according to the present embodiment.

[0007] Figure 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

[0008] Figure 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the client PC, workflow platform, and print service according to this embodiment.

[0009] Figure 4 is a software configuration diagram of the system according to this embodiment.

[0010] Figure 5 : is a diagram showing a workflow list screen displayed on a chat service in the system according to the present embodiment.

[0011] Figure 6 : is a diagram showing a screen for setting a trigger of a workflow displayed on a chat service in the system according to the present embodiment.

[0012] Figure 7 : is a diagram showing a screen for setting an action of a workflow displayed on a chat service in the system according to the present embodiment.

[0013] Figure 8 : is a diagram showing a screen for setting details of a trigger or action of a workflow displayed on a chat service in the system according to the present embodiment.

[0014] Fig. 9 Detailed description of the process of setting a file trigger in the embodiment.

[0015] Fig.10 Detailed description of the process of setting a file acquisition operation in the embodiment.

[0016] Fig.11 is a flow chart illustrating processing performed by a workflow platform that indicates a print action in an embodiment.

[0017] Fig.12 is a flowchart showing processing performed by a print service that instructs a print action in the embodiment.

[0018] Fig.13 Detailed description of the invention is a flowchart showing a process executed by a workflow platform for instructing a reserved printing action in an embodiment.

[0019] Fig.14 is a flow chart illustrating processing performed by a workflow platform that instructs a notification action in an embodiment.

[0020] Fig.15 is a flow chart illustrating the processing performed by the workflow platform during execution of a workflow in an embodiment.

[0021] Fig.16 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by a print service during execution of a workflow in an embodiment.

[0022] Fig.17 is a flowchart illustrating a print process performed by a printer during execution of a workflow in an embodiment.

[0023] Fig.18 : is a flowchart showing the processing of reserved printing performed by the printer during execution of the workflow in the embodiment.

[0024] Fig.19 : is a flowchart showing the process of transmitting and receiving a notification request by the chat service during execution of a workflow according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments for implementing the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the embodiments to be described below do not limit the present invention according to the claims. Additionally, not all features described in the following embodiments are essential to the present invention.

[0026] <Example>

[0027] The system according to the present embodiment includes a workflow construction unit, a workflow execution unit, and a print data transmission unit. The workflow construction unit is a workflow that executes actions as separate processes in a predetermined order, and constructs a workflow including a print action as a process related to printing by using a system that cooperates with a workflow platform. The workflow execution unit executes the workflow. In the case where the print action is executed by the workflow execution unit, the print data transmission unit transmits print data indicating a print material to be printed by the print action to an image forming device. In this case, a system, method, and program can be provided in which a print action as a process related to printing can be included in a workflow.

[0028] Additionally, the workflow execution unit executes the workflow by executing a plurality of actions in a predetermined order.

[0029] Additionally, the system according to the present embodiment may further include a list acquisition unit that acquires a list of image forming devices that can be used in cooperation with the print data transmission unit when a workflow including a print action is constructed by the workflow construction unit.

[0030] Additionally, after confirming that the workflow platform and the print data transmission unit have collaborated, the list acquisition unit may acquire the list of image forming devices from the print data transmission unit.

[0031] Additionally, the system according to the present embodiment may further include a print setting acquisition unit that acquires data related to print settings regarding the print action from the list acquisition unit according to the image forming apparatus selected from the list acquired by the list acquisition unit.

[0032] Additionally, the print setting acquisition unit may acquire data related to the print setting regarding the print action by transmitting a print setting acquisition request to the print data transmission unit.

[0033] Additionally, the workflow execution unit may execute the workflow upon pressing a workflow execution button provided by the chat service to the client terminal and displayed by the client terminal.

[0034] Additionally, the workflow construction unit may construct a workflow including a print action based on data provided to the client terminal by the chat service and input to a workflow editing screen displayed on the client terminal.

[0035] Additionally, the workflow construction unit may determine the content of the print action based on data provided to the client terminal by the chat service and input to a print action setting screen displayed on the client terminal.

[0036] Additionally, the workflow execution unit may provide notification by using a chat service when printing is successful or printing has failed.

[0037] Additionally, the workflow execution unit may provide notifications by using the print execution unit when printing is successful or printing has failed.

[0038] Additionally, when the approval process is performed, the workflow execution unit may provide a notification by using a chat service.

[0039] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the above invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0040] <Overall Configuration>

[0041] Figure 1 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a system according to the present embodiment. The workflow system includes a workflow platform 130 , a print service 120 , a chat service 140 , a cloud storage 150 , an image forming apparatus 110 , and a client PC 111 .

[0042] The workflow platform 130 is a server that provides a workflow construction unit that constructs a workflow by using a system that cooperates with the workflow platform 130. A workflow is data for executing an action as a separate process in a predetermined order. An action is, for example, a print process performed by the image forming device 110 or the like, a scheduled print process performed by the image forming device 110 or the like, and a scan process performed by the image forming device 110 or the like. Additionally, a print-related process such as a print process performed by the image forming device 110 or the like and a scheduled print process performed by the image forming device 110 or the like may be referred to as a print action. Additionally, a scan-related process such as a scan process performed by the image forming device 110 or the like may be referred to as a scan action. In addition, an action is not limited to a process related to printing or scanning, and may be a process that does not involve the image forming device 110 or the like, such as an approval request, a notification request, a file storage, a conditional branch, and a repeated process.

[0043] Additionally, the system cooperating with the workflow platform 130 is provided by, for example, an OS (Operating System) developer. Furthermore, preferably, a trigger as a condition for starting execution is set in the workflow. Additionally, the workflow is executed by a workflow execution unit.

[0044] Additionally, the workflow platform 130 may have a customization function for cooperating with online services provided by companies other than OS developers. Additionally, online services are, for example, cloud storage and chat services. Since the workflow platform 130 has a customization function, workflows that cooperate with more services can be created.

[0045] The print service 120 is a server that provides a print data transmission unit that transmits print data indicating a print material to be printed by a print action to the image forming device 110 in a case where a print action as a process related to printing is executed by a workflow execution unit. The print service 120 is connected to the client PC 111 and the image forming device 110. In a case where the print action is executed by the workflow execution unit included in the client PC 111, the print service 120 receives data indicating that the print action is to be executed and printer data from the client PC 111. Then, the print service 120 transmits the data indicating that the print action is to be executed and the print data to the image forming device 110, and causes the image forming device 110 to execute printing.

[0046] The chat service 140 is a server that provides a communication service for providing a chat function to the client PC 111. Figure 1 As shown, the chat service 140 is connected to the Internet. Additionally, the chat service 140 may have functions for notifying the user other than the chat function, such as a mail function, an approval function, and a task management function.

[0047] The cloud storage 150 is a service capable of storing files via the Internet and acquiring the files in a web browser.

[0048] The client PC 111 includes the above-mentioned workflow execution unit. The client PC 111 is, for example, a personal computer, a tablet computer, and a smart phone, and Figure 1 The client PC 111 is connected to the Internet as shown. The client PC 111 causes a user interface required for using functions such as the workflow platform 130, the print service 120, the chat service 140, and the cloud storage 150 to be displayed on the display. Note that the display may be installed on the client PC 111, or may be independent of the client PC 111 and connected to the client PC 111. The image forming device 110 is, for example, a multi-function peripheral device and a printer.

[0049] Although the configuration example of the system including the workflow platform 130 , the print service 120 , the chat service 140 , the cloud storage 150 , the image forming apparatus 110 , and the client PC 111 according to the present embodiment has been described, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0050] <Printer Hardware Configuration>

[0051] Figure 2 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 110 is constituted by a control unit 210 , an operation unit 220 , a printer unit 221 , a scanner unit 222 , and an authentication device 223 .

[0052] like Figure 2 As shown, the control unit 210 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 211, a read-only memory (ROM) 212, a random access memory (RAM) 213, and a hard disk drive (HDD) 214. Figure 2 As shown, the control unit 210 includes an operation unit I / F 215, a printer I / F 216, a scanner I / F 217, an authentication device I / F 218, and a network I / F 219. The control unit 210 controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 110.

[0053] The CPU 211 reads out the control program stored in the ROM 212, and executes and controls various functions such as reading, printing, and communication of the image forming apparatus 110. The ROM 212 stores the control program. The RAM 213 is used as a main memory of the CPU 211 and a temporary storage area such as a work area. The HDD 214 is a large-capacity storage unit that stores image data, various programs, and the like.

[0054] In this embodiment, although one CPU 211 executes each process as shown in the flowchart described below by using one RAM 213 or one HDD 214, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, multiple CPUs and multiple RAMs or multiple HDDs may cooperate to execute each process.

[0055] The operation unit I / F 215 is an interface that connects the operation unit 220 and the control unit 210. The operation unit 220 is a touch panel and a keyboard, etc., and receives operations, inputs, instructions, etc. from a user.

[0056] The printer I / F 216 is an interface that connects the printer unit 221 and the control unit 210. The printer unit 221 receives image data to be printed included in the above-mentioned print job via the printer I / F 216, and executes printing.

[0057] The scanner I / F 217 is an interface that connects the scanner unit 222 and the control unit 210. The scanner unit 222 reads a document set on a document table (not shown) and an automatic document feeder (ADF) or the like, and generates image data. Then, the scanner unit 222 transmits the image data to the control unit 210 via the scanner I / F 217.

[0058] The image forming apparatus 110 transmits the image data generated by the scanner unit 222 to the printer unit 221. Then, the image forming apparatus 110 performs printing based on the image data. Note that the image forming apparatus 110 may have a function of transmitting a file or an e-mail to the outside.

[0059] Authentication device I / F 218 is an interface connecting authentication device 223 and control unit 210. Authentication device 223 is, for example, a card reader that reads an IC card and a fingerprint authentication device that reads a fingerprint, and is used when a user authenticates to use image forming apparatus 110.

[0060] The network I / F 219 is an interface that connects the control unit 210 to a LAN. The image forming apparatus 110 transmits image data and information to various services on the Internet by using the network I / F 219, and receives various information.

[0061] <Hardware Configuration of Client PC, Workflow Platform and Print Service>

[0062] Figure 3 31 is a hardware configuration diagram of the client PC, workflow platform, and service according to the present embodiment. The client PC, workflow platform, and print service include a CPU 311 , a ROM 312 , a RAM 313 , a HDD 314 , and a network I / F 315 .

[0063] The CPU 311 controls the overall operation by reading out the control program stored in the ROM 312 and executing various processes. The ROM 312 stores the control program. The RAM 313 is used as a main memory of the CPU 311 and a temporary storage area such as a work area. The HDD 314 is a large-capacity storage unit that stores image data and various programs. The network I / F 315 is an interface connected to the Internet. The network I / F 315 receives a processing request and the like from a device outside the control unit 310, and transmits and receives various information to and from a device outside the control unit 310.

[0064] <Software Configuration of Workflow System>

[0065] Figure 4The workflow platform 130 has a request control unit 431 , an account management unit 432 , a display control unit 433 , a workflow management unit 434 , and a workflow control unit 435 .

[0066] The request control unit 431 stands by in a state where it can receive requests from the print service 120, the chat service 140, the cloud storage 150, the image forming apparatus 110, and the client PC 111. Additionally, in the case of a transmission request, the request control unit 431 receives the request.

[0067] The account management unit 432 manages the account information for logging into the workflow platform 130. Note that in the present embodiment, the workflow platform 130 and the services other than the workflow platform 130 have different account information. However, the account management unit 432 can be configured to separately use the account management service shared to the workflow platform 130 and the services other than the workflow platform 130 to implement single sign-on using the same account. For example, the account management unit 432 can manage the account of the workflow platform 130 and the account of the chat service 140 as the same account.

[0068] The display control unit 433 receives a request from a web browser running on a terminal such as a mobile phone (not shown) or a client PC 111 connected via the Internet. Then, the display control unit 433 transmits screen configuration information required for screen display to the client PC 111 and the terminal based on the request. The screen configuration information is described in, for example, HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) or CSS (Cascading Style Sheets).

[0069] The workflow management unit 434 manages construction of workflows, editing of workflows, storage of workflows, etc. The workflow control unit 435 controls execution and stop of workflows stored in the workflow management unit 434 in response to a workflow execution request that has been received by the request control unit 431 .

[0070] The print service 120 has a request control unit 421 , an account management unit 422 , a display control unit 423 , a printer management unit 424 , and a job management unit 425 .

[0071] The request control unit 421 stands by in a state where it can receive requests from the image forming apparatus 110 and the workflow platform 130. Additionally, in the case of a transmission request, the request control unit 421 receives the request.

[0072] The account management unit 422 manages account information for logging into the print service 120. Additionally, the account information may be associated with user information for logging into the image forming apparatus 110.

[0073] The display control unit 423 receives a request from a web browser running on a terminal such as a mobile phone (not shown) connected via the Internet to the client PC 111. Then, the display control unit 423 and the display control unit 433 transmit screen configuration information required for screen display to the client PC 111 and the terminal etc. based on the request. The screen configuration information is described in, for example, HTML or CSS.

[0074] The printer management unit 424 manages image forming devices, for example, the image forming devices 110 registered in the print service 120. Additionally, the printer management unit 424 may acquire information indicating the status, printing performance, scanning performance, various settings, and the like of the image forming devices (for example, the image forming devices 110 registered in the print service 120).

[0075] The job management unit 425 receives and manages print and scan jobs from the workflow platform 130, the client PC 111, and the chat service 140. In response to the request, the job management unit 425 transmits the managed job to the printer registered in the print service 120 and causes the printer to execute the job.

[0076] Chat service 140 has request control unit 441 , account management unit 442 , display control unit 443 , approval management unit 444 , and notification control unit 445 .

[0077] The request control unit 441 stands by in a state where it can receive a request from the client PC 110, the print service 120, or the workflow platform 130. Additionally, in the case of a transmission request, the request control unit 441 receives the request.

[0078] The account management unit 442 manages account information for logging into the chat service 140. Additionally, the account management unit 442 may be configured to solely use an account management service shared with the chat service 140 and services other than the chat service 140 to implement single sign-on using the same account.

[0079] The display control unit 433 receives a request from a web browser running on a terminal such as a client PC 111 and a mobile phone (not shown) connected via the Internet. Then, the display control unit 443 transmits screen configuration information required for screen display to the client PC 111 and the terminal, etc. based on the request. For example, the screen configuration information is described in HTML or CSS.

[0080] The approval management unit 444 receives approval requests from services other than the chat service 140, such as the workflow system 130 and the print service 120. Then, the approval management unit 444 transmits the approval request to the account registered in the chat service 140, and manages the approval status related to the approval request. The client PC 111 receives an operation of a user of the chat service 140, and transmits the approval request to the accounts of other users registered in the chat service 140. In this case, the account that receives the approval request can perform approval or disapproval processing.

[0081] The notification control unit 445 receives a notification request from services other than the chat service 140 , such as the workflow system 130 and the print service 120 , and performs notification to an account registered in the chat service 140 .

[0082] The cloud storage 150 has a request control unit 451 , an account management unit 452 , a display control unit 453 , and a file management unit 454 .

[0083] The request control unit 451 stands by in a state where it can receive requests from the client PC 110, the print service 120, and the workflow platform 130. Additionally, in the case of a transmission request, the request control unit 451 receives the request.

[0084] The account management unit 452 manages account information for logging into the cloud storage 150. Additionally, the account management unit 452 may manage the cloud storage 150 and a service other than the cloud storage 150 as the same account.

[0085] The display control unit 453 receives a request from a web browser running on the client PC 111 and other terminals such as a mobile phone (not shown) connected via the Internet. Then, the display control unit 453 transmits screen configuration information required for screen display to the client PC 111 and the terminal, etc. based on the request. The screen configuration information is described in, for example, HTML or CSS.

[0086] The file management unit 454 manages files stored in the cloud storage 150. Additionally, the file management unit 454 performs saving, changing, deleting, and transmitting of files, etc., in response to a request.

[0087] The image forming apparatus 110 has a request control unit 411 , a data management unit 412 , and a display control unit 413 .

[0088] The request control unit 411 stands by in a state where it can receive a request from the print service 120. Additionally, in the case of a transmission request, the request control unit 411 receives the request. For example, in the case where the request control unit 411 receives a processing request, the request control unit 411 appropriately instructs at least one of the display control unit 413 and the data management unit 412 to perform processing corresponding to the processing request. The data management unit 412 manages user information and connection information with the print service 120, etc. The display control unit 413 causes the touch panel display installed on the operation unit 220 of the image forming apparatus 110 to display a user interface for receiving a user's operation.

[0089] In the above description, although the case where the image forming apparatus connected to the print service 120 is only the image forming apparatus 110 has been described, a plurality of image forming apparatuses may be connected to the print service 120 .

[0090] In a case where the image forming apparatus 110 has been registered in the print service 120 , the image forming apparatus 110 continuously or periodically performs communication with the print service 120 in order to receive a request from the print service 120 .

[0091] The client PC 111 has a request control unit 414 and a display control unit 415. The client PC 111 accesses the print service 120, the workflow platform 130, the chat service 140, or the cloud storage 150 via the request control unit 414. The display control unit 415 displays a user interface required to operate the workflow platform 130, the print service 120, the chat service 140, and the like.

[0092] <Processing Flow>

[0093] First, the process of constructing a workflow by the workflow platform 130 will be described. Figure 5 1 is a diagram showing a workflow list screen displayed on the chat service in the system according to the present embodiment. The chat service 140 collaborates with the workflow platform 130 by being authenticated by the account of the workflow platform 130. The client PC 111 causes the workflow list screen 500 provided by the chat service 140 to be displayed on the display. Note that, as described above, the account of the chat service 140 may be the same as the account of the workflow platform 130. In this case, it is not necessary to perform authentication for collaboration.

[0094] The workflow list screen 500 is divided into a sidebar and a main screen.

[0095] The sidebar includes a transition button 501, a transition button 502, a transition button 503, and a transition button 504. When the transition button 501 is pressed by the user, the screen displayed on the display is transitioned to the chat screen. When the transition button 502 is pressed by the user, the screen displayed on the display is transitioned to the notification screen. When the transition button 503 is pressed by the user, the screen displayed on the display is transitioned to the workflow list screen 500. When the transition button 504 is pressed by the user, the screen displayed on the display is transitioned to the approval screen. In addition, even when the screen displayed on the display is transitioned to the chat screen, the notification screen, or the workflow list screen 500, the sidebar continues to be displayed.

[0096] The main screen includes a new workflow creation button 505, a title display field 506, an edit button 507, and an execution button 508. When creating a workflow, the new workflow creation button 505 is pressed. The title display field 506 is a field that displays the title of the created workflow. When editing a workflow, the edit button 507 is pressed. When executing a workflow, the execution button 508 is pressed. Additionally, in the main screen, a chat screen, a notification screen, or a workflow list screen 500 as described above is displayed.

[0097] The workflow list screen 500 is used to create a workflow, edit a workflow, and execute a workflow. Note that creating a workflow makes the start condition of the workflow a specific date and time and a specific action. In this case, the content of the specific action that becomes the start condition can be manually or automatically set in advance, and when the workflow execution button 508 is pressed, the workflow can be executed.

[0098] The notification mark 509 is a mark indicating the number of unread notifications that have arrived at the chat service 140. When the number of unread notifications is 0, the notification mark 509 is not displayed. The approval notification mark 510 is a mark indicating the number of unprocessed approval notifications that have arrived at the chat service 140. When the number of unprocessed approval notifications is 0, the approval notification mark 510 is not displayed.

[0099] Figure 6 1 is a diagram showing a screen for setting a trigger of a workflow displayed on the chat service in the system according to the present embodiment. The client PC 111 causes a workflow editing screen 600 provided by the chat service 140 to be displayed on the display.

[0100] Similar to the workflow list screen 500 , the workflow edit screen 600 is divided into two screens: a sidebar and a main screen.

[0101] The sidebar of the workflow editing screen 600 is similar to the sidebar of the workflow list screen 500. The main screen of the workflow editing screen 600 includes a workflow name edit box 601, a workflow trigger list screen 602, a workflow trigger selection button 603, a workflow trigger search button 604, a workflow action add button 605, and a workflow save button 606.

[0102] When editing a workflow name, enter the workflow name in the workflow name edit box 601 .

[0103] As described above, in the workflow, it is preferable to set a trigger as a condition for starting execution. Therefore, the workflow editing screen 600 is configured so that a trigger is set before an action. The workflow trigger list screen 602 displays a list of triggers that can be used in the workflow platform 130. The trigger is, for example, a scheduling trigger for starting a workflow regularly, a file trigger executed when any cloud storage 150 is updated, and a scan trigger executed when scanning is started in the image forming device 110.

[0104] The workflow trigger selection button 603 is a button that is pressed to select the trigger of the workflow. Figure 6 As shown, the workflow editing screen 600 displays a workflow trigger selection button 603 for selecting the execution of the schedule as a trigger. Figure 6 As shown, the workflow editing screen 600 displays a workflow trigger selection button 603 for selecting detection of creation of a file as a trigger.

[0105] When the workflow trigger selection button 603 is pressed and the external service providing the trigger corresponding to the button and the account logged in to the workflow platform 130 have collaborated, the trigger setting screen is displayed. On the contrary, when the external service providing the trigger corresponding to the button and the account logged in to the workflow platform 130 have not yet collaborated, an authentication screen for collaborating the two is displayed, and the trigger setting screen is displayed after authentication.

[0106] The workflow trigger search button 604 is used to search for triggers displayed on the workflow trigger list screen 602, and enables the trigger to be searched by inputting a character string. For example, the object of the search is a trigger related to the workflow platform 130. Alternatively, the object of the search is a trigger related to a service other than the workflow platform 130, such as a trigger related to the print service 120, etc. For example, in the case where the character string "save" is input and searched, a list of triggers related to saving, such as actions triggered by data being saved in the cloud storage 150, is displayed. Additionally, for example, in the case where the character string "scan" is input and searched, a list of triggers for starting a workflow by performing a scan through the print service 120, etc. is displayed. The trigger is determined by selecting the trigger through such a search.

[0107] Pressing the workflow action add button 605 displays the workflow action add screen. Pressing the workflow save button 606 saves the edited workflow.

[0108] Figure 7 1 is a diagram showing a screen for setting an action of a workflow displayed on a chat service in a system according to the present embodiment. As described above, an action corresponds to each process. Additionally, the action performs receiving some data from services other than the workflow platform 130 and transmitting some data to services other than the workflow platform 130, and controls the workflow itself, such as standby, branching, and repetition in the workflow.

[0109] The sidebar of the workflow editing screen 700 is similar to the sidebar of the workflow list screen 500. The main screen of the workflow editing screen 700 includes a workflow action list screen 701, a workflow action selection button 702, and a workflow action search button 703. Additionally, the main screen of the workflow editing screen 700 includes a workflow trigger button 704, a workflow action add button 705, and a workflow save button 706.

[0110] The workflow action list screen 701 displays a list of actions that can be used in the workflow platform 130. For example, Figure 7 As shown, the workflow action list screen 701 displays a plurality of workflow action selection buttons 702 corresponding to respective actions. When the workflow action selection button 702 is pressed and the external service providing the corresponding action and the account logged into the workflow platform 130 have already collaborated with each other, the action setting screen is displayed. On the contrary, when the two have not yet collaborated with each other even when the workflow action selection button 702 is pressed, an authentication screen for collaboration is displayed, and after the two have been authenticated, the action setting screen is displayed.

[0111] The workflow action search button 703 is used to search for workflow actions displayed on the workflow action list screen 701, and enables searching for actions by inputting a character string. The search object is, for example, an action related to the workflow platform 130, an action related to a service other than the workflow platform 130, and an action related to the print service 120. For example, when the character string "notification" is input and searched, a list of actions for the chat service 140 to notify any user and group, etc. is displayed. Additionally, for example, in the case where the character string "save" is input and searched, a list of actions related to saving, such as saving data in a cloud storage, is displayed. Additionally, for example, in the case where the character string "print" is input and searched, a list of actions related to printing performed by the print service 120 is displayed. As described above, the action that the user wants to include in the workflow is selected by searching, and the actions included in the workflow are determined.

[0112] The workflow trigger button 704 is a button for displaying the name of a set trigger. When the workflow trigger button 704 is pressed, a trigger editing screen is displayed.

[0113] When the workflow action add button 705 is pressed, a new workflow action list screen 701 is displayed below the already displayed workflow action list screen 701. Thus, a workflow combining multiple actions is created. The workflow save button 706 is pressed to save the created workflow.

[0114] Figure 8 1 is a diagram showing a screen for setting details of a trigger or action of a workflow displayed on a chat service in the system according to the present embodiment. Figure 8 , as an example, a workflow action setting screen 800 for making settings related to a print action is shown. The workflow action setting screen 800 includes an action name display field 801 and an action setting list 802. The action setting list 802 includes an action setting 803, an action setting 804, an action setting 805, an action setting 806, and an action setting 807. These action settings are user interfaces for receiving settings related to actions, and for example receive input of a free string or input of a value obtained by a previous or subsequent action, or provide options. Additionally, the option can also be obtained from a service other than the workflow platform 130 and displayed. Additionally, the above description related to the settings of the print action also applies to trigger settings.

[0115] The action name is displayed in the action name 801. Additionally, the user can freely change the action name.

[0116] The action setting 803 is used to specify an image forming device to execute printing. The image forming device selectable here is an image forming device registered in the print service 120.

[0117] The action setting 804 is used to specify the file to be processed for printing. For example, in the action setting 804, a trigger to be executed before the print action, a file to be acquired by the action, and a URL indicating the file, etc. are specified. In addition, as such a file, for example, a file acquired from the cloud storage 150 is exemplified.

[0118] Action setting 805 is used to provide an option for specifying a paper size. Action setting 806 is used to provide an option for specifying color settings for printing. These two are examples of print settings, and more detailed print settings can be specified. The print settings depend on the performance of the printer used for printing. To this end, after specifying the image forming device in action setting 803, action setting 805 and action setting 806 receive selectable print settings from print service 120 and display the print settings as options. Additionally, for the print settings, a value obtained by a trigger or action executed before the print action can be used. Additionally, in the event that multiple print settings conflict with each other, measures can be taken for print settings that cannot be selected at the same time, such as graying and invalidation.

[0119] The action setting 807 is used to set the presence or absence of a notification related to printing, the content of the notification, and the transmission destination of the notification. Additionally, as the transmission destination of the notification, an account or group of the workflow platform 130, or any account or group of the collaborative chat service 140 or print service 120 can be selected. Alternatively, the workflow platform 130 or the print service 120 can determine the transmission destination from the client PC 111 that instructs the execution of the workflow and the client PC 111 that performs operations after the execution of the workflow such as the execution of printing, etc., according to the content of the error.

[0120] In the above description, although the case where notification is set as the setting of the workflow including the printing action has been described as an example, the workflow platform 130 can construct a workflow to obtain and notify the result of the printing action. Additionally, only specific notifications from various types of notifications can be independent actions, and other notifications can be included in the printing action. For example, only a notification indicating that printing is successful can be an independent action, and a notification indicating that printing has failed can be included in the printing action. As a result, the notification indicating that printing has failed does not need to be incorporated into the workflow as an independent action.

[0121] Next, we will refer to Fig. 9 Explains the process of actually connecting to each service and setting them up to build a workflow. Fig. 9 1 is a flowchart showing the file trigger setting process in the embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 9The details of the process of constructing a workflow in cooperation between the workflow platform 130 and the cloud storage 150 are shown. In this embodiment, an example of constructing a workflow using a file creation trigger that executes a workflow as a workflow trigger when a file is created will be described.

[0122] In step S1001 , the workflow platform 130 detects a file creation triggering an add request.

[0123] In step S1002, the workflow platform 130 confirms whether the collaboration with the cloud storage 150 providing the file creation trigger is set, and verifies whether it is necessary to log in to the cloud storage 150. In the case where the workflow platform 130 determines that it is necessary to log in to the cloud storage 150, the process proceeds to step S1003. On the contrary, in the case where the workflow platform 130 determines that it is not necessary to log in to the cloud storage 150, the process proceeds to step S1005.

[0124] In step S1003 , the workflow platform 130 transmits a login request to the cloud storage 150 .

[0125] In step S1004, the workflow platform 130 receives the login result from the cloud storage 150. Additionally, after performing the process in step S1004, the workflow platform 130 may communicate with the cloud storage 150 assuming that the collaboration with the cloud storage 150 has been completed.

[0126] In step S1005 , the workflow platform 130 obtains a list of file creation trigger settings.

[0127] In step S1006, the workflow platform 130 displays a list of file creation trigger settings. Note that each setting option is an option that has been acquired from a service other than the workflow platform 130. Additionally, in this case, it is assumed that the option of each setting is an option acquired from the cloud storage 150 that cooperates with the workflow platform 130.

[0128] In step S1007, the workflow platform 130 displays a list of root folders of the cloud storage 150. Note that the reason for executing the process of step S1007 is that when a file creation trigger is used as a trigger, it is necessary to specify a folder in which a file is created and the file creation trigger is executed.

[0129] In step S1008, the workflow platform 130 determines whether any folder has been detected to be selected from the list. If the workflow platform 130 determines that any folder has been detected to be selected from the list, the process proceeds to step S1009. On the contrary, if the workflow platform 130 determines that any folder has not been detected to be selected from the list, the process proceeds to step S1013.

[0130] In step S1009 , the workflow platform 130 transmits a request for obtaining a list of folders in the selected folder.

[0131] In step S1010 , the workflow platform 130 receives a list of folders in the selected folder.

[0132] In step S1011 , the workflow platform 130 displays a list of folders in the selected folder.

[0133] In step S1012, the workflow platform 130 determines whether the selection of the folder to be the trigger object has been detected. In the case where the workflow platform 130 determines that the selection of the folder to be the trigger object has been detected, the process proceeds to step S1013. On the contrary, in the case where the workflow platform 130 determines that the selection of the folder to be the trigger object has not been detected, the process returns to step S1008.

[0134] The workflow platform 130 can be implemented by executing Fig. 9 The illustrated process incorporates a file creation trigger into any workflow. Note that the file creation trigger provides for the acquisition of metadata associated with the file including the name, ID, time and folder path of the file created in the actions executed after the file creation trigger.

[0135] Fig.10 1 is a flowchart showing the file acquisition action setting process in the embodiment. Specifically, Fig.10 The details of the process of constructing a workflow in cooperation between the workflow platform 130 and the cloud storage 150 are shown. In this embodiment, the case where the workflow platform 130 constructs a workflow by including a file acquisition action for acquiring a file of the cloud storage 150 as an action of the workflow in the workflow will be described as an example. The file acquisition action is an action for acquiring the content of a specified file, a published URL, or a URL that restricts publication.

[0136] In step S1101 , the workflow platform 130 detects a request to add a file acquisition action.

[0137] In step S1102, the workflow platform 130 confirms whether the collaboration with the cloud storage 150 providing the file acquisition action has been set, and determines whether it is necessary to log in to the cloud storage 150. In the case where the workflow platform 130 determines that it is necessary to log in to the cloud storage 150, the process proceeds to step S1103. On the contrary, in the case where the workflow platform 130 determines that it is not necessary to log in to the cloud storage 150, the process proceeds to step S1105. For example, in executing Fig.10In the case of the processing of the flowchart shown, the workflow platform 130 determines that logging in to the cloud storage 150 is unnecessary because the collaboration with the cloud storage 150 has already been set.

[0138] In step S1103 , the workflow platform 130 sends a login request to the cloud storage 150 .

[0139] In step S1104, the workflow platform 130 receives the login result from the cloud storage 150. Additionally, after the processing in step S1104 is completed, the workflow platform 130 may communicate with the cloud storage 150 assuming that the collaboration with the cloud storage 150 has been completed.

[0140] In step S1105 , the workflow platform 130 obtains a list of settings for the file acquisition action.

[0141] In step S1106, the workflow platform 130 displays a print action setting screen. Note that in the file acquisition action, the file to be acquired needs to be set. For example, the workflow platform 130 constructs a workflow so that an object file that can be acquired from a file path acquired by executing a file creation trigger can be specified.

[0142] In step S1107 , the workflow platform 130 saves the settings of the printing action.

[0143] The workflow platform 130 can be Fig.10 The process shown incorporates the file acquisition action into any workflow.

[0144] Fig.11 is a flow chart showing the processing performed by the workflow platform for instructing a print action in an embodiment. Specifically, Fig.11 The details of the process of constructing a workflow in cooperation between the workflow platform 130 and the print service 120 are shown. In this embodiment, an example in which an action of printing a file by a printer designated by the print service 120 is constructed as an action of a workflow will be described.

[0145] In step S1201 , the workflow platform 130 detects a print action adding request.

[0146] In step S1202, the workflow platform 130 confirms whether cooperation with the print service 120 providing the print action has been set, and determines whether it is necessary to log in to the print service 120. In the case where the workflow platform 130 determines that it is necessary to log in to the print service 120, the process proceeds to step S1203. On the contrary, in the case where the workflow platform 130 determines that it is not necessary to log in to the print service 120, the process proceeds to step S1205.

[0147] In step S1203 , the workflow platform 130 transmits a login request to the print service 120 .

[0148] In step S1204, the workflow platform 130 receives the login result from the print service 120. Note that after executing the process of step S1204, the workflow platform 130 may communicate with the print service 120 on the assumption that the collaboration with the print service 120 has been completed.

[0149] In step S1205 , the workflow platform 130 obtains a list of print action settings.

[0150] In step S1206, the workflow platform 130 displays a print action setting screen. In the case of executing a print action, for example, Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 8 , an action setting list 803 for specifying a printer to perform printing is displayed. Additionally, in the case of performing a printing action, for example, Figure 8 As shown, an action setting list 804, an action setting list 805, an action setting list 806, and an action setting list 807 for specifying print settings and files to be printed are displayed.

[0151] In step S1207 , the workflow platform 130 transmits, to the print service 120 , an acquisition request for acquiring an image forming device that performs printing.

[0152] In step S1208 , the workflow platform 130 receives a list of image forming devices that are candidates for performing printing from the print service 120 .

[0153] In step S1209 , the workflow platform 130 displays a list of image forming apparatuses that are candidates for executing printing.

[0154] In step S1210 , the workflow platform 130 detects that the user has selected an image forming device.

[0155] In step S1211, the workflow platform 130 transmits a print setting acquisition request to the print service 120. Additionally, the print setting acquisition request includes information identifying the image forming device.

[0156] In step S1212 , the workflow platform 130 receives print settings from the print service 120 .

[0157] In step S1213 , the workflow platform 130 displays print settings.

[0158] In step S1214 , the workflow platform 130 detects that the user has changed the print settings.

[0159] In step S1215 , the workflow platform 130 detects that the user has changed the settings of the file to be printed.

[0160] In step S1216 , the workflow platform 130 saves the settings of the printing action.

[0161] The workflow platform 130 can be implemented by executing Fig.11 The illustrated process incorporates the print action for printing into any workflow in cooperation with the print service 120 .

[0162] Fig.12 1 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the print service that instructs the print action in the embodiment. Specifically, Fig.12 Details of the process in which the workflow platform 130 collaborates with the print service 120 to construct a workflow are shown.

[0163] In step S1301 , the print service 120 receives a login request from the workflow platform 130 .

[0164] In step S1302 , the print service 120 authenticates the login request.

[0165] In step S1303, the print service 120 transmits the login result to the workflow platform 130. As a result, the workflow platform 130 and the print service 120 enter a state where the collaboration has been completed, and can communicate with each other.

[0166] In step S1304 , the print service 120 receives an acquisition request for acquiring a list of image forming devices from the workflow platform 130 .

[0167] In step S1305, the print service 120 acquires a list of image forming devices that can be used by the workflow platform 130 from each image forming device managed locally. Note that the administrator of the print service 120 can individually set permission / prohibition of use in the list for at least one image forming device that can use the account of the print service 120 logged in through the process from step S1301 to step S1303.

[0168] In step S1306 , the print service 120 transmits the acquired list of image forming devices to the workflow platform 130 .

[0169] In step S1307, the print service 120 receives a print setting acquisition request from the workflow platform 130. The acquisition request includes information identifying the image forming device.

[0170] In step S1308, the print service 120 identifies the target image forming device from the information identifying the image forming device, and acquires the print setting of the image forming device. The print setting items that can be set at this time are associated with the account of the print service 120 that has been logged in during steps S1301 to S1303, and can be appropriately limited by the administrator of the print service 120. For example, even in the case where double-sided printing and single-sided printing are possible in the image forming device, when the administrator of the print service 120 limits only double-sided printing, only double-sided printing is transmitted to the print service 120 as an item of the print setting.

[0171] In step S1309 , the print service 120 transmits the acquired print settings to the workflow platform 130 .

[0172] Print service 120 can be performed by executing Fig.12 The illustrated process cooperates with the workflow platform 130 to set a print action for printing.

[0173] Fig.13 1 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the workflow platform for instructing the scheduled printing action in the embodiment. Fig.13 The details of the process of constructing a workflow in cooperation between the workflow platform 130 and the print service 120 are shown. In this embodiment, an example of an action of performing scheduled printing of a file by an arbitrary printer managed by the print service 120 will be described.

[0174] In step S1401 , the workflow platform 130 detects a print action adding request.

[0175] In step S1402, the workflow platform 130 confirms whether cooperation with the print service 120 providing the print action is set, and determines whether it is necessary to log in to the print service 120. If the workflow platform 130 determines that it is necessary to log in to the print service 120, the process proceeds to step S1403. On the contrary, if the workflow platform 130 determines that it is not necessary to log in to the print service 120, the process proceeds to step S1405.

[0176] In step S1403 , the workflow platform 130 transmits a login request to the print service 120 .

[0177] In step S1404, the workflow platform 130 receives the login result from the print service 120. Additionally, after performing the process of step S1404, the workflow platform 130 may communicate with the print service 120 assuming that the collaboration with the print service 120 has been completed.

[0178] In step S1405 , the workflow platform 130 obtains a list of print action settings.

[0179] In step S1406 , the workflow platform 130 displays a print action setting screen.

[0180] In the scheduled print action, set the items and Fig.12 The setting items for printing described above are different. For example, in the case where scheduled printing can be performed from any image forming device, the designation of the image forming device is not necessary. Additionally, in the case of scheduled printing, the print settings can also be set on the screen of the image forming device before printing, so it is not necessary. In addition, although the settings can also be made on the screen of the image forming device in the case of scheduled printing, the default settings for scheduled printing can be different from those already mentioned. Fig.12 The configuration described is similar to that on the workflow platform 130 .

[0181] In step S1407 , the workflow platform 130 saves the settings of the printing action.

[0182] The workflow platform 130 can be implemented by executing Fig.13 The illustrated process incorporates a print action for executing reserved printing into any workflow in cooperation with the print service 120. Note that a print action related to reserved printing may be referred to as a "reserved printing action".

[0183] Fig.14 is a flow chart showing the processing performed by the workflow platform of the instruction notification action in the embodiment. Specifically, Fig.14 The details of the process of constructing a workflow in cooperation between the workflow platform 130 and the chat service 140 are shown. In the present embodiment, an example in which an action for providing a notification to a notification destination specified by the chat service 140 is constructed as an action of the workflow will be described.

[0184] In step S1501 , the workflow platform 130 detects a notification action adding request.

[0185] In step S1502, the workflow platform 130 confirms whether the collaboration with the chat service 140 providing the notification action is set, and determines whether it is necessary to log in to the chat service 140. In the case where the workflow platform 130 determines that it is necessary to log in to the chat service 140, the process proceeds to step S1503. On the contrary, in the case where the workflow platform 130 determines that it is not necessary to log in to the chat service 140, the process proceeds to step S1505.

[0186] In step S1503 , the workflow platform 130 transmits a login request to the chat service 140 .

[0187] In step S1504, the workflow platform 130 receives the login result from the chat service 140. After executing the process of step S1504, the workflow platform 130 can communicate with the print service 120, assuming that the collaboration with the chat service 140 has been completed. Note that, as described above, the account of the chat service 140 may be the same account as the account of the workflow platform 130. Additionally, in the case where the account of the chat service 140 and the account of the workflow platform 130 are the same, login for the two to collaborate with each other is unnecessary.

[0188] In step S1505 , the workflow platform 130 obtains a list of notification action settings.

[0189] In step S1506 , the workflow platform 130 displays a notification action setting screen.

[0190] In step S1507 , the workflow platform 130 transmits a notification destination list acquisition request to the chat service 140 .

[0191] In step S1508 , the workflow platform 130 receives the list of notification destinations from the chat service 140 , and displays the list of notification destinations.

[0192] In step S1509 , the workflow platform 130 saves the settings of the notification action.

[0193] The settings of the notification action are, for example, settings related to the designation of the user or group of the chat service 140 of the notification destination, the designation of the channel, the type of notification, the content of the notification, and the response time limit of the notification. Note that these settings of the notification action are examples, and may be settings related to other matters. In addition to the usual notification, examples of the notification type include printable notification, print completion notification, print error notification, and approval request notification, etc. Additionally, the approval request notification temporarily stops the workflow processing until the approval is granted. Additionally, since a notification related to the approval request notification can be provided even when the approval request is completed, in addition to the approval request destination, an approval request completion notification destination may also be specified. Note that in the case where the above-mentioned approval request completion notification destination is not specified, the notification destination is the client PC 111 used by the user executing the workflow, etc.

[0194] The workflow platform 130 can be implemented by executing Fig.14 The process shown cooperates with the chat service 140, and the act of providing notifications from the chat service 140 can be incorporated into any workflow.

[0195] Next, the method for executing the reference Figures 9 to 14The processing of the workflow configured by the described process. In the following description, the operations performed when executing a workflow for receiving approval of an evaluation form, automatically printing the evaluation form when the evaluation form is approved, and notifying the printing result will be described. Note that the processing to be described next is an example, and does not limit the services to be combined and the order of their services, etc. For example, in the present embodiment, the workflow is started by using the fact that a file is saved in the cloud storage 150 as a trigger. However, for example, the workflow can be started by the fact that a scan is performed in the image forming device 110 as a trigger. Additionally, in what will be described next, the chat service 140 can display a list of workflows constructed by the workflow platform 130.

[0196] Fig.15 is a flow chart showing the processing performed by the workflow platform during the execution of the workflow in an embodiment. Specifically, Fig.15 The operation when the workflow platform 130 executes the workflow is shown.

[0197] In step S1601, the workflow platform 130 receives data indicating that a file has been saved in a designated folder from the cloud storage 150. The file is, for example, an original document file of an evaluation form.

[0198] In step S1602 , the workflow platform 130 starts the corresponding workflow upon receiving the notification.

[0199] In step S1603, the workflow platform 130 obtains file information from the data received in step S1601. The file information is composed of a URL and information required by the print service 120 to print the file, where for example, the content or file of the file can be downloaded from the URL. Additionally, the information is, for example, a file name.

[0200] In step S1604, the workflow platform 130 transmits an approval notification request to the chat service 140. The approval notification request includes: Fig.14 The flowchart shown shows the notification destinations that are preset and the notification destination information that has been approved.

[0201] In step S1605, the workflow platform 130 determines whether the result of the approval request from the chat service 140 is successful. If the workflow platform 130 determines that the result of the approval request from the chat service 140 is successful, the process proceeds to step S1606. On the contrary, if the workflow platform 130 determines that the result of the approval request from the chat service 140 is unsuccessful, the process ends.

[0202] In step S1606, the workflow platform 130 transmits the print job to the print service 120. At this time, the workflow platform 130 transmits the file obtained in step S1603. In addition, the print job related to the print job can be as shown in FIG. Fig.13 The usual printout of the instructions or as reference Fig.14 Instructions for appointment printing.

[0203] In step S1607 , the workflow platform 130 receives the printing result from the printing service 120 .

[0204] In step S1608, the workflow platform 130 determines whether the print result received in step S1607 is successful. If the workflow platform 130 determines that the print result received in step S1607 is successful, the process proceeds to step S1609. On the contrary, if the workflow platform 130 determines that the print result received in step S1607 is unsuccessful, the process proceeds to step S1610.

[0205] In step S1609, the workflow platform 130 transmits a print success notification request to the chat service 140. The print success notification request includes: Fig.14 The notification destination information is preset in the flowchart shown.

[0206] In step S1610, the workflow platform 130 transmits a print failure notification request to the chat service 140. The print failure notification request includes: Fig.14 The notification destination information is preset in the flowchart shown.

[0207] In the present embodiment, although it is described that the workflow platform 130 performs successful or unsuccessful printing and notification through the chat service 140, the print service 120 may perform similar notification processing. In this case, the notification destination is, for example, a user who has started the workflow, a user who has executed printing included in the workflow, or a client PC used by multiple users including these users.

[0208] In step S1611, the workflow platform 130 determines whether a reprint instruction has been received from the print service 120. If the workflow platform 130 determines that a reprint instruction has been received from the print service 120, the process proceeds to step S1606. On the contrary, if the workflow platform 130 determines that a reprint instruction has not been received from the print service 120, the process ends.

[0209] The workflow platform 130 can be implemented by executing Fig.15 The illustrated process collaborates with the print service 120, cloud storage 150, and chat service 140 to execute the workflow and print the document.

[0210] Fig.16 is a flowchart illustrating the processing performed by the print service during execution of a workflow in an embodiment. Specifically, Fig.16 The process of the print service 120 executing a print action in a workflow is shown.

[0211] In step S1701 , the print service 120 receives a print job from the workflow platform 130 .

[0212] In step S1702, the print service 120 determines whether the received print job is reserved printing. If the print service 120 determines that the received job is reserved printing, the process proceeds to step S1703. On the contrary, if the print service 120 determines that the received job is not reserved printing, the process proceeds to step S1707.

[0213] In step S1703 , the print service 120 adds the received print job to the print job list.

[0214] In step S1704 , the print service 120 receives a print job list acquisition request from the image forming apparatus 110 .

[0215] In step S1705, the print service 120 transmits the print job list to the image forming apparatus 110. The print job list includes a print job identifier for identifying the print job.

[0216] In step S1706, the print service 120 receives a print instruction from the image forming apparatus 110. The print instruction includes a print job identifier for specifying a print job.

[0217] In step S1707 , the print service 120 specifies the print job to be transmitted according to the print job identifier, and transmits the print job to the image forming apparatus 110 .

[0218] In step S1708 , the print service 120 receives the print result from the image forming apparatus 110 .

[0219] In step S1709, the print service 120 determines whether printing is successful. If the print service 120 determines that printing is successful, the process proceeds to step S1710. On the contrary, if the print service 120 determines that printing is unsuccessful, the process proceeds to step S1713.

[0220] In step S1710 , the print service 120 provides a notification of printing success to the workflow platform 130 .

[0221] In step S1711 , the print service 120 determines whether the successfully printed print job is a reserved print job.

[0222] In step S1712, the print service 120 deletes the print job that has been successfully printed from the print job list, and the process ends.

[0223] In step S1713 , the print service 120 provides a notification to the workflow platform 130 that printing has failed.

[0224] In step S1714, the print service 120 determines whether a reprint instruction has been received from the image forming apparatus 110. If the print service 120 determines that a reprint instruction has been received from the image forming apparatus 110, the process proceeds to step S1715. On the contrary, if the print service 120 determines that a reprint instruction has not been received from the image forming apparatus 110, the process ends.

[0225] In step S1715 , the print service 120 transmits a reprint instruction to the workflow platform 130 .

[0226] Print service 120 may perform the following steps: Fig.16 The illustrated process executes a workflow in cooperation with the image forming apparatus 110 and the workflow platform 130 and prints a document.

[0227] Fig.17 Detailed Description of the Invention is a flowchart illustrating a print process performed by a printer during execution of a workflow in an embodiment.

[0228] In step S1801 , the image forming apparatus 110 receives a print job from the print service 120 .

[0229] In step S1802 , the image forming apparatus 110 performs printing associated with the received print job.

[0230] In step S1803, the image forming apparatus 110 determines whether printing is successful. If the image forming apparatus 110 determines that printing is successful, the process proceeds to step S1804. On the contrary, if the image forming apparatus 110 determines that printing is unsuccessful, the process proceeds to step S1805.

[0231] In step S1804 , the image forming apparatus 110 provides the print service 120 with a notification that printing is successful.

[0232] In step S1805 , the image forming apparatus 110 provides the print service 120 with a notification that printing has failed.

[0233] In step S1806, the image forming apparatus 110 determines whether a reprint instruction from the user has been detected. If the image forming apparatus 110 determines that a reprint instruction from the user has been detected, the process proceeds to step S1807. On the contrary, if the image forming apparatus 110 determines that a reprint instruction from the user has not been detected, the process ends.

[0234] In step S1807 , the image forming apparatus 110 transmits a reprint instruction to the print service 120 .

[0235] The image forming device 110 may perform the following steps: Fig.17 The process shown cooperates with print service 120 to print a document.

[0236] Fig.18 Detailed description is a flowchart showing the process of reserving printing by a printer during execution of a workflow in the embodiment.

[0237] In step S1901 , the image forming apparatus 110 displays a print job list.

[0238] In step S1902, the image forming apparatus 110 detects that the user has selected a print job. Note that print settings for printing related to the selected print job can be performed on the user interface of the image forming apparatus 110.

[0239] In step S1903 , the image forming apparatus 110 transmits a print instruction of the detected print job.

[0240] Since steps S1904 to S1910 are similar to the above-mentioned steps S1801 to S1807, their description will be omitted here.

[0241] The image forming device 110 may perform the following steps: Fig.18 The processing shown here cooperates with the print service 120 to schedule printing of a document.

[0242] Fig.19 is a flowchart showing the process of transmitting and receiving notification requests by the chat service during the execution of a workflow according to the present embodiment. Specifically, Fig.19 The operations of approval and notification when the chat service 140 executes the workflow are shown.

[0243] In step S2001 , the chat service 140 receives a notification request from the workflow platform 130 .

[0244] In step S2002, the chat service 140 acquires the notification destination included in the notification request.

[0245] In step S2003, the chat service 140 determines whether the notification request is an approval request. If the chat service 140 determines that the notification request is an approval request, the process proceeds to step S2004. On the contrary, if the chat service 140 determines that the notification request is not an approval request, the process proceeds to step S2010.

[0246] In step S2004, the chat service 140 acquires the approval request source which is the request source of the approval request.

[0247] In step S2005, the chat service 140 acquires a notification destination after the approval request is approved.

[0248] In step S2006, the chat service 140 adds the approval request together with the request source and the approved notification destination to the approval list of the notification destination. Therefore, the chat service 140 causes the approval notification mark 510 to be displayed on the transition button 504 of the approval screen of the client PC 111 using the chat service 140. Alternatively, the chat service 140 increases the count of the approval notification marks 510 displayed on the transition button 504 of the approval screen of the client PC 111 using the chat service 140 accordingly. Then, through these processes, the chat service 140 can provide the user with a notification that the approval request has been transmitted. Additionally, the chat service 140 can display a notification related to the approval request on the display in cooperation with the client PC 111 using the chat service 140.

[0249] In step S2007, the chat service 140 determines whether the added approval request has been approved. If the chat service 140 determines that the added approval request has been approved, the process proceeds to step S2008. On the contrary, if the chat service 140 determines that the added approval request has not been approved, the process proceeds to step S2009.

[0250] In step S2008 , the chat service 140 provides a notification related to the approval to the workflow platform 130 .

[0251] In step S2009 , the chat service 140 provides a notification related to the disapproval to the workflow platform 130 .

[0252] In step S2010, the chat service 140 adds the notification content to the notification list of the notification destination. Therefore, the chat service 140 causes the notification mark 509 to be displayed on the transition button 504 of the approval screen of the client PC 111 using the chat service 140. Alternatively, the chat service 140 increases the count of the notification mark 509 displayed on the transition button 504 of the approval screen of the client PC 111 using the chat service 140 accordingly. Through these processes, the chat service 140 can make the user recognize that the notification has arrived. Additionally, the chat service 140 can display the notification related to the approval request on a display in cooperation with the client PC using the chat service 140.

[0253] The chat service 140 may perform the following steps: Fig.19 The process shown cooperates with the workflow platform 130 to display notifications to the user.

[0254] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the workflow platform 130 can print a file using the image forming apparatus 110 while cooperating with a plurality of services and the print service 120 .

[0255] The computer of a system or device of the present invention can also be implemented by reading and executing computer executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which can also be more completely referred to as a "non-transitory computer-readable storage medium") to perform one or more functions of the above (one or more) embodiments and / or including one or more circuits (e.g., application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs)) for performing one or more functions of the above (one or more) embodiments and by the following method, wherein the computer of the system or device performs the above method by, for example, reading and executing computer executable instructions from a storage medium to perform one or more functions of the above (one or more) embodiments and / or controlling the one or more circuits to perform one or more functions of the above (one or more) embodiments. The computer may include one or more processors (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessing unit (MPU)), and may include a network of separate computers or separate processors to read and execute computer executable instructions. For example, these computer executable instructions may be provided to the computer from a network or a storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a storage portion of a distributed computing system, an optical disk (such as a compact disk (CD), a digital versatile disk (DVD), or a Blu-ray disk (BD)). TM etc.), one or more of a flash storage device and a memory card, etc.

[0256] While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest description so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

[0257] This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-134351 filed on August 22, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. A computer may include one or more processors (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessing unit (MPU)), and may include a network of separate computers or separate processors to read and execute computer-executable instructions.

Claims

1. An image forming system, comprising: a workflow construction unit configured to construct a workflow by using a system cooperating with a workflow platform, the workflow executing actions as separate processes in a predetermined order, the workflow including a print action as a process related to printing; A workflow execution unit, configured to execute the workflow; as well as A print data transmission unit is configured to transmit, when the print action is executed by the workflow execution unit, print data indicating a print material to be printed by the print action to an image forming device.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The workflow execution unit executes the workflow by executing a plurality of actions in a predetermined order.

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a list acquisition unit, which is configured to acquire a list of image forming devices that can be used in cooperation with the print data transmission unit when a workflow including the print action is constructed by the workflow construction unit.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein: After confirming that the workflow platform and the print data transmission unit have cooperated, the list acquisition unit acquires the list of image forming devices from the print data transmission unit.

5. The system according to claim 3, further comprising a print setting acquisition unit configured to acquire data related to the print setting regarding the print action from the list acquisition unit according to the image forming apparatus selected from the list acquired by the list acquisition unit.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein: The print setting acquisition unit acquires data related to the print setting regarding the print action by transmitting a print setting acquisition request to the print data transmission unit.

7. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The workflow execution unit executes the workflow when a workflow execution button provided by the chat service to the client terminal and displayed by the client terminal is pressed.

8. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The workflow construction unit constructs a workflow including the print action based on data provided to the client terminal by the chat service and input to a workflow editing screen displayed on the client terminal.

9. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The workflow construction unit determines the content of the print action based on data provided to the client terminal by the chat service and input to a print action setting screen displayed by the client terminal.

10. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The workflow execution unit provides notification by using a chat service in a case where the printing is successful or in a case where the printing has failed.

11. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The workflow execution unit provides notification by using the print execution unit in a case where the printing is successful or in a case where the printing has failed.

12. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: In a case where the approval process is executed, the workflow execution unit provides a notification by using a chat service.

13. An image forming method comprising: constructing a workflow by using a system cooperating with a workflow platform, the workflow executing actions as separate processes in a predetermined sequence, the workflow including a print action as a process related to printing; executing the workflow; as well as In the case where the printing action is performed, print data indicating a printing material to be printed by the printing action is transmitted to the image forming apparatus.

14. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium configured to store a computer program comprising instructions for performing the following process: constructing a workflow by using a system cooperating with a workflow platform, the workflow executing actions as separate processes in a predetermined sequence, the workflow including a print action as a process related to printing; executing the workflow; and In the case where the printing action is performed, print data indicating a printing material to be printed by the printing action is transmitted to the image forming apparatus.

15. A computer program product comprising a computer program having instructions for performing the following processes: constructing a workflow by using a system cooperating with a workflow platform, the workflow executing actions as separate processes in a predetermined sequence, the workflow including a print action as a process related to printing; executing the workflow; and In the case where the printing action is performed, print data indicating a printing material to be printed by the printing action is transmitted to the image forming apparatus.

Images