Information processing apparatus, information processing method, information processing program, and information processing system

Abstract

To provide an information processing program for causing an information processing apparatus to execute an appropriate workflow.MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM: An information processing apparatus has: a first input receiving unit that receives input of a template file corresponding to an application; an execution condition setting unit that sets an execution condition for the application on the basis of the template file; a second input receiving unit that receives input of data to be processed; and an application specification unit that specifies an application satisfying the execution condition on the basis of the data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, an information processing program, and an information processing system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a technique for executing a series of processes, each of which is a combination of a plurality of steps, on document data as a workflow, and in this technique, it is known that a workflow is defined for each application. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] In the conventional techniques described above, as the number of applications increases with an increase in the number of workflow types, there is a possibility that a user may select an incorrect application and execute an incorrect workflow on document data.

[0004] The disclosed technology has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to identify an application based on data to be processed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The disclosed technology is an information processing device having a first input accepting unit that accepts input of a template file corresponding to an app, an execution condition setting unit that sets execution conditions for the app based on the template file, an input accepting unit that accepts input of data to be processed, and an app identification unit that identifies an app that satisfies the execution conditions based on the data. Effect of the Invention

[0006] The appropriate workflow can be executed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system configuration of a workflow management system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a workflow management device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an application instance storage unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the functional configuration of each device of the workflow management system. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a first sequence diagram illustrating an operation of the workflow management system. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a list screen of application instances. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen for an application instance. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a second sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the workflow management system. [Figure 9] 13 is a diagram illustrating a process of an application instance identification unit. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display of identified application instances. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a third sequence diagram illustrating the processing of the workflow management system. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a first diagram showing an example of a workflow setting screen. [Figure 13] 13 is a diagram illustrating an update of display items on a workflow setting screen. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an analysis of a sample file. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an application instance. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a workflow management system.

[0009] The workflow management system 100 of this embodiment includes a workflow management device 200, a terminal device 300, and a terminal device 400. The workflow management device 200, the terminal device 300, and the terminal device 400 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a network or the like.

[0010] The terminal device 300 is a terminal device that is mainly used by a user who instructs the execution of a workflow for a file to be processed (data to be processed).

[0011] The file to be processed in this embodiment may be, for example, document data or image data. Also, the workflow in this embodiment is a series of processes that combine a plurality of processes (steps). The plurality of processes include, for example, OCR (Optical Character Recognition) processing, document division processing, barcode reading processing, blank page removal processing, etc.

[0012] The terminal device 400 is a terminal device that is mainly used by an administrator who manages workflows. For example, the terminal device 400 is used to set execution conditions for a workflow, set an application instance including a workflow, and so on.

[0013] The execution condition of a workflow is a condition for identifying candidates for an application instance to be executed on an input file to be processed.

[0014] An application instance is a predefined computer program or data structure that is deployed on main memory and made executable, and includes a workflow, setting values ​​that are referenced when executing the workflow, and identification information for identifying the application instance. Note that each application instance may be realized by a different application. For this reason, hereinafter, an application instance may be referred to as an application or an app.

[0015] The workflow management device 200 of this embodiment includes an application instance storage unit 210, a template storage unit 220, and a workflow management unit 230.

[0016] The application instance storage unit 210 stores application instances and workflow execution conditions set in the terminal device 400. The application instances and workflow execution conditions are associated with each other using identification information of the application instance as a key.

[0017] The template storage unit 220 stores various template files (template information) that are referenced when setting execution conditions for a workflow.

[0018] In this embodiment, when a file to be processed is input from the terminal device 300, the workflow management unit 230 analyzes the file to be processed and identifies the execution conditions of the workflow that the file to be processed satisfies. Then, the workflow management unit 230 identifies an application instance associated with the identified execution conditions of the workflow as a candidate application instance to be executed on the input file to be processed, and notifies the terminal device 300 of the identified application instance. The workflow management unit 230 also sets the workflow.

[0019] In this manner, in the present embodiment, it is possible to present candidates for application instances including workflows to be executed on a file to be processed to a user who has input the file to be processed, and therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to cause an appropriate workflow to be executed for the user.

[0020] 1, the terminal device 300 is a user terminal and the terminal device 400 is an administrator terminal, but this is not limited to this. The user terminal and the administrator terminal may be the same terminal device, in which case the terminal device can be a user terminal or an administrator terminal depending on the authority of the user of the terminal device, etc.

[0021] 1, the application instance storage unit 210 and the template storage unit 220 are included in the workflow management device 200, but this is not limiting. A part or the whole of the application instance storage unit 210 and the template storage unit 220 may be provided in an information processing device capable of communicating with the workflow management device 200. Also, in the example of FIG. 1, the workflow management device 200 is one information processing device, but this is not limiting. The functions of the workflow management device 200 may be realized by a plurality of information processing devices.

[0022] Next, a hardware configuration of the workflow management device 200 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the workflow management device.

[0023] The workflow management device 200 of this embodiment is constructed by a computer, and as shown in FIG. 2, is an information processing device equipped with a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, an HD 204, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 205, a display 206, an external device connection I / F (Interface) 208, a network I / F 209, a data bus B, a keyboard 211, a pointing device 212, a DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable) drive 214, and a media I / F 216.

[0024] Among these, the CPU 201 controls the operation of the entire workflow management device 200. The ROM 202 stores programs such as IPL used to drive the CPU 201. The RAM 203 is used as a work area for the CPU 201. The HD 204 stores various data such as programs. The HDD controller 205 controls reading or writing of various data from the HD 204 under the control of the CPU 201. The display 206 displays various information such as a cursor, a menu, a window, a character, or an image. The external device connection I / F 208 is an interface for connecting various external devices. In this case, the external device is, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a printer. The network I / F 209 is an interface for data communication using a communication network. The data bus B is an address bus, a data bus, or the like for electrically connecting each component such as the CPU 201 shown in FIG. 2.

[0025] The keyboard 211 is a type of input means having a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numbers, various instructions, etc. The pointing device 212 is a type of input means for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, etc. The DVD-RW drive 214 controls reading and writing of various data from a DVD-RW 213 as an example of a removable storage medium. Note that the medium is not limited to DVD-RW, and may be a DVD-R, etc. The media I / F 216 controls reading and writing (storing) of data from a recording medium 215 such as a flash memory.

[0026] Next, the application instance storage unit 210 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating the application instance storage unit. In the application instance storage unit 210 of this embodiment, a list 210a of application instances and execution conditions 210b of workflows for each application instance are stored in association with each other.

[0027] The list of application instances 210a and the workflow execution conditions 210b are saved as data in JSON format.

[0028] The application instance list 210a shown in FIG. 3 includes an application instance whose identification information (ID) for identifying the application instance is "797017" and an application instance whose ID is "813022".

[0029] Moreover, the workflow execution condition 210b shown in FIG. 3 includes a workflow execution condition corresponding to the application instance identified by the ID "797017" and a workflow execution condition corresponding to the application instance identified by the ID "813022".

[0030] Here, the execution conditions of the workflow of this embodiment will be described. The execution conditions of the workflow of this embodiment refer to data selected by an administrator from among data extracted from a template file.

[0031] The execution conditions of the workflow may include a URL indicating the storage destination of the template file from which data is extracted. This URL indicates the location in the template storage unit 220 where the template file is saved.

[0032] In this embodiment, when a file to be processed input from terminal device 300 contains data that is set as an execution condition of a workflow, the file to be processed is deemed to satisfy the execution condition of the workflow.

[0033] 3, the execution conditions of the workflow associated with the ID "797017" are "CustomerName" and "Number of pages: 1283." Therefore, in this embodiment, when the file to be processed input from the terminal device 300 includes "CustomerName" and "Number of pages: 1283," the application instance identified by the ID "797017" is identified as a candidate application instance to be executed for the file to be processed.

[0034] Next, the functional configuration of each device included in the workflow management system 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating the functional configuration of each device included in the workflow management system.

[0035] First, a functional configuration of the workflow management device 200 will be described. The workflow management device 200 of this embodiment has an application instance storage unit 210 and a template storage unit 220. These are realized by a storage device such as the HD 204. The workflow management device 200 also includes a workflow management unit 230, an input reception unit 240, an output unit 250, and a communication control unit 260. Each of these units is realized by the CPU 201 reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 202 or the like.

[0036] An application instance and an execution condition of a workflow are associated with each other and stored in the application instance storage unit 210. The application instance storage unit 210 will be described in detail later.

[0037] The template storage unit 220 stores a template file that is referred to when setting the execution conditions of a workflow, etc. The template file may be image data.

[0038] The input receiving unit 240 receives various inputs to the workflow management device 200. Specifically, the input receiving unit 240 may receive an input (upload) of a file to be processed from the terminal device 300. Furthermore, the input receiving unit 240 may receive settings of an application instance in the terminal device 400, settings of workflow execution conditions, and the like. Furthermore, the input receiving unit may receive a template file or a sample file from the terminal device 300. In other words, the input receiving unit 240 is an example of a first input receiving unit, a second input receiving unit, and a third input receiving unit.

[0039] The output unit 250 outputs various information to the terminal device 300 and the terminal device 400. The output unit 250 also outputs information for displaying various screens on the terminal device 300 and the display unit of the terminal device 300. The communication control unit 260 controls communication between the workflow management device 200 and the terminal device 300 and the terminal device 400.

[0040] The workflow management unit 230 of this embodiment includes an execution condition setting unit 270, an application instance identification unit 280, and a workflow setting unit 290, and sets the execution conditions of the workflow, identifies an application instance to be executed for the file to be processed or a recommended application instance, and sets the workflow.

[0041] The execution condition setting unit 270 stores an execution condition of a workflow in the application instance storage unit 210 in response to an operation of the terminal device 400. The application instance identification unit 280 identifies an application instance to be executed corresponding to a file to be processed input from the terminal device 300, or an application instance recommended for the file to be processed. The workflow setting unit 290 sets workflows corresponding to various files.

[0042] The execution condition setting unit 270 includes a template analysis unit 271 and a condition storage unit 272 .

[0043] The template analysis unit 271 analyzes a template file selected in the terminal device 400, and extracts data that is to be candidates for the execution conditions of the workflow. The condition storage unit 272 sets data selected from the candidate data in the terminal device 400 as an execution condition of the workflow, and stores the data in the application instance storage unit 210 in association with an application instance including the workflow.

[0044] The application instance identification unit 280 is an example of an application identification unit, and includes a verification unit 281 and an extraction unit 282. The verification unit 281 verifies whether or not a file to be processed input from the terminal device 300 satisfies the workflow execution conditions for each application instance.

[0045] The extraction unit 282 extracts, as an application instance to be executed on the file to be processed, an application instance associated with an execution condition of a workflow that is completely satisfied by the file to be processed as a result of the verification by the verification unit 281. Furthermore, the extraction unit 282 extracts, as an application instance recommended for the file to be processed, an application instance associated with an execution condition of a workflow that is partially satisfied by the file to be processed as a result of the verification by the verification unit 281.

[0046] The workflow setting unit 290 includes a sample analysis unit 291 and a display control unit 292. The sample analysis unit 291 acquires a sample file used for setting the workflow. In this embodiment, a template file may be used as the sample file. The display control unit 292 controls the display of a setting screen when setting the workflow.

[0047] Next, a description will be given of the functions of the terminal devices 300 and 400. The terminal devices 300 and 400 of this embodiment may have the same functional configuration.

[0048] The terminal devices 300, 400 of this embodiment include input receiving units 330, 430, which each receive input to the terminal devices 300, 400. The terminal devices 300, 400 also include communication control units 340, 440, which each control communication between the terminal devices 300, 400 and the workflow management device 200.

[0049] The terminal devices 300 and 400 include display control units 350 and 450, and the display control units 350 and 450 each control display on a display unit (such as a display) of the terminal devices 300 and 400. The display control units 350 and 450 may be realized by, for example, a Web browser.

[0050] Next, a description will be given of the operation of the workflow management system 100 of this embodiment. First, the operation of the workflow management system 100 when setting the execution conditions of a workflow will be described with reference to Figs.

[0051] Fig. 5 is a first sequence diagram explaining the operation of the workflow management system. In Fig. 5, it is assumed that a list screen of existing application instances stored in the application instance storage unit 210 is displayed on the terminal device 400. When a display request is transmitted from the terminal device 400 to the workflow management device 200, the workflow management device 200 may cause the terminal device 400 to display the list screen of application instances.

[0052] In the workflow management system 100 of this embodiment, the terminal device 400 receives, via the input receiving unit 430, an operation by a workflow administrator or the like to request display of a setting screen for setting workflow execution conditions (step S501). More specifically, the terminal device 400 receives, on a list screen of application instances displayed on the terminal device 400, a selection of an application instance for which workflow execution conditions are to be set.

[0053] Next, the terminal device 400 causes the display control unit 450 to display a setting screen for the selected application instance (step S502). The setting screen for the application instance will be described in detail later.

[0054] Next, when the terminal device 400 accepts the selection of a template file on the setting screen of the application instance (step S503), it acquires the selected template file for the workflow management device 200 (step S504). At this time, the terminal device 400 may cause the display control unit 450 to display the acquired template file on the display unit.

[0055] 5, when the setting screen for the application instance is displayed on the terminal device 400, the template storage unit 220 may be downloaded to the terminal device 400. In this way, the terminal device 400 can obtain the template file selected by the administrator.

[0056] When a template file is selected, the terminal device 400 may transmit a request to acquire the selected template file to the workflow management device 200 and acquire the template file from the workflow management device 200.

[0057] When the terminal device 400 acquires the template file, it transmits a template file analysis request to the workflow management device 200 (step S505). The analysis request includes information for identifying the template file or the area in which the template file is stored. This allows the workflow management device 200 to accept input of the template file.

[0058] When the workflow management device 200 receives this analysis request, the template analysis unit 271 of the execution condition setting unit 270 analyzes the selected template file and extracts data that is to be candidates for the execution conditions of the workflow (step S506).

[0059] Specifically, the template analysis unit 271 of this embodiment analyzes the template file and extracts from the template file, for example, bibliographic data including the template file title, creation date, creator, file extension, etc., image data included in the template file, character strings included in the template file, number of pages, page size, presence or absence of blank pages, number of blank pages and number of pages, presence or absence of barcodes (two-dimensional codes), position data indicating the position of barcodes, number of pages on which barcodes exist, number of barcodes on one page, data resulting from OCR processing, etc. The extracted data is treated as a candidate for the execution condition of the workflow.

[0060] Next, the workflow management device 200 transmits, via the output unit 250, candidates for the execution conditions of the workflow extracted from the template file as the analysis results by the template analysis unit 271 to the terminal device 400 (step S507).

[0061] When the terminal device 400 receives the candidates for the execution conditions of the workflow, the display control unit 450 causes the display unit to display the candidates for the execution conditions of the workflow (step S508).

[0062] Next, the terminal device 400 accepts an operation to set an execution condition of the workflow (step S509), and the display control unit 450 changes the execution condition on the setting screen of the application instance (step S510). Then, the display control unit 450 causes the display unit to display the setting screen of the application instance after the change again (step S511).

[0063] Next, when the input receiving unit 430 receives an operation requesting storage of the execution conditions of the workflow (step S512), the terminal device 400 transmits a request to store the execution conditions of the workflow to the workflow management device 200 (step S513).

[0064] The workflow management device 200 accepts the save request and causes the condition storage unit 272 to save the execution condition of the workflow in the application instance storage unit 210 (step S514). Specifically, the condition storage unit 272 stores the execution condition of the workflow in the template storage unit 220 in association with the selected application instance.

[0065] Next, the workflow management device 200 transmits a notification indicating that the saving of the execution conditions of the workflow has been completed to the terminal device 400 via the output unit 250 (step S515). The terminal device 400 receives this notification and causes the display control unit 450 to display information indicating that the saving of the execution conditions of the workflow has been completed on the display unit (step S516).

[0066] In the workflow management system 100 of this embodiment, the execution conditions of the workflow for each application instance are set in the above manner.

[0067] 5, data to be used as the execution conditions of the workflow is extracted from the data extracted from the template file, but this is not limiting. In this embodiment, all data extracted from the template file may be set as the execution conditions of the workflow.

[0068] An example of the display of the terminal device 400 will be described below with reference to Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a list screen of application instances.

[0069] A screen 410 shown in FIG. 6 is an example of a list screen of application instances displayed on the display unit of the terminal device 400 in step S501 of FIG.

[0070] The screen 410 includes a display area 411, and in the display area 412, a list of icon images corresponding to the application instances stored in the application instance storage unit 210 is displayed.

[0071] Specifically, icon images 412 to 415 are displayed in the display area 411. These icon images may be associated with the application instances stored in the application instance storage unit 210.

[0072] In this embodiment, when an icon image is selected from the list of icon images displayed in the display area 411, the screen 401 transitions to a setting screen for the application instance corresponding to the selected icon image.

[0073] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an application instance setting screen. Screen 420 shown in Fig. 7 is an example of an application instance setting screen when icon image 412 is selected on screen 410 shown in Fig. 6. Screen 420 is displayed on terminal device 400 in step S502 of Fig. 5.

[0074] Screen 420 includes display areas 421, 422, 423, and operation buttons 424. Display area 421 displays a list of template files stored in template storage unit 220. In other words, display area 421 displays information for selecting a template file. In the example of Fig. 6, "invoice_template.pdf" has been selected as the template file.

[0075] Display area 422 displays the template file selected in display area 421. In the example of Fig. 7, display area 422 displays image 422a of "invoice_template.pdf", which is the selected template file.

[0076] Display area 423 displays a list of data extracted from the template file selected in display area 421. In other words, display area 423 displays a list of candidates for workflow execution conditions extracted from the template file.

[0077] In the example in Figure 6, we can see that "CustomerName" is included in the candidates for workflow execution conditions.

[0078] The operation button 424 is an operation button for making a request to the workflow management device 200 to save the execution conditions of the workflow.

[0079] In this embodiment, on screen 420, when data to be set as a workflow execution condition is selected from the list of candidates displayed in display area 423 and operation button 424 is operated, a save request may be sent to the workflow management device 200 with the selected data as the workflow execution condition.

[0080] Next, the operation of the workflow management system 100 when identifying candidates for application instances to be executed on a file to be processed input from the terminal device 300 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0081] 8 is a second sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the workflow management system. In the workflow management system 100 of this embodiment, when the terminal device 300 receives a selection of a file to be processed from a user (step S801), the terminal device 300 acquires the selected file as the file to be processed (step S802).

[0082] Next, the terminal device 300 transmits a verification request for the file to be processed to the workflow management device 200 (step S803). The verification request may include the selected file to be processed. This allows the workflow management device 200 to receive the input of the file to be processed.

[0083] The file to be processed selected in the terminal device 300 may be stored in the terminal device 300, or may be stored in an external device capable of communicating with the terminal device 300. In the present embodiment, the terminal device 300 may be, for example, an image forming device, and the file to be processed may be generated by a user scanning a paper document in the image forming device.

[0084] When the workflow management device 200 receives the file to be processed and the verification request, the verification unit 281 of the application instance identification unit 280 acquires a list of execution conditions of the workflow stored in the application instance storage unit 210 (step S804).

[0085] Next, the application instance identification unit 280 repeats the processes from step S805 to step S808 until the verification unit 281 completes verification of all execution conditions of the workflows included in the list.

[0086] The verification unit 281 acquires an execution condition of one workflow from the list of execution conditions of the workflow (Step S805).

[0087] Next, the verification unit 281 compares the acquired execution conditions of the workflow with the file to be processed (step S806). In other words, the verification unit 281 verifies (determines) whether or not the file to be processed contains data set as the execution conditions of the selected workflow.

[0088] Next, if the verification by the verification unit 281 indicates that the file to be processed contains all of the data set as the execution conditions of the selected workflow, the application instance identification unit 280 causes the extraction unit 282 to extract an application instance corresponding to the execution conditions of the selected workflow as an application instance to be executed on the file to be processed (step S807).

[0089] In other words, if the file to be processed satisfies all of the execution conditions of the selected workflow, the application instance identification unit 280 extracts the application instance corresponding to the execution conditions of the selected workflow as the application instance to be executed on the file to be processed.

[0090] Furthermore, if the verification by the verification unit 281 indicates that the file to be processed contains part of the data set as the execution condition of the selected workflow, the application instance identification unit 280 causes the extraction unit 282 to extract an application instance corresponding to the execution condition of the selected workflow as an application instance to be recommended for the file to be processed (step S808).

[0091] In this manner, in the present embodiment, an application instance to be associated with the file to be processed can be identified by comparing the file to be processed with the execution conditions of the workflow for each application instance. The application instance to be associated with the file to be processed may include either or both of an application instance to be executed on the file to be processed and an application instance recommended for the file to be processed.

[0092] Next, when an application instance to be executed for the file to be processed is specified, the workflow management system 100 performs processing from step S809 to step S815, which will be described later.

[0093] Furthermore, when an application instance to be recommended for the file to be processed is identified, the workflow management system 100 performs processing from step S816 to step S822, which will be described later.

[0094] First, a case where the application instance to be executed is specified will be described. The workflow management device 200 transmits, via the output unit 250, information indicating the application instance to be executed as a result of the specification to the terminal device 300 (step S809).

[0095] When the terminal device 300 needs to prompt the user to confirm the application instance to be executed, the terminal device 300 performs the processes of steps S810 and S811 below. When the terminal device 300 does not need to prompt the user to confirm the application instance to be executed, the terminal device 300 proceeds to step S812, which will be described later.

[0096] Note that the case where the user needs to confirm the application instance to be executed may be a case where a plurality of application instances are identified as the application instance to be executed.

[0097] The terminal device 300 displays a screen on the display unit to allow the user to confirm the identification result (step S810). The terminal device 300 accepts an operation to instruct execution of a workflow (step S811).

[0098] Next, the terminal device 300 transmits a request to execute the application instance to the workflow management device 200 (Step S812).

[0099] Upon receiving the execution request, the workflow management device 200 executes the application instance instructed to be executed on the file to be processed (step S813). Details of the execution of the application instance in step S813 will be described later.

[0100] Next, the workflow management device 200 transmits the execution result of the workflow to the terminal device 300 through the output unit 250 (step S814).

[0101] The terminal device 300 causes the display control unit 350 to display the execution result of the workflow for the file to be processed (step S815).

[0102] Next, a case where a recommended application instance is specified will be described. The workflow management device 200 transmits, via the output unit 250, information indicating the recommended application instance as a result of the specification to the terminal device 300 (step S816).

[0103] The terminal device 300 displays, on the display unit, a screen for prompting the user to confirm the application instance to be recommended (step S817).

[0104] When the terminal device 300 receives an operation to instruct execution of a workflow from among the application instances to be recommended (step S818), the terminal device 300 transmits a workflow execution request to the workflow management device 200 (step S819).

[0105] The processing from step S820 to step S822 is similar to the processing from step S813 to step S815, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0106] If an application instance to be executed for the file to be processed is not specified, the workflow management system 100 of this embodiment performs the following processes in steps S823 and S824.

[0107] The workflow management device 200 transmits to the terminal device 300, as a result of the identification, information indicating that the application instance to be executed and the recommended application instance have not been identified (Step S823).

[0108] The terminal device 300 causes the display control unit 350 to display the verification result received from the workflow management device 200 (step S824).

[0109] The process of step S806 by the application instance identification unit 280 of this embodiment will be further described below with reference to FIG.

[0110] Fig. 9 is a diagram for explaining the processing of the application instance identification unit 280. A description 90 shown in Fig. 9 indicates the result of verification by the application instance identification unit 280 as to whether or not the file to be processed satisfies the execution condition of the workflow.

[0111] In this embodiment, for each piece of data set as an execution condition of the workflow, verification is performed as to whether or not the data is included in the file to be processed.

[0112] Description 91 in FIG. 9 indicates that document image data has been set as an execution condition for the workflow ("disabled": true), and description 92 indicates that the document image data contained in the file to be processed matches the document image data set as the execution condition ("isMatched": true).

[0113] Moreover, description 93 in FIG. 9 indicates that the number of pages is not set in the workflow execution conditions ("disabled": false), and description 94 indicates that the number of pages in the file to be processed matches the number of pages extracted from the template file ("isMatched": true).

[0114] In this embodiment, the data set in the workflow execution conditions is verified one by one as described above, the file to be processed is compared with the data set in the workflow execution conditions, and if all match ("isMatched": true), the file to be processed satisfies all of the workflow execution conditions. In other words, the application instance identification unit 280 identifies the application instance corresponding to this workflow execution condition as the application instance to be executed on the file to be processed.

[0115] In this embodiment, the file to be processed is compared with the data set in the execution conditions of the workflow, and if there is a partial match, the file to be processed is deemed to satisfy a part of the execution conditions of the workflow. In other words, the application instance identification unit 280 identifies the application instance corresponding to the execution conditions of the workflow as the application instance to be recommended for the file to be processed.

[0116] Next, a display example of the terminal device 300 will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of a specified application instance.

[0117] Screen 310 shown in Fig. 10(A) shows a case where one application instance to be executed is identified for the file to be processed. Note that screen 310 may be displayed in step S810 of Fig. 8. Screen 310A shown in Fig. 10(B) shows a case where multiple application instances to be executed are identified for the file to be processed. Screen 310A is displayed in step S810 of Fig. 8.

[0118] The screen 310 includes display areas 311 and 312, and an operation button 314. The display area 311 displays the file name of the selected file to be processed, etc. The display area 312 displays an icon image corresponding to the identified application instance.

[0119] When an operation button 314 on the screen 310 is operated, the terminal device 300 executes a workflow included in an application instance whose icon image is displayed in the display area 312.

[0120] The screen 320 includes display areas 311 and 312A, and an operation button 314A. The display area 312A displays a list of icon images corresponding to a plurality of identified application instances.

[0121] When an icon image is selected in the display area 312A and the operation button 314A is operated, the terminal device 300 executes a workflow indicated by the application instance corresponding to the selected icon image.

[0122] As described above, in this embodiment, a workflow to be executed for a file to be processed or a recommended workflow can be identified, and the user who input the file to be processed can be notified of the identified workflow.

[0123] Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent an incorrect workflow from being executed for a file to be processed, and it is possible to execute an appropriate workflow for a file to be processed. Furthermore, this embodiment can reduce the frequency with which a user inquires of an administrator about which workflow should be executed, thereby reducing the burden on the administrator.

[0124] Next, the operation of the workflow management system 100 when setting a workflow will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0125] A workflow is constructed by an administrator selecting and combining processes required for a file to be processed from all the processes provided. In other words, the administrator sets the processes that are not required to be executed for the file to be processed to be disabled so that the functions are not executed.

[0126] Therefore, in this embodiment, a sample file (sample information), which is an example of a file to be processed, is obtained, and on the workflow setting screen, based on the information extracted from the obtained sample file, processes corresponding to functions that do not meet the display conditions on the workflow setting screen or functions that meet the conditions for not displaying are hidden.

[0127] In this embodiment, by doing so, when the administrator creates a workflow, the administrator does not have to go to the trouble of disabling functions for processes that do not need to be executed on the target file so that they are not executed.

[0128] 11 is a third sequence diagram for explaining the processing of the workflow management system. In the workflow management system 100 of this embodiment, the terminal device 400 accepts an operation to instruct display of a workflow setting screen (step S1101), and causes the display control unit 450 to display the workflow setting screen on the display unit (step S1102). At this time, the terminal device 400 may select a workflow or an application to be set, or may generate a new workflow or application.

[0129] Next, when the terminal device 400 accepts an operation to select a sample file (step S1103), it acquires the selected sample file (step S1104). Next, the terminal device 400 transmits a request to analyze the sample file to the workflow management device 200 (step S1105). Note that this analysis request may include the sample file. This allows the workflow management device 200 to accept the input of the sample file.

[0130] Furthermore, the sample file may be stored in the terminal device 400, or may be stored outside the terminal device 400. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a template file stored in the template storage unit 220 may be selected as the sample file.

[0131] When the workflow management device 200 receives a request to analyze a sample file by the sample analysis unit 291 of the workflow setting unit 290, the workflow management device 200 analyzes the sample file and identifies functions that do not satisfy the conditions for displaying on the setting screen or functions that satisfy the conditions for not displaying based on the information extracted from the sample file (step S1106). The details of the process of step S1106 will be described later.

[0132] Next, the workflow management device 200 transmits the analysis result of the sample file to the terminal device 400 (step S1107). Specifically, the workflow management device 200 transmits, via the display control unit 292 of the workflow setting unit 290, an instruction to the terminal device 400 to hide the process identified in step S1106 on the setting screen. At this time, the workflow management device 200 may transmit to the terminal device 400 function information to be hidden on the setting screen, or may transmit to the terminal device 400 function information to be displayed on the setting screen.

[0133] When the terminal device 400 receives the analysis result, the display control unit 450 updates the items to be displayed on the setting screen (step S1108), and displays the updated setting screen (step S1109).

[0134] Next, a display example of the terminal device 400 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 12 and Fig. 13. Fig. 12 is a first diagram showing an example of a workflow setting screen.

[0135] A screen 121 shown in FIG. 12 may be displayed on the terminal device 400 in step S1102 in FIG.

[0136] The screen 121 includes a display area 122. In the display area 122, the file name of the selected sample file and operation buttons 123 are displayed.

[0137] When the operation button 123 is operated while the file name of the sample file is displayed, the terminal device 400 may transmit a request to the workflow management device 200 to analyze the sample file.

[0138] 13 is a diagram for explaining updating of display items on a workflow setting screen, in which a sample file 130 is acquired containing three pages of document data including blank pages and no barcodes.

[0139] In this case, the sample analysis unit 291, for example, based on information extracted from the sample file, identifies the barcode reading process as a function that does not satisfy the conditions for displaying on the setting screen or as a function that satisfies the conditions for not displaying. In other words, the sample analysis unit 291 determines, as a result of analyzing the sample file, that the sample file does not contain a barcode, and therefore determines that the setting of the function of, for example, the barcode reading process as a process related to a barcode does not need to be included in the workflow setting screen.

[0140] Therefore, the workflow setting unit 290 hides information indicating the barcode reading process, that is, setting items related to the barcode reading process, on the workflow setting screen, or displays them as being unselectable.

[0141] A screen 131 shown in FIG. 13 is an example of a workflow setting screen, and may be displayed on the terminal device 400 in step S1109 of FIG.

[0142] Screen 131 includes display areas 132 and 133. Icon images 132a and 132b are displayed in display area 132, and icon images 133a and 133b are displayed in display area 133.

[0143] The icon image 132a is associated with a document division process, the icon image 132b is associated with a blank page removal process, the icon image 133a is associated with an OCR process, and the icon image 133b is associated with a barcode reading process.

[0144] In other words, in the example of Figure 13, document splitting processing, blank page removal processing, and OCR processing are presented as candidates for processing to be performed on sample file 130, and barcode reading processing, which is determined to be a function that does not meet the conditions for displaying on the settings screen or meets the conditions for not displaying based on the information extracted from sample file 130, is excluded from the candidates.

[0145] 13, the icon image 133b corresponding to the barcode reading process is displayed in a grayed-out manner, so that the administrator, who is the user of the terminal device 400, can recognize that the barcode reading process cannot be selected. Note that the icon image 133b does not have to be displayed in the display area 133.

[0146] In this embodiment, if a process that was determined not to need to be performed on the file to be processed when the workflow was set up later turns out to be a necessary process for the file to be processed, the corresponding process can be manually selected.

[0147] Specifically, for example, when a barcode reading process that is determined to be a function that does not satisfy the conditions for display on the setting screen or that satisfies the conditions for not being displayed on the setting screen based on information extracted from a sample file is selected in display area 135 of screen 134 shown in FIG. 13, icon image 133b associated with the barcode reading process is displayed in a selectable state on the setting screen when the workflow is reconfigured, etc.

[0148] Next, analysis of the sample file will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a diagram for explaining analysis of the sample file. Fig. 14 describes the details of the process in step S1106 in Fig. 11.

[0149] The sample analysis unit 291 of this embodiment sets a condition for hiding information (icon image) corresponding to each process displayed on the workflow setting screen. In other words, the sample analysis unit 291 sets an exclusion condition for excluding each process displayed on the workflow setting screen from candidates for processes to be executed.

[0150] The various processes displayed on the workflow setting screen include all types of processes provided by the workflow management device 200 .

[0151] In this embodiment, when a sample file satisfies an exclusion condition set for each process, the sample analysis unit 291 excludes the process that satisfies the exclusion condition from candidates for the process to be executed. A description 141 shown in FIG. 14 indicates an exclusion condition for each of various processes provided by the workflow management device 200.

[0152] In this embodiment, based on the information extracted from the sample file, functions that do not meet the conditions for display on the setting screen, or performed processes that meet the conditions for not displaying, are displayed on the workflow setting screen in a form different from the candidates for processes to be executed on the sample file.

[0153] In this embodiment, this makes it possible to prevent a workflow including unnecessary processing from being constructed, which contributes to preventing the occurrence of situations such as unnecessary execution of a billable function.

[0154] Next, a description will be given of the execution of an application instance in step S813 in Fig. 8. Fig. 15 is a diagram illustrating an application instance.

[0155] In this embodiment, the functions of one application instance can be executed. An application instance is composed of multiple components, including an IN component, a PROCESS component, and an OUT component. In the following description, a component refers to each process included in a workflow corresponding to the application instance.

[0156] The function of the application instance identification unit 280 described in the above embodiment can also be configured as an application instance. Here, an IN component of the application instance that realizes the function of the application instance identification unit 280 acquires a file to be processed from a user, a PROCESS component identifies one or more application instances, and an OUT component displays and outputs the identified one or more application instances to the user.

[0157] In this embodiment, an application that executes a series of processes can be created as a workflow that combines components that execute each process. This application may be called a workflow application (application instance).

[0158] In the example of FIG. 15, the workflow management system 100 includes a workflow application 1, a workflow application 2, and a workflow application 3.

[0159] Here, examples of components include an IN component that executes processing related to input, generation, and acquisition of data, a PROCESS component that executes specified processing such as data processing and conversion, and an OUT component that executes processing related to data output and transmission.

[0160] Each of the workflow applications 1 to 3 can be made up of a plurality of IN components, a plurality of PROCESS components, and a plurality of OUT components, and one workflow application can also be made up of a plurality of components.

[0161] The IN component includes a process of acquiring data from the device 61. For example, if the device 61 is an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) or a camera, the process includes a process of acquiring electronic data by scanning or photographing an original or a subject. If the device 61 is a projector or a display, the process includes a process of acquiring image data being displayed. If the device 61 is a sensor, the process includes a process of acquiring a detection value of the sensor. If the device 61 is a storage server or a storage medium, the process includes a process of receiving or reading data. The device 61 may be a terminal device 300.

[0162] Furthermore, the IN component may acquire data within the workflow management system 100, or may acquire data from a system 62 or an application 63 external to the workflow management system 100. For example, the IN component can request data managed by a system 62 or an application 63 from a system 62 other than the workflow management system 100 or an application 63 other than the workflow application.

[0163] In response to a request, the application 63 can obtain data managed by the application 63 or data from a server corresponding to the application 63 and send it to the IN component that made the request. Note that the IN component also performs processing to generate data by converting the data format, such as generating text data from image data.

[0164] The OUT component includes a process for outputting data from the device 71. For example, if the device 71 is an MFP, the process includes a process for printing electronic data on a medium, if the device 71 is a projector or a display, the process includes a process for displaying image data or outputting audio, and if the device 71 is a storage server or a storage medium, the process includes a process for transmitting or storing data. In addition, the process executed by the OUT component includes a process for notifying a predetermined destination of data or the result of the process. The device 71 may also be a terminal device 300.

[0165] Furthermore, the OUT component may output data within the workflow management system 100, or may output data to a system 72 separate from the workflow management system 100 or an app 73 separate from the workflow app. For example, the OUT component can request the system 72 or the app 73 to manage the data or the results of the processing in the system 72 or the app 73. In response to the request, the app 73 can manage the received data or the results of the processing, or transmit the data or the results of the processing to be stored in a server corresponding to the app 73.

[0166] As described above, each of the workflow applications 1 to 3 of the present embodiment can realize the following functions by combining a plurality of components.

[0167] The IN component generates image data by scanning an original with an MFP. The PROCESS component converts the image data into numerical or text data by executing character recognition processing on the image data. The OUT component sends the converted data to a business management system, which is an example of another system.

[0168] In addition, in the workflow applications 1 to 3, the PROCESS component may classify data and generate management data. In this case, the OUT component transmits the classification result and management data to the business management system, and the business management system only needs to store the classification result and management data received from the workflow application in a predetermined area.

[0169] The IN component also acquires data managed by the business management system. For example, the IN component acquires setting information, numerical values, text, and other data. Here, the IN component may request the business management system for specific data in accordance with the setting, or may receive specific data managed by the business management system in response to a request from the business management system.

[0170] The PROCESS component generates management data by sorting or processing numerical values ​​or text based on the setting information. The OUT component sends the management data to the business management system. The business management system stores the management data received from the workflow application in a specified area.

[0171] Here, the business management system and the workflow applications 1 to 3 may be provided by different businesses and may be configured by different servers. Therefore, when transmitting or receiving data to or from the business management system, the workflow applications 1 to 3 can transmit or receive data by communicating with the server that configures the business management system.

[0172] Each function of the above-described embodiment can be realized by one or more processing circuits. In this specification, the term "processing circuit" includes a processor programmed to execute each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, and a device such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a DSP (digital signal processor), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), or a conventional circuit module designed to execute each function described above.

[0173] Additionally, the devices described in each embodiment are merely representative of one of multiple computing environments for implementing the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0174] In one embodiment, the workflow manager 200 includes multiple computing devices, such as a server cluster, configured to communicate with each other over any type of communication link, including a network, shared memory, etc., to perform the processes disclosed herein.

[0175] Furthermore, the server cluster implementing the workflow management device 200 can be configured to share the disclosed processing steps in various combinations. For example, the process performed by a given unit can be performed by the server cluster. Similarly, the function of a given unit can be performed by the server cluster.

[0176] In addition, the workflow management device 200 may be any device equipped with a communication function, such as a PJ (Projector), an output device such as digital signage, a HUD (Head Up Display) device, industrial machinery, an imaging device, a sound collection device, medical equipment, network home appliances, an automobile (Connected Car), a notebook PC (Personal Computer), a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a game console, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a digital camera, a wearable PC, or a desktop PC.

[0177] For example, aspects of the present invention are as follows. <1> a first input receiving unit that receives an input of a template file corresponding to the application; an execution condition setting unit that sets an execution condition of the application based on the template file; a second input receiving unit that receives an input of data to be processed; and an application identifying unit that identifies an application that satisfies the execution condition based on the data. <2> an output unit that outputs information indicating the application identified by the application identification unit to a terminal device that is an input source of the data; <1> The information processing device described. <3> The application identification unit When all of the execution conditions are satisfied based on the data, an application corresponding to the execution conditions is identified as an application to be executed on the data. <1> or <2> The information processing device described. <4> The application identification unit identifying an app corresponding to the execution condition as a recommended app for the data when a portion of the execution condition is satisfied based on the data; <1> ~ <3> 13. An information processing device according to claim 12 . <5> the execution condition setting unit sets all or a part of the data extracted from the template file accepted by the first input accepting unit as the execution condition. <1> ~ <4> 13. An information processing device according to claim 12 . <6> A workflow setting unit that sets a workflow to be executed by the application, The workflow setting unit In a setting screen for selecting a plurality of processes included in the workflow, information on some of the processes provided by the information processing device is hidden or displayed in an unselectable state. <1> ~ <5> 13. An information processing device according to claim 12 . <7> a third input receiving unit that receives an input of a sample file; The part of the processes corresponds to a function that does not satisfy a display condition on the setting screen based on the sample file, or a function that satisfies a condition not to be displayed. <6> The information processing device described. <8> An information processing method by an information processing device, comprising: Accepts input of a template file corresponding to the app, Setting an execution condition of the application based on the template file; Accept input of data to be processed, An information processing method comprising: identifying an application that satisfies the execution condition based on the data. <9> Accepts input of a template file corresponding to the app, Setting an execution condition of the application based on the template file; Accept input of data to be processed, An information processing program that causes an information processing device to execute a process of identifying an application that satisfies the execution condition based on the data. <10> An information processing system including an information processing device and a terminal device capable of communicating with the information processing device, The information processing device includes: a first input receiving unit that receives an input of a template file corresponding to the application; an execution condition setting unit that sets an execution condition of the application based on the template file; an input receiving unit that receives an input of data to be processed; an application identifying unit that identifies an application that satisfies the execution condition based on the data; an output unit that outputs information indicating the application identified by the application identifying unit to the terminal device; The terminal device An information processing system further comprising: a display control unit that causes information indicating the specified application to be displayed on a display unit.

[0178] Although the present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the requirements shown in the above embodiments. These requirements can be changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and can be appropriately determined according to the application form. [Explanation of symbols]

[0179] 100 Workflow Management Systems 200 Workflow management device 210 Application instance storage unit 220 Template storage section 230 Workflow Management Department 240 Input Reception Section 250 Output section 260 Communication Control Unit 270 Execution condition setting section 271 Template Parser 272 Condition Storage Section 280 Application instance identification part 281 Verification Department 282 Extraction part 290 Workflow Settings 291 Sample Analysis Department 292 Display control section 300, 400 terminal equipment [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0180] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5697476

Claims

1. a first input receiving unit that receives an input of a template file corresponding to an application; an execution condition setting unit that sets an execution condition of the application based on the template file; a second input receiving unit that receives an input of data to be processed; and an application identifying unit that identifies an application that satisfies the execution condition based on the data.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising an output unit configured to output information indicating the application identified by the application identifying unit to a terminal device that is an input source of the data to be processed.

3. The application identification unit The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein when all of the execution conditions are satisfied based on the data, the application corresponding to the execution conditions is specified as the application to be executed on the data to be processed.

4. The application identification unit The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein, when a part of the execution conditions is satisfied based on the data, an application corresponding to the execution conditions is identified as an application recommended for the data.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the execution condition setting unit sets all or a part of data extracted from the template file accepted by the first input accepting unit as the execution condition.

6. A workflow setting unit that sets a workflow to be executed by the application, The workflow setting unit The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein, on a setting screen for selecting a plurality of processes included in the workflow, information on some of the processes provided by the information processing apparatus is hidden or displayed in an unselectable state.

7. a third input receiving unit that receives an input of a sample file; The information processing apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the partial processing is performed for functions that do not satisfy a display condition on the setting screen based on the sample file, or for functions that satisfy a non-display condition.

8. An information processing method by an information processing device, comprising: Accepts input of a template file corresponding to the app, Setting an execution condition of the application based on the template file; Accept input of data to be processed, An information processing method comprising: identifying an application that satisfies the execution condition based on the data.

9. Accepts input of a template file corresponding to the app, Setting an execution condition of the application based on the template file; Accept input of data to be processed, An information processing program that causes an information processing device to execute a process of identifying an application that satisfies the execution condition based on the data.

10. An information processing system including an information processing device and a terminal device capable of communicating with the information processing device, The information processing device includes: a first input receiving unit that receives an input of a template file corresponding to an application; an execution condition setting unit that sets an execution condition of the application based on the template file; a second input receiving unit that receives an input of data to be processed; an application identifying unit that identifies an application that satisfies the execution condition based on the data; an output unit that outputs information indicating the application identified by the application identifying unit to the terminal device; The terminal device An information processing system further comprising: a display control unit that causes information indicating the specified application to be displayed on a display unit.

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