Document processing system and document processing program

Abstract

To provide a document processing system and a document processing program capable of controlling an available workflow according to a use situation of image processing.SOLUTION: The document processing system comprises a document processing unit which executes specific processing on an input document and executes a workflow of outputting a result of the execution to a specific destination. In a case where there are a residual number of image processing permitted to a user (YES in S182), the document processing unit makes all the workflows associated to the user selectable by the user as workflows to be executed (S183). In a case where there are not a residual number of the image processing permitted to the user (NO in S182), the document processing unit makes only workflows including no image processing among all the workflows associated to the user, selectable by the user as workflows to be executed (S184).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a document processing system and a document processing program that execute a workflow for executing a specific process on an input document and outputting the execution result to a specific destination. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a method for counting the usage history of image processing such as an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) function included in an executed workflow (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-009753 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the conventional techniques have a problem in that the available workflows cannot be controlled according to the usage status of the image processing.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a document processing system and a document processing program that can control available workflows according to the usage status of image processing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The document processing system of the present invention includes a document processing unit that executes a workflow that performs specific processing on an input document and outputs the execution result to a specific destination, and when there are remaining pages for image processing that the user is authorized to perform, the document processing unit allows the user to select all of the workflows associated with the user as the workflows to be executed, and when there are no remaining pages, the document processing unit allows the user to select only those of all the workflows associated with the user that do not include image processing as the workflows to be executed.

[0007] With this configuration, the document processing system of the present invention allows a user to select all workflows associated with the user as the workflows to be executed when the user is authorized and there are remaining pages for image processing, and when the user is authorized and there are no remaining pages for image processing, allows a user to select only workflows that do not include image processing from all workflows associated with the user as the workflows to be executed, thereby making it possible to control the available workflows according to the usage status of image processing.

[0008] In the document processing system of the present invention, the document processing unit may start the workflow selected by the user if the remaining number of sheets is equal to or greater than the number of sheets of the document after the workflow is selected by the user, and the document processing unit may not start the workflow selected by the user if the remaining number of sheets is not equal to or greater than the number of sheets of the document after the workflow is selected by the user.

[0009] With this configuration, the document processing system of the present invention starts the workflow selected by the user if the number of remaining image processing sheets for which the user is authorized after the workflow is selected is equal to or greater than the number of input documents, and does not start the workflow selected by the user if the number of remaining image processing sheets for which the user is authorized after the workflow is selected is not equal to or greater than the number of input documents, thereby making it possible to control the execution of workflows in accordance with the usage status of image processing and the number of input documents.

[0010] In the document processing system of the present invention, the document may be an image read from an original after the workflow is selected by the user.

[0011] In the document processing system of the present invention, the document processing unit may continue the workflow after starting the workflow and before performing the image processing in the workflow if the user's organization is authorized and the number of remaining pages for the image processing is equal to or greater than the number of pages of the document, and may abort the workflow after starting the workflow and before performing the image processing in the workflow if the user's organization is authorized and the number of remaining pages for the image processing is not equal to or greater than the number of pages of the document.

[0012] With this configuration, the document processing system of the present invention continues the workflow after starting it and before performing image processing in the workflow if the number of remaining pages for image processing, which is permitted by the user's organization, is equal to or greater than the number of pages of the input document, and aborts the workflow after starting it and before performing image processing in the workflow if the number of remaining pages for image processing, which is permitted by the user's organization, is not equal to or greater than the number of pages of the input document.This makes it possible to control the execution of the workflow not only in accordance with the user's own usage of image processing, but also in accordance with the usage of image processing by other users who belong to the user's organization.

[0013] In the document processing system of the present invention, the document processing unit may make it impossible for the user to select the workflow to be executed when the user logs in to the document processing system via an image forming device that is not authorized to use the workflow.

[0014] With this configuration, the document processing system of the present invention prevents the user from selecting the workflow to be executed when the user logs in to the document processing system via an image forming device that is not authorized to use the workflow, thereby improving convenience.

[0015] The document processing program of the present invention causes a computer to function as a document processing unit that executes a workflow that performs specific processing on an input document and outputs the execution result to a specific destination, and the document processing unit allows the user to select all of the workflows associated with the user as the workflows to be executed when there are remaining pages for image processing that the user is authorized to perform, and when there are no remaining pages, the document processing unit allows the user to select only those of all the workflows associated with the user that do not include image processing as the workflows to be executed.

[0016] With this configuration, a computer executing the document processing program of the present invention allows a user to select all workflows associated with the user as the workflows to be executed when the user is authorized and there are remaining pages for image processing, and when the user is authorized and there are no remaining pages for image processing, allows a user to select only workflows that do not include image processing from all workflows associated with the user as the workflows to be executed, thereby making it possible to control the available workflows according to the usage status of image processing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] The document processing system and the document processing program of the present invention can control available workflows depending on the usage status of image processing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the document processing system shown in FIG. 1 when configured with one PC. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an organization management table shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user management table illustrated in FIG. 2. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a group management table shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a device management table shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a workflow management table shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 8] 3 is a diagram showing an example of a remaining number management table shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the computer shown in FIG. 1 when configured as a PC. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 when configured as an MFP. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart of the operation of the document processing system shown in FIG. 2 when the remaining number of sheets for which image processing is permitted for a group is updated. [Figure 12] 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the document processing system shown in FIG. 2 when a user logs in via a computer. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart of the operation of the document processing system shown in FIG. 2 when image processing information is set in the workflow management table. [Figure 14]3 is a flowchart of the operation of the document processing system shown in FIG. 2 when a document is uploaded via a computer. [Figure 15] 15 is a flowchart of a workflow selection screen generation process shown in FIG. 14. [Figure 16] 16A is a diagram showing an example of a workflow selection screen generated by the workflow selection screen generation process shown in Fig. 15, which includes all workflows associated with the logged-in user. (b) is a diagram showing an example of a workflow selection screen generated by the workflow selection screen generation process shown in Fig. 15, which does not display workflows that include image processing among the workflows associated with the logged-in user. [Figure 17] 2 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system shown in FIG. 1 when a user logs in to the document processing system via the image forming apparatus. [Figure 18] 2 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system shown in FIG. 1 when a document read by the image forming apparatus is transmitted to the document processing system. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram showing the case where image processing is performed in FIG. 18. [Figure 20] 19 is a flowchart of the workflow specifying process shown in FIG. 18. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] First, the configuration of the system according to this embodiment will be described.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 1, the system 10 includes a document processing system 20 as a web application that executes specific processing on an input document and outputs the execution result to a specific destination. The document processing system 20 may be configured with a single computer such as a PC (Personal Computer), or may be configured with multiple computers. The document processing system 20 runs on the cloud.

[0023] The system 10 includes a computer 40 for using the document processing system 20. The system 10 may include a computer other than the computer 40 that has a similar configuration to the computer 40. The computer 40 may be configured as, for example, a PC, a smartphone, or a tablet. The computer in the system 10 can input a document to the document processing system 20 by uploading the document as electronic data, such as a PDF (Portable Document Format) file or a JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) file, to a web page on an upload screen (hereinafter referred to as the "upload screen") provided by the document processing system 20.

[0024] The system 10 includes an image forming device 50 for using the document processing system 20. The system 10 may include an image forming device other than the image forming device 50 that has a similar configuration to the image forming device 50. The image forming device 50 may be configured, for example, as an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral). The image forming device in the system 10 can input a document to the document processing system 20 by reading an image from a document using a scanner and transmitting the document as the read image to the document processing system 20.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a document processing system 20 configured with one PC.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, the document processing system 20 includes an operation unit 21, which is an operation device such as a keyboard or mouse through which various operations are input; a display unit 22, which is a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that displays various information; a communication unit 23, which is a communication device that communicates with external devices via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet, or directly via a wired or wireless connection without using a network; a memory unit 24, which is a non-volatile memory device such as a semiconductor memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) that stores various information; and a control unit 25 that controls the entire document processing system 20.

[0027] The storage unit 24 can store a document processing program 24a for executing specific processing on a document input to the document processing system 20 and outputting the execution result to a specific destination. The document processing program 24a may be installed in the document processing system 20 during the manufacturing stage of the document processing system 20, or may be additionally installed in the document processing system 20 from an external storage medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, or may be additionally installed in the document processing system 20 from a network.

[0028] The storage unit 24 can store a workflow 24b in which a process to be performed on a document input to the document processing system 20 and a destination to which the results of the process are output are set. The storage unit 24 can also store a workflow other than the workflow 24b that has a similar configuration to the workflow 24b. A workflow can be generated by a user of the document processing system 20. Examples of processes set in a workflow include image processing of a document, naming of a document file based on information extracted from the document by the image processing, and allocation of a document destination based on information extracted from the document by the image processing. Examples of image processing set in a workflow include optical character recognition (OCR) processing to extract characters contained in a document image, background noise removal processing to remove background noise from the document image, tilt correction processing to correct a tilt of the document image, for example, between -5° and 5°, and automatic image rotation processing to automatically rotate the document image in 90° increments. A workflow does not necessarily have to include image processing.

[0029] The storage unit 24 stores an organization management table 24c for managing organizations that use the document processing system 20.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the organization management table 24c.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 3, the organization management table 24c indicates, for each organization, the identification information of the organization (hereinafter referred to as "organization ID"), the number of image forming devices for which the organization is permitted to use the workflow under a license (hereinafter referred to as "number of licenses"), and the monthly number of sheets for which the organization is permitted to use image processing under a license (hereinafter referred to as "number of licenses"). The organization management table 24c shown in Fig. 3 specifically shows only some values. The organization ID is automatically assigned by the document processing system 20 when the organization is registered in the document processing system 20.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the storage unit 24 stores a user management table 24d for managing users.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the user management table 24d.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 4, the user management table 24d indicates, for each user, the user's identification information (hereinafter referred to as "user ID"), organization information indicating the organization to which the user belongs using an organization ID, group information indicating the group to which the user belongs using group identification information (hereinafter referred to as "group ID"), and authority information indicating whether the user is an organization management user who manages the organization or a general user. The user management table 24d shown in Fig. 4 specifically shows only some values. The user ID is automatically assigned by the document processing system 20 when the user is registered in the document processing system 20.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 2, the storage unit 24 stores a group management table 24e for managing groups.

[0036] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the group management table 24e.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 5, the group management table 24e indicates, for each group, the group ID of the group, organization information indicating the organization to which the group belongs using the organization ID, the name of the group (hereinafter referred to as the "group name"), and the number of image processing pages that the group is permitted to perform per month (hereinafter referred to as the "permitted number of pages"). The group management table 24e shown in Fig. 5 specifically shows only some values. The group ID is automatically assigned by the document processing system 20 when a group is registered in the document processing system 20. The permitted number of pages can be set so that the total permitted number of pages of all groups belonging to the organization to which the group belongs is less than the number of licenses for the organization.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 2, the storage unit 24 stores an apparatus management table 24f for managing image forming apparatuses.

[0039] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the device management table 24f.

[0040] 6, the device management table 24f indicates, for each image forming device, the identification information of the image forming device (hereinafter referred to as the "serial number"), organization information indicating the organization to which the image forming device belongs using an organization ID, and workflow usage permission information indicating whether the image forming device is permitted to use the workflow. In the device management table 24f shown in FIG. 6, only some values are specifically shown.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 2, the storage unit 24 stores a workflow management table 24g for managing workflows.

[0042] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the workflow management table 24g.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 7, the workflow management table 24g indicates, for each workflow, the following: workflow identification information (hereinafter referred to as the "workflow ID"), the name of the workflow (hereinafter referred to as the "workflow name"), target organization information indicating the target organization of the workflow using the organization ID, and image processing information indicating whether the workflow includes image processing. The workflow management table 24g shown in FIG. 7 specifically shows only some values. Examples of workflows that include image processing include a workflow that extracts characters from an input document using OCR processing, then generates a searchable PDF file based on the document and characters, and sends the generated searchable PDF file to a specific destination as the processing result. Another workflow that extracts characters from an input document using OCR processing, then generates a Microsoft® Word file based on the characters, and sends the generated file to a specific destination as the processing result. Examples of workflows that do not include image processing include a workflow that sends an input document to a specific destination as the processing result.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 2, the storage unit 24 stores a remaining number management table 24h for managing the remaining number of image processes permitted for a group.

[0045] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the remaining number management table 24h.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 8, the remaining number management table 24h indicates, for each group, the group ID and the remaining number of image processes that the group is permitted to perform. In the remaining number management table 24h shown in Fig. 8, only some values are specifically shown.

[0047] 2 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs and various data, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that serves as a memory used as a work area for the CPU of the control unit 25. The CPU of the control unit 25 executes programs stored in the storage unit 24 or the ROM of the control unit 25.

[0048] By executing the document processing program 24a, the control unit 25 realizes the document processing unit 25a, which executes a workflow that performs specific processing on a document input to the document processing system 20 and outputs the execution result to a specific destination. The document processing unit 25a can generate web pages to be displayed in a web browser (described below). In the following, the display by the web browser is based on the web page data generated by the document processing unit 25a. However, in the following, a detailed explanation of the mechanism for display by the web browser will be omitted.

[0049] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the computer 40 when configured as a PC.

[0050] As shown in Figure 9, computer 40 is equipped with an operation unit 41, which is an operation device such as a keyboard or mouse through which various operations are input, a display unit 42, which is a display device such as an LCD that displays various information, a communication unit 43, which is a communication device that communicates with external devices via a network such as a LAN or the Internet, or directly via a wired or wireless connection without using a network, a memory unit 44, which is a non-volatile memory device such as a semiconductor memory or HDD that stores various information, and a control unit 45 that controls computer 40 as a whole.

[0051] Storage unit 44 can store a program for a web browser (hereinafter referred to as the "web browser program") 44a. Web browser program 44a may be installed on computer 40 during the manufacturing process of computer 40, or may be additionally installed on computer 40 from an external storage medium such as a USB memory, or may be additionally installed on computer 40 from a network.

[0052] The control unit 45 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM that stores programs and various data, and a RAM as memory used as a work area for the CPU of the control unit 45. The CPU of the control unit 45 executes programs stored in the storage unit 44 or the ROM of the control unit 45.

[0053] The control unit 45 executes the web browser program 44a to implement a web browser 45a.

[0054] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus 50 configured as an MFP.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 10, the image forming apparatus 50 is a computer that includes an operation unit 51, which is an operation device such as a button through which various operations are input; a display unit 52, which is a display device such as an LCD that displays various information; a printer 53, which is a printing device that prints images on a recording medium such as paper; a scanner 54, which is a reading device that reads images from a document; a communication unit 55, which is a communication device that communicates with an external device via a network such as a LAN or the Internet, or directly via a wired or wireless connection without using a network; a fax communication unit 56, which is a fax device that communicates with an external facsimile machine (not shown) via a communication line such as a public telephone line; a memory unit 57, which is a non-volatile memory device such as a semiconductor memory or HDD that stores various information; and a control unit 58 that controls the entire image forming apparatus 50.

[0056] The storage unit 57 can store a document processing access program 57a for accessing the document processing system 20. The document processing access program 57a may be installed in the image forming device 50 during the manufacturing stage of the image forming device 50, or may be additionally installed in the image forming device 50 from an external storage medium such as a USB memory, or may be additionally installed in the image forming device 50 from a network.

[0057] Control unit 58 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM that stores programs and various data, and a RAM as memory used as a work area for the CPU of control unit 58. The CPU of control unit 58 executes programs stored in storage unit 57 or the ROM of control unit 58.

[0058] The control unit 58 executes the document processing access program 57a to realize a document processing access unit 58a that accesses the document processing system 20.

[0059] The operation of the system 10 will now be described.

[0060] First, the operation of the document processing system 20 when the remaining number of sheets for which the group is permitted to perform image processing is updated will be described.

[0061] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the operation of the document processing system 20 when the remaining number of sheets for which the group is permitted to perform image processing is updated.

[0062] The document processing unit 25a of the document processing system 20 executes the operation shown in FIG. 11 at the beginning of each month.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 11, the document processing unit 25a targets only one group that has not yet been targeted in the current processing shown in FIG. 11, among the groups shown in the group management table 24e (S101).

[0064] When the processing of S101 is completed, the document processing unit 25a updates the remaining number associated with the group ID of the current target group in the remaining number management table 24h to the permitted number associated with the group ID of the current target group in the group management table 24e (S102).

[0065] When the process of S102 is completed, the document processing unit 25a determines whether or not there is any group that has not yet been processed in the current process shown in FIG. 11 among the groups shown in the group management table 24e (S103).

[0066] If the document processing unit 25a determines in S103 that there is a group that has not yet been processed in the current process shown in FIG. 11 among the groups shown in the group management table 24e, it executes the process of S101.

[0067] If the document processing unit 25a determines in S103 that there is no group that has not yet been processed in the current process shown in FIG. 11 among the groups shown in the group management table 24e, it ends the process shown in FIG.

[0068] Next, the operation of the system 10 when a user uses the document processing system 20 via the computer 40 will be described.

[0069] First, the operation of the document processing system 20 when a user logs in via the computer 40 will be described.

[0070] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the document processing system 20 when a user logs in via the computer 40.

[0071] When a user accesses the document processing system 20 using the web browser 45a of the computer 40, the document processing unit 25a of the document processing system 20 executes the operation shown in FIG.

[0072] 12, the document processing unit 25a transmits to the web browser 45a (S121) web page data of a login screen for the user to log in to the document processing system 20. Therefore, after the user inputs a user ID and password on the login screen displayed by the web browser 45a, the user can issue an instruction on the login screen to log in to the document processing system 20.

[0073] When the process of S121 is completed, the document processor 25a determines whether or not a login instruction to the document processing system 20 has been issued until it determines that a login instruction to the document processing system 20 has been issued (S122).

[0074] When the document processing unit 25a determines in S122 that a login instruction to the document processing system 20 has been issued, it determines whether to permit the user to log in based on the combination of the user ID and password entered on the login screen and the combination of the user ID and password shown in the user management table 24d (S123). Here, the document processing unit 25a determines to permit the user to log in if the combination of the user ID and password entered on the login screen is included in the user management table 24d, and determines not to permit the user to log in if the combination of the user ID and password entered on the login screen is not included in the user management table 24d.

[0075] If the document processing unit 25a determines in S123 that the user's login is not permitted, it includes a message indicating that the user's login is not permitted on the web page (S124), and ends the operation shown in Fig. 12. Therefore, the user can recognize that login is not permitted by checking the display on the web browser 45a.

[0076] If the document processing unit 25a determines in S123 that the user's login is permitted, it includes a message indicating that the user's login is permitted on the web page (S125), and ends the operation shown in Fig. 12. Therefore, the user can recognize that login has been permitted by checking the display on the web browser 45a.

[0077] Next, the operation of the document processing system 20 when the permitted number of sheets is set in the group management table 24e will be described.

[0078] When logged in to the document processing system 20 via a computer, the organization management user can set the permitted number of all groups belonging to the organization to which the organization management user himself / herself belongs via the computer, as long as the total permitted number of all groups belonging to the organization to which the organization management user himself / herself belongs is less than or equal to the license number set in the organization management table 24c for the organization to which the organization management user himself / herself belongs. Therefore, the document processing unit 25a reflects the content set by the organization management user in the permitted number in the group management table 24e.

[0079] Next, the operation of the document processing system 20 when workflow use permission information is set in the device management table 24f will be described.

[0080] When logging in to the document processing system 20 via a computer, the organization management user can set, via the computer, image forming devices that are permitted to use a workflow among the image forming devices set in the device management table 24f for the organization to which the organization management user belongs, within the number of licenses set in the organization management table 24c for the organization to which the organization management user belongs. Therefore, the document processing unit 25a writes "Permitted" to the image forming device that has been set by the organization management user as permitted to use a workflow as the workflow usage permission information associated with the device management table 24f, indicating that the image forming device is permitted to use a workflow, and writes "Not Permitted" to the image forming device that has been set by the organization management user as not permitted to use a workflow as the workflow usage permission information associated with the device management table 24f, indicating that the image forming device is not permitted to use a workflow.

[0081] Next, the operation of the document processing system 20 when image processing information is set in the workflow management table 24g will be described.

[0082] FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the operation of the document processing system 20 when image processing information is set in the workflow management table 24g.

[0083] When an organization management user or a general user logs in to the document processing system 20 via a computer, the organization management user or a general user can generate a workflow on the computer and register the generated workflow in the document processing system 20 via the computer. When the workflow is registered, the document processing unit 25a of the document processing system 20 executes the operation shown in FIG.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 13, the document processing unit 25a determines whether or not a workflow newly registered in the document processing system 20 (hereinafter referred to as a "target workflow" in the description of the operation shown in FIG. 13) includes image processing (S141).

[0085] When the document processing unit 25a determines in S141 that the target workflow includes image processing, it writes "included" indicating that the target workflow includes image processing as image processing information associated with the target workflow in the workflow management table 24g (S142).

[0086] If the document processing unit 25a determines in S141 that the target workflow does not include image processing, it writes "not included" as the image processing information associated with the target workflow in the workflow management table 24g, indicating that the target workflow does not include image processing (S143).

[0087] When the process of S142 or S143 is completed, the document processing unit 25a completes the operation shown in FIG.

[0088] Next, the operation of the document processing system 20 when a document is uploaded via the computer 40 will be described.

[0089] FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the operation of the document processing system 20 when a document is uploaded via the computer 40.

[0090] While logged in to the document processing system 20 via the computer 40, a general user can instruct the document processing system 20 via a web page to start the process of uploading a document to the document processing system 20. When instructed to start the process of uploading a document, the document processing unit 25a of the document processing system 20 executes the operation shown in Fig. 14. In the following description of the operation shown in Figs. 14 and 15, a general user who is logged in to the document processing system 20 via the computer 40 will be referred to as a "logged-in user."

[0091] As shown in FIG. 14, the document processor 25a executes a workflow selection screen generation process for generating a web page of a workflow selection screen for selecting a workflow (S161).

[0092] FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the workflow selection screen generation process shown in FIG.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 15, the document processing unit 25a extracts the workflow associated with the logged-in user, i.e., the workflow associated in the workflow management table 24g with the organization ID associated in the user management table 24d with the user ID of the logged-in user (S181).

[0094] When the processing of S181 is completed, the document processing unit 25a determines whether the remaining number of images for which the group to which the logged-in user belongs is permitted to perform image processing, i.e., whether the remaining number of images associated in the remaining number management table 24h with the group ID associated in the user management table 24d with the user ID of the logged-in user, is one or more (S182).

[0095] If the document processing unit 25a determines in S182 that the number of remaining pages for image processing permitted for the group to which the logged-in user belongs is one or more, it generates web page data for a workflow selection screen 300 (see FIG. 16(a)) that includes all of the workflows extracted in S181, and sends the generated data to the web browser 45a (S183). Therefore, the logged-in user can select a workflow to be executed by the document processing system 20 on the workflow selection screen 300 displayed by the web browser 45a of the computer 40.

[0096] If the document processing unit 25a determines in S182 that the number of remaining pages for image processing permitted for the group to which the logged-in user belongs is less than one, it generates web page data for a workflow selection screen 300 (see FIG. 16(b)) that includes only workflows that are indicated in the workflow management table 24g as not including image processing, from among the workflows extracted in S181, and sends the generated data to the web browser 45a (S184). Therefore, the logged-in user can select a workflow to be executed by the document processing system 20 on the workflow selection screen 300 displayed by the web browser 45a of the computer 40.

[0097] When the process of S183 or S184 ends, the document processing unit 25a ends the workflow selection screen generation process shown in FIG.

[0098] Fig. 16(a) is a diagram showing an example of a workflow selection screen 300 that includes all workflows associated with the logged-in user. Fig. 16(b) is a diagram showing an example of a workflow selection screen 300 that does not display any workflows that include image processing among the workflows associated with the logged-in user.

[0099] The workflow selection screen 300 shown in Fig. 16 includes workflow selection operation sections 301 to 303 for selecting a workflow, one for each workflow. The document processing unit 25a displays the workflow name associated in the workflow management table 24g with the workflow associated with the workflow selection operation section in this workflow selection operation section. From Fig. 16, it can be seen that the workflow associated with workflow selection operation section 301 and the workflow associated with workflow selection operation section 302 include image processing.

[0100] As shown in FIG. 14, when the process of S161 is completed, the document processing unit 25a determines whether or not a workflow has been selected on the workflow selection screen until it determines that a workflow has been selected on the workflow selection screen (S162).

[0101] When document processing unit 25a determines in S162 that a workflow has been selected on the workflow selection screen, it transmits web page data of an upload screen for uploading a document to web browser 45a (S163). Therefore, the logged-in user can register a document on the upload screen displayed by web browser 45a of computer 40 and instruct uploading of this document on the upload screen.

[0102] When the process of S163 ends, the document processing unit 25a determines whether or not a document upload has been instructed on the upload screen until it determines that a document upload has been instructed on the upload screen (S164).

[0103] When the document processing unit 25a determines in S164 that an instruction to upload a document has been given on the upload screen, it acquires the workflow selected on the workflow selection screen and the document registered on the upload screen (S165).

[0104] When the processing of S165 is completed, i.e., when the document upload is completed, the document processing unit 25a determines whether the workflow acquired in S165 (hereinafter referred to as the "target workflow" in the description of the operation shown in FIG. 14) includes image processing based on the workflow management table 24g (S166).

[0105] When the document processing unit 25a determines in S166 that the target workflow includes image processing, it determines whether the remaining number of sheets for image processing permitted for the group to which the logged-in user belongs, i.e., the remaining number of sheets associated in the remaining number management table 24h with the group ID associated in the user management table 24d with the user ID of the logged-in user, is greater than or equal to the number of sheets of the document acquired in S165 (hereinafter referred to as the "target document" in the explanation of the operation shown in Figure 14) (S167).

[0106] If the document processing unit 25a determines in S167 that the remaining number of pages for image processing permitted for the group to which the logged-in user belongs is not equal to or greater than the number of pages of the target document, the document processing unit 25a sends to the web browser 45a data for an error screen web page indicating that the workflow cannot be started because the permitted number of pages for image processing has been exceeded (S168), and terminates the operation shown in Fig. 14. Therefore, the logged-in user can check the error screen displayed by the web browser 45a of the computer 40 and recognize the content of the error.

[0107] If the document processing unit 25a determines in S167 that the remaining number of pages for image processing permitted for the group to which the logged-in user belongs is equal to or greater than the number of pages in the target document, it starts the processing set in the target workflow for the target document (S169).

[0108] When the processing of S169 is completed, the document processing unit 25a determines whether or not it is about to execute the image processing set in the target workflow until it determines that it is about to execute the image processing set in the target workflow (S170).

[0109] When the document processing unit 25a determines in S170 that it is about to execute image processing set in the target workflow, it temporarily suspends the processing set in the target workflow (S171).

[0110] When the processing of S171 is completed, the document processing unit 25a determines whether the remaining number of sheets for image processing permitted for the group to which the logged-in user belongs, i.e., the remaining number of sheets associated in the remaining number management table 24h with the group ID associated in the user management table 24d with the user ID of the logged-in user, is equal to or greater than the number of sheets of the target document (S172).

[0111] If the document processing unit 25a determines in S172 that the remaining number of pages for image processing permitted for the group to which the logged-in user belongs is not equal to or greater than the number of pages of the target document, the document processing unit 25a sends web page data of an error screen indicating that the workflow will be stopped because the permitted number of pages for image processing has been exceeded to the web browser 45a (S173), and terminates the operation shown in Fig. 14. Therefore, the logged-in user can check the error screen displayed by the web browser 45a of the computer 40 and understand the content of the error.

[0112] When the document processing unit 25a determines in S172 that the remaining number of pages of image processing permitted for the group to which the login user belongs is equal to or greater than the number of pages of the target document, the document processing unit 25a resumes the processing that was paused in S171 (S174).

[0113] When the process of S174 is completed, the document processing unit 25a determines whether the execution of the process set in the target workflow has been completed or not (S175) until it determines that the execution of the process set in the target workflow has been completed.

[0114] When the document processing unit 25a determines in S175 that the execution of the processing set in the target workflow has been completed, it reduces the remaining number of sheets for image processing permitted for the group to which the logged-in user belongs, i.e., the remaining number of sheets associated in the remaining number management table 24h with the group ID associated in the user management table 24d with the user ID of the logged-in user, by the number of sheets of the target document (S176).

[0115] If the document processing unit 25a determines in S166 that the target workflow does not include image processing, it executes the processing set in the target workflow on the target document (S177).

[0116] When the processing of S176 or S177 is completed, the document processing unit 25a outputs the execution result of the processing set in the target workflow to the destination set in the target workflow (S178), and ends the operation shown in FIG. 14.

[0117] Next, the operation of the system 10 when a user uses the document processing system 20 via the image forming device 50 will be described.

[0118] First, the operation of the system 10 when a user logs in to the document processing system 20 via the image forming device 50 will be described.

[0119] FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system 10 when a user logs in to the document processing system 20 via the image forming apparatus 50. In FIG.

[0120] A user can activate the document processing access unit 58a of the image forming apparatus 50 via the operation unit 51 of the image forming apparatus 50. When activated, the document processing access unit 58a displays a login screen on the display unit 52 for the user to log in to the document processing system 20, as shown in Fig. 17 (S221). Therefore, after the user inputs a user ID and password on the login screen displayed on the display unit 52, the user can issue an instruction on the login screen to log in to the document processing system 20.

[0121] When the login screen instructs the user to log in to the document processing system 20, the document processing access unit 58a requests the document processing system 20 to log in based on the user ID and password entered on the login screen (S222).

[0122] When the document processing unit 25a of the document processing system 20 receives the request in S222, it determines whether to permit the user to log in based on the combination of the user ID and password included in the request in S222 and the combination of the user ID and password shown in the user management table 24d (S223). Here, the document processing unit 25a determines to permit the user to log in if the combination of the user ID and password included in the request in S222 is included in the user management table 24d, and determines not to permit the user to log in if the combination of the user ID and password included in the request in S222 is not included in the user management table 24d.

[0123] If the document processing unit 25a determines in S223 that the user's login is not permitted, it transmits a notification indicating that the user's login is not permitted to the image forming apparatus 50 (S224).

[0124] When the document processing access unit 58a of the image forming apparatus 50 receives the notification sent in S224, it displays on the display unit 52 that login has not been permitted (S225). Therefore, the user can recognize that login has not been permitted by checking the display on the display unit 52.

[0125] If the document processing unit 25a of the document processing system 20 determines in S223 that the user's login is permitted, it transmits a notification indicating that the user's login is permitted to the image forming apparatus 50 (S226).

[0126] When the document processing access unit 58a of the image forming apparatus 50 receives the notification sent in S226, it displays on the display unit 52 a message indicating that login has been permitted (S227). Therefore, the user can recognize that login has been permitted by checking the display on the display unit 52.

[0127] Next, the operation of the system 10 when a document read by the image forming device 50 is sent to the document processing system 20 will be described.

[0128] Fig. 18 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system 10 when a document read by the image forming device 50 is transmitted to the document processing system 20. Fig. 19 is a sequence diagram with image processing in Fig. 18.

[0129] When a general user is logged in to the document processing system 20 via the image forming device 50, the general user can instruct the image forming device 50 via the operation unit 51 of the image forming device 50 to start the process of transmitting a document read by the image forming device 50 to the document processing system 20. In the following description of the operations shown in Figures 18 to 20, a general user who is logged in to the document processing system 20 via the image forming device 50 will be referred to as a "logged-in user."

[0130] When the document processing access unit 58a of the image forming device 50 is instructed to start the process of sending a document read by the image forming device 50 to the document processing system 20, it requests the document processing system 20 to select a workflow to be included in the workflow selection screen (S261), as shown in Figures 18 and 19.

[0131] Upon receiving the request in S261, the document processing unit 25a of the document processing system 20 executes a workflow specification process to specify the workflows to be included in the workflow selection screen (S262).

[0132] FIG. 20 is a flowchart of the workflow specifying process shown in FIG.

[0133] As shown in FIG. 20, the document processing unit 25a determines whether the image forming device 50 is permitted to use the workflow based on the workflow usage permission information associated with the serial number of the image forming device 50 in the device management table 24f (S281).

[0134] If the document processing unit 25a determines in S281 that the image forming apparatus 50 is not permitted to use the workflow, it determines that there is no workflow to be included in the workflow selection screen (S282).

[0135] When the document processing unit 25a determines in S281 that the image forming device 50 is permitted to use the workflow, it extracts the workflow associated with the logged-in user, i.e., the workflow associated in the workflow management table 24g with the organization ID associated in the user management table 24d with the user ID of the logged-in user (S283).

[0136] When the processing of S283 is completed, the document processing unit 25a determines whether the remaining number of sheets for image processing permitted for the group to which the logged-in user belongs, i.e., the remaining number of sheets associated in the remaining number management table 24h with the group ID associated in the user management table 24d with the user ID of the logged-in user, is one or more (S284).

[0137] If the document processing unit 25a determines in S284 that the remaining number of images for which the group to which the logged-in user belongs is permitted is one or more, it identifies all of the workflows extracted in S283 as workflows to be included in the workflow selection screen (S285).

[0138] If the document processing unit 25a determines in S284 that the number of remaining pages for image processing permitted for the group to which the logged-in user belongs is less than one, it identifies, from the workflows extracted in S283, only those workflows that are indicated in the workflow management table 24g as not including image processing as workflows to be included in the workflow selection screen (S286).

[0139] When the process of S282, S285, or S286 is completed, the document processor 25a ends the workflow specifying process shown in FIG.

[0140] As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, when the workflow identification process in S262 is completed, the document processing unit 25a notifies the image forming apparatus 50 of the workflow identified in the workflow identification process in S262 (S263).

[0141] When the document processing access unit 58a of the image forming apparatus 50 receives the notification in S263, it displays a workflow selection screen including the workflow notified in S263 on the display unit 52 (S264). Therefore, the logged-in user can select a workflow to be executed by the document processing system 20 on the workflow selection screen displayed on the display unit 52.

[0142] After the process of S264 is completed, when a workflow is selected on the workflow selection screen, the document processing access unit 58a displays a scan screen for reading an image from a document on the display unit 52 (S265). Therefore, after placing a document on the scanner 54, the logged-in user can instruct the start of scanning on the scan screen.

[0143] After the process of S265 is completed, when an instruction to start scanning is given on the scan screen, the document processing access unit 58a reads an image from the document using the scanner 54 (S266).

[0144] When the process of S266 is completed, the document processing access unit 58a transmits the workflow selected on the workflow selection screen and the document as an image read in S266 to the document processing system 20 (S267).

[0145] When the document processing unit 25a of the document processing system 20 receives the workflow and document sent in S267, it determines whether the workflow received from the image forming device 50 (hereinafter referred to as the "target workflow" in the description of the operation shown in Figures 18 and 19) includes image processing based on the workflow management table 24g (S268).

[0146] When the document processing unit 25a determines in S268 that the target workflow includes image processing, it determines whether the remaining number of sheets for image processing permitted for the group to which the logged-in user belongs, i.e., the remaining number of sheets associated in the remaining number management table 24h with the group ID associated in the user management table 24d with the user ID of the logged-in user, is greater than or equal to the number of sheets of the document received from the image forming device 50 (hereinafter referred to as the "target document" in the description of the operation shown in Figures 18 and 19) (S269).

[0147] If the document processing unit 25a determines in S269 that the remaining number of pages for image processing permitted for the group to which the logged-in user belongs is not equal to or greater than the number of pages of the target document, it notifies the image forming device 50 that the workflow cannot be started because the number of pages for image processing permitted has been exceeded (S270).

[0148] When the document processing access unit 58a of the image forming apparatus 50 receives the notification in S270, it displays an error screen on the display unit 52 indicating that the workflow cannot be started because the permitted number of sheets for image processing has been exceeded (S271), and ends the operations shown in Figures 18 and 19. Therefore, the logged-in user can check the error screen displayed on the display unit 52 and recognize the content of the error.

[0149] When the document processing unit 25a of the document processing system 20 determines in S269 that the remaining number of pages for image processing permitted for the group to which the logged-in user belongs is equal to or greater than the number of pages of the target document, it starts the processing set in the target workflow for the target document (S272).

[0150] After the process of S272 is completed, if the document processing unit 25a determines that it is about to execute the image processing set in the target workflow, it suspends the processing set in the target workflow (S273).

[0151] When the processing of S273 is completed, the document processing unit 25a determines whether the remaining number of sheets for image processing permitted for the group to which the logged-in user belongs, i.e., the remaining number of sheets associated in the remaining number management table 24h with the group ID associated in the user management table 24d with the user ID of the logged-in user, is equal to or greater than the number of sheets of the target document (S274).

[0152] If the document processing unit 25a determines in S274 that the remaining number of pages for image processing permitted for the group to which the logged-in user belongs is not equal to or greater than the number of pages of the target document, the document processing unit 25a notifies the image forming apparatus 50 that the workflow will be stopped because the permitted number of pages for image processing has been exceeded (S275). Note that in the processing of S275, in addition to notifying the image forming apparatus 50 that the workflow will be stopped because the permitted number of pages for image processing has been exceeded, or instead of notifying the image forming apparatus 50 that the workflow will be stopped because the permitted number of pages for image processing has been exceeded, the document processing unit 25a may perform at least one of notifying the logged-in user by email that the workflow will be stopped because the permitted number of pages for image processing has been exceeded and sending data of a web page of an error screen indicating that the workflow will be stopped because the permitted number of pages for image processing has been exceeded to the web browser 45a of the computer 40.

[0153] When the document processing access unit 58a of the image forming apparatus 50 receives the notification in S275, it displays an error screen on the display unit 52 indicating that the workflow will be stopped because the permitted number of sheets for image processing has been exceeded (S276), and ends the operations shown in Figures 18 and 19. Therefore, the logged-in user can check the error screen displayed on the display unit 52 and recognize the content of the error.

[0154] When the document processing unit 25a of the document processing system 20 determines in S274 that the remaining number of pages for image processing permitted for the group to which the logged-in user belongs is equal to or greater than the number of pages of the target document, it resumes the processing that was paused in S273 (S277).

[0155] After the processing of S277 is completed, when the execution of the processing set in the target workflow is completed, the document processing unit 25a reduces the remaining number of sheets for image processing permitted for the group to which the logged-in user belongs, i.e., the remaining number of sheets associated in the remaining number management table 24h with the group ID associated in the user management table 24d with the user ID of the logged-in user, by the number of sheets of the target document (S278).

[0156] If the document processing unit 25a determines in S268 that the target workflow does not include image processing, it executes the processing set in the target workflow on the target document (S279).

[0157] When the processing of S278 or S279 is completed, that is, when the execution of the processing set in the target workflow is completed, the document processing unit 25a outputs the execution result of the processing set in the target workflow to the destination set in the target workflow (S280), and ends the operation shown in Figures 18 and 19.

[0158] As described above, when the user is authorized and there are remaining pages for image processing (YES in S182 or YES in S284), the document processing system 20 allows the user to select all workflows associated with the user as workflows to be executed (S183 or S285), and when the user is authorized and there are no remaining pages for image processing (NO in S182 or NO in S284), the document processing system 20 allows the user to select only workflows that do not include image processing from all workflows associated with the user as workflows to be executed (S184 or S286), thereby making it possible to control the available workflows according to the usage status of image processing.

[0159] After a workflow is selected by the user, if the number of remaining image processing sheets for which the user is authorized is equal to or greater than the number of input documents (YES in S167, or "the remaining number is equal to or greater than the number of target documents" in S269), the document processing system 20 starts the workflow selected by the user (S169 or S272), and if the number of remaining image processing sheets for which the user is authorized is not equal to or greater than the number of input documents (NO in S167, or "the remaining number is not equal to or greater than the number of target documents" in S269), the document processing system 20 does not start the workflow selected by the user (S168 or S270), thereby controlling the execution of workflows according to the usage status of image processing and the number of input documents.

[0160] After starting the workflow, and before performing image processing in the workflow, if the user's group is authorized and the number of remaining sheets for image processing is equal to or greater than the number of sheets of the input document (YES in S172, or "the number of remaining sheets is equal to or greater than the number of sheets of the target document" in S274), the document processing system 20 continues the workflow (S174 or S277), and after starting the workflow, and before performing image processing in the workflow, if the user's group is authorized and the number of remaining sheets for image processing is not equal to or greater than the number of sheets of the input document (NO in S172, or "the number of remaining sheets is not equal to or greater than the number of sheets of the target document" in S274), the document processing system 20 stops the workflow (S173 or S275).Therefore, it is possible to control the execution of the workflow not only in accordance with the user's own usage of image processing, but also in accordance with the usage of image processing by other users who belong to the group to which the user belongs. Therefore, after starting a workflow, before image processing is performed in the workflow, the document processing system 20 can control the execution of the workflow in accordance with the remaining number of sheets for image processing that is permitted by the group to which the user belongs, even if, for example, the remaining number of sheets for image processing that is permitted by the group to which the user belongs is reduced by another user who belongs to the group to which the user who started the workflow belongs.

[0161] When a user logs in to the document processing system 20 via an image forming device that is not permitted to use the workflow (NO in S281), the document processing system 20 makes it impossible for the user to select the workflow to be executed (S263 and S282), thereby improving convenience.

[0162] In this embodiment, the document processing system 20 prevents a specific workflow from being displayed on the workflow selection screen, thereby making the workflow unselectable by the user as a workflow to be executed. However, other methods may be used to prevent a specific workflow from being selected by the user as a workflow to be executed. For example, the document processing system 20 may prevent a specific workflow from being selected by the user as a workflow to be executed by displaying the specific workflow in an inoperable state, such as by graying it out, on the workflow selection screen. [Explanation of symbols]

[0163] 20 Document Processing System (Computer) 24a Word processing program 24b Workflow 25a Document Processing Unit 50 Image forming device

Claims

1. a document processing unit that executes a workflow for executing a specific process on an input document and outputting the execution result to a specific destination; the document processing unit allows the user to select all of the workflows associated with the user as workflows to be executed when there is a remaining number of pages for image processing that the user is permitted to perform, The document processing system is characterized in that, when there are no remaining sheets, the document processing unit allows the user to select, from all of the workflows associated with the user, only those workflows that do not include image processing as the workflow to be executed.

2. the document processing unit starts the workflow selected by the user when the remaining number of sheets is equal to or greater than the number of sheets of the document after the workflow is selected by the user; 2. The document processing system according to claim 1, wherein the document processing unit does not start the workflow selected by the user if the remaining number of pages is not equal to or greater than the number of pages of the document after the workflow is selected by the user.

3. 3. The document processing system according to claim 2, wherein the document is an image scanned from an original after the workflow is selected by the user.

4. after starting the workflow, and before executing the image processing in the workflow, if the user's affiliation is permitted and the number of remaining pages for the image processing is equal to or greater than the number of pages of the document, the document processing unit continues the workflow, The document processing system according to claim 1, wherein the document processing unit cancels the workflow after starting the workflow and before executing the image processing in the workflow if the remaining number of pages for the image processing for which the destination is permitted is not equal to or greater than the number of pages of the document.

5. The document processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the document processing unit makes the workflow to be executed unselectable by the user when the user logs in to the document processing system via an image forming device that is not authorized to use the workflow.

6. causing a computer to function as a document processing unit that executes a workflow that executes specific processing on an input document and outputs the execution result to a specific destination; the document processing unit allows the user to select all of the workflows associated with the user as workflows to be executed when there is a remaining number of pages for image processing that the user is permitted to perform, a document processing program characterized in that, when there are no remaining sheets, the document processing unit allows the user to select, from all of the workflows associated with the user, only a workflow that does not include image processing as the workflow to be executed.

Images