Document processing system and document processing program

Abstract

To provide a document processing system and a document processing program capable of improving convenience.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. The document processing unit can execute a workflow including image processing and can execute transfer of at least a part of a permitted number that is the number of image processing per month permitted to a belonging group of a user, between two groups (S305 to S306).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 20

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, in conventional technology, when a group to which a user belongs is allowed to perform a certain number of image processes per month, if the number of images processed reaches this number midway through the month, there is a problem in that the workflow including the image processing cannot be executed until the next month.

[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 facilitate the use of a workflow that includes image processing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The document processing system of the present invention comprises 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 is capable of executing the workflow that includes image processing, and the document processing unit is capable of transferring at least a portion of the allowed number of sheets, which is the number of sheets for which image processing is permitted per specific period for the group to which the user belongs, between two of the groups.

[0007] With this configuration, the document processing system of the present invention can transfer at least a portion of the permitted number of sheets, which is the number of sheets that the group to which the user belongs is permitted to process images for each specific period, between two groups, thereby facilitating the use of workflows that include image processing.

[0008] In the document processing system of the present invention, the document processing unit may execute the accommodation in response to an instruction from a specific user.

[0009] With this configuration, the document processing system of the present invention can improve convenience by allowing at least a portion of the permitted number of sheets to be shared between two groups in response to an instruction from a specific user.

[0010] In the document processing system of the present invention, when a request for loan is made by a user who belongs to a loan destination of at least a portion of the permitted number of sheets in one of the two groups that are the subject of the loan, the document processing unit notifies the user who belongs to a loan source of at least a portion of the permitted number of sheets in one of the two groups that are the subject of the loan of the request, and when at least a portion of the loan is approved by the user who belongs to the loan source, the document processing unit may execute the approved portion of the loan.

[0011] With this configuration, when a request for lending at least a portion of the permitted number of sheets between two groups is made by a user belonging to the group to which the loan is being made, the document processing system of the present invention notifies a user belonging to the group from which the loan is being made of this request, and when at least a portion of this lending is approved by a user belonging to the group from which the loan is made, the approved portion of this lending is carried out, so that lending of at least a portion of the permitted number of sheets between two groups can be carried out with the agreement of both the user belonging to the group to which the loan is made and the user belonging to the group from which the loan is made.

[0012] In the document processing system of the present invention, when a deadline for the accommodation is set, the document processing unit may automatically end the accommodation when the deadline is reached.

[0013] With this configuration, when a deadline is set for the sharing of at least a portion of the permitted number of sheets between two groups, the document processing system of the present invention automatically terminates this sharing when this deadline is reached, thereby improving convenience.

[0014] The document processing program of the present invention causes a computer to realize a document processing unit that executes a workflow that performs specific processing on an input document and outputs the execution results to a specific destination, and is characterized in that the document processing unit is capable of executing the workflow that includes image processing, and the document processing unit is capable of transferring at least a portion of the allowed number of sheets, which is the number of sheets for which image processing is permitted per specific period for the group to which the user belongs, between two of the groups.

[0015] With this configuration, a computer executing the document processing program of the present invention can transfer at least a portion of the permitted number of images, which is the number of images that the group to which the user belongs is permitted to process per specific period, between two groups, thereby facilitating the use of workflows that include image processing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] The document processing system and the document processing program of the present invention can facilitate the use of a workflow including image processing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [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] 19 is a flowchart of the workflow specifying process shown in FIG. 18. [Figure 20] 3 is a flowchart of the operation of the document processing system shown in FIG. 2 when the permitted number of sheets is lent by an organization management user. [Figure 21] 21 is a diagram showing an example of a flexibility setting screen displayed in the operation shown in FIG. 20. FIG. [Figure 22] 10 is a flowchart of the operation of the document processing system shown in FIG. 2 when a group management user requests flexibility of the permitted number of sheets. [Figure 23] 23 is a diagram showing an example of a credit request setting screen displayed in the operation shown in FIG. 22. FIG. [Figure 24] 23 is a diagram showing an example of a loan request approval screen displayed in the operation shown in FIG. 22. FIG. [Figure 25] 23 is a diagram showing an example of the body of a loan request email sent by the operation shown in FIG. 22. FIG. [Figure 26] 10 is a flowchart of the operation of the document processing system shown in FIG. 2 when a request for lending of the permitted number of sheets is approved or rejected by a lending source group management user. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of the body of a loan request acceptance email sent by the operation shown in FIG. 26. [Figure 28] 10 is a flowchart of the operation of the document processing system shown in FIG. 2 when terminating the accommodation of the permitted number of sheets. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] First, the configuration of the system according to this embodiment will be described.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a document processing system 20 configured with one PC.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] The storage unit 24 stores an organization management table 24c for managing organizations that use the document processing system 20.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the organization management table 24c.

[0030] 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.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, the storage unit 24 stores a user management table 24d for managing users.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the user management table 24d.

[0033] 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"), authority information indicating whether the user is an organization management user who manages the organization or a general user, the user's name (hereinafter referred to as "user name"), and the user's email address. 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.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the storage unit 24 stores a group management table 24e for managing groups.

[0035] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the group management table 24e.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 5, the group management table 24e includes, for each group, the group ID of the group, organization information indicating the organization to which the group belongs using an organization ID, the name of the group (hereinafter referred to as the "group name"), group management user information indicating the group's administrator (hereinafter referred to as the "group management user") using a user ID, the number of image processing pages the group is permitted to perform per month (hereinafter referred to as the "permitted number"), identification information for lending the permitted number (hereinafter referred to as the "lend ID"), the number of pages by which the permitted number changes due to lending (hereinafter referred to as the "lend number"), and the loan expiration date (hereinafter referred to as the "lend expiration date"). 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 group management user can be set from among the users belonging to the group. The permitted number can be set so that the total permitted number of all groups belonging to the organization to which the group belongs is less than or equal to the number of licenses for the organization. A plurality of loans can be set for each group. A loan ID is automatically assigned to each loan by the document processing system 20.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, the storage unit 24 stores an apparatus management table 24f for managing image forming apparatuses.

[0038] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the device management table 24f.

[0039] 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.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 2, the storage unit 24 stores a workflow management table 24g for managing workflows.

[0041] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the workflow management table 24g.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the remaining number management table 24h.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the computer 40 when configured as a PC.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] The control unit 45 executes the web browser program 44a to implement a web browser 45a.

[0053] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus 50 configured as an MFP.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] The operation of the system 10 will now be described.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] The document processing unit 25a of the document processing system 20 executes the operation shown in FIG. 11 at the beginning of each month.

[0062] 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).

[0063] When the process of S101 is completed, the document processing unit 25a determines whether or not a value exists in the flexible number of sheets associated with the group ID of the current target group in the remaining number management table 24h (S102).

[0064] If the document processing unit 25a determines in S102 that there is no value for the loaned number associated with the group ID of the current target group in the remaining number management table 24h, it 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 (S103).

[0065] When the document processing unit 25a determines in S102 that there is a value for the loan quantity associated with the group ID of the current target group in the remaining quantity management table 24h, it updates the remaining quantity associated with the group ID of the current target group in the remaining quantity management table 24h to the sum of the allowed quantity associated with the group ID of the current target group in the group management table 24e and all the loan quantities associated with the group ID of the current target group in the group management table 24e (S104).

[0066] When the process of S103 or S104 is completed, the document processing unit 25a determines whether or not there is any group among the groups shown in the group management table 24e that has not yet been targeted in the current process shown in Figure 11 (S105).

[0067] If the document processing unit 25a determines in S105 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.

[0068] If the document processing unit 25a determines in S105 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, the document processing unit 25a ends the process shown in FIG.

[0069] Next, the operation of the system 10 when a user uses the document processing system 20 via the computer 40 will be described.

[0070] First, the operation of the document processing system 20 when a user logs in via the computer 40 will be described.

[0071] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the document processing system 20 when a user logs in via the computer 40.

[0072] 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.

[0073] 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.

[0074] 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).

[0075] 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.

[0076] 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.

[0077] 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.

[0078] 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.

[0079] 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.

[0080] 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.

[0081] 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.

[0082] Next, the operation of the document processing system 20 when image processing information is set in the workflow management table 24g will be described.

[0083] 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.

[0084] 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.

[0085] 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).

[0086] 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).

[0087] 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).

[0088] When the process of S142 or S143 is completed, the document processing unit 25a completes the operation shown in FIG.

[0089] Next, the operation of the document processing system 20 when a document is uploaded via the computer 40 will be described.

[0090] FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the operation of the document processing system 20 when a document is uploaded via the computer 40.

[0091] 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."

[0092] 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).

[0093] FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the workflow selection screen generation process shown in FIG.

[0094] 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).

[0095] 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).

[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 one or more, it generates web page data for a workflow selection screen 500 (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 500 displayed by the web browser 45a of the computer 40.

[0097] 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 500 (see FIG. 16(b)) that includes only workflows that are indicated in the workflow management table 24g as not including image processing, out of 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 500 displayed by the web browser 45a of the computer 40.

[0098] When the process of S183 or S184 ends, the document processing unit 25a ends the workflow selection screen generation process shown in FIG.

[0099] Fig. 16(a) is a diagram showing an example of a workflow selection screen 500 that includes all workflows associated with the logged-in user. Fig. 16(b) is a diagram showing an example of a workflow selection screen 500 that does not display any workflows that include image processing among the workflows associated with the logged-in user.

[0100] The workflow selection screen 500 shown in Fig. 16 includes workflow selection operation sections 501 to 503 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 the workflow selection operation section 501 and the workflow associated with the workflow selection operation section 502 include image processing.

[0101] 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).

[0102] 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.

[0103] 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).

[0104] 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).

[0105] When the processing of S165 is completed, i.e., when the document upload is completed, the document processing unit 25a executes the processing set in the workflow (hereinafter referred to as the "target workflow" in the description of the operation shown in FIG. 14) acquired in S165 on the document acquired in S165 (hereinafter referred to as the "target document" in the description of the operation shown in FIG. 14) (S166).

[0106] When the process of S166 ends, the document processing unit 25a determines whether or not the target workflow includes image processing based on the workflow management table 24g (S167).

[0107] If the document processing unit 25a determines in S167 that the target workflow includes image processing, it reduces the remaining number of sheets for image processing that the group to which the logged-in user belongs is permitted to perform, i.e., the remaining number of sheets associated in the remaining number management table 24h with the group ID that is associated in the user management table 24d with the user ID of the logged-in user, by the number of sheets in the target document (S168).

[0108] If the document processing unit 25a determines in S167 that the target workflow does not include image processing, or if the processing of S168 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 (S169), and terminates the operation shown in Figure 14.

[0109] 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.

[0110] 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.

[0111] 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.

[0112] 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.

[0113] 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).

[0114] 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.

[0115] 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).

[0116] 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.

[0117] 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).

[0118] 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.

[0119] 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.

[0120] FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system 10 when a document read by the image forming device 50 is sent to the document processing system 20. In FIG.

[0121] 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 and 19, 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."

[0122] 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 FIG. 18.

[0123] 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).

[0124] FIG. 19 is a flowchart of the workflow specifying process shown in FIG.

[0125] As shown in FIG. 19, 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).

[0126] 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).

[0127] 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).

[0128] 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).

[0129] 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).

[0130] 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).

[0131] When the process of S282, S285, or S286 is completed, the document processor 25a ends the workflow specifying process shown in FIG.

[0132] As shown in FIG. 18, when the workflow identification process in S262 ends, the document processing unit 25a notifies the image forming apparatus 50 of the workflows to be included in the workflow selection screen, which have been identified in the workflow identification process in S262 (S263).

[0133] 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.

[0134] 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.

[0135] 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).

[0136] 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).

[0137] When the document processing unit 25a of the document processing system 20 receives the workflow and document sent in S267, it executes the processing set in the workflow (hereinafter referred to as the "target workflow" in the description of the operation shown in Figure 18) received from the image forming device 50 on the document (hereinafter referred to as the "target document" in the description of the operation shown in Figure 18) received from the image forming device 50 (S268).

[0138] After the processing of S268 is completed, if the target workflow includes image processing, the document processing unit 25a reduces the remaining number of sheets for image processing that the group to which the logged-in user belongs is permitted to perform, i.e., the remaining number of sheets associated in the remaining number management table 24h with the group ID that is 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 (S269).

[0139] Finally, the document processing unit 25a outputs the execution result of the process set in the target workflow to the destination set in the target workflow (S270), and ends the operation shown in FIG.

[0140] Next, the operation of the document processing system 20 when the permitted number of sheets is lent by an organization management user will be described.

[0141] FIG. 20 is a flowchart of the operation of the document processing system 20 when the permitted number of sheets is lent by an organization management user.

[0142] When an organization management user logs in to the document processing system 20 via a computer, the organization management user can instruct the document processing system 20 via a web page to start processing of the allowance number between groups that belong to the organization to which the organization management user himself belongs. When instructed to start processing of the allowance number between groups, the document processing unit 25a of the document processing system 20 executes the operation shown in Fig. 20. In the following description of the operation shown in Fig. 20, the organization management user who logs in to the document processing system 20 via a computer will be referred to as the "login user."

[0143] 20, the document processing unit 25a generates web page data for an accommodation setting screen 510 (see FIG. 21) for setting the accommodation of the permitted number of sheets between groups belonging to the organization to which the logged-in user belongs, and transmits the generated data to the web browser (S301). Therefore, the logged-in user can set the accommodation of the permitted number of sheets between groups on the accommodation setting screen 510 displayed by the web browser of the computer.

[0144] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the accommodation setting screen 510 displayed in the operation shown in FIG.

[0145] The lending setting screen 510 shown in Figure 21 includes a drop-down list 511a which is a widget for selecting the lending source for the allowed number of sheets, a current lending source allowed number display section 511b which displays the allowed number associated with the group selected by drop-down list 511a in the group management table 24e, a current lending source remaining number display section 511c which displays the remaining number associated with the group selected by drop-down list 511a in the remaining number management table 24h, a post-lending destination allowed number display section 511d which displays the number obtained by subtracting the number entered in the spin box 513 described below from the allowed number associated with the group selected by drop-down list 511a in the group management table 24e, and a post-lending source remaining number display section 511e which displays the number obtained by subtracting the number entered in the spin box 513 described below from the remaining number associated with the group selected by drop-down list 511a in the remaining number management table 24h. The document processing unit 25a makes only groups that belong to the organization to which the logged-in user belongs and that have not been selected in a drop-down list 512a (to be described later) selectable in a drop-down list 511a.

[0146] The lending setting screen 510 includes a drop-down list 512a which is a widget for selecting the lending destination of the allowed number of sheets; a current lending destination allowed number display section 512b which displays the allowed number associated with the group selected by the drop-down list 512a in the group management table 24e; a current lending destination remaining number display section 512c which displays the remaining number associated with the group selected by the drop-down list 512a in the remaining number management table 24h; a post-lending lending destination allowed number display section 512d which displays the number obtained by adding the number entered by the spin box 513 described below to the allowed number associated with the group selected by the drop-down list 512a in the group management table 24e; and a post-lending lending destination remaining number display section 512e which displays the number obtained by adding the number entered by the spin box 513 described below to the remaining number associated with the group selected by the drop-down list 512a in the remaining number management table 24h. The document processing unit 25a makes only groups that are not selected in the drop-down list 511a, among groups that belong to the organization to which the login user belongs, selectable in the drop-down list 512a.

[0147] The loan setting screen 510 includes a spin box 513, which is a widget for inputting the loan quantity. The document processing unit 25a allows inputting into the spin box 513 only the quantity within the range of the remaining quantity associated with the group selected by the drop-down list 511a in the remaining quantity management table 24h.

[0148] The loan setting screen 510 includes a radio button 514a, which is a widget for specifying the end of the current month as the loan deadline, a radio button 514b, which is a widget for specifying the end of the month specified by the user as the loan deadline, a radio button 514c, which is a widget for specifying "undecided" as the loan deadline, and a drop-down list 514d, which is a widget for specifying the loan deadline. The document processing unit 25a always keeps only one of the radio buttons 514a to 514c selected.

[0149] The accommodation setting screen 510 includes an execution button 515a, which is a widget for executing the accommodation set on the accommodation setting screen 510, and a cancel button 515b, which is a widget for canceling the accommodation.

[0150] As shown in FIG. 20, when the process of S301 ends, the document processor 25a determines whether the cancel button 515b has been pressed (S302).

[0151] When the document processor 25a determines in S302 that the cancel button 515b has been pressed, it ends the operation shown in FIG.

[0152] If the document processor 25a determines in S302 that the cancel button 515b has not been pressed, it determines whether the execute button 515a has been pressed (S303).

[0153] If the document processing unit 25a determines in S303 that the execute button 515a has not been pressed, it executes the process of S302.

[0154] If the document processing unit 25a determines in S303 that the execute button 515a has been pressed, it assigns a loan ID to the current loan (S304).

[0155] When the process of S304 is completed, the document processing unit 25a additionally writes a combination of the loan ID assigned in S304, the loan quantity input in the spin box 513 at the time the execute button 515a was pressed, and the loan expiration date specified in the radio buttons 514a to 514c and the drop-down list 514d at the time the execute button 515a was pressed, in association with the loan source group and the loan destination group in the group management table 24e (S305). Here, the document processing unit 25a writes the negative number of sheets input in the spin box 513 as the loan quantity for the loan source group.

[0156] When the processing of S305 is completed, the document processing unit 25a updates the remaining number of sheets in the source group and the destination group in the remaining number management table 24h with the remaining number of sheets displayed in the source remaining number display area 511e after lending at the time the execute button 515a was pressed and the remaining number of sheets displayed in the destination remaining number display area 512e after lending at the time the execute button 515a was pressed (S306), and terminates the operation shown in Figure 20.

[0157] Next, the operation of the document processing system 20 when a group management user requests flexibility in the permitted number of sheets will be described.

[0158] FIG. 22 is a flowchart of the operation of the document processing system 20 when a group management user requests flexibility in the permitted number of sheets.

[0159] When a group management user is logged in to the document processing system 20 via a computer, the group management user can instruct the document processing system 20 via a web page to start processing a request from another group for the allowance number of sheets to be loaned to the group to which the group management user himself belongs. When instructed to start processing a request from another group for the allowance number of sheets to be loaned to the group to which the group management user himself belongs, the document processing unit 25a of the document processing system 20 executes the operation shown in Fig. 22. In the following description of the operation shown in Fig. 22, the group management user who is logged in to the document processing system 20 via a computer will be referred to as the "login user."

[0160] 22, the document processing unit 25a generates web page data for an accommodation request setting screen 520 (see FIG. 23) for setting a request for accommodation of the permitted number of sheets from other groups to the group to which the logged-in user belongs, and transmits the generated data to the web browser (S321). Therefore, the logged-in user can set a request for accommodation of the permitted number of sheets on the accommodation request setting screen 520 displayed by the web browser of the computer.

[0161] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of the accommodation request setting screen 520 displayed in the operation shown in FIG.

[0162] The lending request setting screen 520 shown in Figure 23 includes a drop-down list 521a which is a widget for selecting the lending source for the permitted number of sheets, a current lending source permitted number display section 521b which displays the permitted number associated with the group selected by drop-down list 521a in the group management table 24e, a current lending source remaining number display section 521c which displays the remaining number associated with the group selected by drop-down list 521a in the remaining number management table 24h, a post-lending destination permitted number display section 521d which displays the number obtained by subtracting the number entered in the spin box 523 described below from the permitted number associated with the group selected by drop-down list 521a in the group management table 24e, and a post-lending source remaining number display section 521e which displays the number obtained by subtracting the number entered in the spin box 523 described below from the remaining number associated with the group selected by drop-down list 521a in the remaining number management table 24h. The document processing unit 25a allows only groups other than the group to which the logged-in user belongs to be selected from among groups belonging to the organization to which the logged-in user belongs in the drop-down list 521a.

[0163] The lending request setting screen 520 includes a lending destination display section 522a that displays the group to which the logged-in user belongs, a current lending destination allowed number display section 522b that displays the allowed number associated in the group management table 24e with the group displayed in the lending destination display section 522a, a current lending destination remaining number display section 522c that displays the remaining number associated in the remaining number management table 24h with the group displayed in the lending destination display section 522a, a post-lending lending destination allowed number display section 522d that displays the number obtained by adding the number input using the spin box 523 described below to the allowed number associated in the group management table 24e with the group displayed in the lending destination display section 522a, and a post-lending lending destination remaining number display section 522e that displays the number obtained by adding the number input using the spin box 523 described below to the remaining number associated in the remaining number management table 24h with the group displayed in the lending destination display section 522a.

[0164] The loan request setting screen 520 includes a spin box 523, which is a widget for the logged-in user to input the desired loan quantity. The document processing unit 25a allows the user to input into the spin box 523 only the quantity within the range of the remaining quantity associated in the remaining quantity management table 24h with the group selected by the drop-down list 521a.

[0165] The loan request setting screen 520 includes a radio button 524a, which is a widget for specifying the end of this month as the loan deadline desired by the logged-in user, a radio button 524b, which is a widget for specifying the end of the month specified by the logged-in user as the loan deadline desired by the logged-in user, a radio button 524c, which is a widget for specifying "undecided" as the loan deadline desired by the logged-in user, and a drop-down list 524d, which is a widget for specifying the loan deadline. The document processing unit 25a always keeps only one of the radio buttons 524a to 524c selected.

[0166] The accommodation request setting screen 520 includes a request button 525a, which is a widget for requesting the accommodation set on the accommodation request setting screen 520, and a cancel button 525b, which is a widget for canceling the accommodation request.

[0167] As shown in FIG. 22, when the process of S321 ends, the document processor 25a determines whether or not the cancel button 525b has been pressed (S322).

[0168] When the document processor 25a determines in S322 that the cancel button 525b has been pressed, it ends the operation shown in FIG.

[0169] If the document processor 25a determines in S322 that the cancel button 525b has not been pressed, it determines whether the request button 525a has been pressed (S323).

[0170] If the document processor 25a determines in S323 that the request button 525a has not been pressed, it executes the process of S322.

[0171] If the document processing unit 25a determines in S323 that the request button 525a has been pressed, it assigns a loan ID to the current loan (S324).

[0172] When the processing of S324 is completed, the document processing unit 25a generates a web page of the loan request approval screen 530 (see Figure 24) for the loan source group management user selected by the drop-down list 521a at the time the request button 525a was pressed to approve or reject the loan request (S325).

[0173] FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a loan request approval screen 530 displayed in the operation shown in FIG.

[0174] The lending request approval screen 530 shown in FIG. 24 has a lending source display section 531a that displays the lending source group selected by the drop-down list 521a (see FIG. 23) at the time the request button 525a (see FIG. 23) is pressed, a current lending source permitted number display section 531b that displays the permitted number associated in the group management table 24e with the group displayed in the lending source display section 531a, and a current lending source remaining number display section 531b that displays the remaining number associated in the remaining number management table 24h with the group displayed in the lending source display section 531a. It includes an original remaining number display section 531c, a destination allowed number display section 531d after lending that displays the number obtained by subtracting the number inputted by the spin box 534 described below from the allowed number associated with the group displayed in the lending source display section 531a in the group management table 24e, and a source remaining number display section 531e after lending that displays the number obtained by subtracting the number inputted by the spin box 534 described below from the remaining number associated with the group displayed in the lending source display section 531a in the remaining number management table 24h.

[0175] The lending request approval screen 530 includes a lending destination display section 532a that displays the group displayed in the lending destination display section 522a (see FIG. 23), a current lending destination permitted number display section 532b that displays the permitted number associated in the group management table 24e with the group displayed in the lending destination display section 532a, a current lending destination remaining number display section 532c that displays the remaining number associated in the remaining number management table 24h with the group displayed in the lending destination display section 532a, and a lending destination display section 532b that displays the remaining number associated in the remaining number management table 24h with the group displayed in the lending destination display section 532a. 32a in the group management table 24e plus the number input by the spin box 534 described later, and a post-loan destination remaining number display section 532e in the loan destination display section 532a in the group management table 24h plus the number input by the spin box 534 described later.

[0176] The loan request approval screen 530 includes a requested loan number display section 533 that displays the loan number that was input in the spin box 523 (see FIG. 23) at the time the request button 525a (see FIG. 23) was pressed, and a spin box 534 that is a widget for inputting the loan number that the group management user of the loan source is permitted to allow. The document processing section 25a allows only numbers within the range of the number displayed in the requested loan number display section 533 to be input into the spin box 534.

[0177] The loan request approval screen 530 includes a requested loan deadline display section 535 that displays the loan deadline specified by radio buttons 524a to 524c (see FIG. 23) and drop-down list 524d (see FIG. 23) when the request button 525a (see FIG. 23) is pressed, a radio button 536a that is a widget for specifying the end of this month as the loan deadline permitted by the group management user of the loan source, a radio button 536b that is a widget for specifying the end of the month specified by the group management user of the loan source as the loan deadline permitted by the group management user of the loan source, a radio button 536c that is a widget for specifying "undecided" as the loan deadline permitted by the group management user of the loan source, and a drop-down list 536d that is a widget for specifying the loan deadline. The document processing unit 25a always keeps only one of the radio buttons 536a to 536c selected. The document processing unit 25a allows only deadlines within the range of the deadline displayed in the requested loan deadline display unit 535 to be specified using the radio buttons 536a to 536c and the drop-down list 536d. Specifically, when the deadline displayed in the requested loan deadline display unit 535 is "undecided," the document processing unit 25a allows the deadline to be specified using the radio buttons 536a to 536c and the drop-down list 536d. When the deadline displayed in the requested loan deadline display unit 535 is at the end of a month other than the end of the current month, the document processing unit 25a allows a deadline earlier than the deadline displayed in the requested loan deadline display unit 535 to be specified using the radio buttons 536a, 536b and the drop-down list 536d. When the deadline displayed in the requested loan deadline display unit 535 is at the end of the current month, the document processing unit 25a allows the deadline to be specified using only the radio button 536a.

[0178] The loan request approval screen 530 includes an approval button 537a, which is a widget for approving the loan set on the loan request approval screen 530, and a rejection button 537b, which is a widget for rejecting the loan request.

[0179] 22, when the process of S325 is completed, the document processing unit 25a sends an email requesting the loan (hereinafter referred to as "loan request email") set on the loan request setting screen 520 to the email address of the loan source group management user selected in the drop-down list 521a (see FIG. 23) at the time the request button 525a (see FIG. 23) was pressed (S326). Here, the document processing unit 25a specifies, as the email address of the loan source group management user, the email address associated in the user management table 24d with the group management user indicated in the group management user information associated in the group management table 24e with the loan source group selected in the drop-down list 521a at the time the request button 525a was pressed.

[0180] FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of the body of the accommodation request email sent by the operation shown in FIG.

[0181] As shown in Figure 25, the loan request email includes a loan destination display section 541 that displays the loan destination, a loan destination group management user display section 542 that displays the loan destination's group management user, and a URL display section 543 that displays the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the web page of the loan request approval screen 530 (see Figure 24).

[0182] As shown in FIG. 22, when the process of S326 is completed, the document processor 25a completes the operation shown in FIG.

[0183] Next, the operation of the document processing system 20 when a request for lending the permitted number of sheets is approved or rejected by the lending source group management user will be described.

[0184] FIG. 26 is a flowchart of the operation of the document processing system 20 when a request for lending of the permitted number of sheets is approved or rejected by the lending source group management user.

[0185] After receiving the loan request email on a computer, the group management user of the loan source can instruct the computer to access the URL shown in URL display section 533 (see FIG. 25) of the received loan request email. When instructed to access the URL shown in URL display section 533 of the loan request email, the computer accesses this URL using a web browser. When the URL shown in URL display section 533 of the loan request email is accessed by the web browser, document processing section 25a executes the operation shown in FIG. 26.

[0186] As shown in FIG. 26, the document processing unit 25a determines whether the group management user from which the loan is made is logged in to the document processing system 20 via a computer that has accessed the URL indicated in the URL display section 533 of the loan request email using a web browser (S341).

[0187] If the document processing unit 25a determines in S341 that the group management user of the lending source has not logged in to the document processing system 20 via the computer that accessed the URL indicated in the URL display section 533 of the lending request email using a web browser, the document processing unit 25a transmits web page data of a login screen for the user to log in to the document processing system 20 to the web browser (S342). Therefore, the user can enter a user ID and password on the login screen displayed by the web browser, and then issue an instruction on the login screen to log in to the document processing system 20.

[0188] When the process of S342 is completed, the document processor 25a determines whether or not a login to the document processing system 20 has been instructed until it determines that a login to the document processing system 20 has been instructed (S343).

[0189] When the document processing unit 25a determines in S343 that a login to the document processing system 20 has been instructed, it determines whether the user ID entered on the login screen is the user ID of the group management user of the lending source (S344).

[0190] If the document processing unit 25a determines in S344 that the user ID entered on the login screen is the user ID of the group management user of the lending source, 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 (S345). 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.

[0191] If the document processing unit 25a determines in S344 that the user ID entered on the login screen is not the user ID of the group management user of the lending source, or determines in S345 that the user's login is not permitted, the document processing unit 25a includes a message indicating that the user's login is not permitted on the web page (S346), and ends the operation shown in Fig. 26. Therefore, the user can recognize that login is not permitted by checking the display on the web browser.

[0192] If the document processing unit 25a determines in S345 that the user's login is permitted, it includes a message indicating that the user's login is permitted on the web page (S347). Therefore, the user can recognize that login has been permitted by checking the display on the web browser.

[0193] When the document processing unit 25a determines in S341 that the group management user of the lending source is logged in to the document processing system 20 via a computer that has accessed the URL indicated in the URL display section 533 of the lending request email using a web browser, or when the processing of S347 is completed, the document processing unit 25a sends the web page data of the lending request approval screen 530 (see FIG. 24) to the web browser (S348). Therefore, the group management user of the lending source can approve or reject the loan request for the permitted number of sheets on the lending request approval screen 530 displayed by the web browser of the computer. In the following description of the operation shown in FIG. 26, the group management user of the lending source who is logged in to the document processing system 20 via a computer is referred to as the "logged-in user."

[0194] When the process of S348 is completed, the document processor 25a determines whether the reject button 537b has been pressed (S349).

[0195] If the document processing unit 25a determines in S349 that the reject button 537b has been pressed, it sends an email (referred to as a "loan request rejection email") indicating that the loan request set on the loan request setting screen 520 (see Fig. 23) has been rejected to the email address of the group management user of the loan destination (S350), and terminates the operation shown in Fig. 26. Here, the document processing unit 25a identifies the email address associated with the group management user of the loan destination in the user management table 24d as the email address of the group management user of the loan destination.

[0196] If the document processing unit 25a determines in S349 that the reject button 537b has not been pressed, it determines whether the accept button 537a has been pressed (S351).

[0197] If the document processing unit 25a determines in S351 that the accept button 537a has not been pressed, it executes the process of S349.

[0198] When the document processing unit 25a determines in S351 that the accept button 537a has been pressed, it additionally writes a combination of the loan ID assigned in S324, the loan quantity input in the spin box 534 at the time the accept button 537a was pressed, and the loan expiration date specified in the radio buttons 536a to 536c and the drop-down list 536d at the time the accept button 537a was pressed, in association with the loan source group and the loan destination group in the group management table 24e (S352). Here, the document processing unit 25a writes the negative number of sheets input in the spin box 534 as the loan quantity for the loan source group.

[0199] When the processing of S352 is completed, the document processing unit 25a updates the remaining number of sheets in the source group and the destination group in the remaining number management table 24h with the remaining number of sheets that was displayed in the source remaining number display area 531e after lending at the time the approval button 537a was pressed and the remaining number of sheets that was displayed in the destination remaining number display area 531e after lending at the time the approval button 537a was pressed (S353).

[0200] When the process of S353 is completed, the document processing unit 25a sends an email (hereinafter referred to as a "loan request acceptance email") to the email address of the group management user of the loan destination to indicate that at least a part of the loan request set on the loan request setting screen 520 has been accepted (S354). Here, the document processing unit 25a identifies the email address associated with the group management user of the loan destination in the user management table 24d as the email address of the group management user of the loan destination.

[0201] FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of the body of the accommodation request acceptance email sent by the operation shown in FIG.

[0202] As shown in Figure 27, the loan request approval email includes a loan source display section 551 that displays the source of the loan, a loan source group management user display section 552 that displays the source's group management user, a requested loan quantity display section 553 that displays the number of loans requested by the destination group management user, an approved loan quantity display section 554 that displays the number of loans approved by the source group management user, a requested loan deadline display section 555 that displays the loan deadline requested by the destination group management user, and an approved loan deadline display section 556 that displays the loan deadline approved by the source group management user.

[0203] As shown in FIG. 26, when the process of S354 is completed, the document processing unit 25a completes the operation shown in FIG.

[0204] Next, the operation of the document processing system 20 when the end of lending of the permitted number of sheets is instructed by the group management user of the lending destination will be described.

[0205] When the group management user of the loan destination logs in to the document processing system 20 via a computer, the group management user can instruct the document processing system 20 via a web page to end the loan of the permitted number of sheets from other groups to the group to which the group management user himself belongs. Here, the group management user of the loan destination specifies the loan to be ended using the loan ID. When the document processing unit 25a of the document processing system 20 is instructed to end the loan of the permitted number of sheets from other groups to the group to which the group management user of the loan destination belongs, the document processing unit 25a sets the values of all loan expiration dates associated with the loan IDs of the loans to be ended in the group management table 24e to the end of the current month.

[0206] In the above, when the group management user of the loan destination is instructed to end the loan of the permitted number of sheets from the loan source to the loan destination, the document processing system 20 sets all of the loan deadline values associated with this loan in the group management table 24e to the last date of the current month. However, when the organization management user is instructed to end the loan of the permitted number of sheets from the loan source to the loan destination, the document processing system 20 may also set all of the loan deadline values associated with this loan in the group management table 24e to the last date of the current month, or when the group management user of the loan source is instructed to end the loan of the permitted number of sheets from the loan source to the loan destination, the document processing system 20 may also set all of the loan deadline values associated with this loan in the group management table 24e to the last date of the current month.

[0207] Next, the operation of the document processing system 20 when terminating the lending of the permitted number of sheets will be described.

[0208] FIG. 28 is a flowchart of the operation of the document processing system 20 when terminating the accommodation of the permitted number of sheets.

[0209] The document processing unit 25a of the document processing system 20 executes the operation shown in FIG. 28 at the end of each month.

[0210] As shown in FIG. 28, the document processor 25a identifies all loans in the group management table 24e whose loan expiration date is today (S381).

[0211] Next, the document processing unit 25a deletes the values of the accommodation ID, accommodation number, and accommodation term of all accommodations identified in S381 from the group management table 24e (S382), and ends the operation shown in FIG.

[0212] As described above, the document processing system 20 can transfer at least a portion of the permitted number of images that the group to which the user belongs is permitted to process per month between two groups (S305-S306 or S352-S353), thereby facilitating the use of workflows that include image processing.

[0213] The document processing system 20 allows at least a portion of the permitted number of sheets to be shared between the two groups in response to an instruction from a specific user, that is, an organization management user (S305 to S306), thereby improving convenience.

[0214] When a request for the transfer of at least a portion of the permitted number of sheets between two groups is made by a user belonging to the group to which the sheets are being transferred (YES in S323), the document processing system 20 notifies the user belonging to the group from which the sheets are being transferred of this request (S325-S326), and when at least a portion of this transfer is approved by the user belonging to the group from which the sheets are being transferred (YES in S351), the document processing system 20 executes the approved portion of this transfer (S352-S353), thereby enabling the transfer of at least a portion of the permitted number of sheets between two groups to be executed with the mutual agreement of the user belonging to the group to which the sheets are being transferred and the user belonging to the group from which the sheets are being transferred.

[0215] When a deadline is set for the sharing of at least a portion of the permitted number of sheets between two groups (S305 or S352), the document processing system 20 automatically ends the sharing when the deadline is reached (S381 to S382), thereby improving convenience. [Explanation of symbols]

[0216] 20 Document Processing System (Computer) 24a Word processing program 24b Workflow 25a Document Processing Unit

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 is capable of executing the workflow including image processing; A document processing system characterized in that the document processing unit is capable of exchanging at least a portion of the allowed number of sheets, which is the number of sheets of image processing per specific period that the group to which the user belongs is permitted to process, between two of the groups.

2. 2. The document processing system according to claim 1, wherein the document processing unit executes the accommodation in response to an instruction from a specific user.

3. When the loan request is executed by the user who belongs to a loan destination of at least a part of the permitted number of sheets in one of the two groups that are the object of the loan, the document processing unit notifies the user who belongs to a loan source of at least a part of the permitted number of sheets in one of the two groups that are the object of the loan of the request, The document processing system of claim 1, characterized in that the document processing unit executes the approved part of the loan when at least a part of the loan is approved by the user belonging to the loan source.

4. 2. The document processing system according to claim 1, wherein, when a deadline for the loan is set, the document processing unit automatically ends the loan when the deadline is reached.

5. A document processing unit is implemented in a computer to execute a workflow that executes specific processing on an input document and outputs the execution result to a specific destination; the document processing unit is capable of executing the workflow including image processing; A document processing program characterized in that the document processing unit is capable of transferring at least a portion of the permitted number of sheets, which is the number of sheets of image processing permitted per specific period for the group to which the user belongs, between two of the groups.

Images