Setting screen control system, setting screen control device and setting screen control program

Abstract

To provide a setting screen control system, a setting screen control device, and a setting screen control program that enable a user to visually recognize at least one of setting items that become settable by switching a contract plan and setting items that become unsettable by switching a contract plan. [Solution] The image processing system includes an image processing unit that displays a workflow setting screen 900 on a user terminal for accepting settings for each setting item, and the image processing unit is capable of accepting instructions to switch between the workflow setting screen 900 for a first plan and the workflow setting screen 900 for a second plan, and the image processing unit displays, on the workflow setting screen 900 for the first plan, images 911 to 918 that are separate from the specific item itself, to indicate that a specific setting item among the setting items can be set in the first plan but cannot be set in the second plan.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a setting screen control system, a setting screen control device, and a setting screen control program that cause an electronic device to display a setting screen for accepting settings for each setting item. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, as a method for changing the setting items displayed on an electronic device depending on the contract plan, a method is known in which whether the setting items on a portable information terminal are valid or invalid is determined based on the contents of the contract with the business operator, and only the setting items determined to be valid are displayed on the portable information terminal (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-109713 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the conventional method has a problem in that it is not possible to allow the user to visually recognize which setting items have been enabled or disabled according to the contract details.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a setting screen control system, a setting screen control device, and a setting screen control program that allow a user to visually recognize at least one of the setting items that become configurable by switching contract plans and the setting items that become unconfigurable by switching contract plans. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The setting screen control system of the present invention includes a setting screen control unit that causes an electronic device to display a setting screen for accepting settings for each setting item, and the setting screen control unit is capable of accepting instructions to switch between the setting screen for a first contract plan and the setting screen for a second contract plan, and the setting screen control unit displays on at least one of the setting screen for the first contract plan and the setting screen for the second contract plan that a specific item as a specific setting item among the setting items can be set in the first contract plan but cannot be set in the second contract plan.

[0007] With this configuration, the setting screen control system of the present invention displays on at least one of the setting screens for the first contract plan and the second contract plan that a specific setting item can be set under the first contract plan but cannot be set under the second contract plan, thereby allowing the user to visually see at least one of the setting items that can be set by switching contract plans and the setting items that cannot be set by switching contract plans.

[0008] In the setting screen control system of the present invention, the setting screen control unit may display the fact that the specific item can be set in the first contract plan but cannot be set in the second contract plan by displaying the specific item itself on at least one of the setting screen for the first contract plan and the setting screen for the second contract plan.

[0009] With this configuration, the setting screen control system of the present invention displays the fact that a specific setting item can be set in the first contract plan but cannot be set in the second contract plan by displaying the specific setting item itself on at least one of the setting screen for the first contract plan and the setting screen for the second contract plan, thereby improving the visibility of the display that a specific setting item can be set in the first contract plan but cannot be set in the second contract plan.

[0010] In the setting screen control system of the present invention, the setting screen control unit may display, on at least one of the setting screen for the first contract plan and the setting screen for the second contract plan, an image other than the specific item itself, to indicate that the specific item can be set in the first contract plan but cannot be set in the second contract plan.

[0011] With this configuration, the setting screen control system of the present invention displays, on at least one of the setting screen for the first contract plan and the setting screen for the second contract plan, an image separate from the specific setting item itself, indicating that the specific setting item can be set in the first contract plan but cannot be set in the second contract plan, thereby improving the visibility of the display that the specific setting item can be set in the first contract plan but cannot be set in the second contract plan.

[0012] In the setting screen control system of the present invention, the setting screen control unit may display on the setting screen for the second contract plan that the specific item can be set in the first contract plan but cannot be set in the second contract plan, and when the display that the specific item can be set in the first contract plan but cannot be set in the second contract plan is operated on the setting screen for the second contract plan, the setting screen control unit may switch the setting screen to be displayed on the electronic device from the setting screen for the second contract plan to the setting screen for the first contract plan.

[0013] With this configuration, the setting screen control system of the present invention switches the setting screen displayed on the electronic device from the setting screen for the second contract plan to the setting screen for the first contract plan when a display indicating that a specific setting item can be set under the first contract plan but cannot be set under the second contract plan is operated on the setting screen for the second contract plan, thereby improving convenience.

[0014] The setting screen control device of the present invention includes a setting screen control unit that causes an electronic device to display a setting screen for accepting settings for each setting item, and the setting screen control unit is capable of accepting instructions to switch between the setting screen for a first contract plan and the setting screen for a second contract plan, and the setting screen control unit displays on at least one of the setting screen for the first contract plan and the setting screen for the second contract plan that a specific item as a specific setting item among the setting items can be set in the first contract plan but cannot be set in the second contract plan.

[0015] With this configuration, the setting screen control device of the present invention displays on at least one of the setting screens for the first contract plan and the second contract plan that a specific setting item can be set in the first contract plan but cannot be set in the second contract plan, thereby allowing the user to visually see at least one of the setting items that can be set by switching contract plans and the setting items that cannot be set by switching contract plans.

[0016] The setting screen control program of the present invention causes a computer to realize a setting screen control unit that causes an electronic device to display a setting screen for accepting settings for each setting item, and the setting screen control unit is capable of accepting instructions to switch between the setting screen for a first contract plan and the setting screen for a second contract plan, and the setting screen control unit displays on at least one of the setting screen for the first contract plan and the setting screen for the second contract plan that a specific item as a specific setting item among the setting items can be set in the first contract plan but cannot be set in the second contract plan.

[0017] With this configuration, a computer executing the setting screen control program of the present invention displays on at least one of the setting screens for the first contract plan and the second contract plan that a specific setting item can be set under the first contract plan but cannot be set under the second contract plan, thereby allowing the user to visually see at least one of the setting items that can be set by switching contract plans and the setting items that cannot be set by switching contract plans. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] The setting screen control system, setting screen control device, and setting screen control program of the present invention allow the user to visually confirm at least one of the setting items that become configurable by switching contract plans and the setting items that become unconfigurable by switching contract plans. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of an example of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example of the image processing system shown in FIG. 1 when configured with one computer. [Figure 3] 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of tenant management information illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of user management information shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 5] 3 is a diagram showing an example of device management information shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of workflow management information shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 7] 3 is a diagram showing an example of OCR sheet number management information shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 8] 2 is a block diagram of an example of the image reading device shown in FIG. 1 when configured as an MFP. [Figure 9] 2 is a block diagram of an example of the user terminal shown in FIG. 1 when configured as a PC. [Figure 10] 2 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system shown in FIG. 1 when a user logs in to the image processing system via a user terminal. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system shown in FIG. 1 when an administrator sets a workflow via a user terminal. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a workflow setting screen for an NFR plan displayed in the operation shown in FIG. 11. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the workflow setting screen shown in FIG. 12 in a state where a list of file formats that can be selected by multi-select is displayed when the toggle switch is set to not enable the second plan mode. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the workflow setting screen shown in FIG. 12 in a state where enabling the mode of the second plan is specified by a toggle switch. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the workflow setting screen shown in FIG. 12 in a state where a list of file formats that can be selected by multi-select is displayed when the toggle switch is set to enable the second plan mode. [Figure 16] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a workflow setting screen for a first plan displayed in the operation shown in FIG. 11. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the workflow setting screen shown in FIG. 16 in a state where a list of file formats that can be selected by multi-select is displayed. [Figure 18] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a workflow setting screen for a second plan displayed in the operation shown in FIG. 11. [Figure 19] This figure shows an example of the workflow setting screen shown in Figure 18 in a state where a list of file formats that can be selected by multi-select is displayed when the toggle switch is set to not enable the first plan mode. [Figure 20]FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the workflow setting screen shown in FIG. 18 in a state where enabling the mode of the first plan is specified by a toggle switch. [Figure 21] This figure shows an example of the workflow setting screen shown in Figure 18 in a state where a list of file formats that can be selected by multi-select is displayed when enabling the first plan mode is specified by a toggle switch. [Figure 22] 2 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system shown in FIG. 1 when a user logs in to the image processing system via an image reading device. [Figure 23] 2 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system shown in FIG. 1 when the image processing system executes a workflow in response to an instruction via an image reading device. [Figure 24] 3 is a flowchart of a part of the operation of the image processing system shown in FIG. 2 when a workflow execution process is executed. [Figure 25] 25 is a flowchart continuing the operation shown in FIG. 24. [Figure 26] 19 is a diagram showing an example of a workflow setting screen for a second plan, which is displayed in the operation shown in FIG. 11, different from the example shown in FIG. 18. FIG. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of the workflow setting screen shown in FIG. 26 in a state where a list of file formats that can be selected by multi-select is displayed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0021] First, the configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example of a system 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 1, the system 10 includes an image processing system 20 that executes a workflow for processing images. The image processing system 20 may be configured with a single computer such as a PC (Personal Computer), or may be configured with multiple computers. The image processing system 20 may also be configured on the cloud.

[0024] The system 10 includes an image reading device 30 that reads an image from a document. The system 10 may also include at least one other image reading device having a similar configuration to the image reading device 30. The image reading device may be, for example, a dedicated scanner or an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral).

[0025] The system 10 includes a user terminal 40 as an electronic device used by a user. The system 10 may also include at least one other user terminal having a similar configuration to the user terminal 40. The user terminal may be configured as, for example, a PC, a tablet, a smartphone, or the like.

[0026] Users of the system 10 include, for example, users belonging to organizations such as sales companies and dealers that sell the services provided by the image processing system 20 (hereinafter referred to as "sellers"), and users belonging to organizations that use the services provided by the image processing system 20 (hereinafter referred to as "customers").

[0027] The plans that customers can sign up for to use the services provided by the image processing system 20 include, for example, a first plan, which is a first contract plan that offers a wide range of functions, and a second plan, which is a lower-level plan than the first plan and is a second contract plan that offers more limited functions than the first plan.

[0028] As a plan that a distributor may subscribe to, for example, there is an NFR (Not For Resale) plan, which is a contract plan for a demo environment that is constructed to explain the services provided by the image processing system 20 to customers.

[0029] The image processing system 20 and the image reading device can communicate with each other via a network 11 such as the Internet. The image processing system 20 and the user terminal can communicate with each other via the network 11.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example of an image processing system 20 configured with one computer.

[0031] As shown in Figure 2, the image 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 image processing system 20.

[0032] The storage unit 24 can store an image processing program 24a for executing a workflow for processing an image. The image processing program 24a may be installed in the image processing system 20 during the manufacturing stage of the image processing system 20, or may be additionally installed in the image processing system 20 from an external storage medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, or may be additionally installed in the image processing system 20 from a network.

[0033] The storage unit 24 can store an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) program (hereinafter referred to as the "first OCR program") 24b. The first OCR program 24b may be installed in the image processing system 20 during the manufacturing stage of the image processing system 20, or may be additionally installed in the image processing system 20 from an external storage medium such as a USB memory, or may be additionally installed in the image processing system 20 from a network.

[0034] The storage unit 24 can store an OCR program (hereinafter referred to as the "second OCR program") 24c having lower performance than the first OCR program 24b. The second OCR program 24c may be installed in the image processing system 20 during the manufacturing stage of the image processing system 20, or may be additionally installed in the image processing system 20 from an external storage medium such as a USB memory, or may be additionally installed in the image processing system 20 from a network.

[0035] The storage unit 24 can store tenant management information 24d for managing tenants of the system 10.

[0036] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the tenant management information 24d.

[0037] The tenant management information 24d shown in Fig. 3 stores, for each tenant, a tenant ID as identification information for the tenant, the type of tenant (hereinafter referred to as "tenant type"), and the type of plan subscribed to by the tenant (hereinafter referred to as "plan type"). The tenant management information 24d shown in Fig. 3 is illustrated with some information omitted. Tenant types include, for example, distributor tenants and customer tenants.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 2, the storage unit 24 can store user management information 24e for managing users of the system 10.

[0039] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the user management information 24e.

[0040] The user management information 24e shown in Fig. 4 stores, for each user, a user ID as user identification information, a user password, the tenant ID of the tenant to which the user belongs, and the type of user (hereinafter referred to as "user type"). The user management information 24e shown in Fig. 4 is illustrated with some information omitted. User types include, for example, general users and administrators who manage general users.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 2, the storage unit 24 can store device management information 24f for managing the image reading devices of the system 10.

[0042] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the device management information 24f.

[0043] 5 stores, for each image reading device, a device ID as identification information for the image reading device and the tenant ID of the tenant to which the device belongs. The device management information 24f shown in FIG. 5 is illustrated with some information omitted.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 2, the storage unit 24 can store workflow management information 24g for managing the workflow of processing for images.

[0045] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the workflow management information 24g.

[0046] 6 stores, for each workflow, a workflow ID as identification information for the workflow, the tenant ID of the tenant with which the workflow is associated, the type of workflow (hereinafter referred to as the "workflow type"), the name of the workflow (hereinafter referred to as the "workflow name"), the document output destination, the file format of the output document (hereinafter referred to as the "output file format"), the PDF / A type (hereinafter referred to as the "PDF / A type"), page orientation correction information as information indicating whether page orientation correction, which automatically rotates images to an appropriate orientation, is performed as preprocessing for the images, and tilt correction information as information indicating whether tilt correction, which corrects distortion or tilt of the images, is performed as preprocessing for the images. Some information is omitted from the workflow management information 24g shown in FIG.

[0047] As the workflow types, for example, there are a workflow for the first plan and a workflow for the second plan.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 2, the storage unit 24 can store OCR sheet number management information 24h for managing the number of sheets on which OCR has been performed.

[0049] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the OCR sheet number management information 24h.

[0050] The OCR sheet count management information 24h shown in Figure 7 stores, for each combination of tenant and counting year and month, the tenant ID of the tenant, the year and month of counting the number of sheets on which OCR was performed (hereinafter referred to as the "counting year and month"), the first OCR sheet count indicating the number of sheets on which OCR was performed using the first OCR program 24b, and the second OCR sheet count indicating the number of sheets on which OCR was performed using the second OCR program 24c. The OCR sheet count management information 24h shown in Figure 7 is drawn with some information omitted.

[0051] The provider of the image processing system 20 can charge the tenant according to the number of first OCR sheets and the number of second OCR sheets. The unit price for the first OCR sheet count and the unit price for the second OCR sheet count may be different. For example, the unit price for the first OCR sheet count may be higher than the unit price for the second OCR sheet count. For example, the unit price for the second OCR sheet count may be 0 yen.

[0052] 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.

[0053] The control unit 25 executes the image processing program 24a to realize an image processing unit 25a that executes a workflow for processing an image. The image processing unit 25a constitutes a setting screen control unit that displays a workflow setting screen (hereinafter referred to as the "workflow setting screen") on a user terminal. In other words, the image processing system 20 constitutes a setting screen control system.

[0054] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an example of the image reading device 30 when configured as an MFP.

[0055] As shown in Figure 8, the image reading device 30 is a computer that includes an operation unit 31, which is an operation device such as a button through which various operations are input; a display unit 32, which is a display device such as an LCD that displays various information; a printer 33, which is a printing device that prints images on a recording medium such as paper; a scanner 34, which is a reading device that reads images from a document; a communication unit 35, 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 36, which is a fax device that communicates with an external facsimile device (not shown) via a communication line such as a public telephone line; a memory unit 37, which is a non-volatile memory device such as a semiconductor memory or HDD that stores various information; and a control unit 38 that controls the entire image reading device 30.

[0056] The storage unit 37 can store a service utilization program 37a for utilizing the services provided by the image processing system 20. The service utilization program 37a may be installed in the image reading device 30 during the manufacturing stage of the image reading device 30, or may be additionally installed in the image reading device 30 from an external storage medium such as a USB memory, or may be additionally installed in the image reading device 30 from a network.

[0057] Control unit 38 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 38. The CPU of control unit 38 executes programs stored in storage unit 37 or the ROM of control unit 38.

[0058] The control unit 38 executes the service utilization program 37a to realize a service utilization unit 38a that utilizes the services provided by the image processing system 20.

[0059] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an example of user terminal 40 when configured as a PC.

[0060] As shown in Figure 9, user terminal 40 includes 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 the entire user terminal 40.

[0061] The storage unit 44 can store a program for a web browser (hereinafter referred to as the "web browser program") 44a. The web browser program 44a may be installed in the user terminal 40 during the manufacturing stage of the user terminal 40, or may be additionally installed in the user terminal 40 from an external storage medium such as a USB memory, or may be additionally installed in the user terminal 40 from a network.

[0062] 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.

[0063] The control unit 45 executes the web browser program 44a to implement a web browser 45a.

[0064] The operation of the system 10 will now be described.

[0065] First, the operation of the system 10 when a user logs in to the image processing system 20 via a user terminal will be described.

[0066] The operation of the system 10 when a user logs in to the image processing system 20 via a user terminal 40 will be described below as an example of the operation of the system 10 when a user logs in to the image processing system 20 via a user terminal.

[0067] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system 10 when a user logs in to the image processing system 20 via the user terminal 40.

[0068] A user can instruct the web browser 45a of the user terminal 40 to access a web page for logging in to the image processing system 20 (hereinafter referred to as the "login page") via the operation unit 41 of the user terminal 40. The login page is provided by the image processing unit 25a of the image processing system 20. When instructed to access the login page, the web browser 45a of the user terminal 40 accesses the login page (S101), as shown in FIG. 10.

[0069] When the image processing unit 25a of the image processing system 20 receives the access in S101, the image processing unit 25a transmits the data of the login page accessed in S101 to the web browser 45a of the user terminal 40 (S102).

[0070] When the web browser 45a of the user terminal 40 receives the data transmitted in S102, it displays a login page on the display unit 42 of the user terminal 40 based on the received data (S103). The login page allows a user to input a user ID and password, and also allows a user to input a user ID and password and then be instructed to log in to the image processing system 20.

[0071] When the web browser 45a is instructed to log in to the image processing system 20 on the login page, the web browser 45a requests the image processing system 20 to log in using the combination of the user ID and password that was entered on the login page at the time the user was instructed to log in to the image processing system 20 (S104).

[0072] When the image processing unit 25a of the image processing system 20 receives the request in S104, it authenticates the user who is the target of the request in S104 (S105). Specifically, if the combination of the user ID and password included in the request in S104 is included in the user management information 24e, the image processing unit 25a determines that the authentication of the user has been successful. On the other hand, if the combination of the user ID and password included in the request in S104 is not included in the user management information 24e, the image processing unit 25a determines that the authentication of the user has failed.

[0073] If the image processing unit 25a determines that the authentication performed in S105 has failed, it notifies the user terminal 40 that the login is not permitted (S106).

[0074] When the web browser 45a of the user terminal 40 receives the notification in S106, it displays a message that the login is not permitted on the display unit 42 of the user terminal 40 (S107).

[0075] If the image processing unit 25a of the image processing system 20 determines that the authentication executed in S105 is successful, it notifies the user terminal 40 that login is permitted (S108).

[0076] When the web browser 45a of the user terminal 40 receives the notification in S108, it displays a message indicating that the login is permitted on the display unit 42 of the user terminal 40 (S109).

[0077] The above describes the operation of the system 10 when a user logs in to the image processing system 20 via the user terminal 40. However, the operation of the system 10 is similar when a user logs in to the image processing system 20 via a user terminal other than the user terminal 40.

[0078] Next, the operation of the system 10 when the administrator sets up a workflow will be described.

[0079] The operation of the system 10 when the administrator sets a workflow via the user terminal 40 will be described below as an example of the operation of the system 10 when the administrator sets a workflow.

[0080] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system 10 when the administrator sets a workflow via the user terminal 40. In FIG.

[0081] When an administrator has already logged in to the image processing system 20 via the user terminal 40, the administrator can instruct the web browser 45a of the user terminal 40 via the operation unit 41 of the user terminal 40 to access the workflow setting screen. For example, when an administrator belonging to a distributor that has subscribed to the NFR plan has already logged in to the image processing system 20 via the user terminal 40, the administrator can instruct the web browser 45a of the user terminal 40 via the operation unit 41 of the user terminal 40 to access the workflow setting screen in order to explain to a customer the services provided by the image processing system 20. When the administrator is instructed to access the workflow setting screen, the web browser 45a accesses the workflow setting screen (S121), as shown in FIG. 11 .

[0082] When the image processing unit 25a of the image processing system 20 receives access in S121, if the plan type associated in the tenant management information 24d with the tenant ID associated in the user management information 24e with the administrator who has already logged in to the image processing system 20 via the user terminal 40 is an NFR plan, the image processing unit 25a sends data of the workflow setting screen for the NFR plan to the web browser 45a of the user terminal 40 (S122).

[0083] When the web browser 45a of the user terminal 40 receives the data sent in S122, it displays the workflow setting screen 900 (see Figure 12) for the NFR plan on the display unit 42 of the user terminal 40 based on the received data (S123).

[0084] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a workflow setting screen 900 for an NFR plan, which is displayed in the operation shown in FIG.

[0085] a multi-select 904 as a widget for setting the output file format as a setting item; a drop-down list 905 as a widget for setting the PDF / A type as a setting item when the output file format is searchable PDF (Portable Document Format) or compressed PDF; a check box 906 as a widget for setting, as a setting item, whether to perform preprocessing on images when the output file format is searchable PDF, compressed PDF, Microsoft (registered trademark) Word, Microsoft Excel (registered trademark), or Microsoft PowerPoint (registered trademark); a check box 907 as a widget for setting, as a setting item, whether to include page orientation correction in the preprocessing on images; a check box 908 as a widget for setting, as a setting item, whether to include skew correction in the preprocessing on images; and a save button 909 as a widget for saving the settings on the workflow setting screen 900.

[0086] The toggle switch 901 is a widget for receiving an instruction to switch between a setting screen for the first plan and a setting screen for the second plan. The toggle switch 901 is in a state in which it is specified that the mode for the second plan is not enabled on the workflow setting screen 900 shown in Fig. 12. In other words, the workflow setting screen 900 shown in Fig. 12 is a workflow setting screen for the NFR plan, but is also a workflow setting screen for the first plan.

[0087] The drop-down list 903 includes a button 903a for displaying a list of selectable output destinations. The output destinations selectable by the drop-down list 903 include, for example, email and cloud storage.

[0088] The multi-select 904 includes a button 904a for displaying a list of selectable file formats, such as PDF, TIFF (Tagged Image File Format), JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group), searchable PDF, compressed PDF, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint.

[0089] The drop-down list 905 includes a button 905a for displaying a list of selectable PDF / A types, such as "None," "PDF 1B," "PDF 2U," "PDF 3A," and "PDF 3U."

[0090] The workflow setting screen 900 shown in FIG. 12 includes an image 911 to the left of the drop-down list 905, indicating that the PDF / A type can be set because the mode is the first plan. The workflow setting screen 900 shown in FIG. 12 includes an image 912 to the left of the check box 906, indicating that whether or not preprocessing is performed on the image can be set because the mode is the first plan. The workflow setting screen 900 shown in FIG. 12 includes an image 913 to the left of the check box 907, indicating that whether or not page orientation correction is included in the preprocessing on the image can be set because the mode is the first plan. The workflow setting screen 900 shown in FIG. 12 includes an image 914 to the left of the check box 908, indicating that whether or not deskewing is included in the preprocessing on the image can be set because the mode is the first plan.

[0091] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a workflow setting screen 900 in which a list of file formats that can be selected by multi-select 904 is displayed when toggle switch 901 specifies that the second plan mode is not enabled.

[0092] 13 includes a list 904b of selectable file formats. List 904b includes a check box 904c as a widget for selecting PDF as a setting item, a check box 904d as a widget for selecting TIFF as a setting item, a check box 904e as a widget for selecting JPEG as a setting item, a check box 904f as a widget for selecting searchable PDF as a setting item, a check box 904g as a widget for selecting compressed PDF as a setting item, a check box 904h as a widget for selecting Microsoft Word as a setting item, a check box 904i as a widget for selecting Microsoft Excel as a setting item, and a check box 904j as a widget for selecting Microsoft PowerPoint as a setting item.

[0093] The workflow setting screen 900 shown in FIG. 13 includes an image 915 to the left of check box 904g indicating that compressed PDF can be set to be the mode for the first plan. The workflow setting screen 900 shown in FIG. 13 includes an image 916 to the left of check box 904h indicating that Microsoft Word can be set to be the mode for the first plan. The workflow setting screen 900 shown in FIG. 13 includes an image 917 to the left of check box 904i indicating that Microsoft Excel can be set to be the mode for the first plan. The workflow setting screen 900 shown in FIG. 13 includes an image 918 to the left of check box 904j indicating that Microsoft PowerPoint can be set to be the mode for the first plan.

[0094] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the workflow setting screen 900 in a state where the toggle switch 901 has been set to enable the mode of the second plan.

[0095] In the workflow setting screen 900 shown in FIG. 14, the drop-down list 905 is grayed out and inoperable, making it impossible to set the PDF / A type. In the workflow setting screen 900 shown in FIG. 14, the check box 906 is grayed out and inoperable, making it impossible to set whether to perform preprocessing on the image. In the workflow setting screen 900 shown in FIG. 14, the check box 907 is grayed out and inoperable, making it impossible to set whether to include page orientation correction in the preprocessing on the image. In the workflow setting screen 900 shown in FIG. 14, the check box 908 is grayed out and inoperable, making it impossible to set whether to include deskew correction in the preprocessing on the image. When the user operates a grayed-out portion in the workflow setting screen 900, the image processing unit 25a of the image processing system 20 changes the state of the toggle switch 901 to a state in which the second plan mode is not enabled.

[0096] The workflow setting screen 900 shown in FIG. 14 is a workflow setting screen for the NFR plan, but is also a workflow setting screen for the second plan.

[0097] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a workflow setting screen 900 in which a list of file formats that can be selected by multi-select 904 is displayed when toggle switch 901 is set to enable the second plan mode.

[0098] In the workflow setting screen 900 shown in FIG. 15, check box 904g is grayed out and inoperable, making it impossible to set compressed PDF. In the workflow setting screen 900 shown in FIG. 15, check box 904h is grayed out and inoperable, making it impossible to set Microsoft Word. In the workflow setting screen 900 shown in FIG. 15, check box 904i is grayed out and inoperable, making it impossible to set Microsoft Excel. In the workflow setting screen 900 shown in FIG. 15, check box 904j is grayed out and inoperable, making it impossible to set Microsoft PowerPoint. When a grayed-out portion in the workflow setting screen 900 is operated by the user, the image processing unit 25a of the image processing system 20 changes the state of the toggle switch 901 to a state in which the second plan mode is not enabled.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 11, when the image processing unit 25a of the image processing system 20 receives access in S121, if the plan type associated in the tenant management information 24d with the tenant ID associated in the user management information 24e with the administrator who has already logged in to the image processing system 20 via the user terminal 40 is the first plan, the image processing unit 25a sends data of the workflow setting screen for the first plan to the web browser 45a of the user terminal 40 (S124).

[0100] When the web browser 45a of the user terminal 40 receives the data transmitted in S124, it displays the workflow setting screen 920 (see FIG. 16) on the display unit 42 of the user terminal 40 based on the received data (S125).

[0101] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a workflow setting screen 920 for the first plan, which is displayed in the operation shown in FIG.

[0102] The workflow setting screen 920 shown in FIG. 16 differs from the workflow setting screen 900 shown in FIG. 12 in that it does not include the toggle switch 901 (see FIG. 12) and the images 911 to 914 (see FIG. 12).

[0103] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the workflow setting screen 920 in a state where a list of file formats selectable by the multi-select 904 is displayed.

[0104] The workflow setting screen 920 shown in FIG. 17 differs from the workflow setting screen 900 shown in FIG. 13 in that it does not include the toggle switch 901 (see FIG. 13) and the images 911 to 918 (see FIG. 13).

[0105] As shown in FIG. 11, when the image processing unit 25a of the image processing system 20 receives access in S121, if the plan type associated in the tenant management information 24d with the tenant ID associated in the user management information 24e with the administrator who has already logged in to the image processing system 20 via the user terminal 40 is the second plan, the image processing unit 25a sends data of the workflow setting screen for the second plan to the web browser 45a of the user terminal 40 (S126).

[0106] When the web browser 45a of the user terminal 40 receives the data transmitted in S126, it displays the workflow setting screen 940 (see FIG. 18) on the display unit 42 of the user terminal 40 based on the received data (S127).

[0107] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a workflow setting screen 940 for the second plan, which is displayed in the operation shown in FIG.

[0108] The workflow setting screen 940 shown in FIG. 18 is similar to the workflow setting screen 900 shown in FIG. 14, except that it has a toggle switch 941 as a widget for setting whether or not to enable the first plan mode, instead of the toggle switch 901 (see FIG. 14).

[0109] The toggle switch 941 is a widget for receiving an instruction to switch between a setting screen for the first plan and a setting screen for the second plan. The toggle switch 941 is in a state in which it is specified that the mode for the first plan is not enabled on the workflow setting screen 940 shown in Fig. 18. In other words, the workflow setting screen 940 shown in Fig. 18 is the workflow setting screen for the second plan.

[0110] When the user operates a grayed-out portion on the workflow setting screen 940, the image processing unit 25a of the image processing system 20 changes the state of the toggle switch 941 to a state that enables the mode of the first plan.

[0111] FIG. 19 shows an example of a workflow setting screen 940 in which a list of file formats that can be selected by multi-select 904 is displayed when toggle switch 941 specifies that the first plan mode is not enabled.

[0112] The multi-select 904 shown in FIG. 19 is similar to the workflow setting screen 900 shown in FIG. 15, except that a toggle switch 941 specifies that the first plan mode is not enabled.

[0113] When the user operates a grayed-out portion on the workflow setting screen 940, the image processing unit 25a of the image processing system 20 changes the state of the toggle switch 941 to a state that enables the mode of the first plan.

[0114] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the workflow setting screen 940 in a state where the toggle switch 941 has been set to enable the mode of the first plan.

[0115] The workflow setting screen 940 shown in FIG. 20 is similar to the workflow setting screen 900 shown in FIG. 12, except that a toggle switch 941 specifies that the mode of the first plan is enabled.

[0116] A workflow setting screen 940 shown in FIG. 20 is a workflow setting screen for the first plan.

[0117] FIG. 21 shows an example of a workflow setting screen 940 in which a list of file formats that can be selected by multi-select 904 is displayed when toggle switch 941 is set to enable the first plan mode.

[0118] The workflow setting screen 940 shown in FIG. 21 is similar to the workflow setting screen 900 shown in FIG. 13, except that a toggle switch 941 specifies that the mode of the first plan is enabled.

[0119] 11, when the Save button 909 is pressed after the processing of S123, S125, or S127 is completed, the web browser 45a of the user terminal 40 transmits the setting contents on the workflow setting screen at the time the Save button 909 was pressed to the image processing system 20 (S128). Here, when the Save button 909 is pressed after the processing of S125 is completed, the web browser 45a includes an indication that the setting contents are the first plan in the setting contents transmitted in S128.

[0120] When the image processing unit 25a of the image processing system 20 receives the setting contents transmitted in S128, it stores a workflow corresponding to the received setting contents in the workflow management information 24g (S129). Here, the image processing unit 25a stores in S129 the tenant ID associated in the user management information 24e with the user ID of the user who has logged in via the user terminal 40 as the tenant ID of the tenant with which the workflow is associated. If the setting contents transmitted in S128 include not enabling the mode of the second plan, being the first plan, or enabling the mode of the first plan, the image processing unit 25a stores in S129 the workflow for the first plan as the workflow type. If the setting contents transmitted in S128 include enabling the mode of the second plan or not enabling the mode of the first plan, the image processing unit 25a stores in S129 the workflow for the second plan as the workflow type.

[0121] The above describes the operation of the system 10 when the administrator sets a workflow via the user terminal 40. However, the operation of the system 10 is similar when the administrator sets a workflow via a user terminal other than the user terminal 40.

[0122] Next, the operation of the image processing system 10 when a user logs in to the system 20 via an image reading device will be described.

[0123] The operation of the system 10 when a user logs in to the image processing system 20 via an image reading device 30 will be described below as an example of the operation of the system 10 when a user logs in to the image processing system 20 via an image reading device.

[0124] FIG. 22 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system 10 when a user logs in to the image processing system 20 via the image reading device 30. In FIG.

[0125] A user can instruct the image reading device 30 to display a screen for logging in to the image processing system 20 (hereinafter referred to as a "login screen") via the operation unit 31 of the image reading device 30. When the service use unit 38a of the image reading device 30 is instructed to display the login screen, it displays the login screen on the display unit 32 of the image reading device 30, as shown in Fig. 22 (S141). The login screen allows a user to input a user ID and a password, and allows a user to input a user ID and a password and then instruct to log in to the image processing system 20.

[0126] When the web browser 45a is instructed to log in to the image processing system 20 on the login screen, the web browser 45a requests the image processing system 20 to log in using the combination of user ID and password that was entered on the login screen at the time the user was instructed to log in to the image processing system 20 (S142).

[0127] When the image processing unit 25a of the image processing system 20 receives the request in S142, it authenticates the user who is the target of the request in S142 (S143). Specifically, if the combination of the user ID and password included in the request in S142 is included in the user management information 24e, the image processing unit 25a determines that the authentication of the user has been successful. On the other hand, if the combination of the user ID and password included in the request in S142 is not included in the user management information 24e, the image processing unit 25a determines that the authentication of the user has failed.

[0128] If the image processing unit 25a determines that the authentication performed in S143 has failed, it notifies the image reading device 30 that the login is not permitted (S144).

[0129] When the web browser 45a of the image reading device 30 receives the notification in S144, it displays a message that login is not permitted on the display unit 32 of the image reading device 30 (S145).

[0130] If the image processing unit 25a of the image processing system 20 determines that the authentication executed in S143 is successful, it notifies the image reading device 30 that login is permitted (S146).

[0131] Upon receiving the notification in S146, the web browser 45a of the image reading device 30 displays a message indicating that login is permitted on the display unit 32 of the image reading device 30 (S147).

[0132] The above describes the operation of the system 10 when a user logs in to the image processing system 20 via the image reading device 30. However, the operation of the system 10 is similar when a user logs in to the image processing system 20 via an image reading device other than the image reading device 30.

[0133] Next, the operation of the system 10 when the image processing system 20 executes a workflow will be described.

[0134] Hereinafter, the operation of the system 10 when the image processing system 20 executes a workflow in response to an instruction via the image reading device 30 will be described as an example of the operation of the system 10 when the image processing system 20 executes a workflow.

[0135] FIG. 23 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system 10 when the image processing system 20 executes a workflow in response to an instruction via the image reading device 30. In FIG.

[0136] When a user has already logged in to the image processing system 20 via the image reading device 30, the user can instruct the image reading device 30 via the operation unit 31 of the image reading device 30 to display candidate workflows to be executed by the image processing system 20. When the user is instructed to display candidate workflows to be executed by the image processing system 20, the service use unit 38a of the image reading device 30 transmits a request for a list of workflows (hereinafter referred to as a "workflow list request") to the image processing system 20 (S161).

[0137] When the image processing unit 25a of the image processing system 20 receives the workflow list request sent in S161, it notifies the service usage unit 38a of all combinations of workflow IDs and workflow names (hereinafter referred to as the "workflow list") that are associated in the workflow management information 24g with the tenant ID (hereinafter referred to as the "target tenant ID") that is associated in the user management information 24e with the user ID of the user who has already logged in to the image processing system 20 via the image reading device 30 (S162).

[0138] Upon receiving the notification in S162, the service use unit 38a of the image reading device 30 displays a list of workflow names from the workflow list notified in S162 on the display unit 32 of the image reading device 30 (S163).

[0139] After the processing in S163 is completed, when the user instructs the service utilization unit 38a to execute a workflow identified by any one of the workflow names displayed in S163 (hereinafter referred to as the "target workflow"), the service utilization unit 38a uses the scanner 34 to read an image from the document set in the scanner 34 (S164).

[0140] When the processing of S164 is completed, the service use unit 38a transmits an instruction to execute the target workflow (hereinafter referred to as a "workflow execution instruction") to the image processing system 20 (S165). The service use unit 38a includes the workflow ID of the target workflow and the image generated in S164 in the workflow execution instruction.

[0141] When the image processing unit 25a of the image processing system 20 receives the workflow execution instruction transmitted in S165, it starts executing the process of executing the target workflow (hereinafter referred to as "workflow execution process") (S166).

[0142] Fig. 24 is a flowchart of part of the operation of the image processing system 20 when the workflow execution process is executed. Fig. 25 is a flowchart continuing the operation shown in Fig. 24.

[0143] As shown in Figures 24 and 25, the image processing unit 25a of the image processing system 20 determines the workflow type associated in the workflow management information 24g with the workflow ID (hereinafter referred to as the "target workflow ID") included in the workflow execution instruction (S181).

[0144] When the image processing unit 25a determines in S181 that the workflow type is a workflow for the first plan, it determines whether the plan type associated with the target tenant ID in the tenant management information 24d is the second plan (S182).

[0145] When the image processing unit 25a determines in S182 that the plan type associated with the target tenant ID in the tenant management information 24d is the second plan, it determines whether the output file format (hereinafter referred to as the "target output file format") associated with the target workflow ID in the workflow management information 24g is any one of searchable PDF, compressed PDF, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint (S183).

[0146] When the image processing unit 25a determines in S183 that the target output file format is one of searchable PDF, compressed PDF, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint, it determines whether the sum of the first OCR number for all months associated with the target tenant ID in the OCR number management information 24h and the total number of images included in the workflow execution instruction is less than a specific number (S184).

[0147] When the image processing unit 25a determines in S184 that the sum of the first OCR counts for all months associated with the target tenant ID in the OCR count management information 24h and the sum of the number of images included in the workflow execution instruction is less than a specific number, it determines whether at least one of the page orientation correction information and the tilt correction information associated with the target workflow ID in the workflow management information 24g indicates that at least one of page orientation correction and tilt correction should be performed as preprocessing for the image (S185).

[0148] If the image processing unit 25a determines in S185 that neither the page orientation correction information nor the skew correction information associated with the target workflow ID in the workflow management information 24g indicates that either page orientation correction or skew correction should be performed as preprocessing on the image, the image processing unit 25a generates a document in the target output file format by performing OCR using the first OCR program 24b on the image included in the workflow execution instruction (S186). Note that if the target output file format is searchable PDF or compressed PDF, the image processing unit 25a generates a document in S186 in the PDF / A type associated with the target workflow ID in the workflow management information 24g.

[0149] When the image processing unit 25a determines in S185 that at least one of the page orientation correction information and the tilt correction information associated with the target workflow ID in the workflow management information 24g indicates that at least one of the page orientation correction and the tilt correction should be performed as pre-processing on the image, the image processing unit 25a performs, on the image included in the workflow execution instruction, one of the page orientation corrections and the tilt corrections that is indicated to be performed as pre-processing on the image in the page orientation correction information and the tilt correction information associated with the target workflow ID in the workflow management information 24g (S187).

[0150] When the process of S187 is completed, the image processing unit 25a adds a watermark indicating, for example, "This is a trial version" to the image that has been pre-processed in S187 (S188).

[0151] When the process of S188 is completed, the image processing unit 25a generates a document in the target output file format by executing OCR using the first OCR program 24b on the image to which the watermark was added in S188 (S189). Note that if the target output file format is searchable PDF or compressed PDF, the image processing unit 25a generates the document in S189 in the PDF / A type associated with the target workflow ID in the workflow management information 24g.

[0152] When processing of S186 or S189 is completed, the image processing unit 25a increases the first OCR number for the current month associated with the target tenant ID in the OCR number management information 24h by the number of images included in the workflow execution instruction (S190).

[0153] If the image processing unit 25a determines in S183 that the target output file format is not one of searchable PDF, compressed PDF, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint, it determines whether or not at least one of the page orientation correction information and the tilt correction information associated with the target workflow ID in the workflow management information 24g indicates that at least one of page orientation correction and tilt correction is to be performed as preprocessing on the image (S191).

[0154] If the image processing unit 25a determines in S191 that neither the page orientation correction information nor the tilt correction information associated with the target workflow ID in the workflow management information 24g indicates that either page orientation correction or tilt correction should be performed as preprocessing on the image, the image processing unit 25a generates a document in the target output file format based on the image included in the workflow execution instruction (S192).

[0155] When the image processing unit 25a determines in S191 that at least one of the page orientation correction information and the tilt correction information associated with the target workflow ID in the workflow management information 24g indicates that at least one of the page orientation correction and the tilt correction should be performed as pre-processing on the image, the image processing unit 25a performs, on the image included in the workflow execution instruction, one of the page orientation corrections and the tilt corrections that is indicated to be performed as pre-processing on the image in the page orientation correction information and the tilt correction information associated with the target workflow ID in the workflow management information 24g (S193).

[0156] When the process of S193 is completed, the image processing unit 25a adds a watermark indicating, for example, "This is a trial version" to the image that has been pre-processed in S193 (S194).

[0157] When the process of S194 is completed, the image processing unit 25a generates a document in the target output file format based on the image to which the watermark was added in S194 (S195).

[0158] If the image processing unit 25a determines in S182 that the plan type associated with the target tenant ID in the tenant management information 24d is not the second plan, it determines whether the target output file format is searchable PDF, compressed PDF, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, or Microsoft PowerPoint (S196).

[0159] When the image processing unit 25a determines in S196 that the target output file format is one of searchable PDF, compressed PDF, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint, it determines whether or not at least one of the page orientation correction information and tilt correction information associated with the target workflow ID in the workflow management information 24g indicates that at least one of page orientation correction and tilt correction should be performed as preprocessing for the image (S197).

[0160] If the image processing unit 25a determines in S197 that neither the page orientation correction information nor the tilt correction information associated with the target workflow ID in the workflow management information 24g indicates that either page orientation correction or tilt correction should be performed as preprocessing for the image, it executes the processing of S186.

[0161] If the image processing unit 25a determines in S197 that at least one of the page orientation correction information and the tilt correction information associated with the target workflow ID in the workflow management information 24g indicates that at least one of the page orientation correction and the tilt correction should be performed as pre-processing on the image, the image processing unit 25a performs, on the image included in the workflow execution instruction, one of the page orientation corrections and the tilt corrections that is indicated to be performed as pre-processing on the image in the page orientation correction information and the tilt correction information associated with the target workflow ID in the workflow management information 24g (S198).

[0162] When the process of S198 is completed, the image processing unit 25a generates a document in the target output file format by executing OCR using the first OCR program 24b on the image that has been preprocessed in S198 (S199). Note that if the target output file format is searchable PDF or compressed PDF, the image processing unit 25a generates a document in S199 in the PDF / A type that is associated with the target workflow ID in the workflow management information 24g.

[0163] After completing the process of S199, the image processing unit 25a executes the process of S190.

[0164] If the image processing unit 25a determines in S196 that the target output file format is not one of searchable PDF, compressed PDF, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint, it determines whether at least one of the page orientation correction information and the tilt correction information associated with the target workflow ID in the workflow management information 24g indicates that at least one of page orientation correction and tilt correction is to be performed as preprocessing on the image (S200).

[0165] If the image processing unit 25a determines in S200 that neither the page orientation correction information nor the tilt correction information associated with the target workflow ID in the workflow management information 24g indicates that either page orientation correction or tilt correction is to be performed as preprocessing on the image, it executes the process of S192.

[0166] When the image processing unit 25a determines in S200 that at least one of the page orientation correction information and the tilt correction information associated with the target workflow ID in the workflow management information 24g indicates that at least one of the page orientation correction and the tilt correction should be performed as pre-processing on the image, the image processing unit 25a performs, on the image included in the workflow execution instruction, one of the page orientation corrections and the tilt corrections that is indicated to be performed as pre-processing on the image in the page orientation correction information and the tilt correction information associated with the target workflow ID in the workflow management information 24g (S201).

[0167] When the process of S201 is completed, the image processing unit 25a generates a document in the target output file format based on the image that has been preprocessed in S201 (S202).

[0168] When the image processing unit 25a determines in S181 that the workflow type is a workflow for the second plan, it determines whether the target output file format is searchable PDF (S203).

[0169] If the image processing unit 25a determines in S203 that the target output file format is searchable PDF, it generates a document in the target output file format by performing OCR using the second OCR program 24c on the image included in the workflow execution instruction (S204).

[0170] When the processing of S204 is completed, the image processing unit 25a increases the second OCR number for the current month associated with the target tenant ID in the OCR number management information 24h by the number of images included in the workflow execution instruction (S205).

[0171] If the image processing unit 25a determines in S203 that the target output file format is not searchable PDF, it executes S192.

[0172] When the processing of S190, S192, S195, S202 or S205 is completed, the image processing unit 25a outputs the document generated in S186, S189, S192, S195, S199, S202 or S204 to the output destination associated with the target workflow ID in the workflow management information 24g (S206).

[0173] When the process of S206 ends, the image processing unit 25a notifies the image reading device 30, which is the sender of the workflow execution instruction, of the completion of the workflow execution (S207).

[0174] If the image processing unit 25a determines in S184 that the sum of the first OCR number for all months associated with the target tenant ID in the OCR number management information 24h and the sum of the number of images included in the workflow execution instruction is not less than a specific number, it notifies the image reading device 30, which is the sender of the workflow execution instruction, that a contract for the first plan is required (S208).

[0175] When the process of S207 or S208 is completed, the image processing unit 25a ends the operations shown in FIGS.

[0176] 23, after the process of S166 is completed, when the execution of the workflow execution process is completed, the image processing unit 25a of the image processing system 20 notifies the image reading device 30 of the result of the workflow execution process (S167). The notification in S167 indicates the notification in S207 or S208.

[0177] The above describes the operation of the system 10 when the image processing system 20 executes a workflow in response to an instruction via the image reading device 30. However, the operation of the system 10 is similar when the image processing system 20 executes a workflow in response to an instruction via an image reading device other than the image reading device 30.

[0178] As described above, the image processing system 20 displays, on the workflow setting screen 900 for the first plan (see FIGS. 12 and 13) and the workflow setting screen 940 for the first plan (see FIGS. 20 and 21), an image 911 separate from the setting item itself, to indicate that the PDF / A type setting item can be set in the first plan but cannot be set in the second plan. The image processing system 20 displays, on the workflow setting screen 900 for the first plan (see FIGS. 12 and 13) and the workflow setting screen 940 for the first plan (see FIGS. 20 and 21), an image 912 separate from the setting item itself, to indicate that the setting item for whether or not to perform preprocessing on an image can be set in the first plan but cannot be set in the second plan. The image processing system 20 displays, on the workflow setting screen 900 for the first plan (see FIGS. 12 and 13) and the workflow setting screen 940 for the first plan (see FIGS. 20 and 21), an image 913 separate from the setting item itself, to indicate that the setting item for whether or not to include page orientation correction in pre-processing for images can be set in the first plan but cannot be set in the second plan. The image processing system 20 displays, on the workflow setting screen 900 for the first plan (see FIGS. 12 and 13) and the workflow setting screen 940 for the first plan (see FIGS. 20 and 21), an image 914 separate from the setting item itself, to indicate that the setting item for whether or not to include skew correction in pre-processing for images can be set in the first plan but cannot be set in the second plan. The image processing system 20 displays, on the workflow setting screen 900 for the first plan (see FIG. 13) and the workflow setting screen 940 for the first plan (see FIG. 21), an image 915 separate from the setting items themselves to indicate that the compressed PDF setting items can be set in the first plan but cannot be set in the second plan. The image processing system 20 displays, on the workflow setting screen 900 for the first plan (see FIG. 13) and the workflow setting screen 940 for the first plan (see FIG. 21), an image 916 separate from the setting items themselves to indicate that the Microsoft Word setting items can be set in the first plan but cannot be set in the second plan.The image processing system 20 displays, on the workflow setting screen 900 for the first plan (see FIG. 13) and the workflow setting screen 940 for the first plan (see FIG. 21), an image 917 separate from the setting item itself, to indicate that a setting item in Microsoft Excel is configurable in the first plan but not in the second plan. The image processing system 20 displays, on the workflow setting screen 900 for the first plan (see FIG. 13) and the workflow setting screen 940 for the first plan (see FIG. 21), an image 918 separate from the setting item itself, to indicate that a setting item in Microsoft PowerPoint is configurable in the first plan but not in the second plan. Thus, the image processing system 20 can allow the user to visually recognize setting items that become configurable by switching the contract plan, and can improve the visibility of the indication that a specific setting item is configurable in the first plan but not in the second plan.

[0179] Note that the image processing system 20 may display the fact that a specific setting item can be set in the first plan but cannot be set in the second plan by a method other than an image separate from the specific setting item itself on the workflow setting screen 900 for the first plan and the workflow setting screen 940 for the first plan. For example, the image processing system 20 may display the fact that a specific setting item can be set in the first plan but cannot be set in the second plan by highlighting the specific setting item itself on the workflow setting screen 900 for the first plan and the workflow setting screen 940 for the first plan.

[0180] The image processing system 20 indicates that the PDF / A type setting item can be set in the first plan but cannot be set in the second plan by graying out the setting item itself on the workflow setting screen 900 for the second plan (see FIGS. 14 and 15) and the workflow setting screen 940 for the second plan (see FIGS. 18 and 19). The image processing system 20 indicates that the setting item for whether or not to perform preprocessing on an image can be set in the first plan but cannot be set in the second plan by graying out the setting item itself on the workflow setting screen 900 for the second plan (see FIGS. 14 and 15) and the workflow setting screen 940 for the second plan (see FIGS. 18 and 19). The image processing system 20 indicates that the setting item for whether or not to include page orientation correction in pre-processing for images is settable in the first plan but not in the second plan by graying out the setting item itself on the workflow setting screen 900 for the second plan (see FIGS. 14 and 15) and the workflow setting screen 940 for the second plan (see FIGS. 18 and 19). The image processing system 20 indicates that the setting item for whether or not to include skew correction in pre-processing for images is settable in the first plan but not in the second plan by graying out the setting item itself on the workflow setting screen 900 for the second plan (see FIGS. 14 and 15) and the workflow setting screen 940 for the second plan (see FIGS. 18 and 19). The image processing system 20 displays that the setting items for compressed PDF can be set in the first plan but cannot be set in the second plan by graying out the setting items themselves on the workflow setting screen 900 for the second plan (see FIG. 15) and the workflow setting screen 940 for the second plan (see FIG. 19). The image processing system 20 displays that the setting items for Microsoft Word can be set in the first plan but cannot be set in the second plan by graying out the setting items themselves on the workflow setting screen 900 for the second plan (see FIG. 15) and the workflow setting screen 940 for the second plan (see FIG. 19).) by graying out the setting item itself. The image processing system 20 displays that a setting item in Microsoft Excel is configurable in the first plan but not in the second plan by graying out the setting item itself on the workflow setting screen 900 for the second plan (see FIG. 15) and the workflow setting screen 940 for the second plan (see FIG. 19). The image processing system 20 displays that a setting item in Microsoft PowerPoint is configurable in the first plan but not in the second plan by graying out the setting item itself on the workflow setting screen 900 for the second plan (see FIG. 15) and the workflow setting screen 940 for the second plan (see FIG. 19). Thus, the image processing system 20 can allow the user to visually identify setting items that become configurable by switching the contract plan, and can improve the visibility of the display that a specific setting item is configurable in the first plan but not in the second plan.

[0181] Note that the image processing system 20 may display the fact that a specific setting item is configurable in the first plan but not in the second plan by a method other than graying out the specific setting item itself on the workflow setting screen 900 for the second plan and the workflow setting screen 940 for the second plan. For example, the image processing system 20 may display the fact that a specific setting item is configurable in the first plan but not in the second plan by a display mode of the specific setting item itself other than a display mode of graying out the specific setting item itself on the workflow setting screen 900 for the second plan and the workflow setting screen 940 for the second plan, or may display the fact by an image different from the specific setting item itself.

[0182] When a specific setting item is grayed out on the workflow setting screen 900 for the second plan (see FIGS. 14 and 15) to indicate that it can be set in the first plan but cannot be set in the second plan, the image processing system 20 changes the state of the toggle switch 901 to a state that does not enable the mode for the second plan, thereby switching the workflow setting screen displayed on the user terminal from the workflow setting screen 900 for the second plan to the workflow setting screen 900 for the first plan (see FIGS. 12 and 13), thereby improving convenience. When a grayed-out display indicating that a specific setting item can be set in the first plan but cannot be set in the second plan is operated on the workflow setting screen 940 for the second plan (see Figures 18 and 19), the image processing system 20 changes the state of the toggle switch 941 to a state that enables the mode of the first plan, thereby switching the workflow setting screen displayed on the user terminal from the workflow setting screen 940 for the second plan to the workflow setting screen 940 for the first plan (see Figures 20 and 21), thereby improving convenience.

[0183] When the image processing system 20 displays the workflow setting screen 900 on a user terminal in response to instructions from an administrator belonging to a dealer that has signed up for the NFR plan, the toggle switch 901 can be used to switch between the workflow setting screen 900 for the first plan (see Figures 12 and 13) and the workflow setting screen 900 for the second plan (see Figures 14 and 15).This makes it easier for dealers to explain the services provided by the image processing system 20 to customers by using a demo environment for the first plan and a demo environment for the second plan.

[0184] When the image processing system 20 displays the workflow setting screen 940 on a user terminal in response to instructions from an administrator belonging to a customer who has subscribed to the second plan, the image processing system 20 can switch between the workflow setting screen 940 for the second plan (see Figures 18 and 19) and the workflow setting screen 940 for the first plan (see Figures 20 and 21) using a toggle switch 941, thereby increasing the likelihood that a customer who has subscribed to the second plan will change their contract from the second plan to the first plan by trialing the first plan.

[0185] When the image processing system 20 displays the workflow setting screen 940 on the user terminal in response to an instruction from an administrator belonging to a client who has subscribed to the second plan, the image processing system 20 can switch between the workflow setting screen 940 for the second plan (see FIGS. 18 and 19) and the workflow setting screen 940 for the first plan (see FIGS. 20 and 21) using a toggle switch 941. However, when the image processing system 20 displays the workflow setting screen on the user terminal in response to an instruction from an administrator belonging to a client who has subscribed to the second plan, the image processing system 20 may be able to display only the workflow setting screen 960 for the second plan (see FIGS. 26 and 27).

[0186] FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of the workflow setting screen 960 for the second plan, which is displayed in the operation shown in FIG. 11, and which is different from the example shown in FIG.

[0187] The workflow setting screen 960 shown in Figure 26 differs from the workflow setting screen 940 shown in Figure 18 in that it does not include the toggle switch 941 (see Figure 18), the drop-down list 905 (see Figure 18), and the check boxes 907 to 909 (see Figure 18).

[0188] FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of the workflow setting screen 960 in a state where a list of file formats selectable by the multi-select 904 is displayed.

[0189] The workflow setting screen 960 shown in Figure 27 differs from the workflow setting screen 940 shown in Figure 19 in that it does not include the toggle switch 941 (see Figure 19), the drop-down list 905 (see Figure 19), the check boxes 907 to 909 (see Figure 19), and the check boxes 904g to 904j (see Figure 19).

[0190] When the workflow type is a workflow for the first plan ("workflow for the first plan" in S181), the plan type associated with the target tenant ID in the tenant management information 24d is the second plan (YES in S182), the target output file format is any of searchable PDF, compressed PDF, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint (YES in S183), and the sum of the first OCR counts for all months associated with the target tenant ID in the OCR count management information 24h and the number of images included in the workflow execution instruction is not equal to or less than a specific number (NO in S184), the image processing unit 25a restricts the execution of the workflow. That is, the image processing unit 25a restricts the execution of the workflow more than usual based on the number of sheets on which OCR using the first OCR program 24b is performed. However, the image processing unit 25a may apply restrictions other than the number of sheets on which OCR using the first OCR program 24b is performed to the execution of the workflow. For example, the image processing unit 25a may add a watermark indicating, for example, "This is a trial version," to an image included in a document generated by executing OCR using the first OCR program 24b.

[0191] When the workflow type is a workflow for the first plan ("workflow for the first plan" in S181), the plan type associated with the target tenant ID in the tenant management information 24d is the second plan (YES in S182), and preprocessing is to be performed (YES in S185 or YES in S191), the image processing unit 25a imposes a watermark indicating, for example, "This is a trial version" on an image included in a document to be generated (S188 or S194), thereby restricting the execution of the workflow more than usual. However, the image processing unit 25a may apply restrictions other than the watermark to the execution of the workflow. For example, the image processing unit 25a may restrict the execution of the workflow based on the number of sheets on which preprocessing is performed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0192] 20 Image processing system (setting screen control system, setting screen control device, computer) 24a Image processing program (setting screen control program) 25a Image processing section (setting screen control section) 40 User terminals (electronic devices) 900 Workflow Settings Screen (Settings Screen) 911~918 Images 920 Workflow Settings Screen (Settings Screen) 940 Workflow Settings Screen (Settings Screen) 960 Workflow Settings Screen (Settings Screen)

Claims

1. a setting screen control unit that causes the electronic device to display a setting screen for accepting settings for each setting item; the setting screen control unit is capable of accepting an instruction to switch between the setting screen for a first contract plan and the setting screen for a second contract plan; A setting screen control system characterized in that the setting screen control unit displays on at least one of the setting screen for the first contract plan and the setting screen for the second contract plan that a specific setting item among the setting items can be set in the first contract plan but cannot be set in the second contract plan.

2. The setting screen control system of claim 1, characterized in that the setting screen control unit displays the fact that the specific item can be set in the first contract plan but cannot be set in the second contract plan by displaying the specific item itself on at least one of the setting screen for the first contract plan and the setting screen for the second contract plan.

3. The setting screen control system of claim 1, characterized in that the setting screen control unit displays, on at least one of the setting screen for the first contract plan and the setting screen for the second contract plan, an image other than the specific item itself, indicating that the specific item can be set under the first contract plan but cannot be set under the second contract plan.

4. the setting screen control unit displays on the setting screen for the second contract plan that the specific item is settable in the first contract plan but not settable in the second contract plan; The setting screen control system of claim 1, characterized in that the setting screen control unit switches the setting screen displayed on the electronic device from the setting screen for the second contract plan to the setting screen for the first contract plan when a display indicating that the specific item can be set under the first contract plan but cannot be set under the second contract plan is operated on the setting screen for the second contract plan.

5. a setting screen control unit that causes the electronic device to display a setting screen for accepting settings for each setting item; the setting screen control unit is capable of accepting an instruction to switch between the setting screen for a first contract plan and the setting screen for a second contract plan; The setting screen control device is characterized in that the setting screen control unit displays on at least one of the setting screen for the first contract plan and the setting screen for the second contract plan that a specific item as a specific setting item among the setting items can be set in the first contract plan but cannot be set in the second contract plan.

6. A setting screen control unit is implemented in a computer to display a setting screen for accepting settings for each setting item on an electronic device; the setting screen control unit is capable of accepting an instruction to switch between the setting screen for a first contract plan and the setting screen for a second contract plan; A setting screen control program characterized in that the setting screen control unit displays on at least one of the setting screen for the first contract plan and the setting screen for the second contract plan that a specific item as a specific setting item among the setting items can be set in the first contract plan but cannot be set in the second contract plan.

Images