JP6794686B2 - Information processing system, information processing device, and information processing method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing device, and an information processing method.

In recent years, a wide variety of external services have come to be provided by cloud computing and the like. For example, an external service that stores electronic data specified by a user in an external storage is known.

Further, there is known an image forming apparatus that executes a series of processes based on an instruction sheet including information representing one or more processes as a series of processes (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

However, in the above-mentioned conventional technique, it is necessary to develop an application mounted on an image forming apparatus in order to execute a series of processes linked with an external service. On the other hand, application development may require specialized knowledge and experience regarding programming languages, for example.

One embodiment of the present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to support the development of an application.

In order to achieve the above object, one embodiment of the present invention is an information processing system including one or more information processing devices and having a plurality of programs each executing a predetermined process, and is a series of information processing systems using electronic data. For each process, program identification information that identifies one or more programs that execute each process of the series of processes, parameters used for executing each of the one or more programs, and execution order of one or more programs. Is displayed on a storage means that stores the flow information defined as and in association with the flow identification information that identifies the flow information, and on the first device of one or more devices connected to the information processing system. When a user operation that defines the program identification information, the parameters, and the execution order is performed on the flow creation screen, the flow information in which the program identification information, the parameters, and the execution order are defined is performed. Is created and stored in the storage means in association with the flow identification information for identifying the created flow information, and information related to electronic data from the second device of the one or more devices. The receiving means for receiving the flow identification information and the flow information stored in the storage means in association with the flow identification information received by the receiving means among the flow information stored in the storage means. The acquisition means to be acquired and the program identified by the program identification information defined in the flow information acquired by the acquisition means are converted into the flow information according to the execution order defined in the flow information. It has an execution means for executing the series of processes using the electronic data based on the information about the electronic data received by the receiving means by executing the execution using the defined parameters.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to support the development of an application.

It is a figure which shows the system configuration of an example of the information processing system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware configuration of an example of the service providing system and the PC terminal which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware configuration of an example of the apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the functional structure of an example of the information processing system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of a common I / F and a unique I / F. It is a figure which shows the functional structure of an example of the logic processing part which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the processing information table. It is a figure which shows an example of the type conversion information table. It is a figure which shows an example of the processing flow information which defined a series of processing which realizes OCR delivery. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the registration process of a process flow. It is a figure which shows an example of the application list screen and the processing flow creation screen. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the creation process (1/2) of a process flow. It is a figure explaining the arrangement of the icon which shows a component and an operation. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the creation process (2/2) of a process flow. It is a figure which shows an example of a parameter setting screen. It is a figure which shows another example of a parameter setting screen. It is a figure explaining the arrangement of icons. It is a figure explaining the capture of a shared flow. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the whole processing of a service use. It is a figure which shows an example of a service list screen and a service use screen. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of execution processing of a processing flow. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the registration, update, or deletion processing of a processing flow. It is a figure which shows an example of an application information screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the update screen of a processing flow.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
<System configuration>
First, the system configuration of the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of an example of the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment.

The information processing system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a service providing system 10, a device 20, a PC terminal 30, and an external storage system 40, and is communicably connected via a wide area network N1 such as the Internet. There is.

The service providing system 10 is realized by one or more information processing devices, and provides various services realized by a series of processes linked with an external service such as a cloud service via a network N1.

A specific example of the service provided by the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described later. In the following, a series of processes will also be referred to as a "processing flow".

In this embodiment, a cloud service will be adopted as a specific example of the external service, but the description is not limited to this. This embodiment may be applied, for example, to various external services provided via a network such as a service provided by an ASP (Application Service Provider) or a Web service.

The device 20 is various electronic devices used by the user. That is, the device 20 is, for example, an image forming device such as an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral), a PC (personal computer), a projector, an electronic whiteboard, a digital camera, or the like. The user can use various services provided by the service providing system 10 by using the device 20.

In the following, a plurality of devices 20, when distinguishing the each "device 20 _1", describes using a subscript as "device 20 _2" and the like.

The PC terminal 30 is, for example, a desktop PC, a notebook PC, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like used by a user. The user can use various services provided by the service providing system 10 by using the PC terminal 30.

In the following, when distinguishing each of the plurality of PC terminals 30, the subscripts such as "PC terminal 30 ₁ " and "PC terminal 30 ₂ " will be used.

The external storage system 40 is a computer system that provides a cloud service called a storage service (or online storage) via a network N1. The storage service is a service that rents out the storage area of the storage of the external storage system 40.

In the following, a plurality of external storage system 40, when distinguishing each is "external storage system 40 _1", describes using a subscript and the like "external storage system 40 _2". Further, "Storage A" the name of the storage service provided by the external storage system 40 _1, the name of the storage service provided by the external storage system 40 ₁ and "storage B" or the like.

The external storage system 40 may be a system realized by a plurality of information processing devices.

Further, the configuration of the information processing system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and other configurations may be used. For example, the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment includes various devices that input and output electronic data, and even if these devices use various services provided by the service providing system 10. good.

<Hardware configuration>
Next, the hardware configurations of the service providing system 10 and the PC terminal 30 included in the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of an example of the service providing system 10 and the PC terminal 30 according to the present embodiment. Since the service providing system 10 and the PC terminal 30 have the same hardware configuration, the hardware configuration of the service providing system 10 will be mainly described below.

The service providing system 10 shown in FIG. 2 includes an input device 11, a display device 12, an external I / F 13, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 14. Further, the service providing system 10 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 15, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 16, a communication I / F 17, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 18. Each of these hardware is connected by bus B.

The input device 11 includes a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and the like, and is used by the user to input each operation signal. The display device 12 includes a display and the like, and displays the processing result by the service providing system 10. At least one of the input device 11 and the display device 12 may be connected to and used by the service providing system 10 when necessary.

The communication I / F 17 is an interface for connecting the service providing system 10 to the network N1. As a result, the service providing system 10 can perform communication via the communication I / F17.

The HDD 18 is a non-volatile storage device that stores programs and data. The programs and data stored in the HDD 18 include an OS (Operating System), which is basic software that controls the entire service providing system 10, application software that provides various functions on the OS, and the like.

The service providing system 10 may use a drive device (for example, a solid state drive: SSD) that uses a flash memory as a storage medium instead of the HDD 18. Further, the HDD 18 manages the stored programs and data by a predetermined file system and / or DB.

The external I / F 13 is an interface with an external device. The external device includes a recording medium 13a and the like. As a result, the service providing system 10 can read and write the recording medium 13a via the external I / F 13. The recording medium 13a includes a flexible disk, a CD, a DVD, an SD memory card, a USB memory, and the like.

The ROM 15 is a non-volatile semiconductor memory capable of holding programs and data even when the power is turned off. The ROM 15 stores programs and data such as a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System), an OS setting, and a network setting that are executed when the service providing system 10 is started. The RAM 14 is a volatile semiconductor memory that temporarily holds programs and data.

The CPU 16 is an arithmetic unit that realizes control and functions of the entire service providing system 10 by reading a program or data from a storage device such as the ROM 15 or the HDD 18 onto the RAM 14 and executing processing.

By having the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 2, the service providing system 10 and the PC terminal 30 according to the present embodiment can realize various processes as described later.

Next, the hardware configuration when the device 20 included in the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment is an image forming device will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of an example of the device 20 according to the present embodiment.

The device 20 shown in FIG. 3 has a controller 21, an operation panel 22, an external I / F 23, a communication I / F 24, a printer 25, and a scanner 26. Further, the controller 21 has a CPU 31, a RAM 32, a ROM 33, an NVRAM 34, and an HDD 35.

The ROM 33 is a non-volatile semiconductor memory that stores various programs and data. The RAM 32 is a volatile semiconductor memory that temporarily holds programs and data. The NVRAM 34 stores, for example, setting information and the like. The HDD 35 is a non-volatile storage device that stores various programs and data.

The CPU 31 is an arithmetic unit that realizes control and functions of the entire device 20 by reading programs, data, setting information, etc. from the ROM 33, NVRAM 34, HDD 35, etc. onto the RAM 32 and executing processing.

The operation panel 22 includes an input unit for receiving input from the user and a display unit for displaying. The external I / F 23 is an interface with an external device. The external device includes a recording medium 23a and the like. As a result, the device 20 can read and / or write to the recording medium 23a via the external I / F 23. The recording medium 23a includes, for example, an IC card, a flexible disk, a CD, a DVD, an SD memory card, a USB memory, and the like.

The communication I / F 24 is an interface for connecting the device 20 to the network. As a result, the device 20 can perform communication via the communication I / F 24. The printer 25 is a printing device that prints print data. The scanner 26 is a scanning device that reads a document and generates an electronic file (image file).

The device 20 according to the present embodiment can realize various processes as described later by having the hardware configuration shown in FIG.

<Services provided by the service provision system>
Here, the service provided by the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, the device 20 will be described as being an image forming apparatus.

In the present embodiment, a service in which an electronic file generated by scanning a document in the device 20 is processed by OCR (Optical Character Reader) and stored in the external storage system 40 is referred to as an "OCR distribution" service. Then, in this embodiment, the case where the service providing system 10 provides the "OCR distribution" service will be described.

Here, in order for the service providing system 10 to provide the "OCR distribution" service, it is necessary to register a series of processes (processing flows) for realizing the service in the service providing system 10.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, a case of registering a series of processes for realizing the "OCR distribution" service and a case of using the "OCR distribution" service realized by the series of processes will be described.

However, the services provided by the service providing system 10 are not limited to these. For example, the service providing system 10 may provide a service in which an electronic file generated by scanning a document in the device 20 is subjected to OCR processing and sent by e-mail to a predetermined e-mail address. Further, for example, the service providing system 10 may provide a service of projecting an electronic file stored in the external storage system 40 with a projector. Further, for example, the service providing system 10 may provide a service of printing an electronic file stored in the external storage system 40 on the device 20.

<Functional configuration>
Next, the mechanical configuration of the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of an example of the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment.

The device 20 shown in FIG. 4 has a UI control unit 210 and a scan processing unit 220. Each of these functional units is realized by a process of causing the CPU 31 to execute one or more programs installed in the device 20.

The UI control unit 210 displays various screens on the operation panel 22. Further, the UI control unit 210 receives various operations of the user on various screens displayed on the operation panel 22.

The scanning processing unit 220 scans the document with the scanner 26 and generates an electronic file (image file) in response to the user's operation received by the UI control unit 210.

The PC terminal 30 shown in FIG. 4 has a UI control unit 310. The functional unit is realized by a process of causing the CPU 16 to execute one or more programs installed in the PC terminal 30.

The UI control unit 310 causes the display device 12 to display various screens. Further, the UI control unit 210 receives various operations of the user input by the input device 11 on various screens displayed on the display device 12.

The service providing system 10 shown in FIG. 4 has a service processing unit 110, a document service unit 160, and an external storage cooperation unit 170. Each of these functional units is realized by a process of causing the CPU 16 to execute one or more programs installed in the service providing system 10.

Further, the service providing system 10 has an application information storage unit 180. The storage unit can be realized by using the HDD 18. The application information storage unit 180 may be realized by using a storage device or the like connected to the service providing system 10 via a network.

The service processing unit 110 performs processing related to various services provided by the application information 1000 described later in response to a request from the UI control unit 210 of the device 20. Further, the service processing unit 110 performs processing related to the creation of the processing flow information 1100 included in the application information 1000 in response to a request from the UI control unit 310 of the PC terminal 30.

The processing flow information 1100 is information in which a series of processing (processing flow) for realizing a service provided by the application information 1000 (for example, an "OCR distribution" service or the like) is defined.

Here, the service processing unit 110 includes an application management unit 120, a logic processing unit 130, a flow creation processing unit 140, and a data I / F unit 150.

The application management unit 120 manages the application information 1000 stored in the application information storage unit 180. The application management unit 120 returns various information in response to a request from the UI control unit 210 of the device 20 or the UI control unit 310 of the PC terminal 30.

For example, the application management unit 120 returns the application list information in response to a request from the UI control unit 210 of the device 20. The application list information is information indicating a list of the name (application name) of the application information 1000 and the identification information (application ID) of the application information 1000.

Further, for example, the application management unit 120 returns the processing flow information 1100 included in the application information 1000 in response to a request from the logic processing unit 130.

Further, the application management unit 120 stores the processing flow information 1100 created in the PC terminal 30 in the application information storage unit 180 in response to a request from the flow creation processing unit 140.

The logic processing unit 130 acquires the processing flow information 1100 included in the application information 1000 from the application management unit 120 in response to a request from the UI control unit 210 of the device 20. Then, the logic processing unit 130 requests the document service unit 160, the file processing unit 171 of the external storage cooperation unit 170, etc. to execute the processing based on the acquired processing flow information 1100, so that the processing flow information 1100 is used. Execute a series of processing based on.

The logic processing unit 130 executes a series of processing based on the processing flow information 1100 by combining the components described later.

As a result, in the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment, various services provided by the application information 1000 are realized. The details of the logic processing unit 130 will be described later.

The flow creation processing unit 140 returns the processing flow creation screen in response to a request from the UI control unit 310 of the PC terminal 30. The processing flow creation screen is a screen for creating the processing flow information 1100.

Then, the flow creation processing unit 140 requests the application management unit 120 to register the processing flow information 1100 indicating the processing flow created on the processing flow creation screen.

In this way, the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment can register the processing flow created in the PC terminal 30 in the service providing system 10.

The data I / F unit 150 makes various requests (for example, a request to acquire a folder list, etc.) to the data processing unit 172 of the external storage cooperation unit 170 in response to a request from the UI control unit 210 of the device 20. Do.

The document service unit 160 executes a predetermined process included in a series of processes (process flow) based on the process flow information 1100. Here, the document service unit 160 has an OCR processing unit 161 and a mail transmitting unit 162.

The OCR processing unit 161 performs OCR processing on the electronic file. The mail sending unit 162 sends a mail to the designated mail address.

In addition to these, the document service unit 160 has various functions such as a compression / decompression processing unit for compressing or decompressing an electronic file, a data format conversion unit for converting the data format of an electronic file, and the like. The part may be included.

The external storage cooperation unit 170 makes various requests (for example, a request for acquiring a folder list) to the external storage system 40 in response to requests from the logic processing unit 130 and the data I / F unit 150.

The service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment has an external storage cooperation unit 170 corresponding to each external storage system 40 for each external storage system 40 that performs processing in cooperation with the service providing system 10. That is, the service providing system 10 according to this embodiment has an external storage A cooperation unit 170 ₁ for performing various requests to the external storage system 40 _1. Similarly, the service providing system 10 according to this embodiment has an external storage B cooperation unit 170 _2, etc. for performing various requests to the external storage system 40 _2.

In the following, when distinguishing each of the plurality of external storage cooperation units 170, the subscripts such as "external storage A cooperation unit 170 ₁ " and "external storage B cooperation unit 170 ₂ " are added as described above. Expressed using.

Here, the external storage cooperation unit 170 has a file processing unit 171 that receives a request from the logic processing unit 130, and a data processing unit 172 that receives a request from the data I / F unit 150.

The file processing unit 171 has a common I / F 1711 and a unique I / F 1711 in which an API (Application Programming Interface) for performing an operation (for example, acquisition, saving, editing, etc.) on an electronic file stored in the external storage system 40 is defined. It has / F1712.

The common I / F 1711 is an API that can be commonly used among a plurality of external storage systems 40, and examples thereof include the API shown in FIG. 5 (a). That is, the common I / F 1711 of the file processing unit 171 is an API group for using functions related to file operations (for example, file acquisition, storage, etc.) that can be used by all external storage systems 40.

On the other hand, the unique I / F 1712 is an API that can be used in the specific external storage system 40, and examples thereof include the API shown in FIG. 5 (b). That is, the unique I / F 1712 of the file processing unit 171 is an API group for using a function related to file operations (for example, adding a file to a document) that can be used in a specific external storage system 40.

Therefore, the common I / F 1711 is similarly defined for all external storage linkage units 170. On the other hand, the unique I / F 1712 is defined for the external storage linkage unit 170 corresponding to the specific external storage system 40 in which the API defined by the unique I / F 1712 is available.

The data processing unit 172 has a common I / F1721 in which an API for acquiring metadata (for example, a file list, a folder list, etc.) such as bibliographic information of an electronic file stored in the external storage system 40 is defined. It has a unique I / F 1722.

The common I / F1721 is an API that can be commonly used among a plurality of external storage systems 40, and examples thereof include the API shown in FIG. 5 (c). That is, the common I / F1721 of the data processing unit 172 is an API group for using the metadata acquisition functions (for example, file list acquisition, folder list acquisition, etc.) that can be used in all external storage systems 40. ..

On the other hand, the unique I / F 1722 is an API that can be used in a specific external storage system 40, and examples thereof include the API shown in FIG. 5 (d). That is, the unique I / F 1722 of the data processing unit 172 is an API group for using a function related to metadata acquisition or the like (for example, acquisition of an image file list) that can be used in a specific external storage system 40.

Therefore, the common I / F1721 is similarly defined for all external storage linkage units 170. On the other hand, the unique I / F 1722 is defined for the external storage linkage unit 170 corresponding to the specific external storage system 40 in which the API defined by the unique I / F 1722 can be used.

As described above, the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment has an external storage cooperation unit 170 corresponding to each external storage system 40 for each external storage system 40 that performs processing in cooperation with the service providing system 10. Have. Therefore, when the external storage system 40 to be linked is added or deleted (hereinafter referred to as "addition or the like"), the external storage linkage unit 170 corresponding to the added external storage system 40 is provided as a service providing system. It may be added to 10.

As a result, in the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment, the influence of the addition of the external storage system 40 as the cooperation destination can be localized. In other words, in the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment, the external storage system 40 to be linked is added without affecting other functional units (service processing unit 110, document service unit 160, etc.). It can be carried out. The external storage cooperation unit 170 can be added by using the SDK (Software Development Kit).

Further, the file processing unit 171 of the external storage cooperation unit 170 defines the common I / F 1711 and the unique I / F 1712 in different modules or the like. Further, the API defined by the common I / F 1711 and the unique I / F 1712 can be used by specifying the "external storage name" (that is, the "external storage name" is a variable part).

As a result, when the external storage cooperation unit 170 is added, the common I / F 1711 defined in the file processing unit 171 of the other external storage cooperation unit 170 can be reused. In other words, when the external storage cooperation unit 170 is added, the file processing unit 171 of the external storage cooperation unit 170 to be added need only develop the unique I / F 1722. This also applies to the common I / F1721 and the unique I / F1722 of the data processing unit 172.

The application information storage unit 180 stores application information 1000, which is an application for providing various services to the device 20.

The application information 1000 is stored in the application information storage unit 180 in association with the application ID for identifying the application information 1000 and the name (application name) of the application information 1000. Further, the application information 1000 includes processing flow information 1100 in which a series of processing (processing flow) for realizing a service provided to the device 20 is defined. The details of the processing flow information 1100 will be described later.

Here, the detailed functional configuration of the logic processing unit 130 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of an example of the logic processing unit 130 according to the first embodiment.

The logic processing unit 130 shown in FIG. 6 includes a flow execution unit 131, a component management unit 132, a component group 133, a type conversion management unit 134, and a type conversion group 135. Further, the logic processing unit 130 uses the processing information table 2000 and the type conversion information table 3000.

The flow execution unit 131 acquires the processing flow information 1100 included in the application information 1000 from the application management unit 120 in response to a request from the UI control unit 210 of the device 20. Then, the flow execution unit 131 requests the component to execute the process based on the process flow information 1100 acquired from the application management unit 120.

Here, the component is a module or the like for executing a predetermined process included in a series of processes (process flow) based on the process flow information 1100. Therefore, a series of processes based on the process flow information 1100 is realized by combining the processes executed by one or more components. The component is defined by, for example, a class or a function.

The component management unit 132 generates a component in response to a request from the flow execution unit 131. The generation of a component means, for example, expanding a component defined by a class or a function on a memory (for example, RAM 14).

Further, the component management unit 132 returns the processing information table 2000 in response to a request from the flow creation processing unit 140.

Here, the details of the processing information table 2000 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the processing information table 2000.

One or more processing information is stored in the processing information table 2000 shown in FIG. 7. Further, the processing information has a component name, an icon path, a component ID, an operation name, an operation ID, and parameter setting information as data items.

The component name is the name of the component. The icon path is a storage destination path (for example, URL (Uniform Resource Locator) or the like) in which display components such as icons representing components and operations are stored.

The component ID is identification information that identifies the component. The operation name is the name of the operation that indicates the processing performed by the component. The operation ID is identification information that identifies the operation. The parameter setting information is various information used when setting the parameter value of the parameter information used for the processing executed by the component.

Further, the parameter setting information includes a parameter name, a display name, an input format, and the like. The parameter name is the name of the parameter information. The display name is a display name displayed on a screen for setting a parameter value of parameter information (a parameter setting screen described later). The input format is a data format that can be set as a parameter value and the number of inputs (for example, characters and numbers, the number of characters that can be input, etc.).

For example, the component name “external storage A component” (component ID “storeA”) can execute the process (operation) of the operation name “delivery” (operation ID “uploadFile”). At this time, it is shown that the external storage A component uses the parameter information of the parameter name “folderID”.

Similarly, for example, the component name “external storage A component” (component ID “storeA”) can execute the process (operation) of the operation name “acquisition” (operation ID “getFiles”). At this time, it is shown that the external storage A component uses the parameter information of the parameter name “fileID”.

Similarly, for example, the component name “OCR component” (component ID “ocr”) can execute the process (operation) of the operation name “OCR” (operation ID “process”). At this time, it is shown that the OCR component uses the parameter information of the parameter name "language" and the parameter information of the parameter name "outputType".

As such, each component contains one or more operations. Then, the component can execute various processes by setting the operation and the parameters for the operation.

The component group 133 is a set of components. The set of components 133 include external storage A component 1331 for performing processing in cooperation with the external storage system 40 ₁ (external storage A). Also, the component group 133 includes external storage B component 1332 for performing processing in cooperation with the external storage system 40 ₂ (external storage B).

Further, the component group 133 includes an OCR component 1333 for performing OCR processing on an electronic file, a mail sending component 1334 for sending a mail to a designated mail address, and the like.

In addition to these, the component group 133 may include, for example, a size conversion component for converting the size of an image file, a translation component for translating a language, and the like. Further, the component group 133 may include, for example, a login component for performing login authentication to the external storage system 40. As described above, the component group 133 includes various components.

Here, each component has a component common I / F 1330. The component common I / F 1330 is an API commonly defined for each component, and includes an API for generating a component and an API for requesting the component to execute a process.

Since each component has a component common I / F 1330, the influence of adding a component or the like can be localized. That is, in the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment, for example, components can be added without affecting the flow execution unit 131, the component management unit 132, and the like.

The type conversion management unit 134 manages the type conversion of the data type. Here, each component has a predetermined data type that it can handle. Therefore, the type conversion management unit 134 refers to the type conversion information table 3000 and generates the type conversion defined in the type conversion group 135 in response to the request from the component. Then, the type conversion management unit 134 requests the generated type conversion to execute the type conversion process. As a result, the type conversion management unit 134 performs type conversion to a data type that can be handled by the requesting component.

Here, the details of the type conversion information table 3000 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the type conversion information table 3000.

The type conversion information stored in the type conversion information table 3000 shown in FIG. 8 has a data type before conversion, a data type after conversion, and a type conversion to be generated as data items. That is, the type conversion information is information in which type conversion for converting the data type before conversion to the data type after conversion is associated with each of the data type before conversion and the data type after conversion.

As a result, for example, when the data of the data type "InputStream" indicating the stream data is converted into the data type "LocalFilePath" indicating the path (address) of the electronic file stored in the storage device or the like, the first type is used. All you have to do is generate the transformation.

Note that the generation of type conversion means, for example, expanding the type conversion defined in the class on the memory (for example, RAM 14). Further, as the data type, in addition to the above-mentioned "Input Stream" and "Local File Path", for example, a data type "File" indicating the substance of an electronic file can be mentioned.

The type conversion group 135 is a set of type conversions. The type conversion group 135 includes a first type conversion 1351 that converts the data of the data type "InputStream" into the data of the data type "LocalFilePath". In addition, the type conversion group 135 includes a second type conversion 1352 that converts the data of the data type "LocalFilePath" into the data of the data type "File".

Here, each type conversion has a common type conversion I / F 1350. The type conversion common I / F1350 is an API commonly defined for each type conversion, and includes an API for generating a type conversion and an API for requesting execution of processing for the type conversion. Is done.

Since each type conversion has a common I / F 1350 for type conversion, the influence of the addition of type conversion can be localized. That is, in the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment, for example, type conversion can be added without affecting the type conversion management unit 134 and the like.

Here, the details of the processing flow information 1100 in which a series of processes for realizing the "OCR distribution" service are defined will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of processing flow information 1100 in which a series of processes for realizing OCR distribution are defined.

The processing flow information 1100 shown in FIG. 9 defines a flow ID 1101 for identifying the processing flow information 1100, a flow name 1102 indicating the name of a series of processing based on the processing flow information 1100, and each processing included in the series of processing. The flow details 1103 and the above are included.

Further, the flow detail 1103 includes a process definition 1104 and a process definition 1105. In each of the process definitions 1104 and 1105, "component" in which the component ID is set, "operation" in which the operation ID is set, and "parameters" in which the parameter information is set are defined.

For example, the component ID "ocr" is set in the "component" of the process definition 1104. Further, the operation ID "process" is set in the "operation" of the process definition 1104. Further, parameter information "" language ":" English "" and "" outputType ":" pdf "" are set in the "parameters" of the process definition 1104.

Similarly, the component ID "storeA" is set in the "component" of the process definition 1105. Further, the operation ID "uploadFile" is set in the "operation" of the process definition 1105. Further, the parameter information "" parameterId ":" folderA "" is set in the "parameters" of the process definition 1105.

As a result, in the series of processing based on the processing flow information 1100 shown in FIG. 9, first, the OCR processing is performed on the electronic file in the OCR language "English", and the processing result of the OCR processing is the PDF format electronic file. Is output with. Then, in the series of the processing, the folder of the folder ID "folderA" in the external storage system 40 _1, an electronic file of the PDF format is uploaded.

The execution order of the processes defined in each process definition is executed in order from the top in the flow details 1103. That is, in a series of processes (process flows) based on the process flow information 1100 shown in FIG. 9, the processes defined in the process definition 1104 and the processes defined in the process definition 1105 are executed in this order. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the processing flow information 1100 may define, for example, information indicating the execution order of the processes defined in each process definition.

<Details of processing>
Next, the details of the processing of the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. First, a process in which the user U of the PC terminal 30 registers a series of processes (processing flows) for realizing the "OCR distribution" service in the service providing system 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing flow registration processing.

The user U performs a processing flow creation start operation using the PC terminal 30 (step S1001). For example, the user U creates a processing flow by logging in to the service providing system 10 using the PC terminal 30 and then selecting the "process flow creation" button or the like on the portal screen or the like displayed after the login. You can perform a start operation.

When the UI control unit 310 of the PC terminal 30 receives the operation to start creating the processing flow, the UI control unit 310 transmits an acquisition request of the application list screen to the flow creation processing unit 140 of the service providing system 10 (step S1002).

When the flow creation processing unit 140 of the service providing system 10 receives the acquisition request of the application list screen, the flow creation processing unit 140 transmits the acquisition request of the application list information to the application management unit 120 (step S1003). Then, the application management unit 120 returns the application list information to the flow creation processing unit 140. The application list information is information indicating a list of application names and application IDs of the application information 1000 stored in the application information storage unit 180.

When the flow creation processing unit 140 of the service providing system 10 receives the application list information, it creates an application list screen that displays a list of application names of the application information 1000 based on the application list information (step S1004). The application list screen is defined by, for example, HTML (HyperText Markup Language), CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), or the like.

Then, the flow creation processing unit 140 returns the created application list screen to the UI control unit 310.

When the UI control unit 310 of the PC terminal 30 receives the application list screen, for example, the application list screen G100 shown in FIG. 11A is displayed (step S1005). Here, the application list screen G100 shown in FIG. 11A includes an application list G101 which is a list of application names of the application information 1000.

Next, the user U performs an operation of selecting an application for creating a processing flow from the application list G101 of the application list screen G100 shown in FIG. 11A (step S1006). Here, it is assumed that "App 1" is selected by the user U from the application list G101 of the application list screen G100 shown in FIG. 11A.

When the UI control unit 310 of the PC terminal 30 receives the application selection operation, the UI control unit 310 transmits an acquisition request for the processing flow creation screen to the flow creation processing unit 140 of the service providing system 10 (step S1007). The acquisition request includes information for identifying the application selected by the user U (for example, information for identifying each display component included in the application list G101, an application ID, and the like).

When the flow creation processing unit 140 of the service providing system 10 receives the acquisition request of the processing flow creation screen, the flow creation processing unit 140 transmits the acquisition request of the processing information table to the component management unit 132 of the logic processing unit 130 (step S1008). Then, when the component management unit 132 receives the acquisition request of the processing information table, the component management unit 132 returns the processing information table 2000 to the flow creation processing unit 140.

When the flow creation processing unit 140 of the service providing system 10 receives the processing information table 2000, it creates a processing flow creation screen based on the processing information stored in the processing information table 2000 (step S1009). The processing flow creation screen is defined by, for example, HTML or CSS.

Then, the flow creation processing unit 140 returns the created processing flow creation screen to the UI control unit 310.

When the UI control unit 310 of the PC terminal 30 receives the processing flow creation screen, for example, the processing flow creation screen G200 shown in FIG. 11B is displayed (step S1010).

Here, the processing flow creation screen G200 shown in FIG. 11B is a screen for creating the processing flow of "App 1", and the component list G201 in which the component names included in each processing information are listed is displayed. included. Further, on the processing flow creation screen G200 shown in FIG. 11B, a creation area G202 for graphically creating a processing flow, an explanation column G203 for displaying explanations such as an operation guide, and a flow name of the processing flow. The flow name setting field G204 for setting the above is included. Further, the processing flow creation screen G200 shown in FIG. 11B includes a registration button G205 for registering the created processing flow.

The user U creates a processing flow by selecting one or more components and operations on the processing flow creation screen G200 and arranging them in the creation area G202, and defining parameter information used by each component for processing. Can be done.

Next, the user U performs an operation of creating the processing flow of the “application 1” on the processing flow creation screen G200 shown in FIG. 11B to perform the processing flow creation process (step S1011). The details of the processing flow creation process will be described later.

Next, when the user U creates the processing flow, the user U presses the registration button G205 to perform the processing flow registration operation (step S1012).

When the UI control unit 310 of the PC terminal 30 receives the processing flow registration operation, it transmits a processing flow registration request to the flow creation processing unit 140 of the service providing system 10 (step S1013). In the registration request, information indicating the processing flow created by the user U (for example, processing flow information 1100, etc.) and information identifying the "application 1" (for example, the application ID and the processing flow creation screen G200) are provided. Information to identify, etc.) is included.

When the flow creation processing unit 140 of the service providing system 10 receives the registration request for the processing flow, the flow creation processing unit 140 transmits the registration request to the application management unit 120 (step S1014). Then, the application management unit 120 stores the processing flow information 1100 included in the registration request of the processing flow in the application information storage unit 180 in association with the application information 1000 of the "application 1". As a result, the processing flow created by the user U is registered in the service providing system 10.

Here, in step S1011 described above, a process when the user selects one or more components and operations and arranges them in the creation area G202 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the process flow creation process (1/2).

First, the user U performs a component and operation placement operation (step S1201). That is, the user U performs the arrangement operation of the components and operations as follows.

First, on the processing flow creation screen G300 shown in FIG. 13A, when the user U selects the “external storage A component” from the component list G201, the operation list G301 of the external storage A component 1331 is displayed. In this way, when a component is selected from the component list G201, the operation list of the selected component is displayed.

Next, the user U selects the "delivery" operation from the operation list G301, and then selects a desired position in the creation area G202. This allows the user U to perform component and operation placement operations. The placement operation may be performed, for example, by dragging and dropping the "delivery" operation of the operation list G301 to a desired position in the work area G202.

Here, on the processing flow creation screen G300 shown in FIG. 13A, when an operation is selected by the user U from the operation list, a description of the selected operation is displayed in the explanation column G203. For example, as described above, when the "delivery" operation of the external storage A component 1331 is selected by the user U, the description of the "delivery" operation is displayed in the explanation column G203.

When the UI control unit 310 of the PC terminal 30 receives the arrangement operation of the component and the operation, the UI control unit 310 transmits the component ID, the operation ID, and the arrangement position to the flow creation processing unit 140 of the service providing system 10 (step S1202). .. The component ID is the component ID “story A” of the external storage A component 1331 selected by the user U. Similarly, the operation ID is the operation ID "uploadFile" of the "delivery" operation selected by the user U. Further, the arrangement position is, for example, a position coordinate in the work area G202 in which the arrangement operation of the component and the operation is performed.

Upon receiving the component ID and the operation ID, the flow creation processing unit 140 of the service providing system 10 acquires the processing information corresponding to the component ID and the operation ID from the processing information table 2000 (step S1203). That is, the flow creation processing unit 140 acquires the processing information corresponding to the component ID “storeA” and the operation ID “uploadFile” from the processing information table 2000.

Next, when the flow creation processing unit 140 of the service providing system 10 acquires the processing information, it transmits an icon acquisition request to the component management unit 132 of the logic processing unit 130 (step S1204). The acquisition request includes the icon path of the processing information acquired in step S1203.

When the component management unit 132 of the logic processing unit 130 receives the icon acquisition request, the component management unit 132 acquires the icon from the icon path included in the acquisition request (step S1205). Then, the component management unit 132 returns the acquired icon to the flow creation processing unit 140. The icon is image data in a data format such as PNG, JPEG, or ICO.

Upon receiving the icon, the flow creation processing unit 140 of the service providing system 10 updates the creation area G202 so that the icon is displayed at the arrangement position of the creation area G202 on the processing flow creation screen (step S1206). Then, the flow creation processing unit 140 returns the updated creation area G202 to the UI control unit 310.

When the UI control unit 310 of the PC terminal 30 receives the updated creation area G202, the UI control unit 310 displays the updated creation area G202 (step S1207). That is, the UI control unit 310 displays the icon P11 in the creation area G202 of the processing flow creation screen G300 shown in FIG. 13A. As a result, the icon P11 representing the "delivery" operation of the external storage A component 1331 selected by the user U is arranged in the creation area G202.

After that, similarly, on the processing flow creation screen G400 shown in FIG. 13B, when the user U selects “OCR component” from the component list G201, the operation list G401 of the OCR component 1333 is displayed. Then, when the desired position in the creation area G202 is selected after selecting the "OCR" operation from the operation list G401, the icon P12 representing the "OCR" operation of the OCR component 1333 is placed at the position of the creation area G202. Be placed.

Further, in the creation area G202 of the processing flow creation screen G300 shown in FIG. 13A, the arrow P13 is displayed by the user U performing an operation of designating the preceding relationship between the icon P11 and the icon P12. As a result, the user U can specify that the processing (operation) of the component indicated by the icon P11 is performed next to the processing (operation) of the component indicated by the icon P12. As a result, the user U can create a processing flow F11 that performs the "OCR" operation of the OCR component 1333 and then the "delivery" operation of the external storage A component 1331.

Further, the flow name of the processing flow F11 can be set in the flow name setting field G204 of the processing flow creation screen G300 shown in FIG. 13A.

Here, on the processing flow creation screen G300 shown in FIG. 13A, for example, when the icon P11 or the icon P11 is arranged in the creation area G202, an explanation for registering the processing flow is displayed in the explanation column G203. .. For example, when the icon P12 is arranged in the creation area G202 as described above, the explanation for registering the processing flow is displayed in the explanation column G203. As described above, in the explanation column G203, the explanation of each component, the explanation of the operation expected to be performed next by the user U, and the like are displayed according to the operation of the user U.

As described above, the user U can create the processing flow F11 by arranging the icons representing the components and operations in the creation area G202.

Next, the processing when each component defines the parameter information used for the processing (operation) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the process flow creation process (2/2).

First, the user U performs an icon selection operation (step S1401). Here and thereafter, it is assumed that the user U has selected the icon P11 arranged in the creation area G202.

When the UI control unit 310 of the PC terminal 30 receives the icon selection operation, the UI control unit 310 transmits the component ID and the operation ID corresponding to the selected icon to the flow creation processing unit 140 of the service providing system 10 (step S1402). That is, the UI control unit 310 transmits the component ID “storeA” and the operation ID “uprowadFile” corresponding to the icon P11 to the flow creation processing unit 140.

Upon receiving the component ID and the operation ID, the flow creation processing unit 140 of the service providing system 10 acquires the processing information corresponding to the component ID and the operation ID from the processing information table 2000 (step S1403). That is, the flow creation processing unit 140 acquires the processing information corresponding to the component ID “storeA” and the operation ID “uprowadFile” from the processing information table 2000.

Next, the flow creation processing unit 140 of the service providing system 10 creates a parameter setting screen based on the parameter setting information included in the processing information acquired in step S1403 above (step S1404). The parameter setting screen is a screen for setting parameter values of parameter information used for component processing, and the screen is defined by, for example, HTML or CSS.

Then, the flow creation processing unit 140 returns the created parameter setting screen to the UI control unit 310.

When the UI control unit 310 of the PC terminal 30 receives the parameter setting screen, for example, the parameter setting screen G500 shown in FIG. 15 is displayed (step S1405).

Here, the parameter setting screen G500 shown in FIG. 15 is a screen for setting parameter information used in the “delivery” operation of the external storage A component 1331. The parameter setting screen G500 shown in FIG. 15 includes a folder setting field G501 for setting a folder ID and a decision button G502.

As the display name G504, the display name of the parameter setting information included in the processing information acquired in step S1403 is displayed. Further, the input restriction information G505 is displayed based on the input format of the parameter setting information included in the processing information acquired in step S1403 above.

The user U can set a value (parameter value) in the parameter name "folderId" by pressing the enter button G502 after inputting the folder ID in the folder setting field G501.

The parameter setting screen G500 may include a common parameter setting field G503. In the common parameter setting field G503, parameter information commonly used in the processing of a plurality of components can be set. Common parameters include, for example, "save" for setting whether to save the processing result of each component, "skip" for setting whether to skip (do not execute) the processing of a predetermined component, and the like. is there.

Next, the user U performs an operation (parameter setting operation) for setting parameter information on the parameter setting screen G500 shown in FIG. 15 (step S1406).

Then, when the UI control unit 310 of the PC terminal 30 receives the parameter setting operation, the UI control unit 310 sets the set parameter information in the corresponding component and operation (step S1407). As a result, parameter information is set for the "delivery" operation of the external storage A component 1331. Similarly, the user U sets the parameter information for the "OCR" component of the OCR component 1333.

In step S1405, the UI control unit 310 of the PC terminal 30 may display, for example, the parameter setting screen G510 shown in FIG. The parameter setting screen G510 shown in FIG. 16 includes an input support button G511 for selecting information to be set in the folder setting field G501.

When the user U presses the input support button G511, the setting information list G520, which is a list of information that can be set in the folder setting field G501, is displayed. Here, for example, information such as processing results of other components can be selected in the setting information list G520.

For example, the user U can select a "login user ID" or the like indicating the processing result of the login component for performing login authentication to the external storage system 40 from the setting information list G520. As a result, for example, a user ID (login user ID) whose login has been authenticated by the login component can be set in the folder setting field G501.

As described above, in the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment, the processing flow information 1100 indicating the processing flow F11 created by the user U can be registered in the service providing system 10.

Moreover, in the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment, a processing flow can be created by selecting a desired component and operation from the component list G201, specifying a pre-post relationship, and setting parameter information. .. Therefore, the user U can easily create a processing flow.

Here, the processing flow information 1100 is described by, for example, JSON (JavaScript Object Notation), XML (Extensible Markup Language), DSL (Domain-Specific Language), or the like. Therefore, according to the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment, even a user who does not understand the specifications and formats of JSON, XML, DSL, etc. can easily create a processing flow.

In the above description, the case of creating a processing flow having one pre-post relationship has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and there may be a plurality of pre-post relationships of the processing flow.

Here, another operation example in the case where the user U creates a processing flow on the processing flow creation screen will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18.

First, it is assumed that the processing flow F21 is arranged in the creation area G202 of the processing flow creation screen G600 shown in FIG. 17A. At this time, when the user U presses the alignment button G601, the arrangement positions of the icons P21 to P24 constituting the processing flow F21 can be aligned.

That is, when the alignment button G601 is pressed by the user U, the arrangement positions of the icons P21 to P24 are arranged as in the processing flow F21 arranged in the creation area G202 of the processing flow creation screen G700 shown in FIG. 17B. Are aligned. For example, the UI control unit 310 of the PC terminal 30 may perform such alignment of the arrangement positions, and the flow creation processing unit 140 updates the creation area G202 in response to a request from the UI control unit 310. Then, the UI control unit 310 may display the updated creation area G202.

As a result, the user U can easily arrange the icons P21 to P24 constituting the processing flow F21.

Further, on the processing flow creation screen G600 shown in FIG. 17A, the user U can press the enlargement button G602 or the reduction button G603 to enlarge or reduce the processing flow F21 arranged in the creation area G202. it can. As a result, the user U can enlarge or reduce the display of the icons P21 to P24 constituting the processing flow F21.

Next, on the processing flow creation screen G800 shown in FIG. 18A, when the user U presses the shared flow import button G801, the UI control unit 310 can display the shared flow selection screen G810. Here, the shared flow is a processing flow created in advance so that it can be selected on the shared flow selection screen G810. The shared flow is, for example, a processing flow defined as "" shareflow ":" true "" in the processing flow information 1100.

The user U can select a processing flow by pressing the OK button G812 after selecting a desired processing flow from the shared flow selection field G811 on the shared flow selection screen G810.

Then, when the processing flow is selected on the shared flow selection screen G810, the UI control unit 310 displays the processing flow F31 selected in the creation area G202 as in the processing flow creation screen G900 shown in FIG. 18B. Will be done. As a result, the user U can create a desired processing flow by editing the processing flow F31. Therefore, the user U can create the processing flow more easily than creating the processing flow from the beginning by editing the processing flow F31 which is the shared flow and creating the processing flow.

Next, a process when the user U uses the “OCR distribution” service provided by the application (application information 1000) of the service providing system 10 by using the device 20 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram showing an example of overall processing of service use.

The user U uses the device 20 to perform a display operation for displaying a list of services provided by the application information 1000 (step S1901).

When the UI control unit 210 of the device 20 receives the display operation for displaying the list of services, for example, the service list screen G1000 shown in FIG. 20A is displayed (step S1902). The UI control unit 210 may display the service list screen G1000 by receiving from the service providing system 10 the information in which the service list screen G1000 is defined by HTML, CSS, or the like.

The service list screen G1000 shown in FIG. 20A includes a service name list G1001 in which a list of service names is displayed.

Next, the user U performs an operation of selecting a desired service from the service name list G1001 on the service list screen G1000 (step S1903). Here, it is assumed that the "OCR distribution" service is selected by the user U from the service name list G1001 on the service list screen G1000.

When the UI control unit 210 of the device 20 receives the selection operation of the "OCR distribution" service, for example, the service use screen G1100 shown in FIG. 20B is displayed (step S1904). The UI control unit 210 may display the service use screen G1100 by receiving the information in which the service use screen G1100 is defined by HTML, CSS, or the like from the service providing system 10.

The service use screen G1100 shown in FIG. 20B includes a save destination folder display field G1101, an OCR language display field G1102, a data format display field G1103, and a scan button G1104.

Here, the save destination folder display field G1101 is displayed based on, for example, the parameter information "" folderId ":" folderA "" defined in the processing definition 1105 of the processing flow information 1100 shown in FIG. Further, the OCR language display field G1102 is displayed based on, for example, the parameter information "" language ":" English "" defined in the processing definition 1104 of the processing flow information 1100 shown in FIG. Further, the data format display field G1103 is displayed based on, for example, the parameter information "" outputType ":" pdf "" defined in the processing definition 1104 of the processing flow information 1100 shown in FIG.

Next, the user U presses the scan button G1104 on the service use screen G1100 shown in FIG. 20B to perform a scan execution operation (step S1905). Then, the UI control unit 210 accepts the scan execution operation.

When the UI control unit 210 of the device 20 receives the scan execution operation, the UI control unit 210 transmits a scan execution request to the scan processing unit 220 (step S1906).

Upon receiving the scan execution request, the scan processing unit 220 of the device 20 controls the scanner 26 to read the document set on the platen and generate an electronic file (step S1907). Then, the scan processing unit 220 returns a scan result indicating that the scan has been completed.

Upon receiving the scan result, the UI control unit 210 of the device 20 transmits a processing flow execution request for realizing the “OCR distribution” service to the logic processing unit 130 of the service providing system 10 (step S1908). The execution request includes, for example, an application ID of application information 1000 that provides the "OCR distribution" service, a flow ID of processing flow information 1100 that realizes the service, and an electronic file generated in step S1907 above. And are included.

When the logic processing unit 130 of the service providing system 10 receives the execution request of the processing flow, the logic processing unit 130 acquires the processing flow information 1100 corresponding to the application ID and the flow ID included in the execution request. Then, the logic processing unit 130 executes a series of processing based on the acquired processing flow information 1100 (step S1909). After that, the logic processing unit 130 returns the processing result of the series of processing.

As a result, in the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment, a series of processes for realizing the "OCR distribution" service is executed, and the "OCR distribution" service is provided to the device 20.

Here, the details of the execution processing of the processing flow of the above step S1909 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 21 is a sequence diagram showing an example of execution processing of the processing flow.

When the flow execution unit 131 receives the execution request of the processing flow, the flow execution unit 131 transmits the acquisition request of the processing flow information to the application management unit 120 (step S2101). The acquisition request includes an application ID and a flow ID included in the execution request of the received processing flow.

Then, the application management unit 120 acquires the processing flow information 1100 corresponding to the application ID and the flow ID included in the acquisition request of the received processing flow information from the application information storage unit 180, and returns the processing flow information 1100. .. As a result, the processing flow information 1100 shown in FIG. 9 is returned to the flow execution unit 131.

Next, when the flow execution unit 131 receives the processing flow information 1100 shown in FIG. 9, it transmits a component acquisition request based on the processing flow information 1100 to the component management unit 132 (step S2102).

That is, the flow execution unit 131 transmits a component acquisition request including the component ID “ocr” defined in the processing definition 1104 of the processing flow information 1100 shown in FIG. 9 to the component management unit 132.

Upon receiving the component acquisition request, the component management unit 132 generates the OCR component 1333 corresponding to the component ID “ocr” included in the acquisition request (step S1703). The OCR component 1333 can be generated by using the API defined in the component common I / F 1330.

Then, the component management unit 132 returns the generated OCR component 1333 to the flow execution unit 131. That is, the component management unit 132 returns, for example, the address on the memory (for example, RAM 14) in which the OCR component 1333 is expanded to the flow execution unit 131.

Next, the flow execution unit 131 transmits a processing execution request based on the processing flow information 1100 to the generated OCR component 1333 (step S2104).

That is, the flow execution unit 131 transmits to the OCR component 1333 a process execution request including the operation ID “process” defined in the process definition 1104 of the process flow information 1100 shown in FIG. 9, data, and parameter information.

Here, the data included in the process execution request is an electronic file received from the UI control unit 210 as the data type "Input Stream".

That is, the flow execution unit 131 transmits the electronic file received from the UI control unit 210 as the data type “Input Stream” to the OCR component 1333 simply as “data” (without specifying the data type). Hereinafter, electronic files and the like that are transmitted and received without specifying a data type in this way are simply referred to as "data".

Further, the parameter information included in the processing execution request is the parameter information "" language ":" English "" and "" outputType ":" pdf "" defined in the processing definition 1104 of the processing flow information 1100 shown in FIG. Is.

Upon receiving the processing execution request, the OCR component 1333 transmits the type conversion request to the type conversion management unit 134 (step S2105). The type conversion request includes data and designation of "LocalFilePath", which is a data type that can be handled by the OCR component 1333.

Upon receiving the type conversion request, the type conversion management unit 134 checks whether or not the data type of the data included in the type conversion request matches the designated data type (step S2106).

Here, the data type of the data included in the received type conversion request is "InputStream", while the specified data type is "LocalFilePath". Therefore, the type conversion management unit 134 determines that the data type of the data included in the type conversion request does not match the designated data type.

Then, the type conversion management unit 134 refers to the type conversion information table 3000 and specifies the first type conversion 1351 for converting the data type "InputStream" to the data type "LocalFilePath". Then, the type conversion management unit 134 generates the specified first type conversion 1351 (step S2107). The first type conversion 1351 can be generated by using the API defined in the type conversion common I / F1350.

Next, the type conversion management unit 134 transmits a request for executing the type conversion process to the generated first type conversion 1351 (step S2108). The execution request includes data.

When the first type conversion 1351 receives the execution request of the type conversion process, the first type conversion 1351 converts the data type of the data included in the execution request from "Input Stream" to "LocalFilePath" (step S2109). Then, the first type conversion 1351 returns the data after the type conversion.

When the type conversion management unit 134 receives the data after the type conversion, the type conversion management unit 134 transmits the data after the type conversion to the OCR component 1333 (step S2110).

When the OCR component 1333 receives the data after type conversion, it executes a process using the parameter information (step S2111). That is, the OCR component 1333 executes the OCR process on the electronic file indicated by the data (path or address) of the data type "LocalFilePath" by using the parameter information.

More specifically, the OCR component 1333 requests the OCR processing unit 161 of the document service unit 160 to execute the process. Then, the OCR processing unit 161 performs OCR processing on the electronic file in the OCR language "English", and outputs the processing result of the OCR processing as a PDF format electronic file.

Then, the OCR component 1333 returns the data indicating the electronic file after the OCR processing to the flow execution unit 131. The data returned by the OCR component 1333 is data indicating the path or address of the electronic file after the OCR processing (that is, data of the data type "LocalFilePath").

Next, when the flow execution unit 131 receives the data, it transmits a component acquisition request based on the processing flow information 1100 to the component management unit 132 (step S2112).

That is, the flow execution unit 131 transmits to the component management unit 132 a component acquisition request including the component ID “storeA” defined in the processing definition 1105 of the processing flow information 1100 shown in FIG.

Upon receiving the component acquisition request, the component management unit 132 generates the external storage A component 1331 corresponding to the component ID "store A" included in the acquisition request (step S2113). The external storage A component 1331 can be generated by using the API defined in the component common I / F 1330.

Then, the component management unit 132 returns the generated external storage A component 1331 to the flow execution unit 131. That is, the component management unit 132 returns, for example, the address on the memory (for example, RAM 14) in which the external storage A component 1331 is expanded to the flow execution unit 131.

Next, the flow execution unit 131 transmits a processing execution request based on the processing flow information 1100 to the generated external storage A component 1331 (step S2114).

That is, the flow execution unit 131 transmits a process execution request including the operation ID “uploadFile” defined in the process definition 1105 of the process flow information 1100 shown in FIG. 9, data, and parameter information to the external storage A component 1331. To do.

The data included in the processing execution request is the data returned from the OCR component 1333 as the data type "LocalFilePath" (that is, the path or address indicating the electronic file after the OCR processing).

Further, the parameter information included in the processing execution request is the parameter information "" folderId ":" folderA "" defined in the processing definition 1105 of the processing flow information 1100 shown in FIG.

Upon receiving the processing execution request, the external storage A component 1331 transmits the type conversion request to the type conversion management unit 134 (step S2115). The type conversion request includes data and designation of "LocalFilePath", which is a data type that can be handled by the external storage A component 1331.

Upon receiving the type conversion request, the type conversion management unit 134 checks whether or not the data type of the data included in the type conversion request matches the specified data type (step S2116).

Here, the data type of the data included in the received type conversion request is "LocalFilePath", and the designated data type is also "LocalFilePath". Therefore, the type conversion management unit 134 determines that the data type of the data included in the type conversion request matches the designated data type.

Then, the type conversion management unit 134 transmits the data included in the type conversion request to the external storage A component 1331 (step S2117). In this way, when it is determined in the data type check (process in step S2116) that the data types match, the type conversion management unit 134 does not generate the type conversion.

Upon receiving the data from the type conversion management unit 134, the external storage A component 1331 executes the process (step S2118). That is, the external storage A component 1331 distributes (uploads) the electronic file indicated by the received data to the folder of the folder ID “folderA” of the external storage A by using the parameter information.

More specifically, the external storage A component 1331, the file processing unit 171 of _the external storage A linkage unit 170 _1, using the API "/ External Storage Name / process / folder" shown in FIGS. 5 (a) Can be done. That is, the external storage A component 1331, the file processing unit 171 _1, for example, transmits the data as "/ storage-a / process / folder".

As a result, the electronic file after the OCR processing is saved in the folder of the folder ID "folder A" of the external storage A.

Then, the external storage A component 1331 returns the data indicating the processing result to the flow execution unit 131.

As described above, the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment can provide the device 20 with the "OCR distribution" service realized by a series of processing based on the processing flow information 1100 shown in FIG. At this time, the service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment can execute a series of processes by combining one or more components based on the process flow information 1100.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, the information processing system 1 according to the second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that in the processing flow registration process, the processing flow can be updated or deleted in addition to the registration (addition) of the processing flow. In the following, the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment will be used for the parts having substantially the same functions as those of the first embodiment and the parts performing the same processing, and the description thereof will be omitted.

<Details of processing>
Hereinafter, the processing flow registration process according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 22. FIG. 22 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing for registering, updating, or deleting a processing flow.

Following step S1006, when the UI control unit 310 of the PC terminal 30 accepts the application selection operation, the application information screen of the selected application is displayed (step S2201).

That is, for example, when "App 1" is selected by the user U from the application list G101 of the application list screen G100 shown in FIG. 11A, the UI control unit 310 displays, for example, the application information screen G1200 shown in FIG. 23. To do.

The application information screen G1200 shown in FIG. 23 is a screen for registering, updating, or deleting the processing flow of the application information 1000, which is the “application 1”.

The application information screen G1200 shown in FIG. 23 includes a flow name list G1201 which is a list of processing flow information 1100 included in the application information 1000 which is the “application 1”. Further, on the application information screen G1200 shown in FIG. 23, the registration button G1202 for registering the processing flow, the update button G1203 for updating the registered processing flow, and the registered processing flow are deleted. Includes a delete button G1204 for.

Hereinafter, a case where the registration button G1202 is selected, a case where the update button G1203 is selected, and a case where the delete button G1204 is selected by the user U will be described.

When the registration button G1202 is selected by the user U on the application information screen G1200 shown in FIG. 23, the same processing as in steps S1007 to S1013 of FIG. 10 is performed. Details of these processes will be omitted.

Next, in the application information screen G1200 shown in FIG. 23, a case where the update button G1203 is selected after the flow name to be updated is selected from the flow name list G1201 by the user U will be described below. In the following description, it is assumed that "OCR distribution" is selected from the flow name list G1201 and then the update button G1203 is selected.

First, when the UI control unit 310 of the PC terminal 30 receives the selection operation of the update button G1203, it transmits a request for acquiring the update screen of the processing flow to the flow creation processing unit 140 (step S2202). The acquisition request includes information for identifying the application selected by the user U (for example, information for identifying the application information screen G1200, an application ID, and the like). Further, in the acquisition request, information for identifying the processing flow "OCR distribution" to be updated selected from the flow name list G1201 (for example, identification information of display parts for selecting the "OCR distribution" and a flow ID). "Flow001") is included.

Next, the flow creation processing unit 140 transmits a processing flow information acquisition request to the application management unit 120 (step S2203). The acquisition request includes an application ID and a flow ID.

Then, the application management unit 120 acquires the processing flow information 1100 corresponding to the application ID and the flow ID included in the acquisition request of the received processing flow information from the application information storage unit 180, and returns the processing flow information 1100. ..

Next, the flow creation processing unit 140 transmits the acquisition request of the processing information table to the component management unit 132 of the logic processing unit 130 (step S2204). Then, when the component management unit 132 receives the acquisition request of the processing information table, the component management unit 132 returns the processing information table 2000 to the flow creation processing unit 140.

The flow creation processing unit 140 of the service providing system 10 creates a processing flow update screen based on the received processing flow information 1100 and the processing information stored in the received processing information table 2000 (step S2205). The processing flow update screen is defined by, for example, HTML or CSS.

Then, the flow creation processing unit 140 returns the created processing flow update screen to the UI control unit 310.

Upon receiving the processing flow update screen, the UI control unit 310 of the PC terminal 30 displays, for example, the processing flow update screen G1300 shown in FIG. 24 (step S2206).

Here, the processing flow update screen G1300 shown in FIG. 24 is a screen for updating the processing flow of the flow name “OCR distribution”, and includes an update area G1301 and an update button G1302. Then, the processing flow F11 is arranged in the update area G1301 based on the processing flow information 1100 acquired in the above step S2203.

The user U can change the processing flow G11 by adding or deleting components and operations, modifying parameter information, modifying the flow name, and the like on the processing flow update screen G1300.

Next, the user U changes the processing flow G11 on the processing flow update screen G1300 shown in FIG. 24, presses the update button G1302, and performs a processing flow update operation (step S2207).

When the UI control unit 310 of the PC terminal 30 receives the update operation of the processing flow, the UI control unit 310 transmits the update request of the processing flow to the flow creation processing unit 140 of the service providing system 10 (step S2208). In the registration request, information indicating the processing flow F11 changed by the user U (for example, processing flow information 1100, etc.) and information for identifying the "app 1" (for example, the application ID and the processing flow update screen G1300) are included. Information that identifies the mobile app, etc.) is included.

When the flow creation processing unit 140 of the service providing system 10 receives the update request of the processing flow, the flow creation processing unit 140 transmits the update request to the application management unit 120 (step S2209). Then, the application management unit 120 stores the processing flow information 1100 included in the update request of the processing flow in the application information storage unit 180 in association with the application information 1000 of the "application 1". After that, the application management unit 120 returns the update result via the flow creation processing unit 140. As a result, the processing flow registered in the service providing system 10 is updated.

Next, in the application information screen G1200 shown in FIG. 23, a case where the delete button G1204 is selected after the flow name to be deleted is selected from the flow name list G1201 by the user U will be described below. In the following description, it is assumed that "OCR mail" is selected from the flow name list G1201 and then the delete button G1204 is selected.

When the UI control unit 310 of the PC terminal 30 receives the selection operation of the delete button G1204, the UI control unit 310 transmits a processing flow deletion request to the flow creation processing unit 140 (step S2210). The deletion request includes information for identifying the application selected by the user U (for example, information for identifying the application information screen G1200, an application ID, etc.). Further, the deletion request includes information for identifying the processing flow to be deleted selected by the user U (for example, information for identifying each display component included in the flow name list G1201 and a flow ID). ..

When the flow creation processing unit 140 receives the deletion request of the processing flow, the flow creation processing unit 140 transmits the deletion request to the application management unit 120 (step S2211).

Then, when the application management unit 120 receives the deletion request of the processing flow, the application management unit 120 deletes the processing flow information 1100 corresponding to the application ID and the flow ID included in the deletion request from the application information storage unit 180. After that, the application management unit 120 returns the deletion result via the flow creation processing unit 140. As a result, the processing flow registered in the service providing system 10 is deleted.

As described above, the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment can update and delete the processing flow registered in the service providing system 10.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment disclosed specifically, and various modifications and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of claims.

1 Information processing system 10 Service provision system 20 Equipment 30 PC terminal 40 External storage system 110 Service processing unit 120 App management unit 130 Logic processing unit 131 Flow execution unit 132 Component management unit 133 Component group 134 type conversion management unit 135 type conversion group 140 Flow creation processing unit 150 Data I / F unit 160 Document service unit 170 External storage linkage unit 180 App information storage unit 210 UI control unit 220 Scan processing unit 310 UI control unit 1000 App information 1100 Processing flow information 2000 Processing information table 3000 type conversion Information table

Japanese Patent No. 4039191

Claims (10)

An information processing system including one or more information processing devices and having a plurality of programs capable of executing a plurality of predetermined processes.
For each series of processes using electronic data, program identification information that identifies one or more programs that execute each process of the series of processes, process identification information that identifies the processes executed by the program, and 1 and parameters used in the processing executed by the respective above said program, one or more flow information execution order and is defined in the program, storage means for storing in association with the flow identification information for identifying the flow information,
On the flow creation screen displayed on the first device of the one or more devices connected to the information processing system, the program identification information and the plurality of devices capable of executing the program identified by the program identification information. When a user operation that defines a process identification information that identifies one of the processes, the parameter, and the execution order is performed, the program identification information, the process identification information, the parameter, and the execution order are performed. A registration means that creates the flow information in which the execution order is defined, associates the created flow information with the flow identification information that identifies the flow information, and stores the flow information in the storage means.
A receiving means for receiving information on electronic data and the flow identification information from a second device among the one or more devices.
Of the flow information stored in the storage means, an acquisition means for acquiring the flow information stored in the storage means in association with the flow identification information received by the receiving means.
The parameters defined in the flow information according to the execution order defined in the flow information for each of the programs identified by the program identification information defined in the flow information acquired by the acquisition means. By executing the process identified by the process identification information corresponding to the program identification information, the series of processes using the electronic data based on the information about the electronic data received by the receiving means is executed. The means of execution and
Information processing system with. The registration means
When a user operation for arranging a predetermined display component representing the program identification information is performed in a predetermined area included in the flow creation screen displayed on the first device, the flow in which the program identification information is defined is performed. The information processing system according to claim 1, which creates information. The registration method is
The information processing according to claim 2, wherein when a drag-and-drop operation for arranging the display component is performed in a predetermined area included in the flow creation screen, the flow information in which the program identification information is defined is created. system. The information processing system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the display component is an icon representing a processing content of a process executed by a program identified by the program identification information. On the flow creation screen,
The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which includes an area for displaying an operation explanation for the user of the first device. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the execution order is the order in which the program identification information is defined in the flow information. The execution means
It has one or more type conversion means for converting the data type of the electronic data into a predetermined data type for the electronic data.
Claim 1 in which a series of processes using the electronic data is executed by converting the data type of the electronic data into a data type that can be processed by the program by the type conversion means and then executing the program. The information processing system according to any one of 6 to 6. The program includes a program that executes processing related to an external service.
The program that executes the processing related to the external service includes
The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a program that executes a process of uploading electronic data to an external service. An information processing device having a plurality of programs capable of executing a plurality of predetermined processes.
For each series of processes using electronic data, program identification information that identifies one or more programs that execute each process of the series of processes, process identification information that identifies the processes executed by the program, and 1 and parameters used in the processing executed by the respective above said program, one or more flow information execution order and is defined in the program, storage means for storing in association with the flow identification information for identifying the flow information,
On the flow creation screen displayed on the first device of the one or more devices connected to the information processing device, the program identification information and the plurality of programs capable of executing the program identified by the program identification information. When a user operation that defines a process identification information that identifies one of the processes, the parameter, and the execution order is performed, the program identification information, the process identification information, the parameter, and the execution order are performed. A registration means that creates the flow information in which the execution order is defined, associates the created flow information with the flow identification information that identifies the flow information, and stores the flow information in the storage means.
A receiving means for receiving information on electronic data and the flow identification information from a second device among the one or more devices.
Of the flow information stored in the storage means, an acquisition means for acquiring the flow information stored in the storage means in association with the flow identification information received by the receiving means.
The parameters defined in the flow information according to the execution order defined in the flow information for each of the programs identified by the program identification information defined in the flow information acquired by the acquisition means. By executing the process identified by the process identification information corresponding to the program identification information, the series of processes using the electronic data based on the information about the electronic data received by the receiving means is executed. The means of execution and
Information processing device with. An information processing system including one or more information processing devices and having a plurality of programs capable of executing a plurality of predetermined processes, and each process of the series of processes for each series of processes using electronic data. the program identification information for identifying one or more of the programs to be executed, the process identification information for identifying a process in which the program is executed, and parameters used for processing each one or more of the program is executed, one or more of the An information processing method used in an information processing system having a storage means for storing flow information in which a program execution order is defined in association with flow identification information that identifies the flow information.
On the flow creation screen displayed on the first device of the one or more devices connected to the information processing system, the program identification information and the plurality of devices capable of executing the program identified by the program identification information. When a user operation that defines a process identification information that identifies one of the processes, the parameter, and the execution order is performed, the program identification information, the process identification information, the parameter, and the execution order are performed. A registration procedure in which the flow information in which the execution order is defined is created, the created flow information is identified, and the flow identification information is associated with the flow identification information and stored in the storage means.
A receiving procedure for receiving information on electronic data and the flow identification information from a second device among the one or more devices.
Of the flow information stored in the storage means, an acquisition procedure for acquiring the flow information stored in the storage means in association with the flow identification information received by the reception procedure, and
The parameters defined in the flow information according to the execution order defined in the flow information for each of the programs identified by the program identification information defined in the flow information acquired by the acquisition procedure. By executing the process identified by the process identification information corresponding to the program identification information, the series of processes using the electronic data based on the information about the electronic data received by the reception procedure is executed. Execution procedure and
Information processing method having.

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