Job control method, computer readable medium, and job control system

A job control method includes: acquiring, from electronic information accepted, set information set for each setting item contained in the electronic information; setting the set information, which is acquired in the acquiring step, for an usable state in the job within a job item contained in a plurality of job items whose executing procedure are preset, the plurality of job items including a first job item and a second job item; and changing the set information, which is used in the job within a first job item, into an unusable state in the job within a second job item to be executed after the first job item has been executed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-195191 filed Jul. 29, 2008.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

This invention relates to a job control method, a computer readable medium, and a job control system.

2. Related Art

There is workflow managing software for managing the workflow which is a system as the flow of information or job related to a business. It has received attention as one of information technologies supporting BPR (Business Process Reengineering). As the case may be, it is used in cooperation with groupware, progress management software, etc.

For each of job items in conventional workflows, only an input item allotted to the job item (its input is permitted) could be inputted.

Where fetching is done using a paper form in such a conventional workflow, the processing of outputting the form onto paper and processing of scanning to fetch the value entered in the paper form by scanning must be individually done for each of the job items.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present invention, a job control method includes: acquiring, from electronic information accepted, set information set for each setting item contained in the electronic information; setting the set information, which is acquired in the acquiring step, for an usable state in the job within a job item contained in a plurality of job items whose executing procedure are preset, the plurality of job items including a first job item and a second job item; and changing the set information, which is used in the job within a first job item, into an unusable state in the job within a second job item to be executed after the first job item has been executed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, referring to the drawings, an explanation will be given of a preferred embodiment in realizing this invention.

FIG. 1is a conceptual module arrangement view of an embodiment of this invention.

Incidentally, the module refers to a component such as pieces of software (computer program) and hardware generally logically separatable. Therefore, the module in this embodiment refers to not only the module in the computer program but also that in a hardware configuration. Thus, the explanation of this embodiment is directed to all the computer program, system and method. However, for convenience of explanation, although “store”, “cause to store” and their similar words are used, their words mean, in the case of the computer program, that storing in a storage device or controlling to store therein is done by this embodiment. Further, the module and its function are in one-to-one correspondence. However, in packaging, a single module may be formed of one program; and a plurality of modules may be formed of one program. Inversely, a single module may be formed of plural programs. Further, plural modules may be executed by one computer; and a single module may be executed by plural computers which are in a scattering or parallel environment. Incidentally, a single module may include another module. Further, in the following description, “connection” refers to not only physical connection but also logical connection (data transmission/reception, instructions, reference relationship between data, etc.).

Further, “system or device” includes not only the case where plural computers, items of hardware, devices, etc. are connected by a communicating means such as a network (one-to-one communicating connection), but also are realized by a single computer, hardware, device, etc. The “device” and “system” will be used as the word having the same meaning. “Set” refers to “before target processing”; refers to not only before the processing by this embodiment is initiated, but also even if the processing by this embodiment is initiated, being determined according to the condition/status at this time or condition/status hitherto.

This embodiment, as shown by an example ofFIG. 1, includes an information acquisition module110, a using state setting module120, a using state changing module130, a set value storage module140, and a job A module191, a job B module192, . . . a job Z module199which construct a workflow. The using state setting module120and using state changing module130manage the whole workflow or are accessed by the respective steps in the workflow (job A module191, job B module192, etc.).

It should be noted that the “workflow” is a generic name of the system of the flow of items of information and jobs relative to a business containing plural job items whose executing procedure is preset. Particularly, in a step management module226and a workflow executing module227as shown inFIG. 2, the workflow refers to, on the basis of the executing procedure for the jobs of the plural job items, specifying the job whose execution is permitted, executing this job, executing the job according to the operation of a worker as the case may be, and controlling these operations. The workflow may be a combination of modules such as groupware, a progress management, etc. Incidentally, the “job item” refers to activity (hereinafter referred to as “step”) in the workflow, and the “job” refers to an actual job executed for each activity.

The information acquisition module110, which is connected to a using state setting module120, accepts electronic information and acquires set information set for each of setting items (hereinafter referred to as “items”) contained in the electronic information accepted. The electronic information accepted contains series-of-jobs identifying information for identifying a series of jobs initiated according to plural job items (workflow) whose executing procedure are preset. It should be noted that the series-of-jobs identifying information does not refer to an identifier for the definition of the workflow but refers to that for a series of jobs actually started on the basis of the definition of the workflow. This information permits a plurality of the series of jobs to be started from the definition of a single workflow. The information acquisition module110delivers the set information acquired to the using state setting module120. Additionally, the electronic information may be image information received by way of external equipment, by facsimile via a communication line.

The using state setting module120is connected to the information acquisition module110, a using state changing module130, a set value storage module140and incorporates a recognition module121. The using state setting module120sets the set information acquired by the information acquisition module110for a state usable in the jobs within the job items contained in the workflow, and stores it for the set value storage module140. At this time, the using state setting module110sets the set information in a state usable in the jobs in the job items in the series of jobs (workflow) specified by the series-of-jobs identifying information contained the electronic information accepted by the information acquisition module110. Setting of the set information may be done using the recognition module121. Namely, concerning the set information which a target for the recognition module121, if the person recognized by the recognition module121agrees with the worker of the job item contained in the workflow, the set information is set to become the sate usable in the job within the pertinent job item. In order to more strictly specify the worker in the workflow, only when the person recognized agrees with the worker, the set information may be usable in the job within the pertinent job item. After the set information is set, control is shifted to the using state changing module130. Further, the using state setting module120may start the job from not only the job of the first job item in the job A module191, job B module192, etc., but also from the job of any job item.

Where the electronic information accepted by the information acquisition module110is the image information, the recognition module121, if the signature or print mark is extracted by the information set for each setting item, recognizes the person corresponding to the signature or print mark. Further, the person to be recognized by the recognition module121, if the electronic information accepted by the information acquisition module110is text and others, includes a person to use the set information. Namely, within the electronic information accepted by the information acquisition module110, the set information is correlated with the user. The recognition module121extracts the pertinent user.

The using state changing module130, which is connected to the using state setting module120and the set value storage module140, after the using state is set by the using state setting module120, changes the set information stored in the set value storage module140and used for the job within certain job item (including setting job) into a state unusable in the jobs within other job items to be executed after the pertinent job item. For example, as a state not usable, a flag indicative of “unusable” canceling the set information is applied to the set information so that if there is no flag in each job, the set information can be used. Incidentally, “state not usable in the job in the job item” means limiting its use as the set information in the job according to the operation by a user for e.g. a form, but does not limit displaying of the set information.

The set value storage module140is accessed by the using state setting module120, using state changing module130, job A module191, job B module192, . . . , job Z module199. It should be noted that “access” means that a computer executes read or write of data for the storage device (which includes a memory but not necessarily located with the computer). The set value storage module140stores the set information set by the using state setting module120(including the above series-of-jobs identifying information), which is changed by the using state changing module130. Further, the set information is readout from the job A module191and others.

The job A module191, job B module192, . . . , job Z module199, which are connected to the set value storage module140, represent the respective jobs constituting the workflow (job is included in a step). For the job, the set information stored in the set value storage module140is used. Incidentally, in the example shown inFIG. 1, an arrow is marked so that processing is advanced from the job A module191to the job B module192. However, according to setting of the workflow, a different order may be adopted. Further, connection among the respective steps may be not necessarily in one-to-one correspondence, for example, plural steps are connected to a single step, or the single step is connected to the plural steps.

FIG. 2is a view for explaining the entire system arrangement in realizing this embodiment.

A workflow management system220includes a data accepting module221, a data extracting module222, a undetermined edited information creating module225, a step management module226, a workflow executing module227, a user management module228, a user information storage module229, a document management module230, a document information storage module231and a UI creating module232.

An explanation will be given of the relationship with the modules shown inFIG. 1. The data accepting module221corresponds to the information acquisition module110; the data extracting module222, undetermined edited information creating module225, user management module228, user information storage module229, document management module230and document information storage module231correspond to the using state setting module120; an image analysis module223and a handwriting analysis module224correspond to the recognition module121; and the step management module226, user management module228, use information storage module229, document management module230and document information storage module231correspond to the using state changing module130and set value storage module140. The workflow executing module227includes the job A module191, job B module192, . . . , job Z module199.

The document210accepted by the data accepting module221includes a handwritten document211, an electronic document212, a facsimile image213and a Web form214. Namely, the data accepting module221accepts the data such as a text and image. The data accepted are delivered to the data extracting module222. Namely, the data accepting module221takes an input as an entry of registering data for the workflow. Incidentally, the series-of-jobs identifying information for specifying the workflow or its steps relative to the data accepted is previously designated or acquired from the data accepted. Further, the facsimile image213is the image information received by facsimile via the communication line; the facsimile may be connected to the workflow management system220.

The data extracting module222is connected to the data accepting module221, undetermined edited information creating module225, user management module228and document management module230, and includes the image analysis module223and handwriting analysis module224.

The data extracting module222executes processing for the data delivered from the data accepting module221according to its format and delivers the resultant data to the undetermined edited information creating module225, user management module228and document management module230.

Specifically, where the data delivered from the data accepting module221are the data of text such as the electronic document212or Web form214, the set information to be used in the workflow executing module227from the pertinent data is extracted. The set information is delivered to the undetermined edited information creating module225and document management module230. Further, the operator which has entered the set information is specified and the operator is delivered to the user management module228. Incidentally, the operator is specified by specifying the operator logged in when the set information is entered.

Where the format of the data delivered is the image such as the handwritten document211or facsimile image213, the interior of the image is analyzed by the image analysis module223to extract a revision editing region and others. For example, from the form document already printed, the region revision-edited by handwriting is extracted. Thereafter, by the handwriting analysis module224, the region revision-edited may be subjected to character recognition processing or the processing of specifying the user from the handwriting. Further, where the region revision-edited is a column of signature or sealing, the handwriting analysis module224recognizes the signer (operator) or sealing owner (operator). Incidentally, whether the region revision-edited is the column of signature or the column of sealing is done according to whether or not the position of the column of signature or the column of sealing previously stored in the form agrees with the region revision-edited. Further, as the set information, the result of the character recognition processing is delivered to the undetermined edited information creating module225and document management module230, and the recognized user is delivered to the user management module228. Further, where there is the information image such as a bar-code whose identifier is embedded in the image, the image analysis module223may analyze the image information to extract the identifier of the document. Further, the identifier of the operator as well as the identifier of the document may be embedded in the information image.

The undetermined edited information creating module225is connected to the data extracting module222and step management module226. Using the set information received from the data extracting module222, the undetermined edited information creating module225creates the set information necessary for the steps within the workflow and delivers the set information thus created to the step management module226. Namely, the set information is created so as to correspond to the series-of-jobs in the workflow or in the steps within the workflow.

The step management module226is connected to the undetermined edited information creating module225, workflow executing module227, user management module228, document management module230, UI creating module232. The step management module226manages the steps within the workflow for the workflow executing module227. Further, the step management module226has a function of holding the undetermined set information received from the undetermined edited information creating module225and delivering the set information undetermined between the steps. Further, as occasion demands, in order to reflect the set information undetermined, the worker of the step may inquire the operator entered the pertinent set information via the user management module228. Further, according to the job by the workflow executing module227, the pertinent job may be reflected on the document within the document information storage module231via the document management module230. For example, where the set information is set on the document by the workflow executing module227, the job is reflected on the document of the document information storage module231.

The workflow executing module227, which is connected to the step management module226, executes the job in each of the steps in the workflow.

The user management module228is connected to the data extracting module222, step management module226, user information storage module229. According to the request from the data extracting module222and step management module226, using the user information storage module229, the user management module228manages the user. As occasion demands, the user management module228manages both the user and his handwriting.

The user information storage module229is accessed by the user management module228and stores the information necessary for user management. The user information storage module229stores e.g. the quantity of features of handwriting of a user and the quantity of features for recognizing a sealing stamp as well as a user name or password.

The document management module230is connected to the data extracting module222, step management module226and document information storage module231. The document management module230manages the documents stored in the document information storage module and contents undetermined. Where the set information undetermined is set by the workflow executing module227, the document management module230functions to reflect the set information on the document. Where a stylized document is dealt with, the document management module230may manages the stylized document.

The document information storage module231is accessed by the document management module230and stores the documents necessary for the job of the workflow executing module227.

The UI creating module232is connected to the step management module226. The UI creating module232creates, on e.g. the display of the workflow management system220, the user interface necessary when the job in the workflow is executed by the workflow executing module227and receives an instruction from an operator using a key board, mouse, etc.

FIG. 3is a flowchart showing a first processing example according to this embodiment.

In step S302, the information acquisition module110accepts a document210such as a facsimile image213.

In step S304, using the identifier within the document accepted in step S302, the data extracting module222specifies the workflow, its steps and document210.

In step S306, the data extracting module222determines if or not the document specified by step S304is a stylized document. If the stylized document, the processing proceeds to step S308. If not, the processing proceeds to step S310. Whether or not the pertinent document is the stylized document is determined by the identifier.

In step S308, the data extracting module222extracts edited data of each of items within the document. Namely, since a target document is the stylized document, the items are predetermined, the edited data described for each item are extracted.

In step S310, the data extracting module222extracts a collection of the edited data within the document.

If the target document is the handwritten document211or facsimile image213, in step S308and step S310, the image analysis module223and handwriting analysis module224analyze the image to extract the edited data.

In step312, the undetermined edited information creating module225creates the undetermined edited data which is set information on the basis of the edited data extracted in step S308and S310.

In the processing from step S314to S320, the undetermined edited information creating module225limits the searching range of the set information used in the setting job in the steps within the workflow from the target document.

In step S314, the undetermined edited information creating module225determines whether or not the document relative to the undetermined edited information created in step S312is the stylized document. If the pertinent document is the stylized document, the processing proceeds to step S316. If not, the processing proceeds to step S320. Whether or not the pertinent document is the stylized document is determined by the identifier.

In step S316, the undetermined edited information creating module225determines whether or not a job target item has been set with in the target document. If the job target item has been set, the processing proceeds to step S318. If not, the processing proceeds to step S320.

In step S318, the undetermined edited information creating module225limits the searching range to the edited data (set information) within the job target item.

In step S320, the undetermined edited information creating module225defines the searching range in the entire collection of the edited data.

In the processing from step S322to step S330, under the control by the step management module226, the workflow executing module227executes the steps within the workflow. This execution includes setting the set information.

In step S322, the step management module226determines whether or not there are undetermined edited data in the searching range defined in step S318or step S320. If there are the undetermined edited data in the searching range, the processing proceeds to step S324. If not, the processing proceeds to step S326.

In step S324, the step management module226reflects the edited data on undetermined editing job.

In step S326, the step management module226determines whether or not the job of the step to be executed by the workflow executing module227has been wholly completed. If completed, the processing proceeds to step S328. If not, the processing proceeds to step S330.

If step S328, the step management module226controls the processing so that the step is shifted to a next step within the workflow. If shifted, the undetermined edited data are handed over to the next step. Namely, the edited data used in the previous step are changed into such a state that they cannot be used in the setting job at the next step and handed over the next step. Now, “changing the edited data into a state unusable in the setting job at the next step” is e.g. to delete the edited data already used in the setting job, to add a flag indicative of being unusable to the edited data.

In step S330, the step management module226awaits execution of the job at the step by the worker.

FIG. 4is a view for explaining an example of processing of the workflow in a first processing example. This example of the workflow includes step A451, step B452and step C453.

In step S41, the data accepting module221accepts a facsimile image400. The facsimile image400will be explained with reference to an example shown inFIG. 5. The facsimile image400has a request information column410, a memo column420, a sealing column431and a sealing column432.

In step S42, the data extracting module222executes image analysis of the facsimile image400using the image analysis module223. As a result of the analysis, the facsimile image400is separated into the request information column410, the memo column420and a memo column430. The memo column430includes the memo column431and memo column432.

By the processing from step S314to step S320shown in the example of the flowchart ofFIG. 3, the undetermined edited information creating module225creates, from the request information column410, memo column420and sealing column430within the facsimile image400, a request information column410D, memo column420D and sealing column430D which are undetermined edited data, respectively.

In step S43et seq., the workflow consisting of step A451, step B452and step C453will be executed.

In step S43, in step A451, the workflow executing module227executes the job. In the setting job at this time, the step management module226supplies the request information column410D to the workflow executing module227(processing in step S324shown in the example of the flowchart ofFIG. 3). In step S44, upon completion of the setting job in step A451, the request information column410D is deleted and the memo column420D and sealing column430D are set as the undetermined edited data.

Thereafter, likewise, in step B452, after the setting job using the memo column420D, the memo column420D is deleted. In step C453, after the setting job, the remaining sealing column430D is used.

The edited data dealt with in the first processing example include an undetermined edited information table600and an edited information table700.

FIG. 6is a view for explaining an exemplary data structure of the undetermined edited information table600.

The undetermined edited information table600includes an undetermined edited information ID column601, an a registrant column602, an original document ID column603and an edition list column604.

The undetermined edited information ID column601stores an identifier which uniquely specifies the edited data extracted from the document210.

The registrant column602stores a registrant name which specifies the person having registered the document210.

The original document ID column603stores a document identifier which uniquely specifies the document210. It can be extracted from the information image such as a barcode.

The edition list column604stores a list of edited information identifiers (pointers to the edited data). More specifically, they are the pointers to the edited information table700shown in the example ofFIG. 7. The pointers to the edited data used in each of the steps in the workflow are deleted from the edition list column604after their use is completed.

FIG. 7is a view for explaining an exemplary data structure of the edited information table700.

The edited information table700includes an edited information ID column701, an editor column702, an original document ID column703, an edited area column704and an content ID column705. The edited information table700is created for each item.

The edited information ID column701stores an edited information identifier which uniquely specifies the edited data.

The editor column702stores an editor name which specifies the person having registered the document210. The editor name is detected by the handwriting analysis module224.

The original source ID column703stores a document identifier which uniquely specifies the original document on which the pertinent edited data have been described.

The edited area column704stores the item in this document (item in which the pertinent data have been described).

The content ID column705stores an identifier which uniquely specifies the content (contents and data of the document itself) of the pertinent edited data.

The steps within the workflow dealt with in the first processing example and setting job within the pertinent step are managed using a step management table800and a job table900.

FIG. 8is a view for explaining an exemplary data structure of the step management table800.

The step management table800includes a step ID column801, an step name column802, a subsequent step ID column803, a job list column804and an undetermined edited information column805.

The step ID column801stores an identifier which uniquely specifies the step within the workflow.

The step name column802stores a name of the pertinent step.

The subsequent step ID column803stores a step identifier of the subsequent step. In this way, the step management module226manages the order of the steps.

The job list column804stores a job identifier of the job in the pertinent step. More concretely, it is a pointer to the job table900in the example ofFIG. 9.

The undetermined edited information column805stores a pointer to the edited data used in the workflow. More specifically, it is a pointer to the undetermined edited information table600shown in the example ofFIG. 6.

FIG. 9is a view for explaining an exemplary data structure of the job table900.

The job table900includes a job ID column901, a person-in-charge-of-job column902, a job state column903, a completion condition column904, a target document column905, a target document type column906and a job target item column907.

The job ID column901stores an identifier which uniquely specifies the job.

The person-in-charge-of-job column902stores a name of the person in charge of the pertinent job.

The job state column903stores completion or non-completion as the job state.

The completion condition column904store a condition by which it can be determined that the pertinent job has been completed. For example, the condition is e.g. entry of the target item and storage of the document.

The target document column905stores a document identifier of the document which is a target in the pertinent job.

The target document type column906stores a type of the target document (stylized or non-stylized).

The job target item column907stores a target item in the pertinent job (item to be set). It is e.g. a sealing column431which is an approval column (Stylized_fax_form.SignForm).

FIG. 10is a flowchart of a second processing example according to this embodiment. Particularly, in the case where the document accepted is an image and the worker is specified by the handwriting analysis module224, this flowchart intends to explain the processing in the setting job taken charge by the worker in the workflow. Incidentally, the same processing as the flowchart example inFIG. 3will not be explained describing this effect.

In step S1002, the information acquisition module110accepts the handwritten document211or facsimile image213.

Step S1004is the same as step S304.

In step S1006, the image analysis module223extracts handwriting information, i.e., extracts a handwritten image described on the pertinent document.

In step S1008, the handwriting analysis module224detects the person having described the handwritten image extracted by step S1006(worker having executed the edition). The data extracting module222extracts the edited data for each worker, and further extracts a document identifier from the image information such as the bar code within the image.

In step S1010, the undetermined edited information creating module225creates undetermined edited information which is the set information on the basis of the edited data extracted for each worker in step S1008.

The steps from step S1012to step S1018are the same as those from step S314to step S320.

In the processing from step S1020to step S1034, under the control by the step management module226, the workflow executing module227executes the step within the workflow. This execution includes setting the set information.

In step S1020, the step management module226determines whether or not there are the undetermined edited data executed by the person in charge of the job (who is a worker in the workflow and also a person having described a handwritten image on the image accepted in step S1002) in the searching range defined in step S1016or step S1018. If there are the undetermined edited data in the searching range, the processing proceeds to step S1022. If not, the processing proceeds to step S1024.

Step S1022is the same as step S324.

In step S1024, the step management module226determines whether or not there are the undetermined edited data executed by the person who could not be specified as the worker (where the handwriting analysis module224could not specify the worker) in the searching range in step S1016or step S1018. If there are the undetermined edited data, the processing proceeds to step S1026. If not, the processing proceeds to step S1028.

In step S1026, the user management module228inquires of the worker in the workflow through the UI creating module232whether or not the edited data may be set. If there is an answer that the edited data should not be set, the information to be set is acquired by the operation by the worker.

Step S1028is the same as step S324.

The steps from S1030to S1034are the same as the steps from S326to S330.

FIG. 11is a view for explaining an example of the workflow in the second processing example. This example of the workflow includes step A1151, step B1152and step C1153. The workers in charge are a worker1111in step A1151, a worker1112step B1152and a worker1113step C1153, respectively.

In step S111, in executing the job in step A1151, a document1100to be processed is printed. On this document, any description is not still made.

In step S112, the worker1111who is the worker in step A1151receives this document and makes a description on the document by handwriting.

In step S113, the worker1112who is the worker in step A1152receives this document and further makes a description on the document by handwriting.

In step S114, the worker1113who is the worker in step C1153receives this document and makes an approval (signature or sealing) on the document.

In step S115, the data accepting module221accepts the document subjected to the processing from step S112to S114as an image read by the scanner or transmitted via the facsimile. According to the example of the workflow shown inFIG. 10, the job of setting the edited data is executed in step A1151, step B1152and step C1153. Namely, in step A1151, the information described in step S112is set; in step B1152, the information described in step S113is set; and in step C1153, the information described in step S114is set (approval).

FIG. 12is a view for explaining the document printed in step S111, i.e. a document1100before the job is started.

A document1100A includes a set item column1101A, a set item column1102A and a set item column (approval)1103A. It is of course that each column is blank.

FIG. 13is a view for explaining an example of the image information of a document1000B accepted in step S115.

For example, the set item column1101B is described by the worker1111; the set item column1102B is described by the worker1112; and the set item column (approval)1103B is put a seal by the worker1113.

FIG. 14is a view for explaining an example of the electronic information in the state before the setting job in step B1152is started (the state after the setting job in step A1151has been completed).

A document1100D includes a set item column1101D, a set item column1102D and a set item column (approval)1103D. Namely, a description on the set item column1101B in step S112is reflected as the set item column1101D. Incidentally, in the setting job in step B1152, although the information set in the previous step like the set item column1101D, this information cannot be edited in the setting job in step B1152.

The edited data to be dealt with in the second processing example includes an undetermined edited information table1500and an edited information table1600. If they are the same as the undetermined edited information table600and edited information table700dealt with in the first processing example, they will not be explained describing this effect.

FIG. 15is a view for explaining an exemplary data structure of the undetermined edited information table1500.

The undetermined edited information table1500includes an undetermined edited information ID column1501, a registrant column1502, an original document ID column1503and an edition list column1504. Each column is the same as each column in the undetermined edited information table600.

FIG. 16is a view for explaining an exemplary data structure of the edited information table1600.

The edited information table1600includes an edited information ID column1601, an editor column1602, an original document ID column1603, a page column1604, a coordinate-width-length column1605and a content ID column1606. The edited information table1600is different from the edited information table700in that it has the page column1604and coordinate-width-length column1605in place of the edited area column704.

The page column1604stores a page where there is the pertinent item of the target document.

The coordinate-width-length column1605stores an area where there is the pertinent item with the page. In short, by the page column1604and coordinate-width-length column1605, the pertinent item is specified from the document which is the image.

The steps within the workflow dealt with in the second processing example and setting job within the pertinent step are managed using a step management table1700and a job table1800.

FIG. 17is a view for explaining an exemplary data structure of the step management table1700.

The step management table1700includes a step ID column1701, an step name column1702, a subsequent step ID column1703, a job list column1704and an undetermined edited information column1705. Each column in the step management table1700is the same as each in the step management table800.

FIG. 18is a view for explaining an exemplary data structure of the job table1800.

The job table1800includes a job ID column1801, a person-in-charge-of-job column1802, a job state column1803, a completion condition column1804, a target document column1805, a target document type column1806and a job target item column1807. Each of the job table1800is the same as each of the job table900.

FIG. 19is a view for explaining another processing example of the workflow.

Further, in this embodiment, in addition to the relationship between the workflow shown inFIG. 4or11and the processing of the document in the workflow, such a relationship as shown inFIG. 19may be adopted.

This example of the workflow includes step A1951, step B1952and step C1953. The workers in charge are a worker1901in step A1951and a worker1902in step C1953, respectively. The worker1901and the worker1902are nearby so that they can hand over a paper document therebetween. However, the worker of step B1952is at a place farther from the worker1901and others so that the processing of step B1952by the workflow executing module227will be executed via a communication line.

In step S191, in executing the job in step A1951, the document1900to be processed is printed. On this document, any description is not still made.

In step S192, the worker1901who is the worker in step A1951receives this document and makes a description on the document by handwriting.

In step S193, the data accepting module221accepts the document1900subjected to the processing in step S192as an image read by the scanner or transmitted via the facsimile. According to the example of the workflow shown inFIG. 10, the job of setting the edited data is executed in step A1951. On the other hand, the worker1901hands over the handwritten document1900to the worker1902.

In step S194, the worker1902makes a handwritten description on the document1900received.

In step S195, after the setting job has been executed in step B1952, the data accepting module221accepts the document1900subjected to the processing in step S194as an image read by the scanner or transmitted via the facsimile. According to the example of the workflow shown inFIG. 10, the job of setting the edited data is executed in step C1953.

Namely, in step B1952, the setting job is executed without the description being made on the paper document, whereas in step A1951and step C1953, after the description has been made on the paper document, the description is read to execute the setting job.

Additionally, the hardware configuration of the computer for executing a program according to this embodiment is a general computer, as illustrated inFIG. 20, more specifically a computer which is used as a personal computer or server. The computer includes a CPU2001(used as an arithmetic unit in this embodiment), which executes the program such as the information acquisition module110, using state setting module120, using state changing module130, data extracting module222, undetermined edited information creating module225, step management module226and workflow executing module227; a RAM2002which stores the program and data; a ROM2003which stores the program and others for starting the computer; an HD2004serving as an auxiliary device (e.g. a hard disk can be used); an inputting device2006such as a keyboard or mouse for inputting data; an inputting device2005such as a CRT or liquid crystal display; a communication line interface2007to be connected to a communication network (e.g. a network interface card can be used); and a bus2008for connecting these components to execute the exchange of data thereamong. A plurality of such computers may be connected to one another by the network.

The embodiment according to a computer program can be realized in such a manner that the computer program or software is read in the system of the hardware configuration and the software is cooperated with hardware resources.

The hardware configuration shown inFIG. 20is only a typical example thereof, and should not be limited to such configuration but may be any configuration as long as it can executed the modules explained with reference to this embodiment. For example, some modules may be constructed by dedicated hardware (e.g. ASIC) and some modules may be located within an external system and connected to one another by the communication line. Further, a plurality of systems as shown inFIG. 20may be connected to one another by the communication line to operate cooperatively with one another. Further, particularly, this embodiment may incorporate not only the personal computer but also an information household electric appliance, a copier, a facsimile, a scanner, a printer, a composite machine (an image processing device having any two functions of the scanner, printer, copier, facsimile, etc.).

The program as described above may be stored in a recording medium. Otherwise, it may be provided via a communicating means. In this case, the program as described above may be taken as an invention of “a computer-readable recording medium with the program recorded”.

The “computer-readable recording medium with the program recorded” refers to a computer-readable recording medium with the program recorded which is used for installation, execution, circulation, etc. of the program.

The recording medium includes a “DVD−R, DVD−RW, DVD-RAM, etc.” which is a digital versatile disk (DVD) and a standard worked out by the DVD forum; a “DVD+R, DVD+RW, etc.” which is a standard by the DVD+RW forum; a compact disk (CD) inclusive of a read-only-memory (CD-ROM), a CD-recordable (CD-R), a CD-rewritable (CD-RW), etc.; and a blue-ray disk (Blue-ray Disk), a magneto-optic disk (MO), a flexible disk (FD), a magnetic tape, a hard disk, a read-only-memory (ROM), an electrically erasable and rewritable read-only-memory (EEPROM), a flash memory, a random-access-memory (RAM).

The above program or its portion recorded in the recording medium may be held or circulated. Further, by communication, it may be also transmitted through a cable network used in e.g. a local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), an internet, an intranet or an extranet; a wireless communication network; or a transmitting medium consisting of these networks. The program may be transferred on a carrier wave.

Further, the above program may be a part of another program, or may be recorded together with another program on the recording medium. The program may be recorded divisionally in a plurality of recording media. Further, the program may be recorded in any manner such as compression or encryption as long as it can be restored.