Abstract:
An image processing apparatus may execute a process defined in a job ticket. The image processing apparatus includes a holding unit to hold a job ticket defining a plurality of processes. A display control unit of the image processing apparatus performs control to display, on a display unit, pieces of information about the plurality of processes defined in the job ticket held in the holding unit.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, a control method for controlling an image processing apparatus, and a storage medium. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    Hitherto, there have existed image processing apparatuses, such as a scanner, a facsimile apparatus, and a multifunction peripheral (MFP), that receive a job ticket generated in advance and that operate in accordance with parameters defined in the received job ticket. 
         [0003]    Some of those image processing apparatuses display a plurality of job tickets, select a desired job ticket from among the displayed job tickets, and allow a process to be executed in accordance with the selected job ticket (see PTL1). 
         [0004]    However, in the conventional image processing apparatuses, a screen for displaying job tickets has a simple structure, so that it is difficult for a user to recognize which process is performed in accordance with which job ticket. 
       CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
       [0000]    
       
         PTL 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-287860 
       
     
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0006]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus capable of executing a process defined in a job ticket. The image processing apparatus includes a holding unit configured to hold a job ticket defining a plurality of processes, and a display control unit configured to perform control to display, on a display unit, pieces of information about the plurality of processes defined in the job ticket held in the holding unit. 
         [0007]    Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  illustrates a configuration of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  illustrates a configuration of an apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  illustrates a configuration of a job ticket management server according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  illustrates a configuration of a job ticket processing server according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  illustrates a configuration of an administrator PC according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  illustrates a flow of a process using a job ticket according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control procedure performed by the administrator PC according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  illustrates a display screen of the administrator PC according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control procedure performed by an apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control procedure performed by the apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  illustrates an operation unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  illustrates a display screen according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 13  illustrates a display screen according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  illustrates a display screen according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 15  illustrates a display screen according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 16  illustrates a display screen according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 17  illustrates a display screen according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 18  illustrates a job ticket according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 19  illustrates a job ticket according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 20  illustrates a display priority management table according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 21  illustrates an edit management table according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0029]    Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. 
         [0030]      FIG. 1  illustrates a system configuration according to this embodiment. An image processing system according to this embodiment includes a job ticket processing server  101 , a job ticket management server  102 , an administrator PC (Personal Computer)  103 , an apparatus  105 , an apparatus  106 , and an apparatus  107 , which are mutually connected via a network  4 . 
         [0031]    Each of the apparatuses  105  to  107  is an apparatus that includes a scanner, that reads a document by the scanner, and that sends image data of the read document to another apparatus or terminal connected to the network  4 . Each of these apparatuses  105  to  107  may be an apparatus having a single function of a scanner, or may be an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) capable of executing a plurality of functions of scan, print, FAX, and the like. 
         [0032]    The administrator PC  103  is a terminal for generating or editing a job ticket describing processing information that is used in the apparatus  105 ,  106 , or  107 , or the job ticket processing server  101 . 
         [0033]    The processing information described in a job ticket includes specification of a resolution for reading image data, a reading size, color reading/monochrome reading, and luminance adjustment, and processes performed after the image data has been read (e.g., E-mail sending, file sending, and OCR (Optical Character Recognition) processing). 
         [0034]    The job ticket management server  102  is a server for storing/managing job tickets generated by the administrator PC  103  by associating the job tickets with user information. The job ticket management server  102  obtains a job ticket from the apparatus  105 ,  106 , or  107 , or the job ticket processing server  101  that executes processes in accordance with processing information described in the job ticket. If the job ticket management server  102  has a configuration capable of storing and obtaining job tickets, a directory service (e.g., an active directory) may be adopted for the job ticket management server  102 . 
         [0035]    The job ticket processing server  101  is a server for performing a series of post-processes described in a job ticket on image data sent from the apparatus  105 ,  106 , or  107 . Here, an example of the post-processes includes a process of sending a file of image data to a file server in accordance with settings in a job ticket. Another example includes a process of sending an E-mail to an E-mail server in accordance with settings in a job ticket. 
         [0036]    A user  108  and a user  109  are users who actually operate the apparatuses  105  to  107 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of the apparatus  105  according to the embodiment. 
         [0038]    The apparatus  105  includes a controller unit  201 , an operation unit  205 , a scanner  220 , and a printer  221 . 
         [0039]    The controller unit  201  includes a CUP (Central Processing Unit)  202 , a RAM (Random Access Memory)  203 , an operation unit I/F (interface)  204 , a Network I/F  206 , a MODEM (modulator-demodulator)  208 , an IC card slot  210 , a ROM (Read Only Memory)  212 , an HDD (Hard Disk Drive)  213 , and an image bus I/F  214 . These units are mutually connected via a system bus  211 . 
         [0040]    Also, the controller unit  201  includes a RIP (Raster Image Processor)  218 , a device I/F  219 , a scanner image processing unit  222 , a printer image processing unit  223 , an image rotating unit  224 , an image compressing unit  225 , and an encrypting/decrypting unit  216 . These units are mutually connected via an image bus  215 . A PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus, IEEE 1394, or the like is used as the image bus  215 . 
         [0041]    The image bus I/F  214  is a bus bridge that connects the system bus  211  to the image bus  215  for transferring image data at high speed and that converts a data structure. 
         [0042]    Furthermore, the controller unit  201  is connected to the operation unit  205 , the scanner  220 , and the printer  221 . 
         [0043]    The CPU  202  generally controls the entire apparatus  105  in accordance with a program stored in the ROM  212 . 
         [0044]    The RAM  203  is a system work memory used by the CPU  202  to operate, and also serves as an image memory for temporarily storing image data. Also, the RAM  203  functions as a work memory of the CPU  202 . 
         [0045]    The operation unit I/F  204  is an interface unit provided for the operation unit  205 , and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit  205  to the operation unit  205 . Also, the operation unit I/F  204  provides instructions accepted from a user via the operation unit  205  to the CPU  202 . 
         [0046]    The network I/F  206  is an interface unit provided for a LAN (Local Area Network)  207 , and inputs/outputs communication data via the LAN  207 . 
         [0047]    The MODEM  208  controls sending and receiving of data via a WAN (Wide Area Network)  209 . 
         [0048]    The ROM  212  stores a boot program of the system and various programs read by the CPU  202 . 
         [0049]    The HDD  213  stores application programs and image data. 
         [0050]    The RIP  218  converts a PDL (Page Description language) code into a bitmap image. 
         [0051]    The device I/F  219  is an interface unit provided for the scanner  220  and the printer  221 , which are image input/output devices, and performs input/output control of image data for the scanner  220  and the printer  221 . 
         [0052]    The scanner image processing unit  222  corrects, processes, or edits image data input thereto. 
         [0053]    The printer image processing unit  223  performs correction, resolution conversion, and the like on the printer  221  for image data to be printed out. 
         [0054]    The image rotating unit  224  rotates image data. 
         [0055]    The image compressing unit  225  compresses and decompresses image data, for example, in accordance with the JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) method for multivalued image data, and the JBIG (Joint Bi-level Image Experts Group), MMR (Modified Modified read), or MH (Modified Huffman) method for binary image data. 
         [0056]    The IC card slot  210  is used for inserting an IC card medium thereto. Inputting an appropriate PIN (Personal Identifier Number) code after the insertion enables input/output of a key used for encryption/decryption. 
         [0057]    The encrypting/decrypting unit  216  is a hardware accelerator board that performs a data encrypting/decrypting process by using the key of the IC card slot  210 . 
         [0058]    A description has been given above about the configuration of the apparatus  105  serving as an MFP with reference to  FIG. 2 . The apparatuses  106  and  107  have a configuration similar to the above-described configuration. Note that the apparatus  106  does not have the IC card slot  210  and the encrypting/decrypting unit  216  and that the apparatus  107  does not have the printer  221 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary configuration of the job ticket management server  102  according to this embodiment. The job ticket management server  102  includes a CPU  301 , a RAM  302 , an operation unit  303 , an HDD  304 , a display unit  305 , and a communication I/F  307 , which are mutually connected via a main bus  308 . 
         [0060]    The CPU  301  generally controls the job ticket management server  102 . The RAM  302  stores a program read by the CPU  301 . The operation unit  303  includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and accepts a user operation. The HDD  304  stores job tickets. The HDD  304  may be a nonvolatile memory, such as an NVRAM (Nonvolatile RAM). The display unit  305  is a display, which displays various screens. The communication I/F  307  sends/receives data to/from another apparatus via the network  4 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary configuration of the job ticket processing server  101 . 
         [0062]    The job ticket processing server  101  includes a CPU  401 , a RAM  402 , an operation unit  403 , an HDD  404 , a display unit  405 , and a communication I/F  407 , which are mutually connected via a main bus  408 . 
         [0063]    The CPU  401  generally controls the job ticket processing server  101 . The RAM  402  stores a program read by the CPU  401 . The operation unit  403  includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and accepts a user operation. The HDD  404  stores job tickets. The HDD  404  may be a nonvolatile memory, such as an NVRAM. The display unit  405  is a display, which displays various screens. The communication I/F  407  sends/receives data to/from another apparatus via the network  4 . 
         [0064]      FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary configuration of the administrator PC  103 . The administrator PC  103  includes a CPU  501 , a RAM  502 , an operation unit  503 , an HDD  504 , a display unit  506 , and a communication I/F  507 , which are mutually connected via a main bus  508 . 
         [0065]    The CPU  501  generally controls the administrator PC  103 . The RAM  502  stores a program read by the CPU  501 . The operation unit  503  includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and accepts a user operation. The HDD  504  stores application programs and various settings. The HDD  504  may be a nonvolatile memory, such as an NVRAM. The display unit  506  is a display, which displays various screens. The communication I/F  507  sends/receives data to/from another apparatus via the network  4 . 
         [0066]    Hereinafter, a description will be given about a method for limiting the use of functions of the apparatus  105  by using a job ticket when a user uses the apparatus  105  in the image processing system having the above-described configuration. A job ticket is a file that defines functions usable by a user among the functions of the apparatus  105 . In this embodiment, a description will be given about a case of using a job ticket for processes in the apparatus  105 , but the job ticket can also be used in the apparatus  106  or  107 . 
         [0067]    A flow of an actual process will be described with reference to  FIG. 6 . 
         [0068]    First, an administrator generates job tickets by using the administrator PC  103  (S 10 ). Application software for generating and editing job tickets is installed in advance to the administrator PC  103 . The administrator starts the application software when he/she wants to generate job tickets. Then, the administrator generates job tickets by operating the started application software and registers the generated job tickets in the job ticket management server  102  (S 11 ). At this time, the job tickets are registered in the job ticket management server  102  by being associated with a user ID that identifies a user. 
         [0069]    The user of the apparatus  105  inputs his/her user ID and password to log into the apparatus  105  when the user uses the apparatus  105 . Then, the user starts a web browser installed in the apparatus  105  and inputs the address of the job ticket management server  102 , thereby accessing the job ticket management server  102  (S 12 ). At this time, the apparatus  105  sends the user ID that was input by the user at login to the job ticket management server  102 . 
         [0070]    The job ticket management server  102  accessed by the apparatus  105  identifies the user on the basis of the user ID sent from the apparatus  105  and sends job tickets that are managed by being associated with the user to the apparatus  105  (S 13 ). The apparatus  105  that has received the job tickets displays a list of the job tickets on the operation unit  205  of the apparatus  105 . 
         [0071]    The user selects a desired job ticket from the displayed list of the job tickets. The apparatus  105  performs control for reading a document by the scanner  220  or sending image data obtained through reading the document by the network I/F  206  in accordance with parameters included in the selected job ticket. For example, in a case where the job ticket specifies an image format and a reading resolution, the apparatus  105  reads a document at the reading resolution specified in the job ticket, converts image data obtained thereby into the image format specified in the job ticket, and stores the image data in the HDD  213  (S 14 ). 
         [0072]    Then, the apparatus  105  sends the image data stored in the HDD  213  and the job ticket to the job ticket processing server  101  (S 15 ). 
         [0073]    The job ticket processing server  101  processes the image data of the document received from the apparatus  105  in accordance with information in the job ticket received from the apparatus  105  (S 16 ). For example, in a case where the information in the job ticket defines E-mail sending to an address A, the job ticket processing server  101  sends the received image data to the address A by attaching the image data to an E-mail (S 17 ). 
         [0074]    Both of the apparatus  105  and the job ticket processing server  101  do not accept any instructions from the user about processing information that is not specified in the job ticket, and operate in accordance with only the processing information determined by parameters specified in the job ticket. That is, the job ticket specifies processing information that should be used in the apparatus  105  and the job ticket processing server  101  as parameters. 
         [0075]    As described above, the apparatus  105  and the job ticket processing server  101  execute processes in accordance with only the information specified in the job ticket, whereby the processing information used by the apparatus  105  can be limited to the information specified in the job ticket. 
         [0076]    Next, a description will be given about a flow of a specific process in a case where a job ticket is generated in the administrator PC  103  by using a flowchart. 
         [0077]    First, a flow of a process in the administrator PC  103  will be described with reference to the flowchart in  FIG. 7 . The respective steps in the flowchart in  FIG. 7  are performed when the CPU  501  of the administrator PC  103  executes a program read from a ROM. 
         [0078]    The CPU  501  starts the flowchart illustrated in  FIG. 7  when an application for generating a job ticket is started by a user. 
         [0079]    First, in step S 601 , the CPU  501  searches for apparatuses connected to the network  4 . 
         [0080]    In step S 602 , the CPU  501  displays a screen for displaying apparatuses found through the search, and accepts selection of an apparatus from the user. 
         [0081]    In step S 603 , the CPU  501  sends a request for obtaining configuration information of the selected apparatus to the apparatus via the network  4 , and receives a response, that is, the configuration information of the apparatus. 
         [0082]    In step S 604 , the CPU  501  displays, on the display unit  506 , a setting screen for making settings of a job ticket on the basis of the received configuration information of the apparatus. 
         [0083]    In step S 605 , the CPU  501  accepts setting of parameters displayed on the setting screen illustrated in  FIG. 8  from the administrator. 
         [0084]    The administrator performs setting of the respective parameters in a state where the screen illustrated in  FIG. 8  is displayed. The respective parameters can be selected by using a check box. A check is made in the check box corresponding to a selected parameter. 
         [0085]    “Caption”  700  is an item for setting the caption of a job ticket. 
         [0086]    “Configuration information”  701  is a column of items that can be set by the administrator on the basis of the configuration of the apparatus  105 . “Parameters”  702  is a column of groups of parameters that can be set for each piece of configuration information. “Permission for change in apparatus”  703  is a column for setting whether the parameters set in the administrator PC  103  can be changed via the operation unit  205  of the apparatus  105 . 
         [0087]    “Image format”  704  is an item for setting an image format, that is, an item for setting a format of image data to be obtained through conversion and stored in the HDD  213  when the apparatus  105  reads a document image by using the scanner  220 . As parameters that can be set as an image format, JPEG, RAW, TIFF (Tagged Image File Format), and BMP (Bit Map) are displayed. 
         [0088]    “Reading resolution”  705  is an item for setting a reading resolution, and is an item for setting a reading resolution when the apparatus  105  reads a document by the scanner  220 . Regarding the item of the reading resolution, parameters are listed for each of an X direction (main scanning direction) and a Y direction (sub scanning direction). As parameters that can be set as a reading resolution in the X direction and Y direction, 100 dpi, 200 dpi, 300 dpi, 400 dpi, 600 dpi, and 1200 dpi are displayed in the “Reading resolution”  705 . 
         [0089]    “Data sending method”  706  is an item for setting a method for sending image data read by the scanner  220  in the apparatus  105 . As parameters that can be set as a data sending method, E-mail, FTP (File Transfer Protocol), and FAX are displayed. 
         [0090]    “Address of data”  707  is an item for setting an address of image data read by the scanner  220  in the apparatus  105 . The administrator inputs an address of data by using an input unit such as a keyboard. Alternatively, setting can be made so that input of data having a format other than an E-mail address is not permitted as an address of data in a case where E-mail is selected in the “Data sending method  706 . 
         [0091]    “Comment”  709  is an item for inputting a comment about the job ticket. 
         [0092]    In this embodiment, among the image format, reading resolution, data sending method, and address of data, only the address of data can be changed in the apparatus  105 . 
         [0093]    The administrator PC  103  accepts settings about a job ticket from the user via the above-described setting screen for performing settings of the job ticket. 
         [0094]    When a job ticket generation button  708  is pressed in a state where settings of the respective items have been made, the administrator PC  103  generates a job ticket on the basis of the set items. Referring back to  FIG. 7 , when the job ticket generation button  708  is pressed, the CPU  501  determines in step S 606  that an instruction to generate a job ticket has been accepted, and the process proceeds to step S 607 . 
         [0095]    In step S 607 , the CPU  501  sets the parameters accepted in step S 605  to a job ticket, thereby generating a job ticket. For example, when the job ticket generation button  708  is pressed in a state where the settings illustrated in  FIG. 8  have been made, the job ticket illustrated in  FIG. 18  is generated. Reference numeral  2001  in  FIG. 18  denotes items including “process id” for identifying the job ticket, “creator” indicating a creator, “caption” indicating the caption of the job ticket, and “comment” indicating the comment of the job ticket. Reference numeral  2002  denotes a setting item name, and the setting about an image format is defined as “format”. Reference numeral  2003  denotes values of parameters set for the setting items. The apparatus that has received the job ticket operates in accordance with the parameters defined in  2003  about the setting items defined in  2002 . 
         [0096]    Reference numerals  2004  and  2005  also denote specification about other setting items, and the job ticket is defined by a combination of such a plurality of setting items. The setting item in which “changeable” is set to 1 is an item in which the setting can be changed by the operation unit  205  of the apparatus  105 . On the other hand, the setting item in which “changeable” is set to 0 is an item in which change of the setting by the operation unit  205  of the apparatus  105  is not permitted. 
         [0097]    In step S 608 , the CPU  501  registers the generated job ticket in the job ticket management server  102 . 
         [0098]    In this way, generation of a job ticket and registration of the job ticket in the job ticket management server  102  by the administrator PC  103  are completed. 
         [0099]    A user can download job tickets, each being registered in the job ticket management server  102  in the above-described manner, to the apparatus  105  and can allow the apparatus  105  and the job ticket processing server  102  to operate in accordance with information described in one of the downloaded job tickets. Here, the apparatus  105  displays the downloaded job tickets on a display unit  713  (see  FIG. 11 ) so as to allow the user to select a job ticket. In this embodiment, display control is performed so that the user can easily select one of the downloaded job tickets. 
         [0100]    Now, control performed by the CPU  202  of the apparatus  105  to allow the user to easily select a job ticket will be described with reference to  FIGS. 9 and 10 . The steps included in the flowcharts in  FIGS. 9 and 10  are performed when the CPU  202  executes a program stored in the ROM  212 . 
         [0101]    In step S 901 , the CPU  202  displays the login screen illustrated in  FIG. 12  on the operation unit  205  illustrated in  FIG. 11 . As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the operation unit  205  includes the display unit  713 , a start key  714 , a stop key  715 , an ID key  716 , and a reset key  717 . The display unit  713  has a configuration in which a touch panel sheet is laminated on an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays the operation screen of the apparatus  105 . When a key displayed on the screen is pressed, the display unit  713  sends position information thereof to the CPU  202  of the controller unit  201 . The start key  714  is used to start an operation of reading a document image by the scanner  220  of the apparatus  105 . The stop key  715  is used to stop an operation of the apparatus  105 . The ID key  716  is used to display a screen for inputting a user ID and a password for logging into the apparatus  105 . In a case where there exists a user who has already logged into the apparatus  105 , the user is logged out from the apparatus  105 . The reset key  717  is used to initialize settings made on the operation unit  205 .  FIG. 12  illustrates an example of a screen displayed on the display unit  713  of the operation unit  205 . The screen illustrated in  FIG. 12  is displayed on the display unit  713  at startup of the apparatus  105  or when the ID key  716  is pressed. An input field  1001  is an area for inputting a user ID, whereas an input field  1002  is an area for inputting a password. When either of the input fields is pressed, a software keyboard is displayed on the display unit  713 , so that the user can input his/her user ID and password by using the displayed software keyboard. 
         [0102]    In step S 902 , the CPU  202  waits for inputting of a user ID and a password by the user and authenticates the user on the basis of the input user ID and password. After the authentication has been successfully performed, the process proceeds to step S 903 . In a case where the authentication has not successfully been performed, the CPU  202  displays an error message on the display unit  713  for a predetermined time, and then displays the login screen illustrated in  FIG. 12  on the display unit  713 . 
         [0103]    In step S 903 , the CPU  202  sends, to the job ticket management server  102 , the user ID input by the user and a request for obtaining job tickets corresponding to the user ID. The job ticket management server  102  specifies the user ID from the received request and sends the job tickets stored in the HDD  304  by being associated with the user ID to the apparatus  105 . 
         [0104]    In step S 904 , the CPU  202  receives the job tickets sent from the job ticket management server  102 , stores the job tickets in the HDD  213 , and analyzes the job tickets. 
         [0105]    In step S 905 , the CPU  202  generates icons corresponding to the job tickets on the basis of an analysis result obtained through the analysis of the job tickets. 
         [0106]    Specific control performed by the CPU  202  in step S 905  will be described with reference to  FIG. 10 . 
         [0107]    In step S 1001  in  FIG. 10 , the CPU  202  determines whether all the job tickets stored in the HDD  213  have been displayed. In a case where all the job tickets have been displayed, the process illustrated in  FIG. 10  ends and the process proceeds to step S 906  in  FIG. 9 . In a case where not all the job tickets have been displayed, the process proceeds to step S 1002 . 
         [0108]    In step S 1002 , the CPU  202  obtains a job ticket that has not yet been obtained among the job tickets stored in the HDD  213 . At this time, the job ticket having the oldest date/time of generation is obtained. The date/time of generation is associated with each job ticket and is managed by the job ticket management server  102 . The apparatus  105  downloads job tickets together with their date/time of generation from the job ticket management server  102  and stores the job tickets in the HDD  213 . 
         [0109]    In step S 1003 , the CPU  202  determines whether the obtained job ticket is editable on the basis of whether the job ticket includes a parameter of changeable=“1”. In a case where the CPU  202  determines that the job ticket does not include a parameter of changeable=“1”, the process proceeds to step S 1004 , where the CPU  202  sets the background color of the icon to blue, and the process proceeds to step S 1008 . On the other hand, in a case where the CPU  202  determines that the job ticket includes a parameter of changeable=“1”, the process proceeds to step S 1005 . 
         [0110]    In step S 1005 , the CPU  202  determines whether a parameter in the job ticket has been changed on the basis of a process id in the job ticket. In a case where a parameter in the job ticket has been changed, the CPU  202  performs control so that the process id in the job ticket is attached in a form different from that before the parameter is changed. For example, in a case where the address in the job ticket illustrated in  FIG. 18  is changed by the operation unit  205  of the apparatus  105 , the job ticket illustrated in  FIG. 19  is generated as another job ticket different from the original job ticket by the CPU  202  and is stored in the HDD  213 . At this time, assume that the process id in the original job ticket is “0001”, then the CPU  202  sets the process id in the job ticket that is newly generated by changing the parameter in the job ticket to “0001-1”. In such a case where an id including a hyphen is given as a process id, the CPU  202  determines in step S 1005  that a parameter in the job ticket has been changed, and the process proceeds to step S 1007 . In step S 1007 , the CPU  202  sets the background color of the icon to red, and the process proceeds to step S 1008 . On the other hand, in a case where the CPU  202  determines in step S 1005  that an id including a hyphen is not given as the process id in the job ticket, the process proceeds to step S 1006 , where the CPU  202  sets the background color of the icon to yellow, and the process proceeds to step S 1008 . 
         [0111]    In step S 1008 , the CPU  202  generates the icon with the set background color. Here, the CPU  202  holds in advance image data of the icon in the HDD  213  and adds information about parameters in the received job ticket to the icon, thereby generating the icon. A process of adding the parameters in the job ticket to the generated icon will be described below regarding step S 1009  and thereafter. The icon is an object that is displayed for each of job tickets  2101  to  2107  illustrated in  FIG. 14 . The user can select a desired job ticket by selecting the corresponding icon. 
         [0112]    In step S 1009 , the CPU  202  initializes a flag i to 1. 
         [0113]    In step S 1010 , the CPU  202  refers to the display priority management table illustrated in  FIG. 20  and determines whether a parameter having a display priority i exists in the job ticket. The display priority management table illustrated in  FIG. 20  is managed by the HDD  213 . In a case where the CPU  202  determines that a parameter having a display priority  1  exists in the job ticket, the process proceeds to step S 1011 . Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S 1016 . 
         [0114]    In step S 1011 , the CPU  202  determines whether the parameter having a display priority  1  is changeable. In a case where “changeable” is set to 1 in the parameter, the CPU  202  determines that the parameter is changeable, and the process proceeds to step S 1012 . Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S 1015 . In step S 1015 , the CPU  202  sets the display color of the parameter to black and performs control so that the parameter is added to the icon using black characters. Then, the process proceeds to step S 1016 . 
         [0115]    On the other hand, in step S 1012 , the CPU  202  determines whether the parameter having a display priority  1  has already been changed. In a case where the CPU  202  determines that the parameter has already been changed, the process proceeds to step S 1013 . In a case where the CPU  202  determines that the parameter has not yet been changed, the process proceeds to step S 1014 . In step S 1014 , the CPU  202  sets the display color of the parameter having a display priority  1  to green and performs control so that the parameter is added to the icon using green characters. On the other hand, in step S 1013 , the CPU  202  performs control so that the parameter having a display priority  1  is added to the icon using orange characters. 
         [0116]    Such a process is repeated the number of times corresponding to the number of levels of display priority specified in the display priority management table. Then, the CPU  202  performs step S 1016 . 
         [0117]    As a specific example of the process from step S 1003  to step S 1017 , a case where the apparatus  105  displays the job ticket illustrated in  FIG. 18  will be described. Here, assume that the apparatus  105  has the display priority management table illustrated in  FIG. 20  in the HDD  213 . 
         [0118]    First, the CPU  202  determines whether any change has been made in the job ticket illustrated in  FIG. 18 . In the job ticket illustrated in  FIG. 18 , “changeable” is set to 1 for the address and the process id does not include a hyphen. Thus, the CPU  202  sets the background color of the icon to yellow and generates the icon. 
         [0119]    Then, the CPU  202  performs a process of adding a parameter “caption” (defined by caption) having a display priority  1  to the icon. Here, the parameter “caption” illustrated in  FIG. 18  is not a changeable parameter, and thus the caption “mail sending” in black characters is added to the icon. Then, the CPU  202  performs a process of adding a parameter “comment” (defined by comment) having a display priority  2  to the icon. The parameter “comment” illustrated in  FIG. 18  is not a changeable parameter, and thus the comment “send scanned document by attaching it to mail” in black characters is added to the icon. Finally, the CPU  202  performs a process of adding a parameter “address” (defined by address) having a display priority  3  to the icon. The parameter “address” illustrated in  FIG. 18  is a changeable parameter and has not yet been changed, and thus an address “taro@xxx.yyy” in green characters is added. 
         [0120]    The CPU  202  determines whether each of the parameters in the job ticket has been changed on the basis of the edit management table illustrated in  FIG. 21 . For example, the edit management table indicates that the job ticket in which the process id is “0001-1” is generated by changing the parameter (address) in the job ticket in which the process id is “0001”. 
         [0121]    By repeating the above-described process from step S 1010  to step S 1017 , an icon added with respective parameters that are set to be displayed in the display priority management table is generated. The icon corresponding to the job ticket illustrated in  FIG. 18  is an icon  2101  illustrated in  FIG. 14 , for example. Also, the CPU  202  performs control so that a flow of processes specified in the job ticket corresponding to the icon is displayed on the icon using figures that can specify processing types. For example, the job ticket illustrated in  FIG. 18  is defined so that a document is to be read at a resolution of 300 dpi×300 dpi, is to be converted into a JPEG format, and is to be sent by E-mail. Therefore, the figures representing those processes are displayed at the top of the icon  2101 . Those figures are stored in the HDD  213  in advance, and the CPU  202  performs control so that the figures are selected and displayed in accordance with the information in the job ticket. 
         [0122]    The process from step S 1001  to step S 1017  is repeated the number of times corresponding to the number of job tickets stored in the HDD  213 . Then, the process illustrated in  FIG. 10  ends and the process proceeds to step S 906  in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0123]    In step S 906 , the CPU  202  displays the screen illustrated in  FIG. 13  on the operation unit  205  in order to allow the user to select a display mode of the icons generated in step S 905 . 
         [0124]    In a case where a “display in list” button is pressed by the user in step S 906 , the CPU  202  allows the process to proceed to step S 907 . In a case where a “display in cascade” button is pressed by the user, the CPU  202  allows the process to proceed to step S 908 . 
         [0125]    In step S 907 , the CPU  202  displays the plurality of job tickets in a list, as illustrated in  FIG. 14 . 
         [0126]    On the other hand, in step S 908 , the CPU  202  displays the icons of the plurality of job tickets such that the icon of the job ticket before change overlaps the icon of the changed job ticket, as illustrated in  FIG. 15 . At this time, the CPU  202  displays the job tickets such that the job ticket before change is at the top and that the changed job ticket is hidden under the job ticket before change. 
         [0127]    In such a state where the job tickets are displayed in the form of icons, the process proceeds to step S 909 , where the CPU  202  accepts selection of a job ticket by the user. A selected state of a once-selected job ticket is canceled when the job ticket is selected again. 
         [0128]    In step S 910 , the CPU  202  determines whether a parameter in the selected job ticket has been changed. The user can display a screen for changing a changeable parameter among the parameters included in the job ticket by pressing a “details/edit” button  2111  illustrated in  FIG. 14  or a “details/edit” button  2210  illustrated in  FIG. 15 . Then, in a case where a confirmation instruction is provided in a state where a changeable parameter has been changed, the process proceeds to step S 911 . 
         [0129]    In step S 911 , the CPU  202  stores the job ticket in which the changed parameter is reflected in the HDD  213 , the job ticket being regarded as another job ticket different from the job ticket before change, and the process returns to step S 905 . 
         [0130]    On the other hand, in a case where the CPU  202  determines in step S 910  that no parameter in the job ticket has been changed, the process proceeds to step S 912 . In step S 912 , the CPU  202  determines whether an execution button has been pressed in a state where a job ticket is selected. In a case where the CPU  202  determines that the execution button has not been pressed, the process returns to step S 909 . In a case where the CPU  202  determines that the execution button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S 913 . 
         [0131]    In step S 913 , the CPU  202  executes a process in accordance with the respective parameters in the job ticket in a selected state. 
         [0132]    For example, in a case where the execution button  2112  is pressed in a state where the job ticket  2101  illustrated in  FIG. 14  is selected, the CPU  202  allows the scanner  220  to read a document image at a reading resolution of 300 dpi×300 dpi. Then, the CPU  202  converts the image into a JPEG format and sends the converted image and the job ticket to the job ticket processing server  102 . The job ticket processing server  102  sends the image sent from the apparatus  105  to “taro@xxx.yyy” by attaching the image to a mail in accordance with the received job ticket. 
         [0133]    In step S 914 , the CPU  202  determines whether a logout instruction has been received from the user via the ID key  716 . In a case where the logout instruction has not yet been received, the process returns to step S 909 . In a case where the logout instruction has been received, the process proceeds to step S 915 . 
         [0134]    In step S 915 , the CPU  202  sends the job ticket before change of the parameter and the job ticket after change of the parameter stored in the HDD  213  to the job ticket management server  102  together with the user ID, and the process ends. 
         [0135]    The job ticket management server  102  receives the job tickets and the user ID, and stores the job tickets by associating the job tickets with the received user ID. Accordingly, the job ticket management server  102  can send the job ticket that is stored by being associated with the user ID and that has a changed parameter to the apparatus  105  when a request for obtaining the job ticket is received next time. 
         [0136]    Incidentally, while the screen illustrated in  FIG. 15  is displayed, the user may wants to see information in a job ticket hidden under a job ticket. In that case, the user can see the information in the hidden job ticket by pressing a group layout button  2211  or a tree layout button  2212 . 
         [0137]    For example, when the group layout button  2211  is pressed, the screen illustrated in  FIG. 16  is displayed. On this screen, a job ticket before change of a parameter and job tickets after change of a parameter are displayed in different display areas. 
         [0138]    On the other hand, when the tree layout button  2212  is pressed, the screen illustrated in  FIG. 17  is displayed. On this screen, a job ticket before change of a parameter and job tickets after change of a parameter are displayed in a hierarchical structure. 
         [0139]    The CPU  202  displays those job tickets in such display modes in accordance with the information in the edit management table. 
         [0140]    As described above, the CPU  202  of the apparatus  105  displays icons of job tickets in accordance with processing information in the job tickets, image data of icons stored in advance in the HDD  213 , and a display method (display pattern) of the display priority management table and the like. For example, the CPU  202  displays each job ticket in the form of an icon and adds processing information as parameters included in the job ticket to the icon, so that the user can easily understand the processing information described in the job ticket. 
         [0141]    Also, the background color of the icon in a case where a changeable parameter is included in the job ticket is different from that in a case where a changeable parameter is not included in the job ticket. Accordingly, the user can easily recognize whether a changeable parameter is included in the job ticket. 
         [0142]    Furthermore, among a plurality of parameters included in the job ticket, a changeable parameter is displayed in a different color of characters from that of an unchangeable parameter. Accordingly, the user can easily recognize the parameter that is changeable. 
         [0143]    Furthermore, among a plurality of parameters included in the job ticket, a changed parameter is displayed in a different color of characters from that of an unchanged parameter. Accordingly, the user can easily recognize the parameter that has been changed. 
         [0144]    Also, the user can switch the display mode of a plurality of job tickets between display in list and display in cascade. 
         [0145]    In the above-described embodiment, a description has been given about an example of displaying an icon of a different color in a case where the job ticket includes a changeable parameter. Alternatively, in such a case, the shape of the icon or the font of a character string included in the icon may be changed. Any other methods can also be used as long as the display pattern of the icon is changed. 
         [0146]    In the above-described embodiment, a description has been given about an example of displaying a changeable parameter in a different color from that of an unchangeable parameter among parameters included in the job ticket. Alternatively, the font of a character string may be changed. 
         [0147]    Furthermore, the display priority of each parameter defined in the display priority management table according to the above-described embodiment may be changeable by a user. When a high priority is put on a parameter desired to be displayed by the user among the parameters included in the job ticket, the high-priority parameter is displayed on the icon. Alternatively, input of a password different from the password input by the user to log into the apparatus  105  may be requested to the user when the display priority is to be changed. Accordingly, the person who can change the display priority can be limited to, for example, an administrator. 
       Other Embodiments 
       [0148]    Aspects of the present invention can also be realized by a computer of a system or apparatus (or devices such as a CPU or MPU) that reads out and executes a program recorded on a memory device to perform the functions of the above-described embodiment, and by a method, the steps of which are performed by a computer of a system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and executing a program recorded on a memory device to perform the functions of the above-described embodiment. For this purpose, the program is provided to the computer for example via a network or from a recording medium of various types serving as the memory device (e.g., computer-readable medium). 
         [0149]    While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions. 
         [0150]    This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-281868, filed Oct. 31, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.