Workflow management method using an image forming apparatus
AssigneeCanon Kabushiki Kaisha
InventorMasashi Nishiyama
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An image forming apparatus determines whether workflow information is included in a received print request. When the workflow information is included in the received print request, the image forming apparatus analyzes the workflow information and calculates a limit date/time to be notified to workers taking charge of respective steps of a workflow. The image forming apparatus prepares E-mail data including information that indicates the limit date/time. The image forming apparatus sends the prepared E-mail by referring to mail addresses of the workers taking charge of the respective steps of the workflow.
Claims21
An image forming apparatus configured to receive print information from an information processing apparatus and to process the print information, the image forming apparatus comprising:
- a determining unit configured to determine whether the print information includes workflow information;
- a limit date calculating unit configured to, when the determining unit determines that the print information includes the workflow information, analyze the workflow information and calculate a limit date until which a first step constituting a workflow is to be completed;
- a mail preparing unit configured to prepare a notification mail which includes information indicating the limit date of the first step;
- and
- a mail sending unit configured to send the notification mail prepared by the mail preparing unit to an address of a worker in charge of the first step, the address of the worker being specified based on the workflow information.
An information processing apparatus configured to transmit print information to an image forming apparatus, the information processing apparatus comprising:
- a setting unit configured to set workflow information for specifying a workflow with respect to the print information;
- and
- a transmitting unit configured to transmit the workflow information to the image forming apparatus, the workflow information being included in the print information.
A workflow management method for use in an image forming apparatus configured to receive print information from an information processing apparatus and to process the print information, the workflow management method comprising:
- determining whether the print information includes workflow information;
- upon a determination result indicating that the print information includes the workflow information, analyzing the workflow information and calculating a limit date until which a first step constituting a workflow is to be completed;
- preparing a notification mail which includes information indicating the calculated limit date of the first step;
- and
- sending the prepared notification mail to an address of a worker taking charge of the first step, the address of the worker being specified based on the workflow information.
A workflow management method for use in an information processing apparatus configured to transmit print information to an image forming apparatus, the information processing method comprising the steps of:
- setting workflow information for specifying a workflow with respect to the print information;
- and
- transmitting the workflow information to the image forming apparatus, the workflow information being included in the print information.
A computer-readable storage medium storing a program that causes a computer to execute the workflow management method comprising:
- determining whether the print information includes workflow information;
- upon a determination result indicating that the print information includes the workflow information, analyzing the workflow information and calculating a limit date until which a first step constituting a workflow is to be completed;
- preparing a notification mail which includes information indicating the calculated limit date of the first step;
- and
- sending the prepared notification mail to an address of a worker taking charge of the first step, the address of the worker being specified based on the workflow information.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.