Image processing apparatus and workflow execution system, method, and program for executing workflow by proxy image processing apparatus

A workflow execution system comprising:

• a plurality of proper image processing apparatuses that is connected to a network and work together to execute one workflow related to image information by individually executing their own assigned works in a predetermined order;
• and a proxy image processing apparatus that is interconnected to the plurality of proper image processing apparatuses via the network and executes by proxy a work assigned to any of the plurality of proper image processing apparatuses, and
• a proper image processing apparatus configured to execute its own assigned work, comprising:
• a proper apparatus controller that stores in a portable recording medium, work control information for executing a work assigned to the proper image processing apparatus, workflow execution information transmitted from an image processing apparatus upstream in charge of a most recent work, which indicates which works of a workflow have been executed, image information transmitted from the image processing apparatus upstream in charge of a most recent work, and information indicating an image processing apparatus downstream in charge of a next work, which executes a work after the present work is executed, and
• the proxy image processing apparatus comprising:
• a judger that judges from the information stored in the portable recording medium, whether or not the work can be executed;
• a work executor that executes the work by proxy based on the information stored in the portable recording medium, if the judger judges that the work can be executed;
• a proxy apparatus controller that stores in the portable recording medium, workflow execution information including the execution result and image information, after the work execution is completed;
• and
• a transmitter that transmits the workflow execution information and the image information to the image processing apparatus downstream in charge of a next work, according to the information indicating the image processing apparatus downstream in charge of a next work, which is stored in the portable recording medium, wherein:
• the proper apparatus controller of the proper image processing apparatus stores in the portable recording medium, linkage information directing to an information storage location of the proper image processing apparatus itself, instead of the workflow execution information and the image information, if the workflow execution information and the image information are not transmitted from the image processing apparatus upstream in charge of a most recent work;
• and
• the work executor of the proxy image processing apparatus obtains the workflow execution information and the image information from the information storage location of the proper image processing apparatus according to the linkage information, when executes the work by proxy.

A workflow execution system comprising:

• a plurality of proper image processing apparatuses that is connected to a network and work together to execute one workflow related to image information by individually executing their own assigned works in a predetermined order;
• and a proxy image processing apparatus that is interconnected to the plurality of proper image processing apparatuses via the network and executes by proxy a work assigned to any of the plurality of proper image processing apparatuses, and
• a proper image processing apparatus configured to execute its own assigned work, comprising:
• a proper apparatus controller that stores in a portable recording medium, work control information for executing a work assigned to the proper image processing apparatus, workflow execution information transmitted from an image processing apparatus upstream in charge of a most recent work, which indicates which works of a workflow have been executed, image information transmitted from the image processing apparatus upstream in charge of a most recent work, and information indicating an image processing apparatus downstream in charge of a next work, which executes a work after the present work is executed, and
• the proxy image processing apparatus comprising:
• a judger that judges from the information stored in the portable recording medium, whether or not the work can be executed;
• a work executor that executes the work by proxy based on the information stored in the portable recording medium, if the judger judges that the work can be executed;
• a proxy apparatus controller that stores in the portable recording medium, workflow execution information including the execution result and image information, after the work execution is completed;
• and
• a transmitter that transmits the workflow execution information and the image information to the image processing apparatus downstream in charge of a next work, according to the information indicating the image processing apparatus downstream in charge of a next work, which is stored in the portable recording medium, wherein:
• if the proxy image processing apparatus does not successfully transmit the workflow execution information and the image information to the image processing apparatus downstream in charge of a next work after executing the work and the portable recording medium is connected to the proper image processing apparatus, the proper image processing apparatus transmits the workflow execution information and the image information to the image processing apparatus downstream in charge of a next work then deletes the workflow execution information and the image information stored in the portable recording medium.

A workflow execution method comprising:

• storing in a portable recording medium, work control information for executing a work assigned to a proper image processing apparatus that is one of a plurality of image processing apparatuses connected to a network and work together to execute one workflow by individually executing their own assigned works in a predetermined order, workflow execution information transmitted from an image processing apparatus upstream in charge of a most recent work, which indicates which works of a workflow have been executed, image information transmitted from the image processing upstream in charge of a most recent work, and information indicating an image processing apparatus downstream in charge of a next work, which executes a work after the present work is executed;
• judging from the information stored in the portable recording medium, whether or not a proxy image processing apparatus executing a work by proxy can execute the work;
• executing the work by proxy based on the information stored in the portable recording medium, if it is judged that the proxy image processing apparatus can execute the work;
• storing in the portable recording medium, workflow execution information including the execution result and image information, if the work execution is completed;
• and
• transmitting the workflow execution information and the image information to the image processing apparatus downstream in charge of a next work according to the information indicating the image processing apparatus downstream in charge of a next work, which is stored in the portable recording medium,
• further comprising:
• storing a condition for obtaining log information from the proper image processing apparatus, in the portable recording medium connected to the proper image processing apparatus;
• obtaining log information of the work executed by proxy by the proper image processing apparatus, according to the condition for obtaining log information, which is stored in the portable recording medium, and then storing the obtained log information in the portable recording medium connected to the proxy image processing apparatus;
• and
• storing in a log information storage location of the proper image processing apparatus, the log information stored in the portable recording medium, if the portable recording medium is reconnected to the proper image processing apparatus.

A workflow execution method comprising:

• storing in a portable recording medium, work control information for executing a work assigned to a proper image processing apparatus that is one of a plurality of image processing apparatuses connected to a network and work together to execute one workflow by individually executing their own assigned works in a predetermined order, workflow execution information transmitted from an image processing apparatus upstream in charge of a most recent work, which indicates which works of a workflow have been executed, image information transmitted from the image processing upstream in charge of a most recent work, and information indicating an image processing apparatus downstream in charge of a next work, which executes a work after the present work is executed;
• judging from the information stored in the portable recording medium, whether or not a proxy image processing apparatus executing a work by proxy can execute the work;
• executing the work by proxy based on the information stored in the portable recording medium, if it is judged that the proxy image processing apparatus can execute the work;
• storing in the portable recording medium, workflow execution information including the execution result and image information, if the work execution is completed;
• and
• transmitting the workflow execution information and the image information to the image processing apparatus downstream in charge of a next work according to the information indicating the image processing apparatus downstream in charge of a next work, which is stored in the portable recording medium,
• further comprising:
• storing in the portable recording medium, linkage information directing to an information storage location of the proper image processing apparatus, instead of the workflow execution information and the image information, if the workflow execution information and the image information are not transmitted to the proper image processing apparatus from the image processing apparatus upstream in charge of a most recent work;
• and
• obtaining the workflow execution information and the image information from the information storage location of the proper image processing apparatus according to the linkage information, when the proxy image processing apparatus executes the work by proxy.

A workflow execution method comprising:

• storing in a portable recording medium, work control information for executing a work assigned to a proper image processing apparatus that is one of a plurality of image processing apparatuses connected to a network and work together to execute one workflow by individually executing their own assigned works in a predetermined order, workflow execution information transmitted from an image processing apparatus upstream in charge of a most recent work, which indicates which works of a workflow have been executed, image information transmitted from the image processing upstream in charge of a most recent work, and information indicating an image processing apparatus downstream in charge of a next work, which executes a work after the present work is executed;
• judging from the information stored in the portable recording medium, whether or not a proxy image processing apparatus executing a work by proxy can execute the work;
• executing the work by proxy based on the information stored in the portable recording medium, if it is judged that the proxy image processing apparatus can execute the work;
• storing in the portable recording medium, workflow execution information including the execution result and image information, if the work execution is completed;
• and
• transmitting the workflow execution information and the image information to the image processing apparatus downstream in charge of a next work according to the information indicating the image processing apparatus downstream in charge of a next work, which is stored in the portable recording medium,
• further comprising:
• transmitting the workflow execution information and the image information to the image processing apparatus downstream in charge of a next work then deleting the workflow execution information and the image information stored in the portable recording medium, if the proxy image processing apparatus does not successfully transmit the workflow execution information and the image information to the image processing apparatus downstream in charge of a next work after executing the work and the portable recording medium is connected to the proper image processing apparatus.

An image processing apparatus executing by proxy any of the works assigned to a respective plurality of image processing apparatuses, if the plurality of image processing apparatuses are connected to a network and work together to execute one workflow related to image information by individually executing their own assigned works in a predetermined order, and comprising:

• a connector that removably connects a portable recording medium storing in itself work control information for executing a work assigned to a proper image processing apparatus, workflow execution information transmitted from an image processing apparatus upstream in charge of a most recent work, which indicates which works of a workflow have been executed, image information transmitted from the image processing apparatus upstream in charge of a most recent work, information indicating an image processing apparatus downstream in charge of a next work, which executes a work after the present work is executed;
• a judger that judges from the information stored in the portable recording medium connected to the connector, whether or not the work can be executed;
• a work executor that executes the work by proxy based on the information stored in the portable recording medium, if it is judged that the work can be executed;
• a controller that stores in the portable recording medium, workflow execution information including the execution result and image information, after the work execution is completed;
• and
• a transmitter that transmits the workflow execution information and the image information to the image processing apparatus downstream in charge of a next work, according to the information indicating the image processing apparatus downstream in charge of a next work, which is stored in the portable recording medium, wherein:
• a condition for obtaining log information is stored in the portable recording medium, from the proper image processing apparatus;
• and
• the controller obtains log information of the work executed by proxy, according to the condition for obtaining log information, which is stored in the portable recording medium, and then stores the obtained log information in the portable recording medium.

An image processing apparatus executing by proxy any of the works assigned to a respective plurality of image processing apparatuses, if the plurality of image processing apparatuses are connected to a network and work together to execute one workflow related to image information by individually executing their own assigned works in a predetermined order, and comprising:

• a connector that removably connects a portable recording medium storing in itself work control information for executing a work assigned to a proper image processing apparatus, workflow execution information transmitted from an image processing apparatus upstream in charge of a most recent work, which indicates which works of a workflow have been executed, image information transmitted from the image processing apparatus upstream in charge of a most recent work, information indicating an image processing apparatus downstream in charge of a next work, which executes a work after the present work is executed;
• a judger that judges from the information stored in the portable recording medium connected to the connector, whether or not the work can be executed;
• a work executor that executes the work by proxy based on the information stored in the portable recording medium, if it is judged that the work can be executed;
• a controller that stores in the portable recording medium, workflow execution information including the execution result and image information, after the work execution is completed;
• and
• a transmitter that transmits the workflow execution information and the image information to the image processing apparatus downstream in charge of a next work, according to the information indicating the image processing apparatus downstream in charge of a next work, which is stored in the portable recording medium, wherein:
• when executes the work by proxy, the work executor obtains the workflow execution information and the image information from an information storage location of the proper image processing apparatus according to linkage information directing to the information storage location, if there stored in the portable recording medium, the linkage information instead of the workflow execution information and the image information.

A work proxy execution program stored in a non-transitory computer readable recording medium to make a computer of an image processing apparatus executing by proxy any of the works assigned to a respective plurality image processing apparatuses, if the plurality of image processing apparatuses are connected to a network and work together to execute one workflow, execute:

• judging whether or not the work can be executed, from information stored in a portable recording medium, which are work control information for executing a work assigned to a proper image processing apparatus, workflow execution information transmitted from an image processing apparatus upstream in charge of a most recent work, which indicates which works of a workflow have been executed, image information transmitted from the image processing apparatus upstream in charge of a most recent work, and information indicating an image processing apparatus downstream in charge of a next work, which executes a work after the present work is executed;
• executing by proxy the work based on the information stored in the portable recording medium, if it is judged the work can be executed;
• storing in the portable recording medium, workflow execution information including the execution result and image information, after the work execution is completed;
• and
• transmitting the workflow execution information and the image information to the image processing apparatus downstream in charge of a next work, according to the information indicating the image processing apparatus downstream in charge of a next work, which is stored in the portable recording medium, further making the computer execute:
• obtaining log information of the work executed by proxy, according to a condition for obtaining log information stored in the portable recording medium from the proper image processing apparatus, and then storing the obtained log information in the portable recording medium.

A work proxy execution program stored in a non-transitory computer readable recording medium to make a computer of an image processing apparatus executing by proxy any of the works assigned to a respective plurality of image processing apparatuses, if the plurality of image processing apparatuses are connected to a network and work together to execute one workflow, execute:

• judging whether or not the work can be executed, from information stored in a portable recording medium, which are work control information for executing a work assigned to a proper image processing apparatus, workflow execution information transmitted from an image processing apparatus upstream in charge of a most recent work, which indicates which works of a workflow have been executed, image information transmitted from the image processing apparatus upstream in charge of a most recent work, and information indicating an image processing apparatus downstream in charge of a next work, which executes a work after the present work is executed;
• executing by proxy the work based on the information stored in the portable recording medium, if it is judged the work can be executed;
• storing in the portable recording medium, workflow execution information including the execution result and image information, after the work execution is completed;
• and
• transmitting the workflow execution information and the image information to the image processing apparatus downstream in charge of a next work, according to the information indicating the image processing apparatus downstream in charge of a next work, which is stored in the portable recording medium, further making the computer execute:
• obtaining the workflow execution information and the image information from an information storage location of the proper image processing apparatus according to linkage information directing to the information storage location when the work executor executes the work by proxy, if there stored in the portable recording medium, the linkage information instead of the workflow execution information and the image information.