Abstract: A plurality of equipment connected to a network are linked with each other to perform plural processing operations to document data. When, for example, a user defines a desired service linkage job flow by using, for example, a GUI screen displayed on a client terminal, job flow information is transmitted to a script creation server, and a script is created in which processing contents and a storage location of a document as a processing object are defined. The created script can be stored in a storage unit such as, for example, a script management server. When the user selects a desired script among plural scripts stored in the script management server, the selected script is transmitted to a linkage processing server.

Abstract: In a case where a service for performing specified processings of document data as one job is processed in a cooperative manner on a network, a service processing state is exhibited in a proper notice form in each job unit and in each processing unit in the job, so that the processing state can be property recognized from the viewpoint of accounting, security and privacy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a display screen depending on a display pattern of an image processing apparatus. On the basis of UI information described in an instruction data, screen information, which can be operationally input and displayed, on a screen for the user is generated, and the display screen is displayed. Parameters and pieces of attribute information held by the parameters are described in the UI information, screen information depending on the attribute information is generated and displayed on a display component. The attribute information includes information representing changeable or unchangeable and an input limit value. For this reason, a display pattern and an operation input pattern of the item information displayed on the display component can be changed.

Abstract: A service processing apparatus and a service processing method make devices connected to a network cooperatively effect plural processes on document data when a specific event occurs. When a user defines a processing timing so that a job is executed when the specific event occurs in a desired job flow and a predetermined device, an instruction generating server creates an instruction and sends it to an instruction managing server together with a processing timing information. When the instruction managing server has been notified that the specific event has occurred, the instruction managing server identifies the instruction from the correspondence relation between the instruction and the processing timing and sends the instruction to a cooperate processing server. The cooperative processing server requests the devices to conduct processing so that a document is processed in accordance with the content of the instruction, and makes the devices cooperatively effect plural processes.

Abstract: A user defines a job flow of desired service cooperation according to a GUI screen displayed on a client terminal where parallel processing of plural parallel-executable jobs can be set. According to the thus-defined job flow, an instruction data generation server generates instruction data defining the content of processes, a storage location of a document as a subject, and other items. When the user selects desired one of the instruction data, the selected instruction data is sent to a cooperative processing server.

Abstract: The present invention provides a display screen based on a display pattern of an image processing apparatus. Instruction data in which process information representing as a series of processes at least one process performed to document data and UI information for setting execution contents of the processes are described is acquired, and the UI information is extracted. A screen structure is generated on the basis of the UI information, and a screen of screen information obtained by reflecting the setting information on the screen structure is displayed. In this manner, a display screen having versatility and expandability can be provided.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, the minimum amount of resources required to execute jobs is registered for each job type in a required-amount-of-resources management table. In response to a request from a job control section, a resource management section dynamically changes the amount of resources to be allocated to a job at the time of execution of the job, so as to correspond to the priority of the job.

Abstract: An image-processing device creates a sequential print-processing schedule for inputted print jobs on the basis of supply conditions of required resources, such as printing media and the like, and of attribute information of the print jobs. Before execution of a print job, the image-processing device acquires attribute information for the leading job in a print-waiting queue, and determines whether or not resources requested for that print job are supplied. If not, execution of that printing job is inhibited, and the next print job in line is performed. Thus, productivity of the device can be improved. However, it is also determined whether or not the print job meets a predetermined condition. If so, other jobs are blocked from overtaking the inhibited job and being performed first. The inhibited job waits until resources are supplied, and thus re-prioritization of the print jobs against the will of a user is prevented.

Abstract: In an image processing system, a file server, an image processing apparatus and a terminal unit are connected to a network. The image processing apparatus collects information on available functions, the status of the operation for image processing, and the status of failures and consumable supplies, from a detecting unit, thereby creating a status file and registers it in the file server. The user of the terminal unit obtains the status file from the file server and allows it to be displayed on a display device. This enables the user to find out the functions provided by the image processing apparatus, the status of the operation for image processing, the history of failures, and the like. On the basis of this information, the user can create an operation mode file defining specific image processing, and register it in the file server.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image processing system in which an input image read from a document is subjected to image processing on the basis of machine operation indicating information defined in a job control sheet, to thereby obtain an output image. The job control sheet having specific marks or patterns arranged at its four corners so as to be point symmetrical with each other for discriminating the job control sheet from a document. The specific marks are comprised of attributes which are different in part for each of the specific marks.

Abstract: A mark placing and canceling method, operating with a mark sheet provided with mark columns formed of closed areas demarcated with boundary lines, for entering a mark indicating a set-up of a control job in one of the mark columns, reading the mark sheet with a two-dimensional image reading device, and canceling the mark entered in the mark column on the mark sheet as recognized by means of a mark recognizing device. The mark placing and canceling method includes the steps of (a) entering a line forming a crossing point with the boundary line, as a mark for setting up a control job; and (b) entering a line forming new crossing points with the already entered line and with the boundary line, as a mark for canceling the set-up of the control job, in case the already entered mark is to be canceled.

Abstract: A picture image processing system which produces output picture images by executing picture image processing operations on input picture images with an input means furnishing instructions on machine operations, input picture information from an original document, and processed picture information for the input picture information, a recognizing means for the information mentioned above, a composite picture image generating means producing composite picture images by integration of the processed picture information into the input picture information recognized as mentioned above, and an output means yielding the output of such composite picture images on paper. The picture image processing system of the present invention is capable of performing a variety of picture image editing and composing functions and a variety of functions for producing an output of composite picture images using different types of picture image output equipment and sending the output to multiple destinations for document distribution.

Abstract: The picture image processing system disclosed in the present invention comprises a control number assigning means, a job reservation means, a control information storing means, and an output means, which yields the output of paper with at least some part of the control information printed thereon together with the control number, and this system may further comprise a reservation result recognizing means and an output means constructed in such a manner as to be capable of producing the output of the status of the reserved jobs printed thereon together with the control number, the information thus printed out being at least either one of the two types, characters and geometrical patterns, which may be made selectable by either a difference in the input equipment or the result of a processing job or both of these, with the possible addition of the capability of controlling the printing position for the characters or geometrical patterns.

Abstract: An image processing system specifies input image information on the basis of existence of a special mark or patterns printed on a job control sheet. Selected one of various image processings is executed in accordance with the existence of the special mark or patterns to thereby obtain output image information. Each of the special mark or patterns are line drawings, each drawn so as to have a certain low correlative angle to longitudinal and transverse directions of an image provided with the special mark or patterns.